AGP Executive Report

Clean Energy Finance: Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5B in financing for the Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, Arkansas—adding 1.63 GW of solar and 1.9 GWh of battery storage, with first power targeted for early 2028. STEM Education Buildout: The Walton family selected BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group to plan and design the Walton STEM Institute campus in Bentonville on the former Walmart Home Office site, with initial plans for ~422,000 sq. ft. across three buildings (academic, residence, makerspace) and a 2029 opening. AI + Logistics Automation: PepsiCo and Gatik announced a multi-year deployment of fully driverless Class 8 trucks across Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas on a fixed corridor, moving autonomous freight from testing to revenue routes. Local Tech Governance: A report highlights how data-center growth is outpacing regulation, with Arkansas-area communities among those facing moratoriums and tougher local rules as utilities and quality-of-life concerns rise. Public Health Tech Access: A cochlear implant programming center is set to open June 17 at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Missouri, reducing travel barriers for Veterans in the region. STEM in the Classroom: UALR students and faculty helped install an America250 exhibit, “250 Years of American Symbols,” at the Arkansas State Capitol, blending research and design work for a statewide audience.

Autonomous Freight in Arkansas: PepsiCo and Gatik announced a multi-year rollout of fully driverless Class 8 trucks on a fixed corridor across Texas, Arizona and Arkansas, moving from testing to revenue routes. Cancer Care Expansion: Highlands Oncology broke ground on a new cancer center in Rogers to bring treatment, testing, research and support under one roof for Northwest Arkansas patients. Biomedical Funding: UAMS received a $19.6M federal grant to extend its Arkansas INBRE biomedical research program for five more years, supporting student and faculty research across the state. Local Research Boost: UAMS also landed a $7M Windgate Foundation grant for tuition scholarships and a new endowment tied to its Chancellor’s Scholars Program. Public Health & Work Requirements: CMS launched Medicaid work requirements under HR-1, with exemptions for health-related cases and an 80-hour-per-month engagement requirement for many adults. Food Safety Recall: FDA reported a Class II recall of 160,200 pounds of Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers shipped to Arkansas and other states. STEM Workforce & Infrastructure: Ritter Communications added Jerry Sorrentino as VP overseeing outside-plant construction and engineering as it expands RightFiber services. Heat Safety: A Northeast Arkansas report highlights practical steps for outdoor workers to prevent heat-related illness. Child Exploitation Arrest: Arkansas State Police ICAC Task Force arrested a Yellville man on multiple felony child exploitation charges after seizing devices and digital storage.

Autonomous Freight in Arkansas: PepsiCo and Gatik announced a multi-year rollout of fully driverless Class 8 trucks across Texas, Arizona and Arkansas, moving from testing to revenue routes on a fixed corridor. Biomedical Funding: UAMS received a $7M Windgate Foundation grant for full tuition scholarships and a new $5M endowment for its Chancellor’s Scholars Program. More Arkansas Research Money: UAMS also secured a $19.6M federal grant to extend the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), supporting student and faculty research across the state. Workforce Training: Arkansas Tech University–Ozark partnered with Butterball to deliver customized TIG welding training for employees. Data Center Policy Pushback: Fayetteville and other tech hubs face growing scrutiny as states debate pauses, tax exemptions and new rules for data centers. Agriculture Science: Arkansas researchers are testing treatments against bovine theileriosis as cases rise, tied to the invasive Asian longhorned tick.

Agriculture Research: A new USDA-backed effort at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is testing two treatments for bovine theileriosis, a deadly cattle disease spreading in Arkansas via invasive Asian longhorned ticks. Local Tech Policy: Fayetteville city leaders are drafting stronger rules for data centers, focusing on water and power impacts as AI-driven demand grows. Public Health Funding: Arkansas is opening applications for a second round of Rural Health Transformation Funding, with $93.6M available to expand rural access, coordination, and telehealth-enabled infrastructure. Higher Ed STEM Pipeline: Southern Arkansas University is launching a new B.S. in Emergency Management for Fall 2026, training leaders in incident command, cybersecurity, and modern emergency management technology. STEM in the Newsroom: Kroger is expanding electronic shelf labels, a move meant to improve price accuracy and reduce labor—while critics worry about “surge pricing.” STEM & Community: UCA named spring 2026 Presidential Scholars and Dean’s List students, highlighting local academic achievement.

