AGP Executive Report

Arkansas TV & Culture: Eddie Armstrong’s Arkansas-based storytelling podcast, “Stronger With Armstrong,” is set to premiere statewide Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. on Arkansas TV and arkansastv.gov/live, with guests including State Rep. Lane Jean, civil rights attorney Richard Mays, musician Rodney Block, and Delta Dirt Distillery founder Harvey Williams. Education & Community: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education expanded classroom hydroponics training, equipping 21 teachers across 17 schools with tower-garden know-how to grow produce indoors. Maternal Health: UAMS researchers say Arkansas’ rapidly growing doula workforce is improving maternal and infant outcomes, supported by statewide collaboration and legislation. Local Lifestyle & Learning: Fort FireFly opened in Fort Smith as a play-based early childhood center for service-connected families, offering extended hours and phased enrollment. Arts & Heritage: Jonesboro native Jim “Moose” Brown was named to the 2027 Arkansas Country Music Hall of Fame class, honoring Northeast Arkansas roots. Food & Agriculture Innovation: A Fayetteville symposium will spotlight modern hatchery innovations Oct. 8, focusing on animal wellbeing and flock health.

Education & Enrollment: UA Northark says it shattered its all-time record with 2,903 students this fall—up 32% after joining the University of Arkansas System, citing clearer pathways and expanded partnerships. School Choice Costs: A new report finds Arkansas’ top private schools raised tuition and fees far faster than state Educational Freedom Account funding, with some hikes averaging 24% over three years. Campus Life: UA Little Rock students held an International Coffee Hour themed on South Korea, pairing culture lessons with food, music, and conversation. Community & Safety: A Cabot school bus was stolen and later wrecked in Jacksonville; Cabot police report an arrest. In Lonoke County, a woman was arrested after a threat tied to an elementary school led police to seize drugs and a firearm. Local Culture & Learning: Columbia County Master Gardeners opened sign-ups for its 2026-2027 training class, starting in October. Science & Food: Arkansas researchers are using AI to identify bacteria linked to how long fresh beef stays red and appealing.

Higher Ed & Equity: New federal data spotlights mixed six-year bachelor’s completion outcomes at Arkansas public four-year schools: Sebastian County (UAFS) shows a 23.3% rate for Black students by 2024, while Drew County (UAM) lands at 20.9%; Washington County (U of A) posts 64.6% for Hispanic/Latino students, and Pope County (Arkansas Tech) records 47.1% for white students. Workforce & Training: The U.S. Labor Department approved Arkansas’ updated workforce plan for 2026-27, aiming to better link job training with employers, with Southeast Arkansas projected to lose jobs but still see thousands of openings. Campus Activism & Funding: The U.S. House passed a bill cutting federal aid to colleges that participate in commercial boycotts of Israel, a move that could reshape how Arkansas schools handle protest activity. Community Learning: UA Hope-Texarkana Adult Education will hold a free Open House Sept. 17 for adult courses, career coaching, and certifications. Local Schools: Little Rock School District released recommendations for possible 2027-28 closures, citing budget gaps and seeking public input. Public Safety in Schools: Little Rock Central High School officials said police used pepper spray to disperse a fight crowd, with students treated and observed.

Little Rock Schools: LRSD released “LRSD Forward,” outlining possible 2027-28 school closures and program changes to close a $4M–$7M gap, with Western Hills, Mabelvale and McDermott elementary schools among the options. School Safety: At Little Rock Central High, police used pepper spray to disperse a crowd watching a fight; the district says students will be sanctioned under policy. Workforce & Education: The U.S. Labor Department approved an update to Arkansas’ workforce plan, tying job training more closely to employers and Perkins V, with Southeast Arkansas facing a projected job loss. Museum Leadership: The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock named Josh Annett its next executive director as it prepares for a 2027 centennial. Community & Faith: A Little Rock youth minister story highlights how Catholic faith and Hispanic culture help glue community together. Local Arts: Arkansas Tech’s Norman Hall gallery is hosting Holly Laws’ “Trout Street” through Sept. 18. Public Safety: Authorities are still searching for a missing North Little Rock nursing home resident with Alzheimer’s. Crime: A Phillips County judge’s office clerk was arrested on theft and fraud charges; a former Pine Bluff narcotics sergeant was arrested over missing “buy money.”

