AGP Executive Report

Health Policy: Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families says 45% of new moms lose Medicaid 60 days after birth, with about 94% not documented as moving to other coverage—raising concerns for ongoing postpartum care. Pharmacy Access Lawsuit: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sued major drugmakers, alleging they’ve made the 340B discount program unusable for providers by adding burdensome rules that block discounted sales to contract pharmacies. Public Safety: Fayetteville police arrested Richard Calvin Tiffany, 73, on suspicion of arson after a fire destroyed a dilapidated home tied to long-running nuisance complaints and an insurance payout. Cybersecurity Training: Cyber Shield 2026 continued in Little Rock, a large unclassified exercise focused on defending operational technology and training forces from multiple states and partner nations. Food for Schools: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2026-27 USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, funding K-6 schools with $3.38M to support healthier lunches. Tech & Work: A GAO report finds gig and Amazon workers increasingly rely on SNAP and Medicaid, with employer participation shifting away from traditional big employers.

Workforce & Training: UA-Pulaski Tech landed a $1.8 million federal grant for YouthBuild BRIDGE, pairing GED study with paid, hands-on construction training and safety/trade credentials for 18–24-year-olds. Aviation Planning: Clinton National Airport reviewed conceptual designs for terminal expansion—new arrival halls, bigger security and baggage areas, more gates, and passenger amenities—aimed at a future $300 million upgrade. Cybersecurity: Cyber Shield 2026 is underway in Little Rock, bringing 1,000+ cyber professionals to stress-test defenses for the power sector, including hands-on scenarios with a physical component. Public Safety Drills: Paragould first responders trained for active school shooter scenarios, emphasizing faster wounded removal and learning each school’s layout. Local Infrastructure: Little Rock plans to pay up to $182,185 to demolish a damaged West Markham pedestrian bridge, with timing dependent on a special board meeting. Health & Community: St. Bernards earned national AHA awards for heart attack and stroke care across three hospitals. Education & Health Access: Lyon College’s dental clinic is accepting patients, offering supervised student care and accepting Medicaid.

Local Infrastructure: Little Rock is trying to move fast on repairs after a truck clipped the West Markham pedestrian bridge; the city plans to pay a contractor up to $182,185 for demolition, but an emergency vote stalled due to lack of board members, so a special meeting is expected next week. Aviation & Planning: Clinton National Airport reviewed conceptual designs for a terminal expansion tied to a $300M future buildout, including new arrival halls, bigger security, more gates, and retail/restaurant space. Public Health Basics: UAPB’s EFNEP coordinator reminds Arkansans that steady hydration helps prevent heat illness, with dehydration warning signs like dark urine and dizziness. STEM in Healthcare: Lyon College’s dental clinic in Little Rock is now accepting patients, offering services from cleanings to 3D imaging under student care. Cybersecurity for Power: A National Guard-led Cyber Shield exercise kicked off in Little Rock to train defenses for the power sector against digital attacks. Food Safety: FDA-linked cyclosporiasis is driving an iceberg lettuce recall that includes products distributed in Arkansas. Energy & Tech: Google’s planned Steel River solar-plus-battery project in Mississippi County is positioned to support data-center power needs.

Arkansas Tech & Policy: Texarkana’s city board approved a generative AI policy and added it to the personnel handbook, requiring IT staff to vet and approve AI tools before use to meet state requirements. UAMS Leadership: UAMS named Dr. Ronald Robertson as permanent dean of the College of Medicine, following his interim stint since May. AI Research in Arkansas: UA Little Rock professor Nitin Agarwal co-authored an AI paper published at NeurIPS, boosting the state’s research profile. State Government Digitization: Arkansas moved payroll and procurement onto SAP platforms (S/4HANA and Ariba), aiming to streamline operations for about 25,000 employees. STEM Education: UA’s Engineering Summer Academy is introducing high school students to food engineering. Public Health & Safety: Arkansas faced extreme heat warnings with cooling centers opening across multiple cities. Wildlife/Outdoors: AGFC announced leftover WMA deer hunt permits will go on sale July 22. Health Care Community: A McRae woman and a Little Rock-area recipient reconnected through kidney donation testing, leading to a successful match.

