The 22nd annual Arkansas Poll reports voters are most concerned about healthcare and the economy amid the pandemic. Politics was a top issue for more than 20 percent of respondents for the first time in the history of the poll.

Michael Tilley, with Talk Business and Politics , explains why sales tax numbers are up compared to last year in the Fort Smith metro. He also talks about the upcoming retirement of a Sebastian County official and what he thinks we can expect when the votes start being counted Tuesday night.

Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas rose after a COVID-19 pandemic was declared last March, resulting in marijuana flower shortages. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission , which regulates the industry, has recently licensed several more medical marijuana cultivation facilities to open by next year. Existing Arkansas cultivators have filed suit to block industry expansion, claiming there is adequate supply.

Due to COVID-19, this year's Halloween will be anything but traditional as many activities, like trick-or-treating, are now considered high risk for virus transmission. Still, Northwest Arkansas residents are finding creative ways to celebrate the spooky holiday, safely.

Washington County Coroner Roger Morris and his staff have spent the last eight months responding to all suspected COVID-19 deaths in the county. Morris discusses the process they go through to pick up a body during the pandemic and how they confirm whether a person did or did not die from the coronavirus. He also provides insights into the latest spike in deaths in Northwest Arkansas and across the state.

For some Arkansans, one reason the 2020 General Election is significant is because it will be the first time they’re casting a ballot in a presidential election. This week, we’ll hear from members of the University of Arkansas campus telling us in their own words how they’re casting their ballot and why voting is important to them. Today we hear from U of A junior Vanessa Davis.

Achilles International Arkansas is a local running group that pairs runners with athletes with disabilities. The nonprofit is hosting a virtual run this weekend to raise money to purchase a handcycle for one of its members who has cerebral palsy.

In this week's Sound Perimeter, University of Arkansas Music Professor Lia Uribe introduces us to performer, citizen artist, and prodigy, Yo-Yo Ma, who began his cello career at the age of four and a half. We hear several of Ma's collaborations, including Air and Simple Gifts and Cristina Pato's arrangement of John Zorn's Khabiel .

The 5th annual Northwest Arkansas Young Professionals Summit is taking place later than usual after making the transition to a virtual version of the event. In this week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report, Paul Gatling speaks with Ross Phillips, the vice chair of the summit leadership team, about what attendees can expect.

The University of Arkansas is reviewing all departmental diversity trainings, workshops and materials in order to comply with the Trump administration's "Executive Order on Race and Sex Stereotyping." The order, which goes into effect Nov. 21, prohibits discussion of "divisive concepts" including systemic racism, white privilege and unconscious bias during workplace trainings.