AGP Executive Report

Arkansas State Football: A-State will mark three football milestones during the 2026 season—celebrating the 1986 Southland title and runner-up run, the 35th Old Warriors Cookout, and the 30th Ring of Honor creation—at home games Sept. 26 vs. Kennesaw State and Nov. 7 vs. ULM. Public Safety: Arkansas State Police is warning parents after pursuits involving children, including a crash where kids were in the vehicle. Wildlife Management: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is launching an alligator pilot program pairing landowners with hunters through a public permit draw, running through June 22. Health & Medicaid: Russellville Medicaid dental payments rose to $626,583 in 2024, up 3.5% from the prior year. Local Culture & Arts: Actors Theatre of Little Rock is staging “In the Heights” through June 27, with an immersive format that brings performers close to the audience. Community Spotlight: A SAU alum is serving in Africa with the Peace Corps in Lesotho, teaching life skills, arithmetic, and English. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports Arkansas fuel prices remain volatile, with multiple counties seeing the week’s lowest E85 and premium prices clustered in a handful of stations.

Coal Power Push: President Trump says the federal government will spend $700 million to build or refurbish coal power infrastructure, using the Defense Production Act; White House figures list Arkansas’s Flint Creek Coal Plant in Gentry as set to receive about $29.8 million. Energy Costs Watch: A new analysis of residential electricity prices shows Arkansas up about 8.3% year over year, as grid and demand pressures rise. Local Schools & Safety: Riverview School District reviewed how Act 565 works after a full year, including steps for removing students from class for violent or abusive behavior and using conferences and in-school suspension while plans are set. Public Health: Doctors in Arkansas warn that even short sun exposure can lead to long-term skin damage, urging SPF 30+ and reapplication. Arkansas Sports: The Travelers beat the Corpus Christi Hooks 6-0, while UALR’s season took a hit in the Troy Super Regional with a 12-2 loss in Game 1. Lottery: Mega Millions for June 5: 13, 30, 50, 52, 66; Mega Ball 2.

Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy data for the week ending May 30 shows Arkansas drivers still seeing volatility, with Independence County’s lowest midgrade at $4.27 and Poinsett County’s lowest midgrade at $4.45, while regular statewide averaged $3.98. Local Politics & Courts: A judge dismissed a murder charge against Arkansas GOP sheriff nominee Aaron Spencer after a dash-cam memory card was lost, raising due-process concerns. College Sports (Arkansas): UALR and Troy open a best-of-three NCAA super regional in Troy at 4 p.m. Friday, with the winner headed to Omaha. Statewide Public Safety: Arkansas State Police highlighted online safety for kids as summer ramps up. Community & Culture: Arkadelphia is leaning into the weekend snack buzz with National Donut Day and National Churro Day celebrations. Sports Recruiting/Recognition: Arkansas Tech’s Dr. Sean Huss was named professor of the year, and Ethan McElvain earned Stopper of the Year finalist status.

College Baseball: The Little Rock Trojans are headed to a first-ever NCAA College World Series berth after advancing to the super regional, and they’ll face Troy this weekend at Riddle-Pace Field with Omaha on the line. Local Sports: The Arkansas Travelers kept rolling, beating the Corpus Christi Hooks 3-2 to move to 3-0 in their series. Internet Safety: Arkansas State Police urged parents during Internet Safety Month to tighten online protections for kids, including privacy settings, password updates, and reporting suspicious activity. Local Government Watch: Bull Shoals Mayor Bill Stahlman gave conflicting accounts of a voter-approved 1% sales tax tied to a sewer bond, raising questions about whether the money was collected and how it was handled. Health Care & Aging: CMS data highlighted nursing home performance across Arkansas, including several facilities with higher-than-average star ratings and others below the state average. National Politics: The U.S. House passed a Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions package, overriding GOP objections.