Rural Health Funding: Arkansas is opening the second round of Rural Health Transformation Funding, with $93.6M available in the PACT category to expand rural access, coordination, workforce alignment, and tech-enabled infrastructure. Emergency Management Education: Southern Arkansas University launched a new B.S. in Emergency Management for Fall 2026, training leaders for incident command, cybersecurity, and disaster response across public safety and healthcare. Hospital Price Transparency: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals nationwide, including nine in Arkansas, for not posting required pricing information, with penalties up to $2M annually. Autonomous Logistics in Arkansas: PepsiCo and Gatik began live driverless freight deliveries in multiple markets including Arkansas, moving Frito-Lay products and drinks on public roads. STEM & Workforce Pipeline: Honeywell’s TPE331 turboprop was selected to power Swarm Aero’s large UAV swarms, signaling continued growth in advanced aerospace engineering. Agriculture & Conservation: Arkansas Extension rolled out summer “Grow Your Own Groceries” online sessions, and Stone County 4-H teams earned a spot at the national wildlife habitat education competition. Patent Watch (Arkansas-linked): A Federal Circuit decision upheld invalidity for an “about” pH-range poultry processing patent claim, underscoring precision in biotech and food-tech documentation.

Autonomous Delivery in Arkansas: PepsiCo says it’s running 35 driverless trucks on public roads, with one operating in Arkansas, moving Frito-Lay goods between plants and stores—an early look at how automation is reshaping logistics. Campus Housing in Bentonville: Northwest Arkansas Community College’s board approved a site and a self-financed model for its first on-campus residence hall, clearing major steps toward student housing. Biosecurity Alert for Ranchers: USDA confirmed New World Screwworm in south Texas; Arkansas agriculture officials urge livestock owners to monitor herds and follow prevention guidance. Public Health Access: UAMS is hosting a free “Summer of Smiles” children’s dental clinic June 15 in Little Rock, offering cleanings, exams, X-rays, and fluoride. STEM & Community Education: Arkansas 4-H teams earned spots for national wildlife education and robotics competitions, including a Stone County team advancing after winning the state WHEP event. Agriculture & Local Markets: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture opened applications for farmers market promotion funding and reduced-cost reusable bag orders. AI & Work: Walmart told employees AI is meant to improve jobs, not replace them, while highlighting internal training and real-world use cases. Weather Science in the River Valley: A meteorologist explains how terrain can make severe storms harder to forecast, after tornadoes touched down in Sebastian County. Higher Ed Demographics: New data shows minority freshman enrollment at Arkansas universities rose after the 2023 affirmative action ban.

UAMS & Public Health: UAMS is hosting a free “Summer of Smiles” children’s dental clinic June 15 in Little Rock, offering cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride for kids ages 3–17. Agriculture & Biosecurity: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm in a calf in south Texas, and Arkansas ranchers are being urged to monitor herds as a containment area is set up. Broadband & Connectivity: Kinetic says it has passed 2 million fiber premises across its 18-state footprint, with continued BEAD-backed expansion that includes Arkansas. STEM in Education & Training: UAMS welcomed its Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2028 at a white coat ceremony, marking the start of the 28-month program. Tech & Work: Walmart told employees at its Arkansas headquarters that AI is meant to improve jobs, not replace them, while also expanding OpenAI tool certification for staff. Higher Ed Leadership: Arkansas State University System named Chancellor Todd Shields as system president effective July 1, with Calvin White stepping in as interim chancellor. Research & Farming: Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station research highlights that potassium fertilization can boost cotton yield up to 70% in potassium-deficient soils.

AI at Walmart: Walmart executives told Arkansas workers that AI will “improve jobs, not replace them,” including offering OpenAI tool certification, as the company accelerates automation and faces rising layoff concerns. Higher Ed Leadership: Arkansas State University System named Chancellor Todd Shields as system president effective July 1, with Calvin White stepping in as interim chancellor. Medical Tech & Careers: UAMS appointed Dr. Venkat Kalapatapu as chief of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, while Baxter Health honored surgical technologist Missy Tolliver with a Heroes with Halos Award. Medicaid Work Requirements: New federal guidance details how states must verify Medicaid work status by a 2027 deadline, with advocates warning eligible people could lose coverage over paperwork failures; separate reporting highlights stricter “medically frail” rules for cancer patients. STEM in Agriculture: Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station research found potassium fertilization can boost cotton yields up to 70% in potassium-deficient soils, improving lint quality too. Food & Biotech Startup: Jonesboro agritech GreenLab raised $10M+ to engineer corn to produce brazzein-based sugar substitutes. Health Education Pipeline: Henderson State students were selected for a Physician Pathway Program that can lead to medical school without taking the MCAT. Legal Tech/Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to liability lawsuits against freight brokers in safety-related claims, with immediate relevance for cases involving major carriers.

