AGP Executive Report

Banking & CRE: Arkansas-based Bank OZK cut its real estate exposure to 47% in Q2, with commercial real estate charge-offs rising and nonperforming assets more than doubling year over year, even as it still originated about $1 billion in real estate loans. Community Banking: First Horizon named Kevin Brown president of its central Arkansas market, tasking him with expanding commercial and consumer relationships in Little Rock. Local Finance: White River Bancshares reported Q2 profit of $4.17 million, up 23.4%, as deposits and loans grew. Food Safety: Midwest Poultry Services recalled about 1.6 million dozen eggs from Texas over possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination; Arkansas shoppers may have bought them at Brookshire Grocery. Retail/Tech: Edwards Food Giant is expanding personalized digital weekly ads using RSA America’s platform in the Little Rock market. Agriculture & Sustainability: General Mills, ADM and Walmart are teaming up to accelerate regenerative wheat practices across 40,000 Midwest acres. Public Health & Policy: New SNAP rules tied to payment accuracy could raise costs for states with higher error rates, with potential pressure on food assistance.

Drug Pricing Fight: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sued 22 drug manufacturers and related entities, alleging they violated Act 1103 of 2021 and used restrictions that undercut 340B discount access for hospitals and clinics, seeking penalties and an order stopping the practices. Airport & Growth: Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission reviewed concepts for a modern arrivals hall and terminal commons, including a bigger TSA checkpoint, more gates, and expanded retail and dining—aimed at boosting passenger experience and regional economic activity. Fitness Expansion: Life Time plans its first Arkansas club in Rogers—about 100,000 square feet at Pinnacle Village—adding a major new amenity to the fast-growing Northwest Arkansas market. Local Development: Centerton broke ground on a $26 million recreation center with a two-floor, 36,575-square-foot facility, including aquatics and event space, as the city’s population surges. Banking: Home BancShares (Centennial Bank) raised its quarterly dividend to $0.23 per share, signaling confidence in earnings and capital strength. Labor Market: Arkansas unemployment edged down to 4.1% in June, with the labor force growing and payroll employment still showing slow, steady gains. Food Safety Watch: Taylor Farms’ iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora remains in effect even after the FDA walked back an initial “false positive” test result, keeping consumer caution front and center.

Arkansas Jobs: The state unemployment rate fell to 4.1% in June, with Arkansas adding jobs and pushing its civilian workforce to a record 1.457 million, though payrolls dipped seasonally for summer school breaks. Food Safety: A multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce continues to grow, with the FDA saying Taylor Farms products are the likely source even after earlier test results were walked back as a false positive. Local Business Real Estate: Clorox’s Bentonville headquarters building sold for $10.3 million, a sign of continued demand for single-tenant, Fortune 500-backed office space in the Walmart orbit. Banking: White River Bancshares reported $4.17 million in 2Q profit and declared a 2-for-1 stock split, while Signature Bank of Arkansas’ parent highlighted relationship-driven growth. Education & Workforce: UAPB hired a livestock specialist, and the Saline County Career and Technical Campus marked five years of growth ahead of hosting a statewide CTE conference. Community Funding: Arkansas communities are receiving $12.5 million in CDBG and rural grants for public facilities and infrastructure projects. Cybersecurity: Cyber Shield 2026 continues to build international cyber-defense ties, including training partnerships involving North Carolina and Zambia. Agriculture: Arkansas is seeking public input on a stream black bass management plan as producers and researchers keep pushing for better farm and fisheries outcomes.

Education & Workforce: UA-Pulaski Tech landed a $1.8 million federal grant for YouthBuild BRIDGE, a 3-year program helping 18- to 24-year-olds earn GEDs while training for construction careers. Healthcare Leadership: CHI St. Vincent Morrilton named Tyler McDonald interim president, adding oversight across central Arkansas operations. State Government: DFA Secretary Jim Hudson added Jessica Moore as state budget director and appointed Tim Frith to lead the Arkansas Racing Commission. Energy & Infrastructure: SWEPCO marked progress on its Hallsville power plant as massive generation equipment arrived; the utility also outlined readiness for Tropical Storm Bertha. Local Government & Public Works: Little Rock plans to pay up to $182,185 to demolish the damaged West Markham pedestrian bridge, with timing still uncertain. Business & Finance: Bank OZK reported Q2 net income of $163.3 million, down 8.7% year over year, with higher credit-loss provisions. Public Safety: Little Rock police charged Robert Fluker with capital murder in a Sunday shooting that killed one and injured another. Food Safety: Arkansas cyclosporiasis cases rose to 36 as lettuce-related recalls continue nationwide. Aviation: Clinton National Airport reviewed conceptual designs for a terminal expansion aimed at improving passenger flow and amenities.

