The Arkansas Cinema Society out of Little Rock announced the launch of "Film in Arkansas" Campaign. Across the country, states are experiencing a surge in economic growth as film productions relocate from Hollywood, seeking better economic conditions, new workforces, diverse geographies, and attractive incentives. Arkansas stands at a pivotal point as filmmakers push to transform the state into a competitive destination for the film industry.   Over the last decade, Arkansas has hosted productions like True Detective and MUD, but limited film incentives, such as capped tax credits and project-based rebates, hinder further growth. In contrast, neighboring states like Oklahoma have increased funding for film incentives, generating hundreds of millions in local economic activity through workforce expansion and attracting major productions. Arkansas’s own studies show that robust film incentives could yield over $4 million per $1 million invested, create 1,300+ local jobs, $100 million – economic impact from True Detective Season 3 and would ensure homegrown productions stay in-state. The Film in Arkansas campaign, spearheaded by local filmmakers, aims to enhance state incentives and build a thriving creative economy. Advocates stress the financial impact of productions, from job creation to increased spending at hotels, stores, and restaurants. Filmmakers and stakeholders are coming together to urge legislators to act now, ensuring Arkansas remains competitive in the regional film market. More incentive funding means more movies—and more money for Arkansas. Click here to read full press release

40/29 Chief Meteorologist Darby Bybee and the rest of the Get Ready Weather team want to remind viewers about Severe and Impact days. We all have days were the weather could impact our daily activities. It could be simply a game getting rained out, kids getting pick up from school or missing bad weather during your commute to and from work. The 40/29 Get Ready Weather team wants to help you plan your week by using weather icons for Severe and Impact days during their weather forecast. That way you can be better prepared for bad weather. (see icons to right) See below a list of potential impact days and severe days. Impact Days would be days the weather could cause a nuisance to your daily plans.   List of Impact weather events:   Rain showers Heat/Humid Days Thunderstorms  Dense Fog Wild Fire Danger  High Winds   Freezing Temperatures    Severe Days would be days that the weather could be life threatening to you or your family.   List of Severe Weather Events:   Severe Thunderstorms Straight Line Winds Hail Tornadoes Flooding Snow and Ice Snow Storms Freezing Rain  Ice Storms If you need to find out about severe weather events as they are happening, there is a 40/29 weather tab in the top right hand corner of our blog that will take you to  4029tv.com/weather   or you can tune in over the air on The Arkansas CW or 40/29 News for updates during Severe Weather so that you can be better prepared.   Below is a list where you can find The Arkansas CW in our area! Channel Listings:  Free Over the Air Antenna: 40.2 or 29.2 Cox Cable: 4 or 2004 AT&T U-Verse: 30 or 1030 DirecTV: 41 Dish: 21

Photo by Brittany NO FOMO Bentonville, AR – May 1, 2025 – The Arkansas Cinema Society and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invite you to a special sneak preview of City of Songs , a new PBS music and travel series, on Thursday, May 1st, at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. The event is free and open to the public, with no tickets required. The evening includes a screening of the series, followed by a Q&A with Director/Producer Mario Troncoso and Creator/Executive Producer Troy Campbell, both Northwest Arkansas residents. Stephanie Hunt Host of City of Songs by Brittany NO FOMO About City of Songs Hosted by musician and actress Stephanie Hunt, the series explores the music and culture of iconic cities worldwide, from Austin to Seoul to Barcelona. Through rhythms and stories, City of Songs celebrates music’s power to connect and unite communities. Event Details What: City of Songs Sneak Preview Screening Who: Arkansas Cinema Society + Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art When: Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Where: The Great Hall, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Notes: Free event, no ticket required. Q&A session with Director/Producer Mario Troncoso and Creator/Executive Producer Troy Campbell to follow. Don’t Miss This Exclusive Preview