Medicaid Work Requirements: CMS issued interim guidance on Medicaid work rules, with states facing a Jan. 1, 2027 deadline and critics warning paperwork could cost eligible people coverage—especially after a narrower “medically frail” exemption for cancer patients. Energy & Coal Policy: A new $700 million federal push uses the Defense Production Act to fund “clean, beautiful coal,” including support for coal plants in Arkansas and other states. NWA Community Development: UCA’s Center for Community and Economic Development picked 25 Northwest Arkansas leaders for a three-year Community Development Pipeline program, backed by the Walton Family Foundation. STEM Education & Robotics: Arkansas 4-H teams from Grant County earned top-five finishes at the 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge, showing strong underwater robotics engineering skills. Arkansas Research Spotlight: Ouachita Baptist University chemistry professor Dr. Sharon Hamilton was named an Arkansas Research Alliance Emerging Research Leader, following national attention for related biomedical work. Public Safety Tech: A Fort Smith metro update highlights a charter school plan focused on STEM for military-connected families, including Singapore math and Mandarin. Seismic Reminder: A small earthquake rattled the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Missouri, underscoring ongoing monitoring needs for the region.

Arkansas Research Spotlight: Ouachita Baptist University chemistry professor Dr. Sharon Hamilton and student Mieya Kirby are drawing attention for work ranging from dissolvable, medication-delivering surgical stitches to emerging research leadership. Community STEM & Robotics: Arkansas 4-H teams from Grant County earned top-five finishes at the 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge, showing strong engineering talent from local students. Higher Ed Milestone: A-State’s New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine marked its 10th anniversary, highlighting continued growth in Arkansas medical training. Public Science & Safety: Doctors at NYIT-AR State University are urging sun protection with SPF 30+ and frequent reapplication to reduce long-term skin cancer risk. Tech Policy & AI: U.S. lawmakers warned foreign influence may be targeting U.S. data center buildout tied to AI, while Pulaski County residents are set for a public roundtable on hyperscale data centers and a possible moratorium. Earth & Space: A total solar eclipse is set for Aug. 12, with totality visible in parts of Europe and a partial view across much of North America. STEM Education Access: Arkansas Tech’s Upward Bound program is running a summer residential track for students studying math, science, and robotics. Local Governance & Heritage Tech: The Arkansas National Guard Museum is getting a modernization grant to expand interactive, digital exhibits.

Arkansas STEM & Education: Arkansas Tech sociology professor Sean Huss was named 2025-26 professor of the year by students for a second time, praising empathy and mentoring as AI-era skills take shape. Youth Engineering: Grant County 4-H teams brought home top-five results at the 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge in Maryland, building and piloting underwater ROVs through obstacle courses. Community Learning: UA Hope-Texarkana highlighted why community colleges matter on National Higher Education Day, focusing on affordability and clear pathways to careers or bachelor’s degrees. Public Safety Tech: Stockton, California rolled out AI-powered body cameras that translate real time across 50+ languages—an example of how language tech is moving into frontline services. Science & Weather: A magnitude 2.4 earthquake rattled the New Madrid Seismic Zone area in Missouri, with USGS noting no damage and reminding residents of the region’s long seismic history. Space Watch: A total solar eclipse is set for Aug. 12, with totality visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. Local Infrastructure & Data Centers: Pulaski County residents are gearing up for a data-center fight, with a June 6 public roundtable aimed at answering questions ahead of a proposed moratorium vote. Health: Doctors warn that even short sun exposure can cause long-term skin damage, urging SPF 30+ and reapplication.

Pulaski County Data Center Fight: A free June 6 public roundtable will field questions on proposed Pulaski County data center rules and a possible moratorium, as residents push back on hyperscale AI power demands and local impacts. School Safety Policy: Riverview School District reviewed how Act 565 works in practice, including steps for removing students after violent or abusive behavior and using conferences before returning to class. Healthcare & Aging: CMS reporting shows The Springs of El Dorado earned a four-star rating in Q1 2026, with no fines and staffing/inspection performance driving the score. STEM in the Community: Summit Utilities opened applications for its 2026 Summit Cares Grants, prioritizing student STEM programs plus conservation and energy-efficiency efforts. Tech & Daily Life: Walmart is rolling out express delivery of in-store food (starting with Subway) via its app, aiming for meals in 30 minutes or less. Health Warning: Doctors say skin damage can start after about 15 minutes in the sun, urging SPF 30+ and reapplication every 30 minutes. AI Accuracy Concern: A study finds most AI chatbot answers about midterm elections are flawed, often citing unreliable or state-run sources.