Public Health: A measles case tied to travel to Somalia landed a 9-month-old on a ventilator in Minnesota, underscoring how fast outbreaks can spread when vaccination is missed. Extreme Heat: Much of Arkansas faced heat index warnings over 100°F, with cooling centers opening in places like Little Rock, North Little Rock, Russellville, West Memphis and Pine Bluff. STEM Education: UA’s Engineering Summer Academy is bringing food engineering to high school students, while UA Little Rock AI researcher Nitin Agarwal co-authored work published at NeurIPS. State Tech Upgrade: Arkansas state agencies moved payroll and procurement onto SAP Ariba and S/4HANA, aiming to streamline operations for ~25,000 employees. Local Science & Nature: The Ponca Nature Center’s Wild Wednesday highlights bees; the Arkansas Agriculture, Forests and Water Conference runs July 28–30 in Fayetteville. Environment & Water: Arkansas Game and Fish is seeking public input to revise its stream black bass management plan. Community STEM Giving: Simmons Foods pledged $250,000 to the Fort Kids Children’s Museum in Fort Smith, with a STEM-focused exhibit lineup. Earth Science: A 2.6 quake near Mount Pleasant rattled central Arkansas early Monday, with no reported damage. Defense Tech (Global): Lockheed unveiled PAC-3 ACE, a lower-cost Patriot interceptor aimed at closing drone-defense gaps. Data Centers (Local): Clarksville residents are watching a $6.6B Serverfarm project take shape, while Texarkana-area groups protest a proposed 500-acre data center over water and environmental concerns.

Arkansas Data Centers: Clarksville residents say they were caught off guard as a $6.6 billion Serverfarm data center takes shape near Johnson Regional Medical Center, with muted local opposition but growing questions about impacts. Local Economy & Tech Infrastructure: In south Pulaski County, the Port of Little Rock and nearby projects are fueling a land rush, with deals clustering around announced data-center plans. Rural Health Funding: Across the country, Arkansas-linked reporting highlights concerns that Rural Health Transformation Program dollars may not actually keep rural hospitals paid and open. Public Health: A cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has triggered a 27-state recall that includes Arkansas, with guidance to discard affected products. Medical Research in Arkansas: UAMS researchers published a population-level look at how pregnant Arkansans purchase medical cannabis, tracking patterns before and during pregnancy. STEM in Schools/Safety: Vendors are pitching drone technology to Arkansas schools as an option for stopping active shooters. Agriculture: U of A Division of Agriculture experts urge pasture managers to plant cool-season grasses this fall to extend grazing. Workforce/Business: Walmart announced a U.S. operations COO leadership change, part of a broader management reshuffle.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states, including Arkansas, after cyclospora contamination linked to a nationwide outbreak; FDA/CDC say washing won’t fix it, but thorough cooking can. Public Health Research: UAMS researchers published a first population-level look at medical cannabis purchasing during pregnancy in Arkansas, tracking 72,992 pregnancies and finding 1.62% involved purchases. Agriculture & STEM: U of A Division of Agriculture urged pasture managers to plant cool-season grasses this fall to extend grazing through winter and into spring, updating its forage fact sheet. Local Tech/Property Data: ParcelRecordsUSA expanded an Arkansas statewide property-record directory covering all 75 counties, aiming to make parcel research less fragmented. Workforce & Healthcare Hiring: New hires were announced across Northwest Arkansas medical organizations, including an associate dean at UAMS’ Alice L. Walton School of Medicine and advanced practice nurses at Washington Regional. STEM in the News Cycle: Walmart announced a U.S. COO leadership change, naming Kyle Kinnard to succeed Kieran Shanahan as the retailer reshuffles management.

UAMS Research: UAMS researchers published a first population-level look at how pregnant Arkansans use medical cannabis, analyzing 72,992 pregnancies (2019–2022) and finding 1.62% involved purchases, with patterns shifting during pregnancy. Public Health: A CDC-linked tick season trend shows tick-bite ER visits running higher than expected, as states scramble to track where ticks and tick-borne risks are spreading. Food Safety: Taylor Farms announced a 27-state recall of iceberg lettuce tied to cyclospora illness, including Arkansas, urging customers to discard affected products. Tech in Education: A New York district plans to deploy a humanoid robot in classrooms this fall as schools test practical ways to integrate AI support. Healthcare Innovation: A new blood test using p-tau217 could flag Alzheimer’s-related changes up to a decade early, with Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association leaders highlighting improved access for rural patients. STEM Workforce: UA Hope-Texarkana launched a 12-credit AI Certificate of Proficiency aimed at practical, responsible AI skills for students and working professionals. Local Safety: Divers using sonar resumed a Craighead County search for a missing juvenile after a Saturday pause.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms launched a 27-state recall of iceberg lettuce tied to a cyclospora outbreak, including Arkansas. The company says the lettuce may be contaminated; consumers should discard it and note that washing won’t help, but thorough cooking can. Public Health & Research: A new blood test reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference could flag Alzheimer’s-related changes up to a decade early using p-tau217, aiming to improve access for rural patients. STEM Education: UA Hope-Texarkana is rolling out a new 12-credit AI Certificate of Proficiency for students and working professionals, focused on practical AI and responsible use. Local Emergency Response: Craighead County crews resumed a water rescue search for a missing juvenile in the St. Francis River area, using divers and sonar/live-scope tools. Cybersecurity & Training: Arkansas Guardsmen trained at Fort Polk with Guatemalan special forces during joint readiness exercises, boosting interoperability. Policy & Health Coverage: A national analysis finds public insurance covers 36.8% of Americans, with Medicaid expansion and reimbursement rates continuing to shape access. Tech in Schools: A New York district plans to deploy a humanoid robot as a classroom assistant this fall.

