AGP Executive Report

MLB Draft (Arkansas pipeline): The Royals wrapped Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft with 16 more picks, including University of Arkansas lefty Ethan McElvain (5th round) and Clemson’s Justin LeGuernic (6th). Local travel & growth: Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) hit a new June record with 129,045 enplanements, up 3.1% from last year. State funding for communities: Gov. Sarah Sanders and AEDC announced $12.52M in CDBG and Rural Community grants, including General Assistance Block Grants for Prescott and Willisville. Public health watch: CDC is tracking cyclosporiasis cases in at least 31 states, including those around Oklahoma, urging people to wash produce and practice safe food handling. Regional environment: Oklahoma’s AG says a proposed settlement is in place in the Illinois River poultry pollution case, pending federal court approval. Entertainment: Evanescence brought its first Little Rock-area show in more than a decade to Simmons Bank Arena.

Medicaid & Work Requirements: Arkansas is starting a “soft launch” of Medicaid work requirements tied to a new federal law, aiming to test verification steps before coverage rules fully kick in next year—after earlier attempts led to confusion and coverage losses. Healthcare Accountability: The Arkansas State Medical Board issued an emergency suspension for El Dorado pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Callejo Tolosa over alleged improper prescribing of highly addictive controlled substances to very young patients. Public Safety: A two-vehicle crash on I-55 in Perry County killed a 65-year-old passenger and injured the driver; investigators cited seat belt use as unknown for the Nissan occupants. Rural Health Spotlight: Baxter Health earned the American Heart Association’s top rural stroke-care Gold award for meeting fast treatment standards. Local Business & Courts: Little Rock’s Painted Tree Marketplace liquidation is drawing creditor scrutiny over large payouts to co-founders ahead of vendor payment problems. Sports (Arkansas ties): Arkansas baseball’s Ryder Helfrick, Carson Wiggins, and Hunter Dietz were among top MLB Draft picks, with more Arkansas players selected across Day 2. Weather: Magnolia forecasts call for scattered thunderstorms through midweek.

MLB Draft (Arkansas pipeline): Arkansas baseball kept rolling on Day 2 after a big Day 1, with the Mets taking Razorback pitcher Carson Wiggins in the first round and more Hogs landing across the early rounds; Arkansas also saw Futures Game standout Gage Wood (Phillies) impress at Citizens Bank Park. Public Safety: Arkansas law enforcement is joining the national “Speeding Slows You Down” campaign through July 31, citing speeding as a major factor in traffic deaths. Health & Schools: A local doctor urged families to reset sleep schedules, focus on diet, and book well-child visits and vaccines ahead of back-to-school season. State Policy: Arkansas SNAP rules now bar food stamps from buying soda and candy, with retailers updating systems to deny those purchases. Politics & Tributes: Arkansas lawmakers marked the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, calling him a longtime ally and strong voice on foreign relations. Legal News: An Arkansas teacher fired over social media comments about Charlie Kirk is suing for alleged First Amendment violations.

Medicaid & Work Requirements: Arkansas is starting a “soft launch” of Medicaid work requirements that kick in next year, aiming to test verification steps without cutting coverage right away—after earlier attempts were tied to confusion and coverage losses. Education Attendance: Across the U.S., states are tightening rules to bring chronically absent students back, including monitoring, public reporting, and tougher parent consequences—part of a broader push Arkansas families will feel as schools ramp up accountability. Little Rock Updates: The city approved using Trex-donated decking to repair the William E. Clark Presidential Park Wetlands boardwalk, and police urged residents to use department stations for safer internet-based swaps. Local Grants: Garland and Montgomery County nonprofits and public agencies can apply for Hot Springs Area Community Foundation Giving Tree grants up to $8,000 (deadline Aug. 15). Health Care Shifts: Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are seeing hospital reorganizations and service cuts/expansions as growth strains systems. Weather: Storm chances linger in parts of Arkansas into Monday, with heavy rain and gusty winds the main concerns. Sports: Arkansas ties show up in MLB Draft coverage, including Arkansas pitcher Carson Wiggins and other Razorbacks selected.

