The 27th annual Arkansas Business Forecast will be streamed online via Zoom this year, on Friday, Jan. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• “The annual Business Forecast is a chance for business and community leaders from Northwest Arkansas, the state and the region to get firsthand insight into the direction for the next year from top economists,” said Matt Waller, dean of the Walton College. -University of Arkansas

• The 2021 Business Forecast panelists are:

• International Speaker: Catherine Mann, global chief economist, Citibank

• Domestic Speaker: Mark Palim, vice president and deputy chief economist at Fannie Mae

• State and Regional Speaker: Mervin Jebaraj, director, Center for Business and Economic Research

• For additional information and to sign up for the event, visit the website. Reservations can also be made by calling 479-575-4151.

All eyes are on Downtown Bentonville as a South Carolina hotel developer recently filed a development plan with the city for a 17,737-square-foot micro-hotel on Main St. -Talk Business & Politics

• Greenville-based Windsor Aughtry will submit a development plan for review by city planners on Jan. 12. According to the developer's documents, the Bentonville project will be a micro-hotel called “Motto by Hilton.”
• Motto by Hilton plans to have an average guest room size of 163 square feet, will have the option for guests to book multiple connecting rooms, and will allow guests to split payments between more than one person at the time.
• The Motto by Hilton brand was first introduced in 2020 in Washington, DC. Bentonville is now drawing attention from a multitude of hospitality developers - view the full story HERE.

The 93rd Arkansas General Assembly officially began on Monday, Jan. 11.

• In Arkansas, the General Assembly consists of a State Senate with 35 members and a State House with 100 members. Republicans remain in the majority in both chambers.
• As with everything, the State Capitol is adapting to new changes. Plexiglass has been installed in the Senate and House chambers. Committee rooms have been wired for virtual meetings. -4029 News
• Looking to contact your State Representative or Senator? Curious to see how a bill is passed? Check out this article by 4029 News for more information.

In November, the FDA allowed monoclonal antibodies to be used in emergency situations to treat mild and moderate COVID-19 symptoms in adults and children.

• Hospitals across the state, including Mercy Northwest in Rogers, are utilizing this life-saving treatment in an effort to keep more serious cases out of the ICU.
• Dr. Sonal Bhakta, Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Medical Center, says the treatment is highly accessible for those that qualify.
• Those with chronic health conditions, are over 65 years old, or have any type of immunosuppressive disease, are considered "high risk" and encouraged to seek the treatment.
• Listen to the full interview on KUAF.

The University of Arkansas has had its fair share of challenges this year. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the 2021 spring semester still remains in uncharted territory. However, the UA is still encouraging students to take in-person classes.

• John Thomas, Manager of University Communications, said the UA worked diligently to discuss how to conduct in-person classes safely, and feels as though they've achieved that goal with what they have put in place. -KNWA/Fox24
• This semester, in-person classes are up 43 percent, which is slightly under the University's 50 percent goal.
• Some instructors and teaching assistants were given incentives (up to $4,000 extra!) to teach face-to-face.
• The university intends to remains vigilant in its COVID-19 precautionary measures, updating its COVID-19 Dashboard every M/W/F.