AGP Executive Report

Tyson Foods Leadership: Jeff Schomburger will succeed Donnie King as Tyson Foods president and CEO effective Oct. 4, bringing decades of consumer and sales experience from Procter & Gamble to the Springdale-based giant. Arkansas Housing Finance: ADFA says Arkansas won $13.3 million in 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits to build 698 affordable units statewide, a $133 million total investment over 10 years. Data Center Policy Fight: Pulaski County Quorum Court approved a 12-month moratorium on new data centers but carved out an exemption for AVAIO Digital’s planned facility near Wrightsville, reigniting debate over water, farmland and power costs. Workforce & Training: A-State ASBTDC will host a free marketing workshop in Paragould, while UA Hope-Texarkana offers a hands-on PLC 1 course for industrial automation skills. Retail & Consumer: Walmart filed for about $2.4 billion in tariff refunds, with potential downstream pricing implications. Business Risk Watch: Farm bankruptcies hit a six-year high in April, and trucking-related bankruptcies continue to pile up as freight demand stays soft. Local Business/Community: The Momentary in Bentonville announced Momentous 2026, featuring SOFI TUKKER and other EDM acts Nov. 6-7.

Education Policy: Arkansas submitted requests to loosen federal requirements for public schools, seeking waivers tied to its “unified education plan,” a move praised by some districts but criticized by advocates for weakening equity guardrails. Consumer Protection: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is warning residents about forged tax notice letters that push victims to pay steep upfront fees to “tax relief” scammers posing as the IRS. Local Governance/Data Centers: Pulaski County approved a yearlong data center moratorium but carved out an exemption for AVAIO’s planned facility near Wrightsville, reigniting debate over farmland, water use and electricity costs versus jobs and tax revenue. Business/Industry: The Arkansas Beef Council approved $132,000 for research and promotion projects aimed at boosting the state’s beef market and producer competitiveness. Tech/ID Convenience: Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs are now available in Apple Wallet, expanding mobile verification for residents at select locations and TSA checkpoints. Public Safety/Accidents: An explosion and fire at Wildcat Recycling in El Dorado injured a co-owner and prompted a major multi-agency response. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reported Arkansas fuel prices remain volatile, with midgrade and premium prices in multiple counties still hovering around the mid-$4 range.

Retail & Growth: 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee opened its first Springfield location after a pre-opening “Caffeine for a Cause” event benefiting a pediatric cancer charity, with community hours and a June 6 “Swag Day” planned. Healthcare Policy: Tennessee’s FAIR Rx Act—aimed at limiting pharmacy benefits manager and insurer ownership influence—has drawn a CVS lawsuit, raising questions about competition for independent and regional pharmacies. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports Dallas County’s cheapest regular gas at $3.78 for the week ending May 16, while Arkansas’s average regular price rose to $4.03. Public Finance & Services: Fort Smith directors discussed lowering Arkoma’s wastewater rates, weighing delinquent balances and whether lower wholesale rates could spread to other partner cities. Education & Workforce: Arkansas community colleges are seeing a surge in concurrent credit as state incentives push more students to earn credentials before graduation, creating both opportunity and budget pressure. Consumer Protection: Arkansas AG Tim Griffin announced a $5.5 million settlement with Family Dollar over rat infestation issues at a West Memphis distribution center.

Russellville utility scandal: City Corporation launched an internal probe after suspicious credit card purchases surfaced in September 2025, placing two employees on leave before terminating them; the company says it’s working with prosecutors, police and Arkansas Legislative Audit, and insists utility service and customer rates won’t change. Gas watch: GasBuddy reports the week ending May 16 brought the lowest regular price in Marion County at $3.95 and the lowest midgrade in Jefferson County at $3.99, while diesel and E85 deals showed up in multiple counties. Kids online fight: AG Nick Brown joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state power to protect children online and shield Big Tech from accountability. Civic engagement shakeup: Arkansas Civic Leadership Institute stepped in for Girls State after the American Legion Auxiliary denied participation to about 150 girls, with lawmakers and students now pushing a new model. Sports: NCAA baseball regionals are set for May 29-June 1, and Gage Jump is reportedly set to make his MLB debut for the Athletics. Local business: Rogers-based Kiefer Sage rebranded from Jotto Desk to Tenhold as it expands public-safety vehicle products.

Sports & Workload Watch: Raiders coach Klint Kubiak is telling Ashton Jeanty to be a near-every-down back, pointing to Christian McCaffrey’s high snap rate as the model after Jeanty’s rookie rush surge. Workplace & Retail: Bentonville-based Legacy Retail landed on Inc.’s 2026 Best Workplaces list, highlighting culture and benefits tied to employee surveys. Housing & Mortgages: ICE says mortgage delinquencies stayed steady in April, with cures rebounding for a second straight month, though still below last year. Cost-of-Living Pressure: A new doxo look finds Americans spend about $2,095 a month on essential bills, while household debt hits a record $18.8T—raising stakes as energy and borrowing costs linger. Arkansas Business Moves: Smackover Lithium awarded a key construction contract for its South West Arkansas lithium project ahead of final investment decisions. Education & Community: Arkansas State University–Mountain Home named new deans for technology/health sciences and business/arts/sciences.