Local Media & Tech: Little Rock Public Radio is moving back into UA Little Rock’s Stabler Hall for a renovated studio and upgraded broadcast tech, with an open house Sept. 10. Arts & Culture: Arkansas Tech University’s Norman Hall Art Gallery is hosting Holly Laws’ “Trout Street” through Sept. 18, exploring memory and loss through a landscape of an address. Community & Faith: The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission spotlighted Southeast Arkansas groups at the 2026 National MLK Conference, including NAACP Drew County and the MLK Unity Alliance in Stuttgart. Education & Access: Watson Chapel Schools expanded naloxone access by distributing the overdose-reversal medication to every principal and district nurse as part of opioid emergency preparedness. Higher Ed & Growth: National Park College is exploring joining the University of Arkansas System to expand offerings and support services while keeping its local mission. Roads & Lifestyle: Springdale opened a new phase of the Northern Bypass and the Northwest Arkansas National Airport connector road to ease congestion and improve airport access. Scholarships: UA scholarship support continues to grow, including a $50,000 gift honoring Lane Strother for the Land of Opportunity Scholarship. Public Safety Tech Debate: Cities are rolling out AI cameras on trash trucks to flag property issues, raising privacy and enforcement concerns.

Gender & Identity Policy: The First Circuit reversed a Puerto Rico order requiring an “X” gender marker on birth certificates, backing the territory’s male/female-only approach under its own law. Education & Culture: Arkansas State University art leaders say AI-made flyers may be convenient, but human designers still win because employers value creativity and original thinking. Arts & Community Calendar: Saracen Casino Resort announced a lineup of early Event Center shows, including Joe (Sept. 4) and Rodney Carrington (Sept. 19), plus more through December. Local Lifestyle & Money: WalletHub ranked California 11th for budgeting and put Arkansas among the worst budgeters nationwide. Women’s Rights Legacy: Tributes continued after feminist icon Gloria Steinem died at 92. Sports & Spotlight: Sheryl Crow sang the national anthem for Mizzou’s opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with fans joining in karaoke before kickoff. Workforce Development: The U.S. approved Arkansas’ plan to consolidate functions of its workforce boards under the state workforce board, aiming for a more integrated career pathway from K-12 to employment.

UAFS RoarCorps Food Security Push: UAFS is expanding its RoarCorps “healthy futures” work with a $220,000 Engage Arkansas grant, stipends for up to five students, and partnerships with the River Valley Regional Food Bank and local learning sites to tackle food insecurity and health outcomes. Higher Ed Enrollment Boom: Arkansas State University hit a new fall record of 18,775 students, while Arkansas Tech reported 7% growth to 9,516 total students, including 1,338 freshmen and a record Ozark campus enrollment. UAMS Kids First Leadership: UAMS Schmieding Kids First in Springdale named Jennifer Ivy as director, bringing nearly a decade of Kids First experience to early intervention for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Local Culture & Community Events: Hootin an Hollarin returns Sept. 17-19 with contests and a “Celebrating 250 Years of the USA” theme, and Arkansas weekend listings highlight family-friendly zoo nights, farmers markets, and downtown live music. LGBTQ+ Library Rights: A Saline County librarian who opposed LGBTQ+ book censorship received a $275K settlement after being fired.

Local Education & Fitness: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and coach John Calipari visited Hackler Intermediate School in Mountain Home to celebrate its win in the state’s #RazorbackReady2026 fitness challenge, spotlighting student participation and the school’s “Hackler Healthy Kids” program. Higher Ed Enrollment Boom: Black River Technical College and Crowley’s Ridge College both reported major fall enrollment gains, with BRTC up 29% and CRC setting new headcount and full-time enrollment records. Public Safety & Justice: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said his office cited two people for loitering in a Little Rock median; both pleaded guilty and received suspended 30-day jail sentences. Community Life: A Fairfield Bay restaurant temporarily closed after raccoons caused severe damage, with cleanup and sanitation underway before reopening. Adult Learning: UAM Adult Education will hold a free grand opening for its new Pine Bluff center on Sept. 9, with enrollment help and community stations. Arts & Culture: Delta Brass Quintet will perform a free guest recital at Williams Baptist University on Sept. 10. Health Watch: Coverage highlights alpha-gal syndrome’s rapid spread, with Arkansas and tick exposure tied to rising cases. Road Safety: ARDOT launched Street Smart Phase Two, expanding its teen driver safety lessons for grades 9-12.