Walmart & AI at work: Walmart investors voted down a proposal that would have required the retailer to report how AI tools affect employee well-being, as workers warn of burnout and safety risks while the company says it promotes “responsible use and human judgment.” Medicaid coverage worries: New federal guidance tightens Medicaid work requirements, with advocates warning more people could lose coverage and face complicated reporting. Public TV in Arkansas: The Arkansas TV Commission reversed its PBS disaffiliation plan after the Arkansas TV Foundation raised enough money to cover 2027 dues, keeping PBS programming available over the air. Internet safety push: Arkansas State Police urged parents to monitor kids’ online activity this summer, citing ongoing risks like sextortion and child sexual abuse material complaints. Local courts & community: An Arkansas woman was sentenced for stealing more than $1.7M from a federally funded nonprofit. Business & jobs: Saracen Casino Resort’s 14-story hotel in Pine Bluff is now open, adding hundreds of jobs. Energy policy: Trump announced a $700M coal initiative using the Defense Production Act, including funding tied to Arkansas coal plants.

College Sports Overhaul: U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Ted Cruz pushed a bipartisan hearing on fixing college athletics, with Nick Saban backing the idea of slowing the “race to the bottom” and limiting transfers and mid-season coaching moves. Local Public Safety: Mountain Home schools plan to nearly double high school security cameras and add audio recording in locker rooms/changing areas to meet Eli’s Law, using leftover state safety funds. Education & Training: Arkansas State University System trustees approved a $402.6 million FY2027 operating budget and tuition/fee changes, citing new programs and rising utility/insurance costs. Health Care: CMS data highlight nursing home performance across Arkansas counties, including several facilities earning top 5-star overall ratings in Q1 2026. Community & Sports: Mountain Home’s Rocky the K-9 is set to be retired by city council, while Paragould’s Austin Burdin signed with NWACC to keep his track career rolling. Business & Growth: Little Rock’s Panacea Financial won an orthodontists’ finance endorsement, and Arkansas State’s system board approved tuition increases tied to campus investments.

PBS Fight in Little Rock: The Arkansas TV Foundation says it has raised enough money to keep the state’s PBS affiliation going through July 2027, hitting its $2.15 million FY2027 PBS dues goal with a final Knight Foundation gift—setting up a decision at the Arkansas TV Commission meeting June 4. Local Governance: Little Rock city directors approved Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s data center regulations after a long meeting, a move aimed at governing hyperscale projects tied to Google and other developers amid growing public backlash. Public Safety: U.S. Marshals arrested a Hope rape suspect, and in Paragould a man was charged after a child reported sexual abuse; both cases highlight ongoing investigations by state and local agencies. Crime & Courts: A former Haskell officer was sentenced to 30 years for rape and child pornography, while a New Mexico man pleaded guilty in federal court after decades of using a University of Arkansas graduate’s identity to dodge murder charges. Community & Culture: Arkansas Boys State inducted two alumni into its Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory won an international efficiency award.

Mega Millions: No grand-prize winner Tuesday; the jackpot is now estimated at $368 million for Friday, with Arkansas players seeing a mix of smaller winning tickets. Local Education: Mountain Home Public Schools reported enrollment down to 3,635 and said test gains came with a stubborn vocabulary gap; the district also disclosed an AI analysis error that initially skewed results. Healthcare & Nursing Homes: CMS data spotlight multiple Arkansas nursing homes, including Ozark Nursing and Rehab ranking top in Franklin County (5-star overall) while several others in Pulaski, Lonoke, Crawford, Yell and Poinsett counties received lower ratings. Civic Life: Little Rock approved new data center regulations tied to a planned Google facility at the port. Public Safety: Texarkana police and Miller County OEM plan a two-day search for two missing Louisiana men. Community & Youth: Arkansas Boys State elected local students to statewide roles, and Arkansas State opened registration for summer youth basketball camps in Jonesboro. Sports: Arkansas softball’s historic WCWS run ended with an 11-0 loss to UCLA.