Rescue on the Mulberry River: A man is recovering after search-and-rescue teams say he was trapped for hours under his canoe between the boat and a rock in rough water; he kept his head above water and called for help with a satellite phone, and was taken to the hospital for hypothermia. Gas prices watch: In the week ending May 16, Arkansas drivers saw mixed deals—Pulaski County’s lowest E15 hit $3.99 (only one station reported), Conway County’s lowest E85 was $3.14, and Sebastian County’s lowest regular was $3.78—while diesel and midgrade prices stayed higher statewide. Sports media: ESPN will exclusively cover the NCAA Women’s College World Series starting May 28 in Oklahoma City, with Arkansas among the eight-team field. Local health care: Pulaski County Special School District is seeking a new partner for a school-based health clinic after Mainline Health proposed shifting to telehealth due to low student use. Public safety/roads: Monette approved a second traffic light at Highway 18 and 139 after years of crash concerns.

Energy & Cost Watch: Memorial Day travel is hitting wallets as diesel and E15 prices stay jumpy—Washington County’s lowest diesel spot hit $4.39/gal (county average $5.15), while Pope County’s cheapest E15 was $3.84/gal. Healthcare & Aging: The Springs of Red Oak in Garland County earned a 3-star CMS rating in Q1 2026, below Arkansas’s 3.4 state average, with one fine and one penalty reported. Nursing Home Oversight: CMS data also shows the facility averaged 50.5 residents per day in Q1 on an 80-bed campus. Business & Growth: 7 Brew—born in Rogers—keeps expanding with drive-thru and walk-up formats, banking on “affordable luxury” as sales climb toward $1.2B. Local Economy & Housing Strain: A new look at how economic slide and job-market pressure are deepening housing stress is part of the week’s bigger theme. Health System Update: UAMS says its finances improved through April, with more clinic visits and surgical cases. Tech & Regulation: Little Rock’s proposed data-center rules would apply to permit-seeking projects, with Google’s planned site still not yet applying for city permits.

40 Under 40: Arkansas Business unveiled its 2026 class, spotlighting young bankers, lawyers, educators, doctors and entrepreneurs—including a lithium-industry leader—plus a June 3 Little Rock luncheon to meet honorees. UAMS Update: The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences reported a financial turnaround, moving to a $16.7 million positive income position through April, with clinic visits up about 7% and surgical cases up 15%, as it pushes to expand capacity and accept more patient transfers. Health Equity: A new Commonwealth Fund report ranks Arkansas last for Hispanic health system performance, citing gaps in access and insurance coverage. Sports: The Razorbacks clinched their first Women’s College World Series berth with a 10-2 run-rule win over Duke, and Arkansas also earned a WCWS spot after a dominant postseason. Gas Watch: Prices stayed mixed statewide in the May 16 week, with the lowest midgrade reported at $4.31 in Garland County and diesel dipping to $5.14 in Poinsett County.

Gas Prices Watch: Lafayette County hit the week’s low for midgrade at $4.69 a gallon (GasBuddy, week ending May 16), while Arkansas’s midgrade average rose to $4.47. Public Safety: North Little Rock police arrested Barry Poindexter Jr. after an argument led to a girlfriend being shot in the stomach; he faces attempted murder charges. Health Care & Oversight: CMS data shows The Springs of Park Ave in Hot Springs had a Q1 2026 overall rating of 3 (below Arkansas’s 3.4 average), with no fines recorded. Housing & Growth: Highfill approved a new Residential Estate zoning district and advanced the first phase of Savannah Park as the city’s population jumped 30.6% in a year. Local Business Spotlight: Jonesboro’s Best of Northeast Arkansas awards drew 651,000 votes across 215 categories. Data Center Debate: Pulaski County remains a flashpoint as opponents push for more local rules while supporters cite jobs and tax revenue.

Local Growth & Housing: Highfill is moving fast to keep up with a population surge—up 30.6% in a year, the biggest in Arkansas—passing new Residential Estate zoning and approving the first phase of Savannah Park, with both homes and highway commercial lots. Sports: Arkansas punched its ticket to the first-ever Women’s College World Series in program history, beating Duke 10-2 in the super regional. Memorial Day & Community: Memorial Day coverage includes local ceremonies and a look at Chandler-area service members who died in uniform, plus weekend arts and live-music listings. Energy Watch: Gas prices remain elevated heading into the holiday travel rush, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest premium and diesel deals in multiple counties around the May 16 week, while AAA flags Memorial Day as a four-year high for regular gas nationally. Healthcare/Facilities: CMS data shows The Blossoms at Fort Smith Rehab & Nursing Center was owned by Arkansas Opco Holding in Q1 2026, with a below-average overall rating.

