Good morning, Springdale.

Today at 9 a.m., the J.B. & Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale hosts the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off where 40 teams compete to create unique squirrel dishes for free public tasting & family fun, with outdoor skills stations and marksmanship events also on offer.

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas hired Amanda Brogdon as vice president of Education and Training on Sept.

11. She brings almost 20 years of education leadership and will lead programs at the Goodwill Training and Education Centers (Springdale and Little Rock).

A Springdale teacher was fired after posting on Facebook that the killing of Charlie Kirk was divine justice, and a Pea Ridge teacher was placed on administrative leave after making similar remarks—both districts stress that personal social media views do not reflect district values and are addressing the matter per policy.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced yesterday that it will take control of most federal nutrition programs from Human Services and Education by Oct.

1 and launch the Arkansas Rice in Schools pilot to connect local farmers with families in need. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward said the move will boost the link between local agriculture and healthy school meals.

Mackenzie Maddry, a 19-year-old heart transplant recipient from Bella Vista and Bentonville High School graduate, will appear later this year in a Hallmark Christmas movie set in a hospital—she joins four HeartMates ambassadors including NFL player Damar Hamlin to raise awareness about heart devices. Abbott’s program helps patients use devices that support their hearts while they wait for a transplant.

Tulsa Lincoln Christian extended its win streak to 31 games with a win at Shiloh Christian and coasted through its first two fall games in Springdale—showing a strong start to the season.

Friday's high school football games and Thursday's match delivered many scores from teams across the region, with schools like Arkadelphia and Springdale competing—several games were suspended or forfeited.

The varied results highlight a busy evening of competitive action for local teams.

Today, the University of Arkansas football team with a 2-0 record is preparing for its SEC opener at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as it readies to face No. 17 Ole Miss and expects loud crowd noise.

Players are working hard in practice and focusing on strong defense — a strategy they believe will boost their game.

Monarch Flight Festival

12-4 p.m. — Walter Turnbow Park at Shiloh Square — Free entry — Celebrate the endangered Monarch Butterfly with local crafts and community fun.

Jones Center Bike Festival

9 AM – 5 PM — The Jones Center — Free entry — Celebrate cycling with community festivities and a kickoff barbecue at this fun-filled 2-day event.

Arkansas Symbols Day at Shiloh Museum

8:30 a.m. — Shiloh Museum — Volunteer opportunity — Help engage young students with the state bird, the Mockingbird, at this educational outreach event.