Get ready for a mouthwatering celebration in the heart of Downtown Fort Smith! The First Annual Fort Smith Food Truck Festival, proudly brought to you by the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association and the Bar & Restaurant Committee, is set to take over downtown with a feast for the senses on June 22nd from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This exciting event will feature a diverse lineup of food trucks offering a tantalizing variety of flavors. From savory bites to sweet treats, every palate is guaranteed to find something special. It’s a true celebration of Fort Smith’s vibrant culinary scene! Festival Highlights are not just about food, this event will bring the community together for a lively day of music, cuisine, and local culture. Be sure to catch the soulful sounds of Big Al and the Blues Cats, performing live to add to the festive atmosphere. A big shoutout to them for their support! Featured Food Trucks Here’s a sneak peek of the culinary delights you can expect: Kona Ice of Fort Smith The Boujee Lemon Beaver Tails Lucky’s Mini Donuts Jarabes Tapatios Smoky B’s Country Snow Wing Kraze Bella’s Boba Brew House Mackey’s Catfish Vinnie’s Pies Garrison Goodies Mark your calendars for this must-attend event, and join us as we celebrate food, music, and Fort Smith’s rich culture. You don’t want to miss this unforgettable culinary adventure! Location: 601 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901-2508, United States

The Ozark Mountain UFO Conference was hosted at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Conference Center in Eureka Springs. Over the weekend, we eagerly dove into the vibrant atmosphere of this intriguing event. We wandered through the bustling vendor room, where booths showcased captivating merchandise and fascinating literature. We had the opportunity to speak with passionate staff members, enthusiastic vendors, and curious guests, all eager to share what makes this conference so special. Don't miss the video below that captures the excitement and energy of the weekend! Click To Watch Video Photo Gallery You can find out more about the Ozark Mountain UFO Conference by going to their website .

Experience the vibrant Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisans Market, a festival-style event held on the third Saturday of each month from May through October in the heart of the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. This unique market celebrates local creativity and entrepreneurship, featuring an array of homegrown, homemade, and handmade goods alongside original art and designs. Visitors can savor delicious meals from food trucks, enjoy refreshing adult beverages, and explore a wide selection of vendor booths showcasing one-of-a-kind products. Don’t Miss These 2025 Market Dates: May 17 June 21 July 19 August 16 September 20 October 18

The ANA Gallery, established in 2021, proudly reopens in a new location at 300 N. 2nd Street, Rogers, Arkansas. Home to 16 award-winning artists, the gallery showcases a diverse collection of original works, ranging from realistic landscapes to abstract and figurative styles. For over 30 years, ANA has fostered creativity and inclusivity in Northwest Arkansas. After a devastating tornado in 2024 rendered the gallery on West Walnut Street unusable, a new 3,500 sq. ft. space was secured in early 2025. The new location now houses both the ANA Gallery and ANA Studio. The gallery showcases a variety of artistic styles, from realistic to abstract and landscapes to figurative pieces. Artists include Becky Christenson, Stan Dark, Terry Dushan, Mary Datum, Carol Hart, Gerald “Scout” Hatley, David Hyatt, Gary Johnson, Evelyn Jorgenson, Judy Maurer, Melissa Milton, Jan Partin, Roz Ramey, Kathleen Siegfried, Catherine Stone-Stecklein, and Pat Sweeden. Experience creativity and artistry firsthand! Click here for their website

After nearly a year of recovery following devastating tornado damage, Cook’s Natural Food Market is making a triumphant return at 726 W Walnut Street, Downtown Rogers. The beloved family-owned grocery store is now open in time for its 30th anniversary week. Shelves are stocked with canned goods, and fresh produce and refrigerated items are expected to be fully available today, Wednesday, April 30. Known for its natural, organic, and allergy-friendly products, Cook’s has been a Northwest Arkansas favorite since 1995. Owned by Susana and Jerry Cook, along with their daughter Shelby, the store has built a reputation as a community hub for health-conscious shoppers. The market offers everything from fresh produce and meats to gluten-free treats, vegan options, supplements, and even hard-to-find natural household products. The store’s rebuild is more than just a physical restoration—it’s a renewal of its mission to enhance the community’s wellness. Visitors will enjoy familiar friendly faces, a cozy seating area, and the peaceful ambiance Cook’s is known for. The store is open Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays), ready to welcome customers old and new. You can read more about Cook's here .