AI & Workforce Training: UA Hope-Texarkana launched a new 12-credit Certificate of Proficiency in Artificial Intelligence, aimed at giving students and working professionals practical skills in data analysis, automation, decision support, and responsible AI use. Health Tech: A new blood test measuring p-tau217 could flag Alzheimer’s-related changes up to 10 years early, potentially improving access for rural patients by narrowing the gap between specialists and primary care. Public Health & Policy: Arkansas Medicaid expansion coverage is under renewed pressure as insurers shift and “trigger” rules could end the program if federal funding drops; the state also faces ongoing debates over reimbursement and access. STEM in the Classroom: Camp Invention returned to Pine Bluff for its sixth year, using hands-on “forensic science” style activities to build critical thinking for kindergarten through sixth grade. Local Industry & Jobs: ArcBest confirmed it will cut 60 Fort Smith jobs as part of broader operational changes, including closing freight service centers and ending an autonomous warehouse system. Energy & Weather Monitoring: ULM won a $4.21M Army contract to expand weather and water monitoring across the Lower Mississippi River Basin, adding 50 environmental stations reaching into parts of Arkansas. Safety & Environment: A tractor-trailer carrying sodium methylate overturned on Arkansas 74 in Washington County; officials said the chemical didn’t spill and cleanup was limited to transfer and removal.

Medicare vs. Medicaid Access: New ASRS data show Medicaid reimbursement for vitreoretinal surgeries varies widely by state—Nebraska pays far more than Medicare (84% higher) while New Jersey pays less (48% lower)—and overall Medicaid pays about 88% less than Medicare, raising concerns about patient access as lawmakers weigh Medicaid funding cuts. Early Alzheimer’s Screening: A new blood test measuring p-tau217 could flag Alzheimer’s-related brain changes up to 10 years before symptoms, with reported accuracy closing the gap between neurologists and primary care—potentially boosting access in rural Arkansas. AI Skills in Texarkana: University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana launched a 12-credit Certificate of Proficiency in Artificial Intelligence for students and working professionals, aimed at practical AI, data skills, and responsible use. Solar Build in Mississippi County: Cypress Creek Energy and Google broke ground on Steel River Energy Center, targeting up to 2.5 GW solar and 2.9 GWh battery storage by 2029, with major local job and tax impacts. Weather Monitoring Boost: ULM won a $4.21M Army contract to expand weather and water “nowcasting” with 50 new monitoring stations across Louisiana and parts of Arkansas and Mississippi. Cyber Training: Texas Army National Guard troops trained during Cyber Shield 2026, focusing on malware detection and threat hunting to better defend critical infrastructure. Public Safety Tech: A drone system was demonstrated for active shooter response in Jonesboro. Health & Policy: Arkansas’ alpha-gal antibody rates top the U.S. in CDC blood donor testing, aligning with high reported AGS cases in 2025. STEM Workforce & Learning: UAPB Discovery Farm Educational Centers expanded hands-on agriculture education and workforce development. Local Tech/Business Support: A-State ASBTDC will host a free “Funding Your Business” workshop in Paragould.

Healthcare Access & Workforce: White River Health (WRH) is adding Dr. Jessica Snelgrove to its Southside family medicine team, expanding primary care and chronic disease management starting in August. Medicaid Policy: Arkansas has soft-launched Medicaid work requirements for ARHOME enrollees, with 20 hours per week of work, volunteering, or school required and penalties beginning Jan. 1. Public Health & Housing: A Senate vote rejected ending a CMS AI-based Medicare review pilot, keeping the program in place amid national debate over AI in care decisions. Water Infrastructure: Central Arkansas Water approved nearly $9 million for engineering design of a new 72-inch Lake Maumelle-to-Little Rock water line, targeting construction start in 2029. STEM & Agriculture: UAPB’s Discovery Farm Educational Centers are expanding hands-on sustainable agriculture and workforce development, including conservation demonstrations and livestock education. Tech in Public Safety: Mountain Home is installing Flock license plate reader cameras on key highway approaches, with most units already up or soon to be deployed. STEM in the Economy: A Walton Family Foundation-commissioned report says NWA job growth is outpacing workforce pathways, while more students are enrolling in medical skills, pre-engineering, and construction tech. Environment & Federal Science: U.S. lawmakers advanced a bill to reauthorize NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office, supporting restoration, research, and environmental education grants.

