Kevin McLachlan is originally from the Yukon, but he now spends most of his time in Toronto. This week, he's in northwest Arkansas as a guest of the House of Songs, performing in the community and writing songs with local artists. This week, he stopped by to talk about his music and to give us a sample of his songwriting. Here's part of that conversation.

The Yield Curve Inversion has been an accurate predictor of past recessions, but it may not be as accurate when considering current economic variables. In today's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report, Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas, explains why.

The city of Fayetteville is asking residents to cut down their Bradford Pear trees, an invasive species, and exchange them for a native tree species. Trees will be given away on a first come, first served basis April 25-27.

A pair of Arkansas geological survey scientists spend eight months a year hiking and documenting geological formations for Arkansas STATEMAP, a federal cooperative geologic mapping program. We follow them into the wilds of Madison County to observe them at work.

Lerone Bennett Jr. was born in Clarksdale, Miss. in 1928. He published many critical texts in consideration of the African American experience in America and abroad, later becoming editor of JET and Ebony magazines. His first and perhaps most notable book, Before the Mayflower, details the history of Black America from the very beginning. This is his story.

This weekend features the usual variety of live music opportunities, plus an actor who is also a singer-songwriter, and a band named after a different famous actor. Wednesday, Apr. 3 Parker McCollum at George's Majestic Lounge (Fayetteville) - $18, 9 p.m. Thursday, April 4 Some Guy Named Robb at Bike Rack Brewing Co. (Springdale) - 7 p.m. Daniel Yates at Dickson Street Pub (Fayetteville) - 8 p.m. Friday, Apr. 5 Steve'n'Seagulls, Clusterpluck at George's Majestic Lounge (Fayetteville) - $20 adv,

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Hamilton House Child and Family Safety Center is raising awareness by displaying blue and silver pinwheels throughout the River Valley.

Early voting begins today in Fayetteville in a special election that would authorize the issuing of $226 million in bonds for a slew of projects. One question voters will decide is whether to fund the creation of a Cultural Arts Corridor in the city's downtown, a plan that would result in redevelopment of the West Avenue parking lot across from Walton Arts Center. We speak with Peter Nierengarten, sustainability director with the city, to learn about where replacement parking could be placed.

Conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Libya have left thousands dead and thousands more injured, and wars have left basic infrastructure in ruin. Susan Penacho, project manager for the Cultural Heritage Initiatives at ASOR, says damage or destruction has also occurred at important archaeological, spiritual and historic sites. She recently stopped by our studio while she was in Fayetteville to deliver a Stigler Lecture in Anthropology and Archeology.

A federal judge has struck down the work requirement for Medicaid recipients in Arkansas. John Brummett, political writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, considers that story with Roby Brock from our content partner Talk Business and Politics .