And just like that, March Madness is over for the Hogs. The men’s Razorback basketball team finished its season over the weekend, losing to Duke 78-69. 

• Despite the loss: This season has been one for the books with several celebratory achievements. For one, the Hogs became the first ever team to beat an AP no.1 team in the regular season and the AP no.1 team in the NCAA Tournament. 
• Additionally: The Razorbacks were the first team to beat two different AP no.1 opponents in the same season since 1992-1993, and the Hogs hadn't had back-to-back Elite 8 appearances since 1994-1995. 

To relive a little bit of this year’s season, click HERE. 

The fifth annual NWA Gives is next week, but the festivities are not waiting until then to begin. A pre-event rally will be this Thursday at Orchards Park in Bentonville.

• Pre-party: The pre-event rally will be this Thursday, March 31, and allow nonprofits to start generating excitement for the official day of giving next week. Rally attendees will be eligible to collect prizes and There will be free NWA T-Shirts among other items for attendees. 
• The day of giving: NWA Gives is a 12-hour giving event with the aim of boosting the profile of regional nonprofits and connecting them to potential donors. This year, 145 nonprofits have registered to participate. 

For more about the NWA Gives rally, click HERE. 

Friday is April 1, meaning it’s the first Friday of April! And you know what that means in Bentonville… 

• 4 days: Bentonville’s 2022 First Friday events will kick off with its traditional “huge block party” with the theme Run Bentonville.
• Basic schedule of events: Food trucks will open at 11a at various locations near the city square, vendors and activities will begin at 3p, and music will begin on the MainStage at 5p. The party will officially go until 9p. What happens after that is all you, NWA. 

Stay tuned for more information about First Friday in Bentonville HERE. 

The man who proposed the name “Wal-Mart” passed away at 95 last Thursday, March 24. Now, 60 years after the first Wal-Mart signage went up, the retailer is the top in the world. 

• How far they’ve come: The man who suggested Sam Walton use Wal-Mart as the name of what would become today’s Walmart was the first manager at Walton Five and Dime. There are now around 10,500 Walmart stores in 24 countries. 
• On top: Walmart remains no.1 on the latest ‘Top 50 Global Retailers’ list by the National Retail Federation, which credited Walmart with leveraging its logistics network and making significant investments in third-party markets. 

Read more HERE. 

This month has marked the beginning of construction for two new overpasses in Rogers. 

• Names: The overpasses will be over Interstate 49 and will be called the Uptown Overpass and the Oak Street Overpass. The two projects are a direct response to traffic congestion in their respective areas. 
• Traffic escape: The Uptown Overpass will cut over the highway near Mercy Northwest and the Walmart AMP in an effort to decrease traffic on Pauline Whitaker Parkway. The Oak Street Overpass will be near exit 85 to help with traffic on Walnut Street. Both projects are projected to be complete by 2024.

Read the full 4029 story HERE.