Disaster Funding: FEMA approved more than $144 million for Arkansas and neighboring states to strengthen resilience, repair infrastructure, and fund hazard mitigation through Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs. Severe Weather Watch: Storms are expected to hit Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley this evening, with heat advisories in place and a slight risk for severe weather. Storm Damage in NE Arkansas: Severe storms Saturday brought power outages and damage in places like Black Rock, with hundreds of customers reported without electricity. Public Safety: A fire at the Arkansas Galvanizing Plant in Prairie Grove sent one firefighter to the hospital; officials say air testing found conditions normal and safe. MLB Draft (Arkansas angle): The 2026 MLB Draft began in Philadelphia with the White Sox taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky first overall; Arkansas made headlines with catcher Ryder Helfrick going in the first round to Arizona. Health Alert: Officials are investigating a multi-state cyclosporiasis surge tied to “explosive” diarrhea symptoms, with Michigan reporting the most cases. Local Human Interest: A 9-year-old girl survived after being swept into a storm drain in Bryant and carried more than 200 yards through the drainage system. Sports Hall of Honor: Two former Razorback football standouts, Tony Bua and Jason Peters, were selected for the 2026 University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor class. Traffic Tragedy: An 82-year-old Arkansas man died in a Kiowa County crash after attempting a left turn when struck by a semi.

Elections Watch: Arkansas secretary of state candidates are debating paper ballots, with the race set to shape how future votes are run statewide. Health & Safety: Baptist Health takes over Magnolia Regional Medical Center on Sunday, ending 87 years of local control; a ribbon cutting is planned Monday. Agriculture: The Arkansas Plant Board will hold a special virtual meeting Tuesday on warfarin-based feral hog bait rules. Weather: Hot, humid Saturday in the state’s River Valley and Northwest Arkansas, with rain and thunderstorms possible into the weekend. Business: Trex, which has a Port of Little Rock factory, was named to TIME’s “America’s Best Companies of 2026” list. Sports: ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks Arkansas’ 2026 schedule as the toughest in the nation. Lottery: Mega Millions heads into Tuesday at an estimated $637 million after Friday’s drawing had no grand-prize winner. Local Schools: North Little Rock hires eStem’s Monty Patel as boys basketball coach.

Texarkana Public Safety: A Texarkana babysitter, Cherish Starks, faces an upgraded capital murder charge after an 8-month-old infant died from injuries police say occurred while the child was in her care. Investigators say she was first booked on first-degree battery, then the charge was upgraded after the death. Housing & Policy: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is set to become law without President Trump’s signature, aiming to boost housing supply and expand affordable housing financing tools. Education Rights: The ACLU of Arkansas sued the Russellville School District over the firing of former teacher Joshua Chance Duncan, arguing his dismissal violated his First Amendment rights. Public Safety & Weather: Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are bracing for strong Saturday rainstorms, with up to 1 inch possible and locally higher amounts. State Government & Fraud: Arkansas AG Kris Mayes joined a push to crack down on scam robocalls by urging the FCC to tighten rules around access to phone numbers. Wildlife Health: The AGFC is warning Arkansans not to try treating sick wildlife themselves, especially with the New World screwworm threat in the region. FEMA Funding: FEMA announced more than $144 million for disaster recovery and mitigation across Arkansas and neighboring states, including repairs tied to 2025 storms.

Arkansas River Tragedy: Tulsa crews located a missing 14-year-old girl who entered the Arkansas River Thursday and reported she has died. Public Safety Update: Park rangers’ Memorial Day shooting death of a Judsonia 31-year-old was ruled justified by the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney after an officer-involved review. Local Leadership: Searcy named Cody Larque its next battalion chief after a competitive selection process. Health Policy Watch: A new federal push tied to Medicaid work requirements is drawing backlash over added red tape that could cause people to lose coverage even when they can’t work. Food & Families: Westside Elementary in the Westside Consolidated School District received a $3,500 grant for more accessible playground features, including adaptive swings and shaded sensory space. Business & Jobs: Prairie Lithium says it has taken delivery of North America’s largest four-column direct lithium extraction unit for its Saskatchewan project, targeting commissioning in Q4 2026. Lottery: Arkansas Lottery results for July 9 include Cash 3 (midday 3-7-1; evening 5-9-2) and Cash 4 (midday 0-1-8-2; evening 1-4-9-9).

