The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - Arkansas' Best News Source

LATEST: Senate confirms Biden's 1st Cabinet nominee The Senate has voted to confirm Avril Haines as the new director of national intelligence, giving President Joe Biden the first member of his Cabinet. by The Associated Press 6 hrs. ago

Covid hospitalizations, active cases set new lows for year; death toll rises by 55 The number of people hospitalized in the state with covid-19 fell Wednesday by 86, to 1,179. That's the lowest number this year, breaking January's previous record low of 1,185 on Jan. 1. by Andy Davis 7 hrs. ago

Fayetteville library patrons celebrate quiet reopening Five-year-old Campbell Buckley explored an indoor space Tuesday other than her home for the first time in months. by Stacy Ryburn 17 hrs. ago

Attorney in Marshallese adoption scheme to head to prison An attorney convicted in an illegal adoption scheme in Arkansas and two other states states involving pregnant women from the Marshall Islands must report to prison by midday today to begin serving the first of his sentences. by Doug Thompson 14 hrs. ago

27-7 Arkansas Senate vote approves stand-ground legislation; 1 Democrat joins GOP in support A bill to eliminate the "duty to retreat" provision of Arkansas' self-defense laws passed the state Senate on Tuesday, with one Democrat joining most of the chamber's Republicans in support of the legislation. by John Moritz 18 hrs. ago

Biden takes the helm as president: 'Democracy has prevailed' Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, summoning American resilience to confront a historic confluence of crises and urging people to come together to end an "uncivil war" in a nation deeply divided after four tumultuous years. by The Associated Press 11 hrs. ago

Vice President Harris: A new chapter opens in U.S. politics Vice President Kamala Harris broke the barrier Wednesday that has kept men at the top ranks of American power for more than two centuries when she took the oath to hold the nation's second-highest office. by The Associated Press 13 hrs. ago

Driver dies after rear-ending school bus in Carroll County, sheriff says A driver died in a Carroll County crash Wednesday morning, after their vehicle rear-ended a school bus, Carroll County Sheriff Jim Ross confirmed. by Brianna Kwasnik 9 hrs. ago

Fire at UA agricultural center destroys storage building, equipment A fire at a University of Arkansas agricultural center caused an estimated $1 million worth of damage, destroying a storage facility and equipment, according to a news release. by NWA Democrat-Gazette 12 hrs. ago

Text of Biden's inaugural address as the 46th president President Joe Biden's inaugural address Wednesday, as provided by CQ Transcripts: by The Associated Press 11 hrs. ago

Trump pardons ex-strategist Steve Bannon, dozens of others President Donald Trump pardoned former chief strategist Steve Bannon in the final hours of his White House term as part of a flurry of clemency action that benefited more than 140 people, including rap performers, ex-members of Congress and other allies of him and his family. by The Associated Press 14 hrs. ago

Springdale school employees receive covid-19 vaccinations SPRINGDALE -- School District employees began receiving covid-19 vaccinations Wednesday. by Alex Golden 10 hrs. ago

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In support of public health, we’re continuing to keep our vital coronavirus content available to all readers online.

Benton lawmaker tests positive for virus 12 hrs. ago

As virus surges, states reporting shortages of vaccine 13 hrs. ago

Arkansas virus cases climb by 1,331 17 hrs. ago

In U.S., virus toll now past 400,000 18 hrs. ago

Arkansas virus cases climb by 1,331 18 hrs. ago

State covid cases rise by 1,331; governor updates on vaccine accessibility 1 day ago

U.S. virus death toll tops 400,000 in Trump's final hours 1 day ago

A new covid-19 challenge: Mutations rise along with cases 1 day ago

Governor given covid shot; state starts new phase 1 day ago

Fewer vaccines available than expected for now 1 day ago

Covid deaths in U.S. near 400,000; variant spreading 1 day ago

VIDEO: Governor, state health officials give the weekly coronavirus update

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Some Gentry schools temporarily pivoting to virtual instruction Due to the rising number of students and staff members who have either tested positive for covid-19 or who are in quarantine because of close contact with someone who has been infected, some Gentry schools will temporarily be pivoting to virtual instruction. by NWA Democrat-Gazette 13 hrs. ago

State lawmaker latest to test positive for virus Rep. Keith Slape, R-Compton, on Tuesday became the latest state lawmaker to acknowledge that they have tested positive for coronavirus. by Michael R. Wickline 1 day ago

Covid: How local retailers sprinted when the foot traffic stopped Covid-19 was already on track to uproot Lisa Vinson’s life before the pandemic hit the radar for most small business owners in Northwest Arkansas. by Jessica Mathews, Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette 1 day ago

State reports 1,109 new virus cases, 22 deaths The Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,109 new covid-19 cases on Monday. by Rachel Herzog

Gov. Hutchinson, health secretary receive covid-19 vaccine Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of Health Dr. José R. Romero received their first doses of a covid-19 vaccine during a televised event Monday. by The Associated Press

Bentonville schools to offer fewer covid-19 vaccines this week BENTONVILLE — Bentonville Public Schools will not be able to give the covid-19 vaccination to as many employees this week as expected, according to an email sent to faculty and staff Monday. by Alex Golden

Districts see traditional learning bump Northwest Arkansas’ public school students are beginning to return to the classroom from online school, district officials said. by Mary Jordan

Governor set to get first shot Monday Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Friday that he will receive his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Monday, the same day the shots were scheduled to become available to people age 70 and older, as well as to employees of schools and child care centers. by Andy Davis

Region's coronavirus cases continue to rise Covid-19 cases in Northwest Arkansas increased by 4,200 in the past week, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. by Alex Golden

