Doug Thompson | Stories

Speeding up process key to more affordable housing in Bentonville, study finds BENTONVILLE -- Fifty-one percent of Bentonville's residents would have difficulty paying for a place to live if they were moving there today, according to an affordability study by local builders,... February 5, 2023

Illinois River work to decrease phosphorus needs to be open, group says, while Arkansas farmers wonder what more they can be asked to do Environmental advocates in Oklahoma want any proposed solutions to pollution from Arkansas to be more open to the public, speaking in the aftermath of a federal court ruling poultry litter puts too mu... January 29, 2023

Almost 18 years later, Oklahoma wins lawsuit against Arkansas poultry firms over Illinois River pollution Oklahoma won its lawsuit against Arkansas poultry producers over pollution of the Illinois River, which runs between the two states, according to a recent court ruling.Wednesday's ruling in U.S. D... January 20, 2023

Almost 18 years later, Oklahoma wins lawsuit against Arkansas poultry firms over Illinois River pollution Oklahoma won its lawsuit against Arkansas poultry producers over pollution of the Illinois River, which runs between the two states, according to a recent court ruling.Wednesday’s ruling in U.S.... January 19, 2023

Arkansas, Oklahoma officials to host public meeting on Illinois River WEST SILOAM SPRINGS, Okla. -- Improving water quality in the Illinois River is the subject of a public meeting Jan. 24 hosted by Oklahoma and Arkansas natural resource protection agencies.The meeting ... January 14, 2023

Republicans reelect Anzalone to seat on Benton County Election Commission ROGERS -- Benton County Election Commission chairman Russell Anzalone of Bella Vista won reelection Thursday in a meeting of the county's Republican committee after County Judge Barry Moehring pra... January 13, 2023

State, federal governments request public check of broadband claims The state and federal governments are asking for a reality check on Arkansans' internet access.The State Broadband Office made a public request Friday for Arkansans to open the Federal Communicati... January 10, 2023

More doctors, fewer prisoners and better education on NWA’s list for Legislature State help to get another 100 medical residents training as doctors in the region tops the list of the Northwest Arkansas Council's legislative priorities, the council's president said Friday.... January 8, 2023

Former FBI agent who destroyed evidence in Springdale lawmaker’s kickback case avoids jail FORT SMITH -- A federal judge Thursday sentenced former FBI special agent Robert Cessario of Bentonville to three years of probation for destroying evidence in a public corruption case that sent three... January 6, 2023

Former FBI agent who destroyed evidence in Springdale lawmaker’s kickback case avoids jail FORT SMITH -- A federal judge Thursday sentenced former FBI special agent Robert Cessario of Bentonville to three years of supervised probation for destroying evidence in a public corruption case that... January 5, 2023

Big projects to tiny details, planner Jeff Hawkins leaves long legacy in Northwest Arkansas Multimillion-dollar projects such as connecting the Razorback Greenway and closing the gap in Interstate 49 between Arkansas and Missouri stand out when reviewing Jeff Hawkins' tenure as director ... January 3, 2023

Big projects to tiny details, planner Jeff Hawkins leaves long legacy in Northwest Arkansas Multimillion-dollar projects such as connecting the Razorback Greenway and closing the gap in Interstate 49 between Arkansas and Missouri stand out when reviewing Jeff Hawkins' tenure as director ... January 1, 2023

Northwest lawmakers expect education policy changes as 2023 legislative session looms Education changes will top the Legislature's agenda when the General Assembly convenes Jan. 9, a prospect most Northwest Arkansas lawmakers interviewed looked forward to.Exactly what changes to ed... January 1, 2023

Weather puts trial in FOI suit on pause FAYETTEVILLE — The trial in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against Washington County regarding access to and notice of a county committee’s meetings was interrupted by frigid weather... December 23, 2022

‘Opportunity zones’ made to order for Springdale, developers and city, leaders say SPRINGDALE -- Ken Hall could not believe what he was reading in early 2018. He asked a colleague to double-check.A just-passed change in federal tax law aimed to help people in lower-income areas by e... December 18, 2022

Washington County jail expansion passes Quorum Court despite opponents warnings of lawsuits, investigation FAYETTEVILLE -- The Washington County Quorum Court voted 11 to 4 to spend federal covid relief money on an expansion of the county jail, despite opponents' warnings the move is legally dangerous.&... December 16, 2022