Arkansas Crime & Courts: Little Rock police say a daycare owner, Hope Jones, 62, has been charged with second-degree murder after an infant died at a Frenchman Lane daycare; investigators say the child was left in a hot car for more than eight hours. Public Safety: Arkansas State Police announced a high-visibility speeding crackdown starting July 10 through July 31, urging drivers to slow down to prevent crashes. Local Lottery Wins: Two Arkansas players claimed $50,000 Powerball prizes—one in Poinsett County and one in Pulaski County—at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center. Sports & Community: The UA Sports Hall of Honor class of 2026 was announced, with former Razorbacks including Jason Peters and Tony Bua set for a Sept. 25 ceremony in Fayetteville. Outdoors & Events: Major League Fishing is returning to the Arkansas River in Muskogee in June 2027, and Magic Springs is teaming up with the Arkansas Travelers for 25% ticket discounts through Sept. 6.

Public Safety: Arkansas State Police reported four fatal crashes over the weekend and Monday, including a Bono man killed in a Jonesboro two-vehicle collision and a Glenwood man who died in a head-on on I-30. Traffic Enforcement: State and local agencies are joining a national “Speeding Slows You Down” push from July 10-31, aiming to cut speeding-related crashes; officials say speeding was a factor in 139 Arkansas deaths in 2024. Elections & Local Government: Mountain Home City Clerk Scott Liles says he’ll seek re-election this fall; mayoral and council seats are also up. Arkansas Politics: Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Hallie Shoffner says an armed-looking person showed up at her Little Rock home seeking campaign staff; police are investigating. Business & Growth: Wrightsville will host a public town hall Monday on AVAIO’s $6 billion data center near town. Health & Consumer Protection: Arkansas AG Anthony G. Brown announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block over Cash App deceptive practices. Lottery: Powerball’s jackpot is estimated at $457M for Saturday after Wednesday’s drawing had no grand prize winner. Sports: UALR baseball coach Chris Curry agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2031.

Robocall Crackdown: Arkansas AG Liz Murrill joined a 49-state push urging the FCC to tighten rules so scammers can’t buy legitimate phone numbers to run robocalls and texts—after Americans lost nearly $2 billion to about 29.6 billion scam calls and texts last year. Little Rock Flooding: Flash flooding on Hermitage Road in West Little Rock is disrupting access for nearby businesses and drivers during heavy rain. Jonesboro Transit Changes: Jonesboro’s GOJO is taking public comment on fare and route updates, including higher fares, tap-to-pay, and possible fare capping. Fatal Crash on I-30: A wrong-way driver hit two vehicles on I-30 near Arkadelphia, killing the driver and injuring another person. Hot Springs Sentencing: A Hot Springs man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for meth and firearms offenses. Education Policy: An ALC subcommittee approved updated Education Freedom Account rules aimed at strengthening accountability and protecting taxpayer dollars. Local Legal Fight: A Russellville teacher fired over a Charlie Kirk-related social media post is suing the district, seeking reinstatement. Sports Spotlight: The MSU-Arkansas men’s basketball game is set for Thanksgiving in Detroit on CBS.

SNAP Update: Arkansas SNAP rules took effect this week, removing candy, soda (including diet/zero-calorie), and juice with under 50% natural juice from eligible purchases, with DHS saying 2,500+ retailers updated checkout systems. Education Flexibility: The U.S. Department of Education approved Arkansas’ Returning Education to the States waiver, letting the state combine federal funding streams and loosen some testing/accountability rules. Health & Safety: Arkansas anglers will see new fishing regulation timing—AGFC moves to a consistent July 1 start date for fishing and hunting changes. Local Government: Fort Smith’s board again failed to put a form-of-government change on the November ballot, despite a grassroots push. Arkansas Sports: Razorback legend Bill Burnett, the school’s all-time touchdown leader, died at 78; tributes poured in. Community & Events: Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival in Cañon City was canceled as the Aspen Acres fire continues.

