Local high school students at The New School in Fayetteville recently collaborated with a Grammy nominated educator for an online video performance.

• The students are a part of Ensemble III in Austin Farnam’s music class. They performed Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas in the video with UA associate music professor, Dr. Jeffrey Murdock.
• Murdock is currently nominated for the 2021 Music Educator Grammy Award and is also a conductor of the UA’s Inspirational Choral, the Men’s Chorus, and teaches other courses within the choral curriculum. -Fayetteville Flyer
• Musicians featured include Lisette B. on Baritone Saxophone, Payton C. on Tenor Saxophone, Henry D. on Keyboard, Farnam on Drums and Guitar, Ella K. on Bass, David W. on Trumpet, with Murdock on vocals.
• Watch the video HERE.

J.B. Hunt is partnering with the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas on a diversity and inclusion initiative that aims to impact the transportation and logistics industry and to address industry challenges. -AR Money & Politics

• JB Hunt will commit $2.25 million to the project, comprised of $1.5 million to the UA, and another $750,000 designated for the J.B. Hunt Center of Excellence.
• John Roberts, President and CEO of JB Hunt says, "The collaboration will help educate and promote the value of an inclusive workplace, one that respects the individual and creates a welcoming environment for all ideas, values, and beliefs."

Arkansas placed four players on the All-SEC Coaches’ teams for the first time since 2015, and three on the All-Freshman team for the first time since 2013. -KNWA/Fox 24

• Redshirt senior linebacker Grant Morgan is Arkansas' first All-SEC first team selection by the league’s coaches since 2016.
• Sophomore wide receiver Treylon Burks, junior linebacker Bumper Pool, and redshirt freshman safety Jalen Catalon, were all named second team.
• Catalon, along with offensive lineman Brady Latham, and tight end Hudson Henry, made the All-Freshman team.

In November, home sales in Benton and Washington counties were up 30 percent according to data from the Matrix software platform used by the Northwest Arkansas Board of Realtors (NABOR).

• In the two counties, 10,971 homes were sold through November of this year, up 12.4% from 9,759 homes sold at the same point in 2019. -Talk Business & Politics
• Benton County reported 667 home sales in November for a total of $198.8 million, compared to $130.8 million a year ago. Washington County agents sold 336 homes for a total of $92.9 million, up from $63.7 million in 2019.
• The average home price also increased this year to $283,133, up 11.3% from $254,283 in Benton County, and $257,506, up 7.6% from $236,270 in Washington County.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday that some indoor venues will require approval from the Arkansas Department of Health when hosting an event with ten or more people attending, significantly down from the previous 100-person rule.

• The rule does not apply to sporting events, retail stores, restaurants, bars, places of worship, or private homes and will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2021. -4029 News
• UAMS also released a modeling report on Tuesday, suggesting the death toll will spike over Christmas and New Years for Arkansans.