Number of young lawmakers expanding at next Arkansas Assembly The number of state lawmakers 45 or younger will jump from 30 to 40 when the next Arkansas General Assembly convenes in January, creating one of the largest delegations of relatively young lawmakers i... December 5, 2022

Younger lawmakers form Arkansas Future Caucus aim to bridge political gap The number of state lawmakers 45 or younger will jump from 30 to 40 when the next Arkansas General Assembly convenes in January, creating one of the largest delegations of relatively young lawmakers i... December 4, 2022

State to inspect six sites in search for NWA shooting range, but decision will take months The state Game and Fish Commission will inspect at least six sites among the more than 30 submitted for a shooting range in Northwest Arkansas, a staff member overseeing the project said Monday.Commis... November 30, 2022

Preserving Black history in Northwest Arkansas a challenge worth meeting, equality advocates say FAYETTEVILLE -- The history of race relations in Fayetteville and Washington County did not begin in 1954, when the Fayetteville School District became the second in Arkansas to obey the U.S. Supreme ... November 27, 2022

Potter’s House offer of $1.865 million for Jefferson Elementary accepted by Fayetteville School Board FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville Board of Education accepted a $1.865 million offer from the nonprofit Potter's House for the site and buildings of Jefferson Elementary, with the bid's stronge... November 18, 2022

Northwest Arkansas sends most-ever legislators to Capitol Voters picked Northwest Arkansas’ largest-ever legislative delegation Tuesday, and incoming members said they expect the “corner caucus” to have greater influence at the Capitol.&ldq... November 14, 2022

Larger NWA delegation sees changes coming to Legislature Voters picked Northwest Arkansas' largest-ever legislative delegation Tuesday, and incoming members said they expect the "corner caucus" to have greater influence at the Capitol."We... November 13, 2022

GOP has strong showing in state Senate and House races for Northwest Arkansas Republicans almost swept contested state Legislative races in Benton and Washington counties, but Democrat David Whitaker of Fayetteville kept his seat, complete but unofficial results show.Whitaker&#... November 9, 2022

Republican House candidates in Northwest Arkansas raise more campaign cash than Democrats with four exceptions Four Northwest Arkansas Democratic candidates raised more money for their state House races than their Republican opponents, state campaign finance records show. Those four campaigns ran counter to Re... November 4, 2022

Arkansas trooper from Springdale protests his photo’s use in candidate’s campaign flyer SPRINGDALE -- The state Senate campaign of Rep. Clint Penzo, R-Springdale, used a photograph of an Arkansas State Police trooper without the trooper's permission and despite the trooper's unde... November 2, 2022

Family agrees to $3.65 million in second lawsuit over misdiagnosis by Veterans Affairs pathologist FAYETTEVILLE -- The second of eight wrongful death cases involving a former Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks pathologist's missed diagnoses ended in a $3.65 million settlement Friday, one... November 2, 2022

Family agrees to $3.65 million in second lawsuit over misdiagnosis by VA pathologist FAYETTEVILLE -- The second of eight wrongful death cases involving a former Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks pathologist's missed diagnoses ended in a $3.65 million settlement Friday, one... November 1, 2022

Veteran’s family awarded $4.7M over missed diagnosis FAYETTEVILLE — A federal judge awarded $4.7 million to survivors of Jerry Kolpek, an Army veteran whose cancer went untreated for more than six years because of a missed diagnosis at the Veteran... October 29, 2022

Early voting going well all along I-49, according to election officials in Northwest Arkansas, River Valley Early voting is going at a steady pace comparable to the last nonpresidential election year in 2018, election officials in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley said Friday.There were 21,057 early v... October 29, 2022

Survivors in veteran’s death get $4.7M for misdiagnosis from VA pathologist who worked while intoxicated FAYETTEVILLE -- A federal judge awarded $4.7 million to survivors of Jerry Kolpek, a U.S. Army veteran whose cancer went untreated for more than six years because of a missed diagnosis at the Veterans... October 28, 2022

Survivors in veteran’s death get $4.7 million for misdiagnosis from VA pathologist who worked while intoxicated FAYETTEVILLE -- A federal judge awarded $4.7 million to survivors of Jerry Kolpek, an Army veteran whose cancer went untreated for more than six years because of a missed diagnosis at the Veterans Hea... October 28, 2022

Fayetteville School District employees to receive $2,200 in bonuses FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville Board of Education approved $2,200 in bonuses to its employees, to be paid in $1,100 halves in November and May.The payments to 1,425 employees will cost $3.9 million ... October 28, 2022

