The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is using a new self-contained blood collection vehicle in Northwest Arkansas. The new vehicle, dubbed “The Blood Vessel,” is a 37-foot long vehicle replacing a previous version that was nearing two decades of continual use.

Earlier this year, Australian country singer-songwriter Matt Ward released his new album titled Heartland , an album that would top the ARIA Country Music charts in Australia. Prior to the album's debut, Ward was in Northwest Arkansas to play a show with Arkansas native Bonnie Montgomery. While he was in the region, Ward came to the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio to talk with us about the then upcoming release.

On today's show, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $3.4 million to test ways to eradicate nuisance feral swine in Arkansas. Plus, a discussion of the possible ramifications of not having diverse student populations in American schools. And, we tell you about a new way small business owners and entrepreneurs, who may not qualify for a traditional bank loan, might be able to access capital.

Arkansas is among 10 states to participate in the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Grant Program , a joint effort by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, to deal with the threat that feral swine pose to agriculture, forestlands, waterways, wildlife and human health.

Startup Junkie , in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation, has launched a Northwest Arkansas Kiva hub. Kiva is an international crowdsourcing nonprofit that connects entrepreneurs and small business owners who don't qualify for traditional bank loans with lenders from around the world.

A Fort Smith native and graduate of the University of Arkansas apparel studies program will be competing on the new season of Project Runway . Brittany Allen is one of 16 fashion designers who will have to prove their mettle on the Bravo TV show, which premieres tonight at 8:30 p.m.

This week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report with Paul Gatling includes a conversation about energy use in Arkansas in 2019 with Katie Nebaum, Executive Director of Arkansas Advanced Energy Association.

Lia Uribe, associate professor of music at the University of Arkansas, says there’s a wide variety of musical performances in our region this week. Thursday, Dec. 5 Collegiate Chorale at Faulkner Performing Arts Center (Fayetteville) - $5-$10, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Austin McFarland and Samantha Cannon, sax at Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall (Fayetteville) - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 UA Children’s Choir at Faulkner Performing Arts Center (Fayetteville) - 2 p.m. UA World Music Ensemble

Erika K. Wilson , Thomas Willis Lambeth Distinguished Chair in Public Policy at the University of North Carolina School of Law, studies the effects diverse and homogeneous school populations can have on education and society. She came to the Carver Center for Public Radio during a recent visit to the University of Arkansas.

On today’s show, a Fayetteville man is walking more than 100 miles to raise money and awareness for child literacy. Plus, a science fiction classic that stands the test of a quarter-century, Pastor Clint Schnekloth has his first winter reading recommendation of the season. And, a new edition of Reflections in Black honors somebody close to home. We also have a live music rundown for the first full weekend of December.