Washington and Benton County officials have issued emergency public health declarations, due to the coronavirus pandemic, closing administration buildings to the public except for critical services.

Y'allidarity NWA Mutual Aid is a new Facebook Group where volunteers can fulfill requests submitted by community members needing assistance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Devin Howland, the director of economic vitality for the City of Fayetteville, is urging small business owners to fill out the U.S. Small Business Administration's Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet after the federal government authorized $50 billion in disaster recovery loan funding. He is also urging business owners to follow the city's Business Resource s webpage for updates.

The National Park Service is inviting the public to comment on a final draft managment and environmental assessment plan to protect and improve the Buffalo National River Boxley Valley recreational area — the culmination of a four year effort.

Born in December of 1867 in Delta, La., Sarah Breedlove knew adversity. Her parents, formerly enslaved persons, died when she was seven years old. She eventually moved to Denver and began working for Annie Turnbow Malone, selling products for the Turnbow company. When she decided to start her own hair care company called Wonderful Hair Grower, she took the professional name Madam C.J. Walker. Walker created a chain of beauty salons in major U.S. cities, South America and the Carribbean. She also

Before the coronavirus outbreak shuttered many small businesses for an unknown amount of time, Maxine's Taproom was yarn bombed by artist Gina Gallina for the establishment's 70th anniversary. Maxine Miller opened the bar on March 18, 1950. There was supposed to be a celebration of that today, but the managers of Maxine's decided to close temporarily in response to COVID-19. However, the crochet blanket that covers the building will remain to remind passersby of the anniversary.

During his media conference Tuesday, Governor Asa Hutchinson said there were no new positive cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas and the number remains at 22. He also encouraged residents to stop panic buying as supply chains are still operating across the country and grocery stores are open. Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Mike Preston also announced the state is waiving the one-week waiting period to file for unemployment for 30 days.

Washington Regional opened a coronavirus screening clinic in Fayetteville, as well as a drive-through screening clinic in Eureka Springs March 16. The healthcare system is also operating at screening hotline at 479-463-2055.

A special Fayetteville City Council meeting was held late Monday to approve three key emergency measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic – the first municipality in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley to take such action.

As schools across Arkansas close today for the rest of the week and into spring break, some restaurants in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are stepping in to provide free meals for students and their schools. We speak with the owner of local Marco's Pizza and Jersey Mike's Subs franchises and the owner of Big Sexy Food and Sammich Love about why they decided to offer free meals to the community.