Gotta Get Down To Sharkansas 🦈

Fossil Cove: Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, which typically decays before it can fossilize. But researchers found the ancient seafloor in what is now Northwest Arkansas was low in oxygen and highly acidic, slowing decay enough to preserve the sharks in remarkable detail.

Sharkansas: A new study from Cal Poly Humboldt says the Fayetteville Shale offers researchers an unusually clear, three-dimensional look at shark anatomy from millions of years ago. The discovery has even earned the region the nickname “Sharkansas” among scientists.

Old Town Road: More than 3,000 people from across the region are expected to attend one of Northwest Arkansas’s longest-running annual traditions.

Banana Pancakes: Expect a full day of activities, kicking off with a 5K race and pancake breakfast, followed by local vendors, arts and crafts, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and the annual Gravette Day Parade.

Lead Well, Live Well: Keynote speaker John Findley, MD, CEO of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, will share how lifestyle medicine can strengthen leadership, improve employee wellbeing, and help create workplace cultures where people and performance thrive together.

Ideas You Can Put to Work: Attendees will hear employer success stories, participate in hands-on planning, and leave with practical strategies tailored to their organizations. The summit offers a chance to connect with others shaping the future of workplace wellbeing in NWA.

Bond, Rogers Bond: If approved, Rogers voters would decide Tuesday, Nov 3, whether to continue the city’s 1% bond sales tax. The proposal would replace the current bond tax when it expires, meaning the sales tax rate would not increase.

Show Me The Money: The package includes $195.5M for streets and transportation, $81.5M for parks and recreation, $32.75M for fire improvements, $20.75M for police improvements, $8.75M for animal services, and $118M to refinance existing bonds.

Feast Mode: Expect a lineup of international cuisines, alongside live music and cultural performances that bring the world to downtown Bentonville for the day.

Lettuce Go Global: Vendors will also fill the gardens with handmade goods, artisan products, and gifts.

💸 Fee-First Freedom: Need financial planning help this summer? Pape Financial offers hourly, advice-only planning that skips traditional assets-under-management models, making it easier for households at any stage to get personalized guidance on investment management, retirement planning, tax advice, or more. Get started with a free initial consultation HERE.*

🤝 Get Coached Up: Coaching isn't just for executives. In a coaching culture, every manager learns how to help people think, grow, and solve problems—not simply receive answers. That's how organizations develop stronger leaders at every level. Develop these practical coaching skills in our Manager as Coach™ course.*

🏘️ Property With a Purpose: Protect and grow your real estate investments at the Washington County Landlords Association's lunch on Wednesday, Aug 5, from 11:30a-1p at Big Whiskey's in Fayetteville. Attorney Trey Fairman will lead the discussion. Lunch included. Learn more HERE.*

📈 Crunching Numbers: Check out these three numbers that explain the state of Northwest Arkansas today.

🎤 The Sound of Music: Her Set Her Sound returns to Prairie Street Live in Fayetteville for the sixth time on Friday, Aug 7, through Saturday, Aug 8.

🥵 Beat the Heat: Here are more than 20 places in Benton and Washington County to take your family when it gets too hot outside this summer.

🃏 For A Good Cause: Trade It Forward, a nonprofit event to combat food insecurity, will take over Jones Center in Springdale on Saturday, Aug 8, from 10a-7p.

🥪 Bread Winners: Craving a sandwich? Check out some of the best sandwich spots throughout Northwest Arkansas in this post.

🎭 Plot Twist: The Medium in Springdale will host several shows of Lilith and Eve, a musical, from Thursday, Aug 6, through Sunday, Aug 9.

🎧 Listen Online: Want to listen to a summarized audio version of NWA Daily? Head to the top of this email and click “Listen Online” to hear more!

📅 Events Calendar: Find and post upcoming events in Northwest Arkansas on our Events Calendar.

💼 Job Board: Find exciting new job opportunities or find great candidates by posting your open positions on our Job Board.

Mahaffey Asphalt Co. is seeking a Project Manager.

Black Hills Energy is seeking a Customer Resolution Associate.