Gas Watch: Premium prices stayed jumpy in Arkansas, with Nevada County’s lowest reported premium at $4.81 for the week ending May 16, while the statewide premium average hit $4.82. Workplace Safety: A new national map using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data flags huge gaps in worker deaths, with Wyoming’s fatality rate nearly 13 times Rhode Island’s. Data Center Debate: Arkansas’ data center boom is drawing sharper scrutiny as more projects are announced and residents question how much local rules and costs will matter. Workforce Training: Arkansas Tech-Ozark is expanding evening technical classes to Russellville starting fall 2026, including welding, auto service, and HVAC. Health Care Pressure: UAMS says the state’s proton therapy center faces a May 28 deadline to pay nearly $900,000 in unpaid obligations. Sports: Arkansas baseball kept rolling in the SEC Tournament, blasting Texas 8-1.

Local Housing Fight: A federal discrimination lawsuit targets a whites-only Ozarks land community, accusing it of blocking a multiracial woman’s purchase near Ravenden—an escalation after Arkansas AG Tim Griffin previously said an investigation found no illegal activity. Public Safety & Enforcement: Gainesville, Fla. (not Arkansas) moved to eliminate “roam towing” and cap immobilization at $80, after residents called the practice predatory. Healthcare Access: Arkansas Sen. John Boozman and Sen. Ben Ray Luján reintroduced the MARCA bill to expand Medicare reimbursement for radiologist assistants, aiming to ease imaging shortages. Energy & Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile heading into summer travel, with Arkansas averages up week over week; meanwhile, a separate antitrust suit alleges coordinated HVAC price hikes. Food Security: Tennessee reported major SNAP losses, with Arkansas also seeing a smaller drop—raising fresh concerns about rising hardship.

Consumer Protection: Arkansas reached a $5.5 million settlement with Family Dollar and Dollar Tree over a rat-infested West Memphis distribution center, with $3.9 million going to the state and $1.6 million suspended after cooperation in a related federal case. The AG says the infestation dated back to at least 2020, with FDA findings that more than 3,400 rodents were removed and contaminated products shipped to stores across Arkansas and five other states. Public Health: The EPA announced $27.46 million to help Arkansas water systems identify and replace lead service lines, aiming to cut lead exposure—especially for kids. Policy Watch: Louisiana is tightening SNAP EBT use to in-state purchases and certain border ZIP codes starting May 26, while Arkansas lawmakers and others continue pushing for changes to how radiologist assistants can be reimbursed under Medicare. Business & Retail: Walmart signaled it may raise prices as higher fuel costs squeeze margins, even as sales held up. Local Notes: SGS opened a new Bentonville bicycle and eMobility testing lab and built 60 bikes for kids through a charity event.

DNC Autopsy Fallout: DNC Chair Ken Martin is facing fresh backlash after releasing an autopsy report on the failed 2024 campaign—only to say it wasn’t complete and that the document includes DNC annotations refuting parts of its own findings, leaving donors and progressive allies rattled and critics calling for his exit. Gas Watch: Arkansas drivers saw some of the week’s lowest prices in Prairie County ($3.87 regular) and Greene County ($3.79 regular), while prices overall stayed near the $4 mark statewide. Consumer Protection: Arkansas is set to receive $3.9 million from a Family Dollar settlement tied to a rat-infested West Memphis distribution center, with $1.6 million suspended due to cooperation in a federal case. Local Business & Growth: CEP USA opened a North Little Rock manufacturing facility for prefabricated substations, aiming to strengthen the U.S. electrification supply chain. Community & Public Life: Memorial Day closures are planned for Jefferson County offices, Pine Bluff City Hall, and state Capitol offices (Capitol open to the public Monday).

Retail Watch: Walmart’s latest quarter looked strong, but the forecast didn’t. The Bentonville giant topped sales expectations and kept shoppers coming with fast delivery and low prices, yet warned fuel costs are squeezing margins and could push prices higher. Market Pulse: U.S. store sales rose 4.1% (ex-fuel), online sales jumped 26%, and revenue hit $177.8B (+7.3%), but shares slid after guidance missed. Local Business: Hadron, a Little Rock-based specialty insurer, hired Liesel Carvajal as group general counsel and named Ed McGough chief information officer. Public Health: EPA announced $27.5M to help Louisiana replace lead service lines. Arkansas Watch: A federal lawsuit alleges an Ozarks land development rejected a buyer over Jewish ancestry and her Black husband and biracial children. Food Safety: Kroger recalled Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in multiple states over possible salmonella risk.

Local Regulation Push: Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. says he can’t outright ban data centers, but he’s proposing stricter rules for big AI power users—aimed at guardrails on water and electricity use and “cost shifting,” including a planned Google facility near the airport. Public Health Funding: The EPA announced $76.6 million for Texas to find and replace lead service lines, targeting exposure that’s especially dangerous for children. Education & Military Support: Southern Arkansas University earned the Purple Star Campus designation for support of military-connected students and families. Local Politics: Earle Mayor Jaylen Smith is seeking a second term, pitching continued investment and neighborhood improvements. Legal Fight Over Housing: A federal lawsuit accuses a north Arkansas “whites-only” land group of rejecting a woman because of her Jewish ancestry and her Black husband. Safety & Crime: Little Rock Police Chief Heath Helton will retire May 29, with interim leadership rotating as the city searches for a new chief.