AGP Executive Report

Public Safety: A Marion County man, Aaron Keith Bynum, was arrested after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at his local Walmart if the U.S. locked down again over a hantavirus scare. Local Governance: Saline County voters will decide whether to cut the library’s millage from 1.7 to 1.1 after a contentious quorum court vote. Health & Education: UAMS held commencement for 1,237 health professionals, awarding 1,249 degrees and certificates. Community & Housing: Siloam Springs is weighing housing incentives as growth strains supply, while Wynne is taking bids for a downtown pickleball court. Sports: Arkansas State’s season ended with a 6-2 loss to South Alabama; meanwhile, NCAA men’s golf regionals kicked off with Arkansas-Pine Bluff and other teams starting play. Weather/Ag: A new look at grocery prices points to natural disasters hitting farm output—floods and freezes driving up food costs.

UAMS Graduation: UAMS held commencement for 1,237 health professionals, awarding 1,249 degrees and certificates across medicine, nursing, health professions, pharmacy, public health, and graduate school, including graduates from Columbia County and nearby South Arkansas. Roads & Water Quality: The Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program approved $327,000 in state funding plus $529,000 in local matches for six county projects, focused on culverts, drainage, and reducing sediment runoff. Workforce & Education: Reach University is expanding its Delta apprenticeship teacher pipeline with a $2 million Carnegie grant aimed at easing teacher shortages in rural, high-need districts. Public Safety: Fort Smith police say Officer Kyle Newman remains in critical condition after being shot in the neck during a DWI-related stop that ended with a chase and an officer-involved shooting. Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court sent Voting Rights Act lawsuits back to lower courts, dodging a key question that could limit who can sue to enforce the law. Business & Housing: Colliers brokered an $8 million sale of a 106-unit apartment portfolio in Fort Smith.

Public Safety: A 20-year-old Oakland man, Aaron Keith Bynum, was arrested after online threats said he would carry out a Walmart mass shooting if the U.S. locked down again over a hantavirus outbreak, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. NCAA Softball: Arkansas is set for another home super regional after running through the Fayetteville Regional with run-rule wins, and the Razorbacks will host Duke next weekend at Bogle Park. Local Sports Buzz: Duke punched its ticket by beating Arizona 9-4 in a winner-take-all Durham Regional, setting up the Fayetteville matchup. Crime Update (Fort Smith): An officer was critically wounded early Sunday during a confrontation that included a suspect shot and killed, with the incident unfolding after police tried to detain a driver near a park area. Business & Growth: Buc-ee’s is targeting a late-summer opening for its Benton travel center, with plans for about 300 jobs, while Stephens Inc. continues its family succession with voting-interest transfers to the next generation.

NCAA Softball Spotlight: Arkansas is one win from the super regional after a big early push vs. South Florida, with Kennedy Miller launching a 3-run homer and the Razorbacks manufacturing runs in the second inning as USF made a pitching change. Public Safety: Fort Smith police say an officer was hit by gunfire in an early Sunday shooting near 7200 Massard Road; the suspect was killed after a pursuit, and Arkansas State Police is leading the investigation. Tech & Work: A new wave of AI hiring is spawning fresh job titles—think “Claude Evangelist” and “vibe coder”—even as some firms keep cutting roles. Health Watch: Pennsylvania is tracking a tick-related red-meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome) after hundreds of cases were flagged in recent years. Sports Beyond Arkansas: NCAA men’s golf regionals begin Monday at six sites, and the SEC baseball tournament bracket is set in Hoover. Gas Prices: In Arkansas, regular prices averaged about $3.95 in the week ending May 9, with some counties dipping into the mid-$3s.

Weather Watch: Magnolia’s late-spring pattern turns more unsettled—Sunday stays warm and partly sunny (20% storms), with Monday humid and cloudier (30%), then Tuesday brings likely afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms (60% rain chance). Lottery: Powerball is back up to an estimated $100 million for Monday after Saturday’s draw produced no jackpot winner; Arkansas had a $100 Match 4 winner plus smaller prizes. Sports—Arkansas NCAA Softball: The Razorbacks keep rolling at the Fayetteville Regional, including a 9-1 run-rule over South Florida and a mercy-rule 8-0 win over UNC Greensboro to move within one win of the super regional. Sports—SEC/Track: Arkansas men won their sixth straight SEC Outdoor title, while Auburn capped its regular season with a 14-4 run-rule win over Georgia. Local Spotlight: Little Rock’s Housing and Neighborhood Programs chief also leads an inspection/appraisal firm that has done work for the city’s housing authority. Public Safety: Police and deputies responded to a crash in Batesville that cleared after 10 p.m., with injuries reported.

