Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette NWA Democrat-Gazette

In this week's Know the News podcast, host Chris Swindle talks with staff writer Thomas Saccente and Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalist Pam Morgan about the recently designated firefly sanctuary at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville — the first firefly sanctuary in Arkansas.

In this week’s installment of Know the News, host Chris Swindle sits down with Music Editor Monica Hooper and Roger Barrett with AMMPlify to talk about the upcoming AMMPlify Fest. 
 

Silver Dollar City just opened its new Fire in the Hole roller coaster ride — an update of an old classic. What can park patrons expect, and what's the expected impact on the Branson theme park?
Brandei Clifton, Silver Dollar City's public relations manager, joins us to talk about that on this week's edition of the Know the News podcast.

The number of Arkansas school districts operating on a four-day school week is rapidly increasing. Lincoln made the move to four days this school year, and other districts in Northwest Arkansas — including Huntsville, Greenland and Decatur — plan to do it next year.
We talk to Lincoln Superintendent Mary Ann Spears and Decatur Superintendent Steven Watkins about the four-day school week in this edition of the Know the News podcast.
 

Artist and naturalist Christopher Marley, whose exhibit “Exquisite Creatures“ is featured at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It is a display of animal, mineral and plant specimens arranged in precise, geometric compositions. 
It's really unlike anything you've ever seen. Features editor April Wallace explores the exhibit in an in depth interview with artist Christopher Marley in Sunday's WhatsUp section. I got a chance earlier to visit with Marley for a few minutes as he was traveling and ask him to describe his exhibit and his art for the benefit of people who haven't seen his work yet.

Managing Editor Dave Perozek and Arts & Entertainment Editor Becca Martin-Brown team up for this week's Know the News, a sneak peek at stories this weekend, including a TheatreSquared double-feature with guests April Wallace and Monica Hooper.