With General Motors recent announcement to go electric and halt production of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2035, the reaction from the distribution and consumer community was shocked - in a good way.

• Gan Nunnally, General Manager of the George Nunnally Chevrolet in Bentonville said recently in an interview with Talk Business, "We've got to sell what General Motors builds," and "if GM moves this way, we've got to move this way with [them]."
• The Bentonville Nunnally auto dealership is a family owned local company and has been around since 1986, so the company has done its fair share of changing with the times. "Nunnally's embrace of the auto industry's zero-emissions future seems natural due to the company's previous efforts in sustainability. When the dealership left Walton Blvd in July 2011 to build a new facility on Moberly Lane, Nunnally pursued LEED certification for the building through the U.S. Green Building Council," which made Nunnally Bentonville the first GM dealership to have LEED certification - Talk Business
• To read the full story, you can find it HERE

Walmart has recently launched an initiative to strengthen their commitment to American manufacturing by investing over $350 billion on products made, grown or assembled in the US. This support is expected to create more than 750,000 jobs in six priority categories: plastics, textiles, small electrical appliances, food processing, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, and Goods Not For Resale (GNFR).

• In a statement yesterday, Walmart's President & CEO John Furner discusses the company's long history of investing back into American soil. This initiative is intended to be a continuation of Sam Walton’s “Bring it Home to the USA” campaign, which launched in 1985.
• In 2013, Walmart invested a monumental $250 billion in home-grown products but still believes there is more to do today. Now more than ever, businesses are choosing to establish their manufacturing operations domestically, resulting in A LOT more jobs for Americans.
• In addition to creating jobs, the commitment will help avoid a monstrous 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by sourcing products closer to home. This will also catalyze an increase in spending and support for US-based small businesses and diverse suppliers.
• Entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to become a Walmart supplier by taking part in the company's annual Open Call events, where anyone with a shelf-ready product that supports American jobs can pitch. This year’s event will be held virtually on June 30. -Walmart

As warmer temperatures and longer days approach, more events seem to be springing up everywhere in NWA. Tired of your monotonous quarantine routine? Fear not!

• For chilly nights: Spend time at the Winter Glow at The Momentary in Bentonville, which serves up craft drinks to be enjoyed at a table-side fire pit. Top it off with a beverage from RØDE Bar and grub at the Momentary Food Truck.
• Dreaming of Midsummer: The Walton Arts Center will be featuring socially-distanced performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream on March 12th and 13th.
• Tinker away: The Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville in hosting a family workshop called, "Little Tinkers: Oh the Things You Can Tinker" on March 13th.
• Fayetteville Farmer's Market: Expected to open for shopping March 20 at the historic Fayetteville Downtown Square.
• Succulents 101: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will be hosting a Succulent 101 Make & Take Class on March 7th in Fayetteville.

• More events HERE!

The Fayetteville Police Department and other local organizations will be hosting a Kid's Wellness Fair this Saturday, March 6.

• The event will be providing items such as free dental cleaning kits, a free mobile video gameplay truck, free sports physicals, camp sign-ups, free ice cream, and vouchers for (free!) shoes from Shoe Carnival.
• However, kids in need of a physical will need a parent or guardian to fill out this online form.
• FPD wants to remind everyone that masks will be required at the event; Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be also available. -KNWA/Fox24

If you were on the edge of your seat watching Team USA snag gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, you probably recognize the name. At 24, Jordyn Wieber is onto a new chapter of life as gymnastics head coach at the University of Arkansas, where she is already building a winning legacy.

• Born in Michigan and raised in California, Wieber said she didn't know much about Arkansas before visiting. "As soon as I got here, I realized what a special place this is. And then meeting the people I would be surrounding myself with here and picturing what daily life would look like as we build the program from where it's already been was exciting... it felt right," she told Celebrate Arkansas.
• And with Wieber came the masses. Her first meet as coach drew a record crowd of over 6,714 fans to Barnhill Arena in January 2020. Wieber then realized the Arkansas fan base was something to write home about, and made it her goal to "fill every seat in Barnhill Arena."
• Instead of treating every team member as just another athlete, Wieber said her coaching style focuses on the individual and what works best for them. "As a coach, if you only focus on the athlete side of an individual, then you may not set her up for life stuff. Resilience, sacrifice and hard work... those are the characteristics that are going to matter later on."
• Already commanding a well-earned level of respect, the Gymback coaching staff has worked relentlessly to build the program's strengthening culture to where it is today. "I'd say we are the most passionate coaching staff in the NCAA, but I might be a little biased. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun," Wieber said.
• Read the full feature story by Celebrate Arkansas HERE.