Design by Fashion Designer Rulli Torres 2024 On November 1st and 2nd, fashion enthusiasts gathered at the Fayetteville Public Library for the Autumn/Winter NWA Fashion Week Event presented by INTERFORM. This vibrant event offered free panels and classes on fashion related topics over two days, culminating in a magnificent fashion shows. A free Matinee fashion show in the afternoon followed by a ticketed show in the evening featuring renowned Fashion Designers Korto Momolu and Rulli Torres. The runway also spotlighted EMERGE designers and student designers. INTERFORM presented several awards throughout the evening show. RULLI TORRES Fashion Designer Rulli Torres is an alumnus of Rogers High School and a graduate of NWA Community College and the University of Arkansas. He led the runway presentation on Saturday night with an explosion of cultural vibrancy and creativity. Originating from Guanajuato, Mexico, Rulli dedicated his show to his mother, Felicitas Almaraz, who profoundly inspired his life. This dedication also extended to honor the Día de Muertos celebrations, adding a heartfelt cultural touch to his collection. The event was a beautiful blend of fashion, culture, and community spirit. Check out his line below. Click image below for Fashion Designer Rulli Torres' runway in photos Designer Rulli Torres receiving a Community Award Fashion Designer Rulli Torres was presented with a community award the "Designer Community Appreciation Award" by INTERFORM for favorite local designer voted on by the community. For more information on Fashion Designer Rulli Torres go to www.rullitorres.com  Instagram: @rullitorresofficial, Facebook: Rulli Torres (Fashion Designer). KORTO MOMOLU Korto Momolu, a Liberian-born fashion designer renowned for her African-inspired creations, brought the Autumn/Winter NWA Fashion Week show to a spectacular close. Her designs, rich in traditional luxury fabrics, beautifully reflect her heritage, creating a global brand in women's wear and accessories. Beyond fashion, Korto dedicates her time and talent to numerous charitable and philanthropic causes, making a significant impact beyond the runway. Recognized by New York Magazine as one of the Top 5 designers to watch, Korto continues to be a powerful presence in the fashion world, inspiring with her unique blend of cultural expression and style. Click image below for Korto Momolu runway in photos Korto Momolu receiving INTERFORM award Fashion Designer Korto Momolu was awarded an INTERFORM "Fellowship for Fashion Innovation Award". For her creativity and innovation both on and off the runway. For more information on Korto Momolu go to www.kortomomolu.com , Instagram: @kortomomolu, Facebook: kortomomolu. We want to thank INTERFORM for giving us the opportunity to continue to support fashion in our community. More about NWA Fashion Week From Interform: What is Fashion Week in NWA? INTERFORM’s NWA Fashion Week embraces the essence of belonging and diversity. With a mission to illuminate fashion trends, emerging local brands, and aspiring designers, the event celebrates the blossoming culture of Northwest Arkansas. This undertaking also aims to raise awareness and extend support to local organizations achieving remarkable feats. NWAFW is a platform to not only showcase but also nurture the talent that shapes the distinct identity of Northwest Arkansas, while sparking collaborations for the future. Encompassing photographers, stylists, models, designers, and production teams, INTERFORM’s NWA Fashion Week establishes itself as a learning department for experience and growth. By doing so, it paves the path for upcoming fashion trends and styles across the region. Every facet of this event seeks to bolster the fashion industry in NWA, fostering a sense of belonging and unity for all involved. INTERFORM is a 501c3 Non-profit organization at the forefront of creative growth and change in our community. Empowering Creativity, Fostering inclusion: We’re on a mission to empower through skills and provide a safe space for artistic expression. Our goal: a self sustaining arts community driving positive change through inclusivity.