Food Safety: The FDA says a cyclospora test tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive, but it stressed that the finding doesn’t change the basis for its ongoing outbreak investigation and the company’s voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sold nationwide, including products linked to Taco Bell and Walmart. Healthcare Philanthropy: CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock received a $1 million gift from the Steuri family for its Anthony Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, pushing total support for the structural heart program past $11 million; construction is slated to start this fall with completion targeted for 2028. Banking: White River Bancshares (Signature Bank of Arkansas) reported $4.17 million in Q2 2026 net income, up from $3.38 million in Q1, citing deposit momentum and relationship-driven growth. Workforce & Education: Baxter County was certified an ACT Work Ready Community after a two-year push with ASU-Mountain Home and local employers to boost job-ready credentials. Local Business: Main Street El Dorado launched a summer mini-grant program offering up to $10,000 in matching funds for downtown historic and business improvements.

Food Safety Update: FDA says its earlier cyclospora-positive lab result tied to Taylor Farms lettuce was a false positive, but the agency still points to an ongoing outbreak investigation and keeps Taylor Farms’ 27-state recall in place, with the company saying it’s removing implicated product and stopping sourcing from the questioned central Mexico lot. Local Business & Courts: Bodcaw Bank filed a foreclosure suit against Kyles Central Hub Oyster Bar LLC over more than $551,000 in defaulted loans tied to a Magnolia restaurant property and assets. Economic Development: AVAIO’s attorney asked Pulaski County to add a carve-out to a proposed data-center moratorium so Project Leo could proceed, citing executed utility interconnection steps and approvals. Banking: BOK Financial reported second-quarter results and set a July 21 earnings call. Community & Public Services: Arkansas is facing potential higher SNAP costs tied to state error rates, while cooling centers are opening as extreme heat warnings persist. Education/Schools: Blevins School Board approved transfers to its building fund and other 2026-27 operational items. Health/Justice: A free expungement clinic is set for Thursday in Searcy with Legal Aid of Arkansas.

Food Safety & Retail: The FDA says a cyclospora-positive lettuce sample tied to Taylor Farms was a false positive after a re-review, though the company’s 27-state recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico remains in effect as investigators keep testing products and tracing the supply chain. Arkansas Health Policy: A new look at Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion shows the program’s political fight is far from over, with questions ahead as insurers supporting ARHOME prepare to exit and trigger-law concerns linger. Real Estate & Growth: A $6.6 billion data center project in Clarksville is moving forward with limited public pushback so far, even as residents say they were caught off guard by the pace of approvals and construction. Business Finance: Healthpeak and Brookfield formed a $2.1 billion strategic joint venture covering outpatient medical buildings, including Arkansas properties, with Brookfield taking a 49% stake. Local Business/Community: Hope’s Summer Sounds Downtown wraps with a final concert July 23 at The HUB, featuring Trey Johnson & Dave Almond and local sponsor support. Securities Watch: Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer flagged investor deadlines in multiple class-action probes, including Lucid (July 28) and Alignment Healthcare.

Food Safety & Retail: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce tied to a Cyclospora outbreak, pulling products sold in 27 states including Arkansas and Mississippi, with Walmart removing select Marketside bags as a precaution after Taco Bell took similar action. Local Business & Economy: Hempstead County Economic Development responded to the sudden closure of Hope Baking Company, warning of about 250 jobs lost and pointing to a July 28 workforce hiring event. Tribal & Port Governance: Little Rock Port Authority officials endorsed the Quapaw Nation’s plan to place 5 acres near the port into federal trust to protect burial mounds and a historic Black cemetery. Corporate Moves: Walmart announced a U.S. leadership reshuffle, with COO Kieran Shanahan departing and Kyle Kinnard taking over U.S. operations. Workforce & Health: Northwest Arkansas medical organizations announced new hires, including an associate dean at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine and advanced practice nurses at Washington Regional. Public Safety Tech: Arkansas schools and officials saw drone-based active-shooter technology pitched at the Arkansas Safe Schools Association conference. Sports Business: Arkansas Diamonds’ season hit a snag with an unexpected loss in Springfield, Mo., ending a win streak.

Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms expanded its iceberg lettuce recall tied to a Cyclospora outbreak, pulling shredded product distributed June 29–July 16 across 27 states, including Arkansas, after federal health officials linked the lot to thousands of reported illnesses; the company says it’s “actively removing” product and urges consumers to discard it. Retail Response: Walmart removed some affected lettuce items, while Taco Bell pulled potentially impacted ingredients nationwide as investigators continue traceback work. Arkansas Business & Data: ParcelRecordsUSA says it has completed a statewide Arkansas property-record directory covering all 75 counties, aiming to make parcel and ZIP-code research easier for residents and businesses. Banking & Sports Marketing: Regions Bank launched “Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC,” a video podcast spotlighting new SEC head coaches, including Arkansas’ Ryan Silverfield. Retirement Taxes (National, Arkansas angle): A new roundup highlights that Arkansas exempts up to $6,000 of certain pension income and doesn’t tax Social Security, positioning the state as relatively retiree-friendly on taxes. Mental Health Access (Regional): Coverage notes Arkansas’ 988 in-state answer rate lagged Missouri’s, underscoring ongoing demand for crisis services.

Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary iceberg lettuce recall tied to a cyclospora outbreak to cover 27 states, including Arkansas, with best-by dates running through Aug. 3; the FDA/CDC advisory so far has been narrower, leaving many shoppers without an official warning. Retail Response: Walmart pulled select bagged iceberg salad products in response to the supplier’s recall, following Taco Bell’s earlier removal of the implicated lettuce from restaurants in five states. Public Health Impact: The outbreak has sickened at least 1,600 people federally, with state totals reported far higher, and officials say washing won’t make contaminated lettuce safe. Energy Assistance: Entergy Arkansas is adding in-person customer care events statewide, including a Little Rock pop-up with free fans and bill help, and will accept documents for LIHEAP cooling/heating assistance. Banking Expansion: Citizens Bank plans a new Fayetteville banking center at 1350 E. Joyce Blvd. Transportation/Logistics: A chart highlights strong growth in domestic intermodal rail container volumes, aligning with recent upbeat results from Lowell-based J.B. Hunt. Local Crime: Little Rock police reported arrests in a fatal stabbing and responded to gunshots at a funeral for a homicide victim. Business/Finance: Fort Smith-area real estate saw major second-quarter deals, including a $2.65 million storage unit sale.

Food Safety & Retail: Walmart is recalling Taylor Farms-supplied iceberg lettuce products sold in 27 states after Cyclospora concerns tied to a broader outbreak, with no confirmed illnesses reported yet and product pulled as a precaution. Banking & Growth: Citizens Bank plans a new Fayetteville banking center at 1350 E. Joyce Blvd., expanding its Arkansas footprint with retail banking and lending. Air Service: United Airlines will add four Newark Express routes launching Sept. 24, including daily service to Northwest Arkansas (XNA) and Omaha, plus twice-daily flights to Knoxville. Logistics & Jobs: ArcBest will cut 60 Fort Smith jobs as part of a broader 2% workforce reduction, alongside closing 10 freight service centers and folding certain operations. Public Health & Policy: Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion (ARHOME) faces renewed pressure as federal funding and insurer participation come into focus, with more than 211,000 people enrolled. Local Business & Community: Centerton approved memorials honoring a fallen police captain and a recently deceased public works director, including a street renaming and park tributes.

Childcare Crunch: A Cabot daycare became the latest Arkansas provider to shut down after state cuts to the School Readiness Assistance program, with enrollment down about 32% since last fall. Medicaid Expansion: Arkansas’ ARHOME program faces fresh pressure as insurers and federal funding changes loom, keeping the political fight over eligibility and costs front and center. Public Finance Probe: Arkansas State Police arrested former Greene County Sheriff’s Office finance director Tammy Doherty in a theft case tied to missing inmate commissary and circuit court funds. Tourism Boost: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Arkansas hit a record 54.3 million visitors in 2025, generating more than $10 billion and $27 million from hotel/attraction taxes. Energy & Community Spending: Black Hills Energy released a report showing $1.65 billion in direct economic impact across its service states, including Arkansas. Water Infrastructure: Sanders announced $3.4 million for water and wastewater projects and training statewide. Retail & Real Estate: Walmart leadership continues to shift as its U.S. COO steps down, while Rogers opened a new 400,000-square-foot office building, The Visionaries. Local Business/Nonprofits: Summit Cares awarded $50,000 to eight River Valley nonprofits, and Zachary’s Sensory Gym announced a September fundraising concert.