Arkansas Baseball: The Razorbacks’ season ended Sunday with a regional-final loss to Kansas, after a 5-0 start unraveled as the Jayhawks scored six in the fourth and piled on 11 unanswered runs. Local Sports & NCAA Road: A Canadian report lays out the NCAA super regional matchups, including Little Rock taking on Troy and Arkansas’ path now shifting to the offseason. Public Safety: A body believed to be missing Lakeview man Mark Alan Hanes was found at Bull Shoals Lake and sent to the state medical examiner for identification. Crime Crackdown: Carroll County authorities arrested 13 registered sex offenders in a multiagency operation. Health Policy: Federal guidance on Medicaid work requirements adds pressure on states facing a 2027 deadline, with Arkansas among those navigating the rules. Business & Jobs: Logistic Services Inc. says it’s acquiring Five Rivers Distribution, expanding inland waterways operations with a Port of Little Rock presence. Community: North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick proclaimed June 2 as Summer Cereal Drive Day for the THV11 drive. Forensics: The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory earned an international Foresight Maximus Award for high efficiency. Food & Culture: Slim Chickens continues expansion, including a new location opening in Chelmsford, UK.

Severe Weather Alert: Strong to severe thunderstorms with large hail and dangerous lightning are moving across Arkansas, including reports from West Little Rock—stay weather-aware and avoid risky outdoor exposure. Education & Pay: Arkansas teacher pay is still lagging when lawmakers compare recruitment and retention data, complicating the upbeat picture tied to the LEARNS Act’s salary increases. State Retirement Investments: The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System approved up to about $160 million for infrastructure and real estate secondary investments, including Blackstone and Ares funds. Girls State Fallout: Dozens of Arkansas Girls State counselors say they faced a “culture of fear and shame” and are urging American Legion Auxiliary leaders to address alleged mistreatment. Local Business/Infrastructure: Lane closures begin for a routine I-40 bridge inspection near Osceola/Randolph County, with impacts expected through June 11. Sports (Arkansas): Arkansas baseball’s season ended after a Lawrence Regional loss to Kansas, while Arkansas Little Rock and St. John’s advanced to super regionals. Lottery: Powerball for June 1: 2-42-47-57-58, Powerball 14, Power Play 3.

FTC Watch: The FTC has launched a major, industry-wide investigation into fertilizer pricing after a sharp rise in costs since 2020, with Kansas farm leaders saying the probe could finally force answers on market concentration and pricing practices. North Little Rock Jobs: CEP USA opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in North Little Rock, investing nearly $1 million and targeting about 27 new jobs over five years. Local Crime: U.S. postal inspectors are asking for help finding two women accused of breaking into the Colonel Glenn Road post office and stealing checks and other mail. School Leadership: Springdale’s Don Tyson School of Innovation will get a new principal this fall, with Michael Shepherd moving over from Lakeside Junior High. Lottery Scam Alert: The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is warning residents about phone scammers claiming they’ve won million-dollar prizes—official wins aren’t awarded over the phone. Health & Community: Meals on Wheels of Benton County is shutting down after 41 years, citing rising food costs and a volunteer shortage. Business/Legal: Seagate reached a $175 million settlement tied to claims it concealed sales of hard drives to Huawei. Sports: Arkansas baseball’s season ended after a loss to Kansas in the NCAA regional.

Little Rock Open Tennis: Colton Smith won the 2026 Little Rock Open, beating Michael Mmoh 6-2, 6-4 after a week of delays that included rain and heat suspensions at Rebsamen Tennis Center. Arkansas Sports Spotlight: UALR baseball made history, reaching an NCAA super regional for the first time after beating Jacksonville State 6-3 in the Hattiesburg Regional final. NCAA Baseball (Regional Shock): Kansas erased a 5-0 deficit to beat Arkansas 13-10 in the Lawrence regional championship, sending the Jayhawks to super regionals. Local Business & Growth: Farmers Bank & Trust is moving its corporate headquarters to Little Rock from Magnolia, citing workforce and airport accessibility. City Policy: Little Rock’s data center rules are headed to a board vote, but a sustainability panel says they’re too weak and wants more resident engagement. Public Safety/Community: A Civil Air Patrol meeting is set for June 7 in El Dorado to launch a new South Arkansas squadron. Legal Trouble: An Oklahoma roofing company alleges its former attorney hid a witness in a Fort Smith federal case, seeking up to $4.2 million.