Veteran’s family awarded $4.7M over missed diagnosis FAYETTEVILLE -- A federal judge awarded $4.7 million to survivors of Jerry Kolpek, an Army veteran whose cancer went untreated for more than six years because of a missed diagnosis at the Veterans Hea... October 28, 2022

Family details veteran’s suffering during trial on misdiagnosis at Fayetteville VA hospital FAYETTEVILLE -- Knowing Jerry Kolpek died from a crime made his death harder to take, members of his family testified in the civil trial against the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks on Wednes... October 27, 2022

Family details suffering in lawsuit against Fayetteville VA FAYETTEVILLE -- The trial against the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks continued Wednesday in federal court with family members describing physical and emotional suffering Jerry Kolpek experi... October 26, 2022

Family details veteran’s suffering during trial on misdiagnosis at Fayetteville VA hospital FAYETTEVILLE -- Knowing Jerry Kolpek died from a crime made his death harder to take, members of his family testified in the civil trial against the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks on Wednes... October 26, 2022

VA misdiagnosis trial begins with testimony from deceased FAYETTEVILLE -- The trial in the first of eight lawsuits over missed diagnoses by a Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks pathologist began Tuesday with two hours of recorded testimony from a pati... October 26, 2022

Trial against Fayetteville VA begins with testimony from deceased FAYETTEVILLE -- The trial in one of eight lawsuits against the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks related to missed diagnosis by a former pathologist began today in federal court with two hours... October 25, 2022

Major parties nominate women for new House districts in NWA Northwest Arkansas gained four state House seats in the redrawing of legislative district boundaries last year. Women are the only major-party candidates in three of those new seats.The Democratic and... October 23, 2022

Governor: There is no mandate for covid vaccinations for schoolkids FAYETTEVILLE -- There's no mandate for schoolchildren to get covid vaccines, there won't be in Arkansas and concerns there will be are based on misinterpreting what the federal Centers for Dis... October 22, 2022

Republican Moore faces Libertarian Hanson in new House District 23 in Washington County LINCOLN -- New state House District 23 will pick its first state representative in the Nov. 8 election.The state redrew legislative district boundaries after the 2020 U.S. census. Washington County ga... October 21, 2022

Keep up aid to Ukraine, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tells forum in Bentonville BENTONVILLE -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking at a forum hosted by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, warned Wednesday against scaling back military aid to Ukraine."To our friends in... October 20, 2022

The results are in: Judge dismisses lawsuit in House District 25 Republican primary VAN BUREN -- A circuit judge on Thursday dismissed the election challenge to Crawford County's results in the state House District 25 Republican primary.Candidate Jody Harris of near Fayetteville ... October 16, 2022

Northwest Arkansas losing 20 acres a year to erosion in the Illinois River basin, conference told SILOAM SPRINGS -- Twenty acres of Northwest Arkansas erodes into the Illinois River and its tributaries every year, people attending a conference on preserving the river's watershed learned Tuesda... October 16, 2022

The results are in: Judge dismisses lawsuit in House District 25 Republican primary VAN BUREN -- A circuit judge dismissed Thursday the election challenge to Crawford County's results in the state House District 25 Republican primary.Candidate Jody Harris of near Fayetteville fil... October 14, 2022

Duke, Gill in contest for northwest Benton County’s House District 12 seat GRAVETTE -- Republican nominee Hope Duke faces Michael Gill of the Libertarian Party in the state House race for extreme northwest Benton County's District 12.Duke's brother, Sen. Jim Hendren ... October 13, 2022

Two competing for House seat ROGERS — The reelection bid of Rep. John Carr, R-Rogers, faces a challenge from Democratic nominee Rachel Cox in downtown Rogers’ House District 15.District 15 reaches Hudson Road on the n... October 13, 2022

Downtown Rogers state House district to choose between Carr, Cox ROGERS -- The reelection bid of Rep. John Carr, R-Rogers, faces a challenge from Democratic nominee Rachel Cox in downtown Rogers' House District 15.District 15 reaches Hudson Road on the north an... October 11, 2022

No Republican candidates attend Washington County candidate forum FAYETTEVILLE -- Every Democrat and Libertarian invited to a Washington County candidate forum attended Monday, but no Republicans did."I'll show up," Democratic nominee Josh Moody said, ... October 11, 2022

Stories by Doug Thompson