Twenty artists from Benton, Washington, Sebastian and Carroll counties have received a total of $114,000 in grants, funded by the Artists 360 program that was created by Mid-American Arts Alliance, which receives its funding from the Walton Family Foundation.

• Fourteen artists received a grant package of $7,500, and six others received a total of $1,500. In addition to the monetary prize, recipients will also receive support services and professional development. -Fayetteville Flyer
• The program was designed to, " identify and elevate the Northwest Arkansas area’s leading artists and to address critical gaps in support by providing the funding, professional development, and networking opportunities needed for them to thrive,” said Todd Stein, president and CEO of Mid-American Arts Alliance.

Looking to support your favorite local restaurants and tired of take-out? Experience Fayetteville is hosting yet another 'Pop-Up Lounge' on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 5-10pm in Fayetteville.

• The lounge will be located at Block and Meadow and will feature live music, a photo-op with Santa's sleigh, and a snow machine from 6-8pm, provided by Meadow Makers.
• Open-air, socially-distanced tables with heaters will be provided, as well as hand sanitizer and a bike valet. Staff will also be on site to provide food and beverage recommendations.
• Guests 21 years and older are able to carry and consume designated alcoholic beverages in the vicinity of the Outdoor Refreshment Area (ORA). -KNWA

The iconic Fayetteville landmark will undergo renovations next week to create a more pedestrian friendly, "park-like" setting that overlooks the city.

• Mount Sequoyah officials announced last week the center will be removing the parking spaces and replacing them with picnic tables and trash receptacles.
• This is part of an effort to reduce car emissions and light pollution around the area. Parking will now be located on the Mount Sequoyah campus and can be accessed by the connecting walking paths.

Brightwater, the culinary and food study department at Northwest Arkansas Community College, has received a $1.8 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation to support new programs and to provide an overall safer educational environment.

• The grant will support Bridgewater's mission to offer a world-class training and learning experience during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Bridgewater plans to build two additional socially distanced classrooms and implement more technology needed for remote instruction.

Governor Asa Hutchinson will host a community meeting at the Jones Center in Springdale at 10am today in order to "focus attention and develop local action plans to fight the current surge of COVID-19 in Arkansas." -4029 News

• The meeting will be private and attended by Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse, Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan, and CEO of Washington Regional, Larry Shackelford.
• A prime-time statewide address is set to follow on Thursday at 7pm CT.
• Similar meetings in Benton and Jonesboro are scheduled for later this week as well.