NCAA Softball Spotlight: Arkansas jumped on South Florida early, then kept pouring it on—Karlie Davison’s grand slam powered a 5-0 lead in the top of the first, with Anne Long dealing with a rough start before USF settled in. Regional Sports: The Fayetteville Regional keeps moving: USF beat Washington 3-1 to set up a winners’ bracket matchup with Arkansas. Public Safety: In rural Franklin County, a 911 call led to a deadly standoff after authorities say a married couple was stabbed and the suspect was later killed by law enforcement. Roads & Rural Life: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Agriculture Department announced funding for unpaved road projects in six counties, with state money plus local matches aimed at drainage and stormwater. Gas Watch: Prices stayed volatile statewide—E15 hit as low as $3.80 in Pulaski County and diesel dipped to $4.79 in Miller County for the week ending May 9.

NCAA Spotlight: Arkansas softball opened the Fayetteville regional with an 8-0, six-inning run-rule win over Fordham, powered by Payton Burnham’s shutout and homers from Karlie Davison, Tianna Bell, and Dakota Kennedy. Regional Matchup: South Florida beat Washington 3-1 to set up a Saturday winners’ bracket game with Arkansas at 1 p.m. Baseball Update: Arkansas baseball evened its series with a 5-4 win over Kentucky, with Ethan McElvain sealing it late; the teams play again Saturday at 1 p.m. Injury Watch: Kentucky left fielder Braxton Van Cleave was stretchered after a scary collision on a basepaths play. Local Life: Loose Caboose Festival returns to Paragould, and Arkansas Pet Savers hosts a benefit yard sale in Jonesboro Saturday morning. Courts & Public Safety: A judge is set to consider cellphone evidence in a fatal crash case, and Little Rock police report a missing-person case that turned into a homicide arrest.

Opioid Fallout: Delaware’s AG says a $7.4B Purdue Pharma/Sackler deal is now legally effective, locking in money for communities and victims and permanently barring the Sacklers from selling opioids in the U.S. Local Justice: Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke’s death investigation is still “deferred” pending toxicology, with drug paraphernalia reported at the home—details remain scarce. Fuel Watch: Diesel prices stayed jumpy across Arkansas; Benton County’s low hit $4.44/gal (week ending May 9), while Garland County’s regular low was $3.59/gal. Broadband Push: A new BEAD phase is opening the door for Arkansas to use remaining funds for broader investment after last-mile deployment. Courts & Elections: The Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ appeals in two special-election cases as moot. Community Notes: The Cascoe BBQ fundraiser is raising money to repair the century-old Cascoe Community Center.

NBA Draft Combine: In Chicago, Baylor guard Cameron Carr and Texas wing Dailyn Swain both sat out Thursday’s scrimmages, while Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie, North Carolina’s Henri Veesaar, and Duke’s Isaiah Evans said they’re staying in the draft—setting up a busy stretch of agency pro days and team workouts. Arkansas Sports: Arkansas baseball opened its Kentucky series with a 4-3 loss; ace Hunter Dietz delivered another strong start, but the offense couldn’t cash in. Local Public Safety: Arkansas State Police say a high-speed chase in Joiner ended with a crash and a toddler running from the overturned car toward officers. State Politics: Rep. Kendon Underwood is pushing a 90-day gas tax suspension, asking Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to call a special session. Education & Community: Arkansas Children’s Hospital is partnering with Lyon College’s dental school to expand pediatric dental care and training. History in Blytheville: The National Cold War Center received 36 original Berlin Wall segments, the largest collection outside Berlin.

Arkansas Tennis Reversal: The University of Arkansas reinstated both men’s and women’s tennis programs just weeks after discontinuing them, saying donors stepped in with short-term funding while a long-term endowment push continues. Gas Tax Push: Cave Springs Rep. Kendon Underwood is calling for a special session to suspend Arkansas’ gas and diesel taxes for 90 days, arguing prices are squeezing household budgets. Local Growth in Blytheville: Gowan Milling announced an $8.7 million expansion in Blytheville, aiming to add 34 jobs over five years. Summer Meals: A new Summer Feeding Program will offer free lunches to kids ages 1–18 across multiple counties starting late May. Space Buzz, Arkansas Style: Little Rock’s “Freakin’ Moon Kid” Hilt Boling is back in the spotlight, turning a viral rocket interview into a bigger mission to learn about space. Community Loss: Former Fayetteville City Council and Planning Commission member Sloan Scroggin has died at 41.