Health & Research: A 3-year-old Arkansas-Oklahoma toddler, Asher, was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer after months of worsening symptoms, including a limp that began after tonsil surgery—his family says the experience underscores trusting instincts and advocating for kids. Local Tech & Environment: Central Arkansas residents are gearing up for a public roundtable on hyperscale data centers, as Pulaski County considers a moratorium amid concerns about facilities planned by AVAIO Digital and Google. AI & Media Literacy: A new audit finds 90% of AI chatbot answers about midterm elections are flawed or biased, often citing state-run outlets. Education & Cybersecurity: UA Little Rock engineering grad Colin McNerny built VR simulations for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection through the CORE Center. Public Health Access: Telehealth access to the abortion pill mifepristone faces legal pressure, with advocates warning it could affect domestic-violence survivors. STEM in Agriculture: Researchers document rice plants trapping and killing fall armyworm, while Arkansas rice faces a challenging season as planting nears completion. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Uniti Group priced $1.14B in secured fiber network notes tied to residential fiber assets across multiple states including Arkansas.

Electric Aviation in Arkansas: Walnut Ridge Regional Airport is moving ahead with electric flight by installing a BETA Technologies charging station (installed in 2024 at no taxpayer cost), aiming to serve both traditional and electric aircraft as the tech spreads. AI in Arkansas (Local Lens): A new Little Rock–based “AI optimist” magazine, AI Arkansas, spotlights local boosters and automation-minded ideas—while raising questions about how grounded the messaging is for schools and small businesses. Data Centers & the Economy: An Arkansas economist says U.S. growth is still strong, with major momentum coming from data center construction tied to AI demand—about $50B invested in new data centers recently. Public Health & Poverty Tech: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education ran a Fort Smith poverty simulation to help community partners understand barriers like housing, transport, and healthcare access. Agriculture Research: UA researchers report rice plants can trap and kill early fall armyworm larvae inside spikelets, a finding that could shape future pest-control strategies. Livestock Risk Watch: A confirmed New World screwworm case in Texas is already rattling cattle markets, though grocery beef prices likely won’t change immediately. Cyber Safety: Arkansas State Police urged parents to strengthen online protections during Internet Safety Month, noting rises in suicide threats and child sexual abuse material complaints.

Digital Health & AI in Arkansas: Northwest Arkansas Pathology Associates adopted Techcyte Fusion® for remote pathology signout, aiming to ease staffing shortages and expand access to specialized expertise. STEM Education Spotlight: UA Little Rock was recognized nationally for its Innovative Gifted Education Program after faculty presented in Washington, D.C. Agriculture Research: University of Arkansas researchers documented rice plants trapping and killing fall armyworm larvae inside spikelets, a finding that could reshape pest control. Rice Season Watch: Arkansas rice planting faced stress from an unusually dry, warm March-April, plus wind that hurt germination and stand uniformity. Biosecurity Alert: USDA confirmed a case of flesh-eating New World screwworm, with health officials urging vigilance for livestock wounds. Climate Tech & Carbon Removal: NYK will buy carbon dioxide removal credits from Graphyte’s Arkansas-based Loblolly project using biomass residues converted into stable underground storage. Energy & Infrastructure: Google broke ground on a 1+ GW co-located data center and generation complex in Texas, signaling continued demand for reliable power. Tech & Workforce: Arkansas retail tech leaders say AI is now a real-time operational requirement, not a “nice to have.” Local Tech Talent: Pine Bluff student Taylor Calhoun will compete nationally in ACT-SO for an AI program that helps track student progress and connect families with teacher feedback. Higher Ed Access: UA Hope-Texarkana opened registration events for Summer II and fall, including career/technical programs like cybersecurity and fiber optics.

Broadband Expansion: Kinetic, the Little Rock-based Uniti Group unit, says it has passed 2 million residential fiber premises across 18 states, with builds focused on rural and suburban areas. Mobile Broadband: Dobson Fiber is adding mobile service via Reach, offering tiered plans (including 30GB and 50GB options) with BYOD support for compatible phones. Education Costs: Arkansas State University System trustees approved a 4% tuition and mandatory fee increase for A-State for 2026-27, citing rising operating expenses. Public Safety Tech: Mountain Home Public Schools will nearly double high school security cameras and add locker-room audio recording to comply with Eli’s Law, funded with leftover state safety money. Healthcare Workforce Pipeline: NYITCOM at A-State awarded DO degrees to Paragould natives Stevie Coleman and Kirsten Grubbs at commencement/hooding. Forensics: The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory earned an international efficiency award for peak operational performance. Local Tech Policy: Little Rock passed data center regulations after a long City Board meeting, amid ongoing community debate over hyperscale projects. STEM in the News: Curiosity rover updates include mineral and volatile checks after the “Campo Marte” drill on Mars.