USMCA Update: The U.S. declined to renew USMCA on July 1, but the deal isn’t “dead” yet, setting up a new phase of North American trade uncertainty. Food Safety: General Mills recalled 554,400 Pillsbury Bread Rolls in 19 states, including Arkansas, due to possible glass contamination. Healthcare & Data Privacy: A multistate settlement over the 23andMe genetic data breach was announced, with states receiving allowed claims from the bankruptcy estate. Energy Costs: AAA says the national regular gas average rose 10 cents to $3.94, with Strait of Hormuz instability pushing crude toward $80 a barrel. Arkansas Policy Watch: A report looks at how Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion (ARHOME) could face pressure as federal funding changes loom and an insurer is set to exit. Local Business & Growth: Alloy Labs welcomed seven new member banks in the first half of 2026, expanding services for community lenders. Power Grid Coordination: FERC ordered CAISO and the Southwest Power Pool to coordinate at transmission seams as western power markets expand.

Housing & Finance: Rep. French Hill marked passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, pitching it as “Easy Street” for affordability by boosting supply and easing oversight for community banks that fund construction. Energy & Utilities: Entergy Arkansas is expanding “Beat the Heat” pop-up help across the state, pairing bill-payment options with LIHEAP applications and free fan giveaways. Tourism: Arkansas set a record 54.3 million visitors in 2025, with $10.2 billion in spending and $26.9 million in tourism-tax collections. Banking: Simmons First National reported Q2 net income up 21.7% to $66.7 million, though credit-loss provisions rose. Logistics: ArcBest plans a small workforce cut and will close 10 LTL terminals in small markets, targeting about $40 million in annualized savings. Public Safety Tech: Jonesboro demonstrated a drone-based active-shooter suppression system aimed at reaching threats in seconds. Food Safety: General Mills recalled about 735,000 Pillsbury frozen bread rolls due to possible glass contamination, sold through Walmart in-store bakeries. Politics & Policy: Arkansas soft-launched Medicaid work requirements for ARHOME adults, with penalties starting in 2026. Local Growth: Paragould added about 400 residents and landed among Arkansas’s fastest-growing cities.

Food Safety: General Mills recalled nearly 736,000 cases of Pillsbury frozen bread rolls in Arkansas and other states after potential glass contamination was flagged by the FDA. Health Care & Growth: Pediatrics Plus, an Arkansas-based pediatric provider, is acquiring Cynergy Rehab Group and Arkids Pediatric Day Centers, adding 12 locations and about 2,100 jobs across multiple states. Tech & Workforce: UA Hope-Texarkana launched a new 12-credit Certificate of Proficiency in Artificial Intelligence aimed at students and working professionals. Legal/Consumer Data: Arkansas is set to receive $453,754 from a multistate settlement tied to the 23andMe genetic data breach, with limited recovery due to bankruptcy claims. Local Economy: Little Rock Technology Park named new leadership and advanced its Phase II expansion after signing its first tenant. Public Safety: Saline County conducted a sex offender compliance sweep, contacting 20 high-risk offenders and arresting six. Business & Community: Malvern will mark its 150th anniversary with an all-day downtown festival featuring music, classic cars, and family activities.

Solar & Data Centers: Cypress Creek Energy’s Steel River solar-plus-storage project in Mississippi County is now under construction, with Google set to buy power from the first two phases (1.6 GW solar, 1.9 GWh storage) via Entergy Arkansas, aiming for full operation in 2029 and potentially expanding to 2.45 GW solar and 2.9 GWh storage. Consumer & Finance: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block/Cash App over misleading claims about fraud protections; Arkansas will receive $453,754. Banking: Home BancShares reported record second-quarter revenue of $295.1 million and net income of $119.3 million, boosted by loan growth and the Mountain Commerce Bancorp acquisition. Local Infrastructure: Tontitown won a $17.5 million federal BUILD grant to widen South Barrington Road near Rollins School of Innovation, with lighting, sidewalks, trees and trails planned through 2032. Public Transit: Jonesboro held a public input meeting on GOJO route expansions and fare changes, including adding coverage for areas near Arkansas State University. Policy Watch: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent; Arkansas lawmakers voted against it, and Sen. Tom Cotton is expected to block it in the Senate. Economic Development: Conductor and AEDC launched the 10th cohort of the 10X Growth Accelerator, selecting 12 Arkansas tech and tech-enabled companies for a 14-week scaling program.