Higher Ed Leadership: UALR’s CHASSE college announced leadership transitions for the 2026-27 year, including a new interim history chair and an associate dean of operations, signaling a push for growth and student success. Public Safety & Justice: Arkansas State Police defended use-of-force practices amid lawsuits and viral dash-cam footage, including a traffic-stop case near Manila that drew federal civil-rights claims. Health & Community: Arkansas continues rolling out welfare-to-work rules for some Medicaid beneficiaries, with a soft start now and full enforcement Jan. 1, 2027. Local Culture & Learning: Saline County Museum Day returns Sept. 12 with free admission across nine museums, from Benton to Bauxite. Education & Enrollment: Black River Technical College reported its biggest enrollment jump in 30+ years, crediting partnerships and state ACCESS Act opportunities. Tech & Privacy: A South Dakota explainer and policy push targets automatic license plate readers, raising privacy concerns that could spread regionally.

Education & Opportunity: Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper is taking applications for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program (150 $20,000 scholarships nationwide) and a local Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway (10 $1,000 scholarships), with deadlines in late September and October. Campus Life: UALR reports fall 2026 undergraduate enrollment up 3.5% (about 200 more students), while graduate enrollment dips 2.9%, driven largely by fewer international graduate students. Workforce Training: ASU-Beebe’s CNC program received a $19,000 Gene Haas Foundation grant for student scholarships, SkillsUSA competition support, and instructor development. Local Culture & Community: The Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs continues to draw visitors with its “traditional” bathing experience, complete with attendants and a women’s wing setup. Civic & Legal Tension: Entergy lawyers seek a restraining order to stop the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette from publishing more about documents tied to data center power costs and FOI mishandling. Science & Agriculture: Arkansas State University leads an NSF-funded, multi-university project to boost drought tolerance in rice and wheat using mycorrhizal inoculants. Arts & Entertainment: Beef & Boards announced its 2027 season lineup, including “Disney’s Frozen,” “The Bunco Squad,” and “On Your Feet.”

Obituary: Willie Washington, longtime Benedict College coach and athletic director, died Monday after a 38-year run that included nine straight EIAC basketball championships. Public Health & Community: The PAYS Coalition and SEED Club marked International Overdose Awareness Day with proclamations in Baxter and Marion counties, aiming to reduce stigma and boost local prevention. Education & Workforce: Northwest Arkansas Community College reported fall enrollment topping 12,000 for the first time, with academic-credit and workforce programs both growing. Mental Health Outreach: UAFS RoarCorps expands youth mental health support through AmeriCorps-style placements, linking students ages 13–18 with resources via community partners. Arts & Wellness: The University of Arkansas School of Art hosts “Papermaking for Collective Wellbeing,” pairing hands-on papermaking workshops with wellness and community engagement. Civic Engagement: Loblolly and Get Loud Arkansas launch “Get Berry Loud” ice cream to encourage voter registration, with QR codes and proceeds supporting outreach. Local Business: HFG Architecture opened a Rogers office, naming Northwest Arkansas native Josh Danish managing director. Sports: Arkansas Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield leans into low expectations as the team rebuilds for a tough season.

Public Safety & Justice: Arkansas State Police say a Luxora man resisted arrest and allegedly reached for a trooper’s firearm during a traffic stop near Burdette; the driver escaped and two passengers fled, but all three were later found and charged. Civil Rights & Community: A new maternal health program is expanding to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, pairing high-risk Medicaid mothers with home visits through age two to build support networks. Education & Youth: NWACC reports its first-ever 12,000+ total enrollment milestone, with academic-credit and workforce growth. Culture & Identity: México en el Corazón brings Mexican folklore, music, and dance to Fayetteville, emphasizing art as community connection. Arts & Literacy: Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy gets fresh attention in Arkansas mailboxes as her Imagination Library work continues. Local Governance: Little Rock Ward 3 candidate Lake Smith pitches a younger, trans-inclusive, door-knocking campaign aimed at shaking up City Hall. Health & Lifestyle: Maternal health providers and mothers stress that community—not just medical care—is key to healthier postpartum outcomes. Higher Ed Expansion: Southern Arkansas University launches a new Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management starting fall 2026.