State adds 3,124 new covid cases; ventilator use falls for 2nd day Arkansas' count of coronavirus cases rose Friday by 3,124 — a slightly larger increase than the one on the same day the week before. by Andy Davis

State's covid hospitalizations ease; daily new-case count continues to decline Arkansas' count of coronavirus cases rose Thursday by 2,491 — the fourth daily increase in a row that was smaller than the one on the same day a week earlier. by Andy Davis

Vaccine administration will take mix of strategies, Fayetteville health board hears It's going to take a mix of mass vaccination events and distribution among pharmacies and clinics to achieve herd immunity in Washington County over the next several months, the city's Board of Health heard Wednesday. by Stacy Ryburn

Covid deaths rise by 65; governor says precautions 'must remain steady' Arkansas reported a near-record 65 deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday as its count of cases rose by 2,467. by Andy Davis

Northwest Arkansas pharmacies prepare to vaccinate more residents Some pharmacies in Northwest Arkansas are allowing people 70 and older to sign up for the covid-19 vaccine in light of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's announcement they can get vaccinated as soon as Monday. by Alex Golden

Fort Smith board talks covid-19 vaccination As the covid-19 pandemic continues, the city has expressed willingness to assist with the inoculation process. by Thomas Saccente

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More Latest News

People can keep drinking outdoors in Fayetteville district FAYETTEVILLE -- Downtown bars and restaurants will be able to serve drinks on the go for at least another three years. by Stacy Ryburn 27 mins. ago

Arkansas women to host Connecticut The Arkansas women’s basketball team has played one of the tougher schedules in the country this season, but it just got a little more difficult. by NWA Democrat-Gazette 9 hrs. ago

Trump bids farewell to Washington, hints of comeback His presidency over, Donald Trump said farewell to Washington on Wednesday but also hinted about a comeback despite a legacy of chaos, tumult and bitter divisions in the country he led for four years. by The Associated Press 12 hrs. ago

Western Union joins Walmart on services Walmart Inc. will start offering Western Union money transfer service this spring, the companies said Tuesday. by NWA Democrat-Gazette 12 hrs. ago

Wall Street hits records amid profit reports, D.C. changeover U.S. stocks are rallying to records Wednesday on encouraging earnings reports and continued optimism that new leadership in Washington will mean more support for the struggling economy. by The Associated Press 14 hrs. ago

Pedestrian killed in Van Buren County, troopers say A Shirley man was killed in Van Buren County while crossing the road to go to his home, troopers said. by Brianna Kwasnik 14 hrs. ago

Outdoor Refreshment Area expiration date extended for downtown Fayetteville The city's outdoor drinking area downtown will live on for at least three more years. by Stacy Ryburn 17 hrs. ago

Time to behead snake, Barnett says in fall video Months before he was photographed sitting at a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, a weapon-toting Richard Barnett was videotaped denouncing "government officials" and the "New World Order," saying it was time to "take this snake off at the head." by Bill Bowden, Frank E. Lockwood 17 hrs. ago

Fayetteville Council rezones land for planned middle school The City Council agreed Tuesday the site of a planned middle school on the west side of town is appropriate, and approved a rezoning request from the School District. by Stacy Ryburn 18 hrs. ago

Bentonville pet resource center gets planning approval Plans for a pet resource center received unanimous approval from the Planning Commission on Tuesday. by Mike Jones 18 hrs. ago

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Food

RECIPES: Love those lentils At my house, dinner is not a three-course meal every night. More likely, it's a main course and a green salad. Sometimes, it is a one-pot main course, though not always. (I find that even when cooking a simple meal, at least two pots and pans are often involved.) And, quite frequently, dinner is meatless. by David Tanis, The New York Times

OPINION | FRONT BURNER: Broccoli Cheese Soup converts former broccoli hater I don't love broccoli. I don't even like broccoli. At best, I tolerate broccoli. by Kelly Brant

COOKING FOR TWO: Satisfy rice, gravy craving with 1-pan steak dish There's a saying in Cajun households: First you put on a pot of rice, and then you decide what you will make for dinner. by Ann Maloney, The Washington Post

OPINION | BOTTLE SHOTS: Streaming services offer wine-centric programs I experienced a moment last week when I distinctly had the feeling that I had run out of things to watch. This occurred approximately halfway through the penultimate episode of "Bridgerton," the new Shonda Rhimes show on Netflix that chronicles what I think is supposed to be love in the early 19th century. (Honestly, for a show about love, everyone seemed pretty miserable, but that's for a whole other column ...) At this point, some 10 months into the pandemic, it seemed that regardless of how many streaming services I subscribed to, there just wasn't anything new coming out. by Seth Eli Barlow

7-Day Menu Planner A week's worth of quick, healthful meals for budget-minded families. by Susan Nicholson

LOW-CARB RECIPE: Salmon, asparagus create tasty stir-fry A simple seared salmon filet turns this light stir-fry into a meal. The herbs, peppers and seasoning for the asparagus can be adjusted to suit what you have on hand. Try crushed red pepper flakes in place of jalapeno and parsley in place of cilantro. Also try this stir-fry with a seared skirt steak or a seared or baked tofu steak. by Ann Maloney, The Washington Post

The Nation in Brief Lawmaker gets covid before 2nd shot by Compiled by Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports

HIGH PROFILE: Restaurateur Jerry Jalal Barakat takes covid-19 precautions seriously Jerry Barakat opened his first Little Rock restaurant nearly 40 years ago. It's still open, though it has moved several times, and Barakat has passed its management on to his daughters, Susi and Sandy. by Eric E. Harrison

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