Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman has made it evident that he is working hard to turn around the Razorback football program. With three SEC wins this year, Pittman has continued to elevate the program's future.

• On Wednesday, the Razorbacks welcomed an impressive group of recruits, which puts Arkansas at No. 20 in the nation according to 247Sports Composite Rankings.

• For in-depth profiles on the new recruits and more information, click HERE.

The Arkansas Cinema Society plans to open an office and launch a variety of efforts to support filmmakers and the creative community in Northwest Arkansas.

• Based in Little Rock, the non-profit had planned programming in NWA in 2020 — both screenings and film camps — but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled those events. -Talk Business & Politics
• The location of the NWA office was not disclosed. More information HERE.

A gathering place within a series of interwoven parks in downtown Bentonville, art-focused alleyways in downtown Rogers and a redesigned community center tied to downtown Springdale are supported by a combined $1.5 million in grants from the Walton Family Foundation. -Talk Business & Politics

• The goal of the projects is to elevate the design of public buildings and spaces, says Karen Minkel, Home Region Program director of the WFF.
• The three projects, including the Downtown Rogers Alleyway Activation, the redesign of the Jones Center, and The Commons/Quilts of Parks, were announced in October.

A new report from Heartland Forward has ranked Northwest Arkansas's economy as the 21st most dynamic in the country and the third most dynamic among midsize metro areas.

• The rankings are based on several factors: job growth, per capita income, and entrepreneurial enterprise.
• Listen to the full conversation HERE.

The Bentonville School Board approved pay raises for certain workers in a series of votes Tuesday, increasing the school district's costs by $500,000 per year. -Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

• When the school district partnered with SSC Service Solutions, which provides custodial services for the district's 25 schools, starting pay was $3 above minimum wage. Minimum wage has increased since then and will increase again in January, essentially eliminating the difference between what SSC employees make and the minimum wage.
• This has made it harder to attract and keep people in those positions. Joe Quinn, a board member, said the pay increases the board approved Tuesday reflect a very competitive job market that continually puts pressure on the district's budget. -Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette