The University of Arkansas released a statement on March 24, 2021 telling faculty and staff to plan for a 100 percent return to campus, and that "[f]aculty and students should expect a full return to face-to-face classes this fall." This was before the delta variant of COVID-19 arrived in Arkansas. Some students and faculty with disabilities are requesting accommodations to learn and teach remotely in light of the ongoing pandemic, but the university is denying that specific accommodation.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences AR-Connect program is offering counseling to those displaced by Hurricane Ida. The virtal service, which began in 2020, provides telehealth options for people in Arkansas dealing with depression, anxiety, substance abuse or medication management. Services are free of charge and can be accessed 24-hours a day through the AR-Connect call center at (501) 526-3563 or (800) 482-9921.

Homebuilding is still a boom industry in the region. This week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal includes a forecast for the near future.

Although many minds may be on football this weekend, opportunities for live music are ample throughout the area. Thr, Sep 9 Los Valeros at Walmart Museum (Bentonville) - 5 p.m. Son Volt at George's Majestic Lounge (Fayetteville) - $20.00, 8:30 p.m. Roger Thomas at Fred's Hickory Inn (Bentonville) - 6:30 p.m. Fri, Sep 10 The Cate Brothers at George's Majestic Lounge (Fayetteville) - $10.00, 6 p.m. Lead Pipe Conservatory Band at Mojo's East (Fayetteville) - 7 p.m. One Penny Shy at Fred's Hickory

Last week nonprofit Pedal It Forward and the University of Arkasnas Office of Sustainabilty gifted bicycles to 20 international students as part of Cycle September . This Audio postcard captures soounds from the event on the campus in Fayetteville.

In this week's Sound Perimeter, University of Arkansas music professor Lia Uribe explores music featuring the fanciful sounds of piccolo and flute. We hear selections from composers Adina Izarra, Valerie Coleman and Claude Bolling.

At the top of our September 8th show: an update regarding COVID-19 in Arkansas, making it easier to get financial help to renters, and the Bentonville police chief is retiring.

The University of Arkansas-Fayetteville is offering, for the first time, a course in Cherokee language, taught by Cherokee instructor Lawrence Panther. Sean Teuton, an associate professor of English who directs the Indigenous Studies Program at the U of A is coordinating the Cherokee language class.

Governor Asa Hutchinson joined the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the Tahlequah Regional Development Authority to announce a new two-state partnership. The Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster, or HAMMRC, will bring high paying jobs to small towns along the Highway 62 corridor in the medical equpment field.

In an excerpt from the latest episode of Undisciplined , host Caree Banton talks to Haitian journalist Obed Lamy, who talks about being proud of his home country and what brought him to Arkansas. You can hear the full episode and every episode of Undisciplined wherever you get your podcasts.