Public Health Win: The DEA says Arkansas led the region in unused-medicine take-back collections, pulling in 50,240 pounds—far ahead of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi—showing communities are clearing out expired prescriptions to curb misuse. Road Safety Push: Ahead of Memorial Day, Arkansas law enforcement is gearing up for the Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign May 18-31, with nighttime enforcement a focus. Local Justice & Safety: Arkansas State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Searcy after a disturbance at a White County service station; separate trooper honors highlight last year’s dangerous suspect apprehension. Education Access: The ASU System is launching a new scholarship for adult learners who delayed college for at least three years. Sports & Culture: Fayetteville residents packed a long town hall over Swarm Aero’s drone plans, while Arkansas State’s Ckyler Tengler racked up major pitching honors after a no-hitter.

Walmart Reshuffle: Walmart says it will cut or relocate about 1,000 corporate tech and product jobs, with many workers asked to move to Bentonville or Northern California as the retailer consolidates its global technology setup. Court Fight in Little Rock: Arkansas Democrats are pushing back hard on Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ appointment of a special justice to handle an election appeal tied to Sanders—arguing she can’t pick the judge in a case where she’s a defendant. Housing Permitting Push: More cities are rolling out preapproved building plans to speed approvals and lower costs, aiming to cut delays before construction even starts. Local Economy: Bradley County’s economic development group is receiving $14,000 in site development funds as the state continues backing community-ready industrial sites. Remembering Annie Noblin: The community is mourning author and educator Annie “Annie” Noblin, whose death was reported after a deadly crash in Baxter County.

NBA Shock: Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, died Tuesday; the team and his agency confirmed the loss, while Los Angeles authorities reportedly investigated a possible drug overdose with no foul play suspected. Local Sports: Arkansas fans also got a reminder of the postseason grind as Grand Valley State won the GLIAC Tournament and earned an NCAA DII regional host spot starting May 14. Northwest Arkansas Industry: In Blytheville, Lexicon’s Prospect Steel unveiled a new AGT Robotics BLOK 500 welding line—positioning the plant as the only Arkansas site using the system for large structural fabrication. Roads & Trails: Pulaski County’s quorum court approved $20 million for Road and Bridge projects, including major trail work and over $2 million for the Providence Park tiny home village street construction. Public Safety/Health: Arkansas health officials are monitoring a hantavirus outbreak, stressing the overall risk to the general public remains extremely low.

Sports Shock: Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, died Tuesday—his career had been slowed by injuries after a 2019 breakout and a recent Arkansas arrest tied to a high-speed chase and alleged drug possession. Energy & Business: Fayetteville’s EnergyWorks says it bought 731 natural gas wells in Oklahoma for $65 million, positioning itself as the state’s biggest operator. Agriculture: USDA projects 2025 cotton output at 13.492 million bales, slightly below 2024, and warns winter wheat production will drop sharply amid drought. Legal & Health: Arkansas AG Jackley backed a multistate Supreme Court fight over mail-order abortion pills, while UAMS pushes to certify more doulas to reduce maternal mortality. Local Watch: Benton opened a long-planned fire training facility, and Ozark leaders discussed progress on the long-vacant “Model Cafe” building. Arkansas Notes: A Pennsylvania woman found a 3.09-carat white diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

NBA Draft Buzz: Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. is climbing draft chatter as analysts debate where he lands—anywhere from the top three to the late lottery—while a separate top-10 prospect list keeps BYU’s AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson in the mix. Local Education: Brookland Public Schools is taking School of Choice applications for the next year, due June 1. Housing Watch: The federal takeover of the Little Rock housing authority is still raising questions—HUD hasn’t named who will run the agency, but experts expect staff shakeups and a finance review. Health Access: Arisa Health says a $4.4 million funding loss could reshape mental health services across 41 Northeast Arkansas counties, with some locations and mobile crisis/forensic services changing after June 30. Safety: Arkansas and state police are pushing the May 18-31 Click It or Ticket seat belt crackdown. Sports: Central Arkansas softball is headed to the ASUN title game after beating Jacksonville 6-1.

Seat Belt Crackdown: Arkansas law enforcement and NHTSA are gearing up for “Click It or Ticket,” running May 18-31, with extra focus on nighttime drivers and a no-excuses approach that means citations day and night. Preakness Shake-Up: Silent Tactic has been scratched from the Preakness after trainer Mark Casse wasn’t satisfied with the colt’s movement in training, leaving the field more open ahead of Monday’s post-position draw. Local Safety & Weather: A small 2.4 quake rattled northern Arkansas early Monday near Southside, and the weekend’s storm threat has kept Central Arkansas on alert for flooding. Public Health Watch: Oklahoma is advancing a bill to track alpha-gal syndrome cases, while a multi-state recall warns sunflower seeds may contain undeclared cashew allergens. Sports Spotlight: Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is listed stable after a shooting at a concert in Mississippi, and the NCAA Division II softball bracket is set with Missouri Southern as the top seed.