This week in the 479 saw the Fayetteville City Council endure a marathon session with two appeals in the spotlight, the Springdale City Council Finance Committee moving forward with a federal grant acceptance for elimination of an at-grade railroad crossing, the Rogers Board of Education setting in motion a study on block scheduling, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission getting ready to approve transportation projects and the University of Arkansas increasing tuition and backing its president in dealing with a tenured professor's troubling social media activity.

We hear more highlights from area high school graduations and our Comment from the Capitol recaps the week in Washington.

And our trip off the beaten path takes us to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where a Siloam Springs runner was among those aspiring to become a Speedy Spud.

On a packed episode, the City of Greenland was closer to becoming a first-class city, the City of Centerton was closer to having a library, the Bentonville City Council was back to full strength, the Springdale City Council created a new deputy animal services director position and the University of Arkansas tennis programs received a stay of execution after supporters raised funds to support it.

We highlight some of the high school graduations that took place during the week.

Our Comment from the Capitol visits with the producer of the National Memorial Day Concert.

And our trip off the beaten path takes us to Michigan, where an attempt to touch grass led to a five-alarm fire.

The first week of May in the 479 saw the Springdale City Council adopt changes to its downtown form-based code, the Fayetteville City Council adopt increased water and sewer rates, the Washington County Quorum Court County Services Committee deal with a Fayetteville business that had been operating without permits for years, and commencement exercises at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville.

The Arkansas General Assembly met in special session to consider a fourth income tax cut in as many years.

And our trip off the beaten path takes us to Maryland, where a college football team features probably the only defensive lineman who could qualify for the senior discount at a local restaurant.