AI in Medicare: The U.S. Senate voted along party lines to block repeal of a CMS AI prior-authorization pilot (WISeR), with Republicans defending it as a way to cut waste and Democrats warning it could delay or deny care. UAMS expands care in Little Rock: UAMS opened a new orthopaedic and sports medicine clinic on Rodney Parham, combining therapy, women’s pelvic floor services, and spine care in a larger renovated space. Public safety tech in Jonesboro: A drone-based system was demonstrated for faster active-shooter response, aiming to reach threats within seconds while officers are still arriving. Healthcare quality in Jonesboro: St. Bernards Medical Center earned national metabolic and bariatric surgery accreditation, citing lower complication rates at accredited centers. Solar buildout in Chicot County: Cypress Knee Solar (250 MW) is moving toward completion by 2028, with a $400M investment and plans for hundreds of construction jobs. Cyber/biotech education: UA Hope-Texarkana launched a 12-credit AI certificate to train students and working professionals in AI, data science, and responsible use. Medicaid work requirements: Arkansas is among states starting enforcement in July 2026, with documentation rules tightening access for many expansion enrollees. Data privacy enforcement: Arkansas medical marijuana sales dipped slightly through June, while separate national coverage continues around the 23andMe genetic data breach settlement.

Arkansas Solar Boom: Cypress Creek Renewables broke ground on the Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, aiming to build 1,600 MW of solar plus 1,900 MW of battery storage, with Google signing a 20-year power purchase—another sign tech demand is accelerating clean energy in the state. Cybersecurity Training: UA’s CORE Center is expanding a statewide cybersecurity pipeline through the Cyber Learning Network, adding Ouachita Baptist University, UA Hope-Texarkana, and UA North Arkansas College to hands-on training and certifications for local organizations. Health & Research: UAMS is studying how pregnant women use medical cannabis, focusing on patterns of use to better understand risks for moms and babies. Genetic Data Accountability: Arkansas is among states in a multistate settlement tied to the 23andMe genetic data breach, with limited bankruptcy recovery but a separate consumer class-action settlement. Policy Watch (Daylight Saving): The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, sending it to the Senate—an issue with real health and scheduling stakes. Local Utilities: Jonesboro’s City Water and Light marked 120 years and says it’s entering another energy transition as it plans for the future.

Cybersecurity Education: UA’s Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) Center and Cyber Learning Network are expanding hands-on cyber training and certifications, adding Ouachita Baptist University, UA Hope-Texarkana, and UA North Arkansas College this fall. Defense Industry Modernization: The Army is pushing a major overhaul of its Organic Industrial Base, shifting toward a more data-driven, readiness-focused manufacturing and production system. Clean Energy Buildout: Cypress Creek Energy and Google-backed Steel River Energy Center has started construction on a massive solar-plus-storage project in Mississippi County, targeting 2.5 GW of solar and 2.9 GWh of storage by 2029. Healthcare Access in Little Rock: UAMS opened a new orthopedic and sports medicine clinic on Rodney Parham, consolidating services and adding performance-focused, data-driven rehab options. Genetic Data Accountability: Arkansas AG Liz Murrill joined a multistate settlement tied to the 23andMe genetic data breach, with limited recovery from the bankruptcy estate. Public Health Warning: Experts are flagging measles risks as outbreaks spread amid falling vaccination rates, highlighting severe complications even for young children. Tech Policy & Safety: A bill introduced by Rep. Josh Gottheimer would require facial recognition age checks for online sports betting platforms to block minors. Infrastructure Planning: A report on Oregon’s digital permitting system shows how modern routing tools can speed oversized truck approvals from days to seconds.

Defense & Manufacturing: Singularity Defense says it raised an oversubscribed $80M Series A to build missile interceptors “at automotive scale,” aiming to outproduce the economics behind drone threats. Agriculture & Environment: New dicamba rules are reigniting fights over herbicide drift, with critics warning the latest EPA approach may not stop damage to trees and crops. Health Policy & Data Privacy: U.S. House action to make daylight saving time permanent moves to the Senate, while a multistate settlement with 23andMe over a genetic data breach sets $18M for states from a bankruptcy resolution. Arkansas Healthcare: UAMS and Mena Regional Health System approved a co-management agreement (pending state approval) to expand specialist access and clinical research. Clean Energy in Arkansas: Cypress Creek Energy and Google broke ground on Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, targeting 1.6 GW solar plus 1.9 GWh battery storage in early phases. STEM Learning: A UK researcher is helping build AI tools to identify individual cerulean warblers by their song, boosting conservation research. Community Tech/Jobs: Arkansas Valley Conduit funding is nearing final approval, and Paragould approved an airport services agreement tied to FAA grants and engineering work.