🌱 Patch AM: Why a major defense summit in Bentonville drew protesters this week

Hello again Bentonville! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why a major defense summit in Bentonville drew protesters this week
• How Kusama's legacy lives on at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville
• What Walmart's opioid settlement could mean for its Bentonville hometown

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 96 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 98, low: 74.
• Monday: Hot with sunshine, with a high of 101 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Defense summit draws industry leaders, protesters to Bentonville (kuaf.com) — Bentonville hosted the 2026 Mid-America Aerospace and Defense Summit this week, drawing hundreds of military contractors and related companies downtown. Outside the Ledger building, local demonstrators protested the growing weapons industry presence in Northwest Arkansas. Supporters highlighted aerospace and defense as Arkansas' top export and a major economic driver, while critics warned about the industry's expanding footprint so close to home.
   

2. Japanese artist behind 'Infinity Mirrored Room' at Crystal Bridges dies at 97 (nwahomepage.com) — Bentonville's Crystal Bridges Museum is remembering renowned artist Yayoi Kusama, whose Infinity Mirrored Room and other polka-dot works remain on view there after her death at 97. Local visitors can still experience pieces like Narcissus Garden and FLOWERS THAT BLOOM NOW, which the museum says continue her message of love, peace, and connection.
   

3. Walmart reaches settlement in DOJ opioid case. What to know (miamiherald.com) — Bentonville-based Walmart has quietly settled a major U.S. Justice Department lawsuit over how its pharmacies handled opioid prescriptions, though the terms and any potential payouts remain undisclosed. The long-running case alleged the retailer dispensed invalid opioid prescriptions nationwide, part of broader litigation over corporate roles in the opioid crisis.
   

4. Police: Investigation into death of Pea Ridge teen, who was Bentonville West student, indicates accidental shooting (arkansasonline.com) — A Bentonville West High School student from Pea Ridge died this week in what police say appears to be an accidental self-inflicted shooting. Investigators in Pea Ridge report no evidence another person was involved, though the case remains open. An online Bentonville obituary remembers 16-year-old Kellan McGuire as energetic, funny, and full of life, while police urge families to talk seriously about firearm safety.
   

📸 Around Bentonville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bentonville

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Monday August 31
• Atlas Screener - 2nd Math
  Thomas Jefferson Elementary Bentonville, AR 72712
  8:00 am
• LJHS Volleyball @ Elmwood
  Lincoln Junior High Elmwood Middle School, 1610 S 13th St, Rogers, AR 72758, USA
  4:30 pm
• Volleyball @ Washington
  Fulbright Junior High Washington Junior High School, 1501 NE Wildcat Way, Bentonville\
  5:00 pm
• Volleyball Home vs Fulbright
  Washington Junior High Bentonville, AR 72712
  5:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Atlas Screener - 2nd ELA
  Thomas Jefferson Elementary Bentonville, AR 72712
  8:00 am
• LJHS Volleyball vs Kimmons
  Lincoln Junior High School, 1206 NW Leopard Ln, Bentonville, AR
  4:30 pm
• Curriculum Night Session 1
  Osage Creek Elementary Bentonville, AR 72712
  5:00 pm
• Volleyball @ Fort Smith Ramsey
  Washington Junior High Bentonville, AR 72712
  5:00 pm

📣 Bentonville Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Monday August 31
• Atlas Screener - 2nd Math
  Thomas Jefferson Elementary Bentonville, AR 72712
  8:00 am
• LJHS Volleyball @ Elmwood
  Lincoln Junior High Elmwood Middle School, 1610 S 13th St, Rogers, AR 72758, USA
  4:30 pm
• Volleyball @ Washington
  Fulbright Junior High Washington Junior High School, 1501 NE Wildcat Way, Bentonville\
  5:00 pm
• Volleyball Home vs Fulbright
  Washington Junior High Bentonville, AR 72712
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

• New Red Iron Metal
  108 - 22' sticks of 8" 12-gauge Z channel and 26 - 20' sticks of 8" 12-gauge C channel. $1.75 per foot. You haul from Henderson AR. 903-624-1892. (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Village Green posted a job opening for Property Manager in Bentonville. Apply here.
• Lloyd Companies posted a job opening for Property Manager - Affordable in Bentonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bentonville here.

Ok Bentonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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