Good morning, Springdale.

Chiara Belleti, an exchange student from northern Italy, arrived August 2 to join the 126th Tontitown Grape Festival where she rode carnival rides and helped prepare sauce in the Spaghetti Hall.

She will stay for five months and attend 11th grade, adding a special cultural tie for the Ranalli family (they hosted their first exchange student last year).

Rudolph Wahl (76) fell off his tube at Siloam Springs Kayak Park on Saturday around 5 p.m. and drowned, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

Washington County Historical Society will host its 53rd ice cream social on Saturday, Aug.

16 from 3—5 p.m. at Headquarters House Museum in Fayetteville—this fundraiser will feature live music by Northwest Arkansas Old Time Fiddlers Association and refreshments like ice cream, cookies, cakes, lemonade and water.

Today, more than 22,000 students in 29 Springdale schools return to classes as the district starts the new term.

Superintendent Jared Cleveland said the state Bell-to-Bell no cell phone law will require students to put their phones in secure garages (each unlocked with a unique code) except during events like pep rallies, field trips, and sports.

The Legislative Council’s Hospital, Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities Study Subcommittee voted on Monday to let the Bureau of Legislative Research start contract negotiations with the Georgia Center for Opportunity—tasked with providing audit services for a study on social services and workforce overhaul.

Arkansas AG Tim Griffin announced on August 8 that the state joined a multistate effort to fight illegal robocalls.

Fifty attorneys general issued warning letters to 37 voice providers and 99 downstream companies for failing FCC rules.

Mitch Glenn set out four rods at sunrise on July 11 at Beaver Lake—using crank baits to catch crappie as his common summer method.