The 479 Show

479 Show -- June 8, 2026

Coming up on this episode, the Springdale City Council Finance Committee had a light session while the Fayetteville City Council and Siloam Springs Board of Directors were somewhat busier. The Planning Commissions in Bentonville and Springdale tackled major developments, with Bentonville approving a significant housing development and Springdale changing a zoning designation to ease the conversion of the former Cargill turkey plant to a Tyson chicken facility. Siloam Springs would be taken to court over its denial of a preliminary plat for a major housing subdivision next to the airport. Northwest Technical Insttitute would fill a time capsule to mark its fiftieth anniversary and the region was filled with Wal-Mart celebrating Associates Week. The Benton and Washington County Farm Families of the Year were recognized as they compete for Northwest District honors later this month. Congress would return to Washington as Northwest Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack presents his "Comment from the Capitol." And our trip off the beaten path takes us to New York City, whose smiling mayor took a historic action guaranteed to enter his name in the minds of children in the Big Apple and could make him more popular than the Easter Bunny, if not Santa Claus.

479 Show - June 1, 2026

Coming up on this episode, the week was compact with city council meetings in Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Bella Vista and Cave Springs along with the Benton County Quorum Court and school district news from Pea Ridge, Fayetteville and Springdale. Our trip off the beaten path takes us to Franklin, Tennessee, where it could be argued that some school administrators didn't know enough to come in out of the rain.

479 Show - May 25, 2026

This week in the 479 saw the Fayetteville City Council endure a marathon session with two appeals in the spotlight, the Springdale City Council Finance Committee moving forward with a federal grant acceptance for elimination of an at-grade railroad crossing, the Rogers Board of Education setting in motion a study on block scheduling, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission getting ready to approve transportation projects and the University of Arkansas increasing tuition and backing its president in dealing with a tenured professor's troubling social media activity. We hear more highlights from area high school graduations and our Comment from the Capitol recaps the week in Washington. And our trip off the beaten path takes us to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where a Siloam Springs runner was among those aspiring to become a Speedy Spud.

479 Show - May 18, 2026

On a packed episode, the City of Greenland was closer to becoming a first-class city, the City of Centerton was closer to having a library, the Bentonville City Council was back to full strength, the Springdale City Council created a new deputy animal services director position and the University of Arkansas tennis programs received a stay of execution after supporters raised funds to support it. We highlight some of the high school graduations that took place during the week. Our Comment from the Capitol visits with the producer of the National Memorial Day Concert. And our trip off the beaten path takes us to Michigan, where an attempt to touch grass led to a five-alarm fire.

479 Show - May 11, 2026

The first week of May in the 479 saw the Springdale City Council adopt changes to its downtown form-based code, the Fayetteville City Council adopt increased water and sewer rates, the Washington County Quorum Court County Services Committee deal with a Fayetteville business that had been operating without permits for years, and commencement exercises at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. The Arkansas General Assembly met in special session to consider a fourth income tax cut in as many years. And our trip off the beaten path takes us to Maryland, where a college football team features probably the only defensive lineman who could qualify for the senior discount at a local restaurant.