Road Closures: Arkansas DOT says Highway 367 west of Newport will shut down for emergency maintenance for 7.4 miles starting about 1 p.m. Sunday, with all lanes closed and detours via Hwy. 14 and I-57. Crash Updates: State Police report a head-on crash on State Highway 1 near Allen Hester Road killed Walnut Ridge resident Frankie Upton and injured three Jonesboro residents. Public Safety/Health: Air quality alerts are up across parts of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, with “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” conditions raising health risks—especially for kids, seniors, and people with asthma or heart/lung issues. Substance Use: Arkansas overdose data shows methamphetamine is now killing more people than fentanyl, as fentanyl deaths drop while meth toxicity rises. Sports (Arkansas baseball): The Razorbacks face elimination in Lawrence, Kansas, after a 5-3 loss to Kansas sent them into a must-win game vs. Northeastern. Local Life: The Judd Hill Farmers’ Market in Jonesboro is set to celebrate 20 years in June, including a youth-only “Little Locals” mini market.

NCAA Baseball: Arkansas is one win from a regional title after rallying past Missouri State 9-5 in the Lawrence Regional opener, then setting up a big Saturday matchup with Kansas at Hoglund Ballpark (5 p.m. ESPN2). The Hogs trailed early but flipped the game with a six-run fifth and a bullpen surge, with transfer Maika Niu going 4-for-4 and driving in four. Women’s College World Series: Arkansas’s historic softball season ended with an 11-0, five-inning run-rule loss to UCLA in an elimination game, after the Bruins erupted for nine in the second. Local Sports/Community: Arkansas football great Bobby Crockett, a key wide receiver on the 1964 national championship team, died at 83. Education/Numbers: Philander Smith College in Little Rock reported $352,088 in women’s basketball spending in 2024, about 22.3% of its total athletics budget.

WCWS Fallout: UCLA crushed Arkansas 11-0 in five innings in an elimination game, with Megan Grant blasting her NCAA single-season record 42nd homer and UCLA scoring nine in the second. NCAA Baseball (Lawrence Regional): Arkansas beat Missouri State 9-5, sparked by Maika Niu’s 4-for-4, 5-RBI day, and now faces Kansas Saturday; forecast calls for possible thunderstorms. Local Nonprofit Funding: RRCU Gives opens grant applications June 1 for hunger, housing, and financial education nonprofits across five states, with applications running through Aug. 16. Courts & Health Policy: The full 4th Circuit agreed to rehear challenges to 340B contract pharmacy rules, a fight that also touches Arkansas law. Civic Life: Arkansas Girls State faces uncertainty after a majority of legacy staff resigned during the closing ceremony. Public Safety: Arkansas River flows are high enough for a small craft advisory, and a Pine Bluff man died in a single-vehicle crash on I-530.

University of Arkansas Leadership: UA has named Katheleen Guzman interim dean of the School of Law starting July 1, stepping in after months of controversy that followed the rescinded hire of Emily Suski. Local Courts: Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson announced his retirement June 30, and the Quorum Court will pick an interim judge to finish his term. Criminal Justice Reform: A new episode of “Unpacking the Issue” spotlights Arkansas criminal justice reform efforts, weighing jail expansion plans against alternatives like pretrial services and court changes. Children’s Online Safety: Georgia AG Chris Carr joined a bipartisan push for the Senate’s Kids Online Safety Act, arguing it better protects minors while preserving state enforcement power. Public Safety & Courts: A Goodman, Mo., man faces new felony charges tied to hidden cameras in a case involving child sex crimes. Community & Culture: Arkansas Center for the Creative Arts is launching a broad slate of summer camps in Fort Smith, from film and theatre to dance and music. Water & Growth: Pea Ridge approved water rate increases starting next month, with more hikes planned through 2030. Sports: Nebraska’s Ava Kuszak hit a 10th-inning walk-off to beat Arkansas in the WCWS opener.