Mark your calendars for April 26-27, 2025, as the 15th Annual 40/29 & Arkansas CW Women’s Expo and the Great Tastes Food Expo will be held in the Exhibit Hall & Auditorium at the Benton County Fairgrounds. This premier two-day event is packed with activities, entertainment, and shopping that promises something for everyone.   The Benton County Fairgrounds is located at 7640 S Regional Bentonville, AR. Expo Hours are Saturday April 26th, 10am to 5pm; Sunday April 27th 11am to 4pm. GET TICKETS  Expo Information Below FOOD + FASHION + FUN Experience Shopping in 170 booths, Live Entertainment, and the Great Tastes Food Expo! Two expos in one! The GREAT TASTE FOOD EXPO offers simply great food  Indulge in the best of the NWA Food scene with over 25 restaurants and eateries. All weekend local Chefs will be preparing their specialty dishes on the HARPS Chef’s Kitchen Stage. ENTER TO WIN THE $3000 GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY Grab an Entry Card at the Expo and ENTER TO WIN the $3,000 VENDOR GIFT CARD. How it works! Pick up a stamp card when you enter and visit the Booths listed on the Card and have your Entry Form Stamped! Once you collect all the Stamps, return to the 40/29 Booth at the Entrance and turn in your completed Card! Drawing will be on the entertainment stage on April 27th at 3:00pm. 40/29 News at the Expo! Join Darby Bybee and the 40/29 News and Weather team at this year’s Women’s Expo. Darby will be at the 40/29 and Arkansas CW booth from 10am – Noon on Saturday. Come by and say hello! Then on Sunday, join us at 2:00 PM at the entertainment stage to cheer on Allison Wise and Lakyra Banks as they emcee the Mother-Daughter Look-Alike Contest and at 3:00 PM, catch the excitement as they host the Cook-Off, where Chef Kayla Sparks faces off against Chef Mark Janus. Don’t miss the fun!       HIGHLIGHTS: •Shopping in 170+ Booths filled with great products and services. •$3,000 Vendor Gift Card Giveaway •101.9 Mother Daughter Look-A-Like Contest! Winners receive the Look Beauty Studio $600 Beauty Package. •Dress For Success Fashionable Fundraiser with clothes courtesy of the Curated Women’s Boutique, $300 belk raffle and Silent Auction. •Fashion Shows from A Sister Love Boutique and Sonrisa Boutique. •Keynote Speaker Ephie Johnson •Performances by the Dazzling Diamonds Chorus. •Pilates, Yoga and Dance Power Demos. •Mouthwatering Foods In The Great Tastes Food Expo •Glam Squad Experts offering services to find your best self. •Home Experts To Create Your Safe & Comfortable Space •Self Defense Tactics from Eternal Warrior Brazilian Jiujitsu Instructors. •Arkansas Beef Council Flank Steak Cook-Off. •Mother’s Day Weekend Getaway Contest Drawing. •Landers Toyota Cars Women Love To Drive. Plan Your Visit Dates: Saturday, April 26, 2024 (10am - 5pm) and Sunday, April 27, 2024 (11am - 4pm) Location: Exhibit Hall & Auditorium, Benton County Fairgrounds, 7640 S Regional, Bentonville, AR Admission: $7 General Admission ($5 with HARPS Rewards App); Children under 12 attend for free.                      *For advance ticket deals and event details, visit NW Women’s Expo Website. Don't miss this incredible weekend celebrating women in Northwest Arkansas! Entertainment Stage Schedule FOOD EXPO INFORMATION Benton County Fairgrounds 7640 S Regional Bentonville, AR. Expo Hours are Saturday April 26th, 10am to 5pm; Sunday April 27th 11am to 4pm. GET TICKETS  Expo Information Below