Achi is a new, Oklahoma-based band playing a new age style of folk music. The duo recently stopped by our studio to discuss their music and perform for us.

The legendary comedy The Producers will begin a run in Rogers this month and Becca Martin Brown, with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , says she's encouraged by what she's seen so far. She also has suggestions for this weekend.

Five actors, collectively known as Aztec Economy, this weekend will present Butcher Holler, Here We Come . The cramped, intimate production brings the audience into a collapsed cave and the coal miners trying to survive there. The production, at Backspace in Fayetteville, will be lit only by the headlamps worn by the actors.

Chronic wasting disease has continued its slow spread into Benton, Washington and Sebastian counties, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is working with Mark Zabel of the Prion Research Center at Colorado State University to discuss management strategies and participate in research that could shed light on where various CWD cases originated. Zabel, who is a leading researcher on prion diseases like CWD, also discusses his concerns about human consumption of CWD-infected animals.

Tourism numbers for Arkansas continue to rise. Michael Tilley, with Talk Business and Politics , says visitors continue to come to the state and spend money. He also talks to us about the soon-to-be-vacant legislative seat held by Jake Files of Fort Smith. Senator Files' resignation is effective next week, in advance of the fiscal session for lawmakers.

Roby Brock talks with three Arkansas executives about what they expect as 2018 develops further. From taxes to health care, they explain what they're watching this year as part of this week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report.

Leigh Wood, host of KUAF's Vinyl Hour every Sunday evening at 5:00, talks about this week's program. Sunday, she asks Sean Hickey about his love of traditional country music. He grew up in Australia and has moved to Arkansas partly because of that music.

"At The Illusionist's Table" at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food mixes drink, food and illusion. Scott Silven has presented the show, which includes dinner and mind-blowing mentalism, in Europe and New York. The show is brought to northwest Arkansas by Potluck Arts and runs through Saturday night.

A Thursday roundup includes Governor Asa Hutchinson opening his campaign headquarters, Jan Morgan offers her reasons for running against the governor, and the Arkansas women's track team is number one.

The Blue & You Foundation has awarded $2.3 million to 40 organizations across the state to support various health initiatives. The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is using its $30,000 grant to provide dental care to children in need through its After School Smilz program. The free clinics are scheduled for Feb. 6, March 6 and April 3. Parents can schedule appointments by calling 479-788-7270.