Becca Martin-Brown, the features editor for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , says there will be a few fireworks this summer. But, like so many other things, the 2020 fireworks shows will be different and subject to public health rules.

We dip into our archives to bring you a pair of singalongs from the 2019 and 2018 installments of the Fayetteville Roots Festival . First, Rhiannon Giddens, Darrell Scott and the Honey Dewdrops bring us "Light in the Valley," followed by a rendition of "This Land is Your Land" with Mary Gauthier, Jamiee Harris, Michele Gazich, Joe Purdy and Branjae.

On the eve of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the state had hit a new one-day high with 878 new COVID-19 cases. Seven counties recorded 20 or more new cases. Washington and Benton Counties both recorded high new case numbers compared to the previous 24-hour testing period. There were 117 new cases in Washington County, 75 in Benton County, 55 in Sebastian County and 23 in Crawford County. Across the state, there are now more than 6,000 active coronavirus

A research brief newly published by University of Arkansas Professor Gema Zamarro, who teaches in the Department of Education Reform, reveals women are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Zamarro co-authored the research brief on "Gender Differences in the Impact of COVID-19" with University of Southern California colleagues Francisco Perez-Arce and Maria Prados.

The newly reconstituted Fayetteville City Board of Health held its first meeting online Wednesday, establishing rules and procedures, choosing a chair, and setting an agenda explicitly to find ways to control the COVID-19 epidemic occurring within city limits.

Live music begins to return to some stages this month. There are new guidelines for live events put in place by the Arkansas Department of Health . Those guidelines include: Performers must be 12 feet from audience members. Most events are limited to 50 attendees or fewer unless they have a plan approved by the Arkansas Department of Health Any lines or queues must be marked or monitored for a 6-foot distance between people waiting. Seating must be 6 feet apart. Family groups can sit together,

In this week's Sound Perimeter, Lia Uribe considers the Portuguese word "saudade." She says the word means a sense of loneliness or feeling of being incomplete; a longing for something from the past of from the future. Lia helps us explore saudade in music.

The latest numbers of new cases of COVID-19 in Northwest Arkansas are lower than previous days. Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at his daily press briefing in Little Rock. Today's 420 new cases bring the state’s cumulative total to more than 21,000. Washington County reported 48 new cases and Benton County reported 20. The number of active cases in Arkansas, 5,757, is also lower in day-to-day comparisons, but Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith says nobody should mistake any positive

The Blue & You Foundation is awarding a $50,000 grant to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to support local hunger relief organizations that serve Latinx communities throughout the state. Organizations can apply for up to $2,500 — or up to $5,000 in an emergency — to purchase food, capacity building supplies and utilities. Applications are due July 6.

J. Chester Johnson grew up in Arkansas, but didn't learn about the Elaine Massacre in school. Hundreds of African-Americans were murdered by whites in one of the deadliest racial confrontations in U.S. history. Later, Johnson learned of a family connection. That revelation, and much more, is included in his new book Damaged Heritage: The Elaine Race Massacre and a Story of Reconciliation .