Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Wendell Griffen threw out a Fayetteville bar and restaurant owners lawsuit concerning a COVID-19 related early curfew.

• Twenty-one Fayetteville bar owners filed a lawsuit against the state claiming the 11pm curfew was damaging to business.
• Governor Hutchinson issued the curfew by Executive Order on Nov. 19, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021, to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases across the state. The restriction was extended through Feb. 3, 2021.
• The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control had no comment, but is committed to enforcing directives as established by state, said ABC Spokesperson Scott Hardin. -KNWA/Fox 24

Online degree programs at the U of A rose in two categories, according to the 2021 U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Online Programs” rankings.

• The university's eight online bachelor degree programs jumped to No. 21 in 2021, up eight spots from last year.
• The online master's degree programs in engineering also rose to No. 42 this year, up four spots from 2020. In addition, graduate degree programs in education climbed to No. 72 overall, and No. 63 among public universities. -UA News
• In 2020 alone, over half of the U of A student body (more than 14,000) took at least one online course during the academic year, and almost 11 percent of all students studied exclusively online.
• The methodology you ask? U.S. News ranks undergraduate degree programs based on four requirements: student engagement, student services and technology, faculty credentials and training, and peer reputation.

During last week's City Council meeting, Fayetteville Police Chief Mike Reynolds received the annual Martin Luther King Brotherhood Award for his leadership in handling the peaceful protests in Fayetteville this past summer.

• The award is given to a city employee that embodies Dr. King’s dream of equality, justice and brotherhood.
• Last summer, after a protest in downtown Bentonville ended in vandalism and violence, Chief Reynolds decided that would not be the case in Fayetteville.
• According to City Attorney Kit Williams, not a single allegation of police misconduct presented to the federal courts have been found valid over the last 20 years.
• “I truly believe that Dr. King would be smiling down from the mountaintop upon Chief Reynolds, our police officers and all of those peaceful protesters," Williams said. -Fayetteville Flyer

In August 2020, shared-housing startup Common launched the Remote Work Hub RFP, a selection competition that asked both public and private respondents to submit locations for the first site.

• The RFP received 29 responses, including one from Blue Crane, a local real estate investment group in Bentonville. Other finalists in the RFP include New Orleans and Rochester, NY.

• Jared Faciszewski, Blue Crane’s director of REI did not disclose the official location for the project, but revealed it would be downtown and announced this spring. -Talk Business & Politics

• Founded in 2015, Common believes remote work will become to the new norm for many professionals post-pandemic. The NWA Council launched an incentive program last year to attract remote workers as well. -Yahoo Finance

Olympic Mountain Biking hopefuls will add a stop in NWA on the journey to Tokyo this summer. OZ Trails in Fayetteville has announced that the inaugural OZ Trails US Pro Cup, presented by Experience Fayetteville, will be held at Centennial Park April 9-11 and April 16-18.

• A full line-up of cross country and short track cross country races are expected show off US and International riders consisting of past and future Olympians, national champions, and continental and world champions. -OZ Trails

• The world-class racetrack at Centennial Park is unique because it was built to meet international specifications, and may be the only one of its kind in the US. The course is intentionally reflective of the Ozark mountains, featuring rock-filled sections, vigorous climbs, and fast flowing descents.

• Mountain biking enthusiasts will see their fair share of pro riders, but will also showcase amateur riders as well. The event is expected to highlight NWA's eclectic food scene, award-winning breweries, live music and more.

• For more event details and to register, click HERE. See you there!