Little Rock Development: The Bezos Earth Fund is giving Little Rock $30 million for the 30 Crossing Park, a new downtown green space planned near the Clinton Presidential Center and the River Market area. Local Government: A proposed Little Rock pause on new large-scale data center approvals was deferred until Aug. 4, with the plan aimed at “hyperscale” zoning applications (not a planned Google site). Education: The U.S. Department of Education approved Arkansas’ Returning Education to the States waiver and Ed-Flex authority, letting the state streamline federal requirements and consolidate funding streams. Public Safety: Hope police are investigating after human remains were found in a wooded area over the July 4 weekend; investigators say the person likely died about a week earlier. Justice: Prosecutors ruled Arkansas State Park Rangers were justified in a fatal May shooting involving a machete-wielding man near Roland. Health Access: A mobile health unit is expanding care for Unilever workers in Jonesboro, bringing primary services on-site. Crime: A Paragould man faces felony charges after admitting to breaking into storage units in Piggott. Lottery & Savings: Mega Millions climbed to $576 million, while Walmart and Sam’s Club rolled back prices on thousands of summer items.

FEMA Funding: FEMA approved more than $349 million in disaster recovery money for Arkansas and neighboring states, including Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation projects aimed at repairing critical infrastructure and making communities safer. Medicaid Shake-Up: Centene will stop participating in Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion (ARHOME) next year, moving about one-third of expansion enrollees off Centene plans; DHS says no action is needed right now. Work Requirements “Soft Launch”: Arkansas has started checking Medicaid expansion members for new federal work requirements that won’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2027—so coverage won’t be cut before then. Ballot Access Fight: Protect AR Rights submitted 108,837 signatures for an initiative-process ballot measure; the state will review them to see if they meet the 90,704 valid-signature threshold. Public Safety: Arkansas State Police are investigating a shooting in Marvell that injured three people. Lottery Buzz: Powerball climbs to an estimated $434 million for Wednesday after Monday’s drawing had no grand prize winner. Local Notes (Little Rock): The Bezos Earth Fund is set to invest about $30 million in Little Rock to help create a future downtown park and green spaces. Weather: Magnolia expects scattered storms Tuesday and Wednesday before hotter, sunnier conditions settle in.

Election & Courts: Arkansas AG Steve Marshall backed a USPS rule aimed at tightening mail-in ballot integrity, even as courts have temporarily blocked parts of the plan for stepping on state election authority. Healthcare & Policy: Centene says it will exit Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion program (ARHOME) in 2027, affecting about 70,000 enrollees, who will be moved to other plans. Public Safety: A Sunday motel shooting in Little Rock left one man dead and a minor critically injured; police haven’t named a suspect. Local Government: Fayetteville approved paid parental leave for city employees—six weeks after adoption, birth, or foster placement. Wildlife & Outdoors: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is taking applications for the 2026 alligator hunting season through July 31. Education: Dexter-area schools added $30,000 to fund a nurse assistant at Ridge View Community School. Business & Jobs: Oobotic opened a manufacturing facility in Melbourne, planning about $6.5 million in investment and up to 70 jobs. Science: UAMS received nearly $3 million to study fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and related brain effects.

Classroom Tech Crackdown: States are moving to restrict students’ phone use in class, after educators say devices are slipping past “silent reading” rules and undermining instruction. Arkansas Weather Watch: Magnolia is expecting mostly sunny days with scattered thunderstorm chances Monday and Tuesday, then lower odds Wednesday, with highs in the low 90s. Arkansas History: July 6 marks the 1960 signing that created Arkansas Post National Memorial, plus earlier Civil War-era fighting and later lynching events in the state’s record. Public Safety: Little Rock police arrested three after officers reported a gun being fired from a moving vehicle during an early-morning investigation. Food Safety: Springdale and Fayetteville restaurants saw health-code citations in recent inspections, including issues tied to sanitizer levels and handwashing hot water. Local Business & Banking: Arkansas bankers are weighing the new Razorback Stadium naming sponsor and debating how much trust still depends on physical branches. Community Life: The Hatcher Agency Busch Softball Classic wrapped with the Disco Ninjas winning the D Division title after a hot, resilient run.