Corrections Fight: Gov. Sarah Sanders has appointed an outside attorney for the Arkansas Board of Corrections as a key hearing looms, after earlier legal requests were denied—setting up another clash over state control of the Corrections Department. Health & Community: Alpha-gal syndrome is rising fast in Arkansas, with Fayetteville flagged as an emerging hotspot and tick exposure tied to the growing cases. Youth Literacy: UAFS’s RoarCorps is expanding in Fort Smith with a $220,000 Engage Arkansas grant plus private support to place 40 students in education and youth mental health roles. Local Politics: Little Rock Ward 3 candidate Lake Smith pitches a younger, trans-inclusive agenda and challenges the “old guard” in City Hall. Student Well-Being: UA Little Rock is using a state grant to expand movement-focused counseling programs aimed at coping skills, connection, and substance-use prevention. Education Policy: New state deadlines require military education coordinators and Purple Star participation for schools with enough military-connected students. Outdoor Culture: Sanders launched the My Natural State Story contest for ages 10–17, pushing kids to write about real Arkansas outdoor adventures. Arts & Events: Artist INC Express returns as a hands-on workshop for building a sustainable arts practice, plus a reminder of Unsane’s Sept. 6 show at White Water Tavern.

Outdoor Education: Arkansas students ages 10–17 have until Oct. 12 to enter the new My Natural State Story contest, sharing a real outdoor adventure in up to 500 words for prizes that include a lifetime hunting and fishing license. Arts & Community Building: Artist INC Express, a hands-on artist development workshop from Sept. 11–13, is set to help Arkansas artists build long-term practice, goals, and a personal brand. Education Policy & Research: EdPolicyWorks, a Virginia-based-style research center model, is highlighted for its work connecting education research to policy decisions affecting students and teachers. Service & Local Food Security: In Brinkley, the Mustard Seed Garden is expanding produce for people facing hunger, run by church volunteers and community plot holders. Public Culture & Events: The Arkansas Graveler bike tour returns Oct. 6–10 in the Delta Blues Edition, timed with the Delta Heritage Trail opening. Arts Calendar: ARTx3 Campus in Pine Bluff lists September events including Live@5 and a line-dancing workshop. Local Business: Little Rock’s dog-themed Bark Bar and Grille is closing permanently, according to a social media post.

Dolly Parton’s Legacy in Arkansas: The country icon’s death is prompting fresh looks at her film work and her unifying faith—plus a reminder that her Imagination Library keeps sending books to Arkansas children, even as her story moves into a new chapter. Local Arts & Events: Little Rock’s Visitor Information Center is hosting a new watercolor exhibition, while ARTx3 Campus has September programming lined up, including Live@5 performances and community workshops. Education & Accountability Fight: Arkansas continues to debate LEARNS-era school vouchers and oversight, with critics arguing the state’s accountability model doesn’t go far enough. Public Safety & Community Change: A Little Rock dog bar, Bark Bar and Grille, is closing permanently, and Trumann police say a murder suspect arrested in Tennessee has been returned to Arkansas. Rural Health Investment: Gov. Sanders announced nearly $150M in rural health grants, including upgrades and telehealth support for Southeast Arkansas hospitals. Culture Beyond Music: Arkansas TV will air Ken Burns’ “Hemingway,” spotlighting the writer’s Arkansas ties.

School Accountability & Vouchers: A new critique argues Arkansas LEARNS has spent up to $379M on vouchers without meaningful curriculum review or real accountability, calling the oversight “like yelling at an engine” while families and students remain unasked. Education Policy: The U.S. Department of Education orders schools to stop race-based discipline practices, saying rules must be based on behavior, not skin color. Arts & Community: ARTx3 Campus in Pine Bluff announces September events, including Live@5 with Angelica Glass and a line-dancing workshop. Local Culture: Little Rock’s dog-themed Bark Bar and Grille says it’s closing permanently. Literacy in Arkansas: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues delivering books across the state, even as her legacy evolves after her death. Public Health Funding: Gov. Sanders’ $149.3M rural health grants include upgrades and telehealth support for hospitals such as Jefferson Regional. Crime & Justice: Trumann police took custody of a Tennessee murder suspect and returned him to Arkansas for charges. Sports: Mizzou opens its season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff with captains named and eligibility uncertainty still hanging over college football.