Although the travel industry took a serious hit in 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, industry experts are hopeful that 2021 brings a new wave of safe travel and demand. Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is already showing more signs of life, announcing the return of direct flights to DC and Miami starting in April.

• Just a few weeks ago, XNA announced a new direct flight to Austin (AUS) starting this summer. The national airport is quickly ramping up its portfolio of direct flights to NWA residents' benefit.
• Additionally, with XNA's efforts to make its customer experience and travel journey more efficient, we are excited about it's future. If you want to take part in the airport's March survey or check out the latest designs on the XNA connector road with ARDOT, you can find it all HERE.

The City of Fayetteville is encouraging all residents (especially those of low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, minorities, and persons with disabilities), to take part and review the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gives a Community Development Block Grant to the city each year to develop projects and activities that improve housing, public and community facilities, and to provide public services, principally for low-to-moderate income residents of Fayetteville.
• The report provides information concerning funding amounts and resources and activities regarding the CDBG.
• Comments are being accepted through March 22. All comments will be included in the report and submitted to the HUD on March 31, 2021. Residents can comment on the CAPER by requesting a form, by email, or calling 479-575-8260.

Read the full statement HERE.

Pacific Islanders, which includes the thousands of Marshallese adults legally residing in Arkansas under the Compact of Free Association or COFA, are now eligible to enroll in Medicaid. The Marshallese Educational Initiative is preparing to assist qualified islanders with enrollment.

• Arkansas Senator Lance Eads of District 7 in NWA sponsored the resolution, considering his district has the largest concentration of Marshallese in the country. Eads said the resolution is non-binding and allows the Legislature to support Congress and Arkansas' decision to amend medicaid eligibility. "We want to show our support through this resolution," he said.
• The Marshallese community suffers disproportionately to chronic illnesses and health issues due to the disruption of their traditional, indigenous-specific culture.
• Many Marshallese have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 due to lack of health insurance as well. "Having access to Medicaid lifts the financial burden to some families... money saved could be used towards other essential needs," said Benetick Kabua Maddison, Project Specialist, Climate and Nuclear Issues, and Education for the Marshalles Educational Initiative.
• The Marshallese community makes up approximately 3% of the Northwest Arkansas population, more than 12,000 of which are Springdale residents.
• Listen to the full story on KUAF.

TheatreSquared in Fayetteville has announced that LIVE performances will be returning to Dickson Street starting in April. In the meantime, the theatre will feature a number of virtual performances including Murder For Two, which is set to stream on demand from March 17 to April 25, 2021.

• TheatreSquared has adapted remarkably to the COVID-19 pandemic; Murder for Two will be the TENTH streaming project in the last year for the theatre.
• Next month, the theatre will begin featuring hybrid performances that can be viewed live show or virtually, starting with At The Wedding on April 28. However, Matilda: The Musical will be an in-person only performance. Guess we'll have to buy tickets!
• Check out the full season schedule HERE. Ticket information can be found HERE. Listen to the full story on KUAF.

On Monday, Governor Hutchinson announced that Arkansas would begin to broaden its vaccine distribution eligibility to include an additional 180,000 people in the Phase 1B category. With that in mind, you may be wondering, "Who is included in this expansion, and where can I receive mine if I am?"

• The new expansion will include food and agricultural workers, grocery store employees, food delivery workers, postal and package delivery workers, those in public transit, houses of worship, and other manufacturing personnel. Essential government workers such as the Legislature, its staff, and a number of public-facing judiciary branch employees are also included. -Talk Business & Politics
• Those seeking to determine eligibility or find a vaccination clinic are able to call the state's toll-free hotline at (800) 985-6030.
• Tyson Foods in Springdale will also be offering free onsite vaccinations for employees in NWA. KNWA/Fox24
• MAP: Here's a map of all the pharmacies in the state providing COVID-19 vaccines.