The "Live at Turnbow Music Series", presented by the Downtown Springdale Alliance is back for its second season starting April 29 in Downtown Springdale.

• Quote: "Last year during the pandemic we were looking for opportunities to provide entertainment that gave people an opportunity for safe gathering," said Jill Dabbs, Executive Director of Downtown Springdale Alliance.

• Tunes & brews: The series will occur the last Thursday of every month, starting next week (4/29) running through September. Next week's event will be hosting Jess Harp, Kaylyn Fay and Dylan Earl. Grab a bite and cruise through in the Outdoor Dining District while enjoying the tunes.

• Can't beat local: The event is FREE and open to the public.
  Future dates are May 27, June 24, July 29, August 26, and September 30. For more information on the event, visit HERE.

Listen to the full story on KUAF.

All dogs go to... Bentonville? Last year, local animal organization Best Friends and the Walton Family Foundation announced a partnership to create the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville. Construction is set to start this summer.

• The no-kill shelter will be the first of its kind, providing service and support for pets and their families throughout their entire lives. It will also offer programs to existing local and regional animal services.

• Ali Worley, Animal Services Manager for Bentonville, said the shelter is estimated to be around 7,100 square feet and will cost around $4 million. The shelter will be located on the corner of Southwest 41 St. and Southwest I.

Read more about the shelter HERE.

Governor Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday (4/20) state officials are now pointing their efforts towards COVID-19 vaccine demand to avoid the “jeopardy” of cases rising again later this year. Numbers are rising slightly, and the governor called this a “worrisome point” that will be monitored from here on out.

• What does this mean? State officials want to continue to boost vaccine efforts as the state continues to fall short of the national average. Arkansas reported that 27.5% of those age 18+ were fully vaccinated, compared with 33% nationwide. Another 14.2% of the 18+ population in Arkansas has had their first round of shots, compared to an additional 50.7% nationwide.

• Quote: “Now is the time to vaccinate. We have to get ahead of this. If we don’t, we can and will have significant transmission of new cases here,” said Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero.

• NWA Vaccination Clinics: As vaccines become more readily available, there are several locations in the area offering opportunities to be vaccinated - they can be found HERE.

Sounds backwards right? NWA has historically been associated with its bustling college town vibes and unique nightlife; however, a new report by Porch has determined Northwest Arkansas is the best midsize metro to live when making the move post-grad.

• The study ranked metro areas based on median income, unemployment rates, number of employer firms, concentration of recent graduates, median rent, and cost of living for recent graduates. NWA excelled all categories. Most notable was the 1.8% unemployment rate for recent graduates.

• NWA landed the No. 1 spot in the midsize cohort (350,000 to 999,999 residents) of metro areas.

You can see for yourself HERE.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has been ranked No. 7 in the US on an annual list of Forbes Magazine's Best Employers for Diversity.

• JB Hunt, Walmart, and ArcBest were all Arkansas companies that made the list at No. 347, 361, and 498, respectively.

• “I have always said that at UAMS our diversity is our superpower, enabling us to do great things,” said UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson. “Diversity and inclusion are part of our core values at UAMS and inform all parts of our mission to research, educate and provide care.”

• While the survey included general diversity considerations, it also looked at employer’s approach to gender and ethnic diversity, as well as LGBTQ+ representation, and accommodation of employees with disabilities.

Didn't see your company listed? Check out the full list HERE.