AGP Executive Report

Arkansas State Football: The Red Wolves opened at home in Jonesboro with a 52-7 blowout of West Georgia, forcing four turnovers and scoring twice on defense as the offense capitalized on those miscues. Travel & Family-Friendly Airports: TSA’s new Gateside program lets some trusted, unticketed TSA PreCheck travelers access gate areas at 13 airports, a change that could make airport meetups and layover plans easier for families. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show one Union County station hit the week’s lowest E15 price at $3.64/gal (statewide average $3.60), while premium gas in Boone County dipped to $4.35/gal and Fulton County’s lowest premium was $4.44/gal—useful for road-trip budgeting. Local Events & Culture: Wabbaseka Founders’ Day Festival drew visitors with music and community history, including a tribute to “Queen Sylvia” Embry Lee Burton. Outdoors & Wildlife: Arkansas Outdoors notes drought and heat are affecting deer behavior and health this summer, with observations from across the state. Sports Travel Angle: A new tailgating survey crowns Louisiana and Alabama as top tailgating states, with more fans leaning toward “homegates” for comfort and flexibility.

College Football Buzz (Arkansas angle): Texas stunned Ohio State 24-23 to take over the AP Top 25 No. 1 spot, while No. 2 Georgia rolled 70-20 over Western Kentucky and heads to Arkansas next—big SEC-week energy for fans planning road trips. Local Festival & Heritage: Wabbaseka Founders’ Day celebrated Queen Sylvia marker unveiling and brought visitors to the small Delta town, with the area’s hunting-and-migration season adding extra draw. Family Travel Fun: A Missouri elementary school postcard drive has already pulled in Arkansas cards, and students are pairing each arrival with U.S. history facts—an easy, kid-friendly idea for travelers and locals alike. Gas Watch (for road planners): Boone County’s lowest premium price hit $4.35/gal (week ending Sept. 5), Clark County’s lowest premium was $4.74, and Yell County’s lowest E15 was $3.64—handy numbers for anyone driving in and around Arkansas this weekend. Arkansas Sports Spotlight: Arkansas State opened at home with a 52-7 win over West Georgia, powered by four forced turnovers and two defensive touchdowns.

Arkansas Travel & Culture: Legendary environmentalist Joe Nix, a longtime Arkadelphia figure who led nature worship outings along the Caddo River, died last month at 86—another reminder of how deeply Arkansas nature and community are tied together. Ozarks Events: Arts in the Park kicked off at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield with live brass music, with more concerts set for Sept. 19 and Sept. 26. Tourism-Friendly Safety Watch: A toxic chemical spill shut down westbound I-40 near West Memphis overnight, causing major delays before lanes reopened. Local Business Networking: 1 Million Cups launched in Pine Bluff at the UA Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, giving early-stage entrepreneurs a weekly, coffee-fueled chance to meet mentors and other founders. Food & Hospitality Education: UADA hired its first extension culinary nutrition, hospitality and tourism instructor, aiming to teach cooking skills and hospitality best practices across Arkansas. Road Trip Costs: GasBuddy reported Yell County’s lowest E15 price at $3.64/gal for the week ending Sept. 5.

Airport & road travel disruption: A military-grade chemical spill shut down westbound I-40 near West Memphis overnight Thursday, triggering major backups before lanes reopened after cleanup. Public safety: An 18-year-old pedestrian was killed in a rural Fulton County crash on Byron Road. Local business & community: 1 Million Cups launched in Pine Bluff, bringing weekly founder meetups to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator. Tourism & hospitality education: UADA hired its first extension culinary nutrition, hospitality and tourism instructor, aiming to train Arkansans in cooking skills and hospitality best practices. Local governance: Bull Shoals held zoning hearings and approved a setback variance tied to the Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts and a nearby shop. Outdoor/health note for travelers: A CDC-linked study estimates alpha-gal antibodies are highest in Arkansas (31.2%), a reminder for visitors with tick exposure to know symptoms.

Culinary & Tourism Education: The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension hired its first culinary nutrition, hospitality and tourism instructor, aiming to teach cooking skills, nutrition, and hospitality best practices across Arkansas. Local Planning & Community Growth: Bull Shoals held multiple hearings and approved a setback variance tied to the Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts and Little Bit Used Shop, clearing the way for a church expansion and a property sale. Arkansas Game-Day Travel Buzz: Fayetteville is expanding its “trailgating” concept—an on-foot fan parade from downtown to Razorback Stadium—designed to connect the city’s greenway trail system with home-game festivities. Health & Outdoor Safety: A CDC-led study found higher alpha-gal antibody rates in Arkansas (31.2%), underscoring the importance of tick awareness for travelers and outdoor lovers. Road Trip Reality Check: AAA reports the national gas price average rose 13 cents to $4.27, a reminder that fall travel costs are ticking up. Sports Tourism Spotlight: Arkansas soccer opened SEC play with a 3-1 win over No. 19 Texas, a win that should keep visitors and fans flowing into Fayetteville.

TSA Travel Perk for Arkansans: TSA PreCheck’s “Gateside” program is now live at 13 airports, including Little Rock (LIT), letting trusted travelers pass security and enter select terminals to greet loved ones, dine, and shop without a boarding pass. Gas Prices Watch: AAA reports the national average regular gas price jumped 13 cents in a week to $4.27, with volatility tied to crude oil swings. Family & Community Travel: The 33rd Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride returns Sept. 19-20 with a Bridgeport kickoff rally and a public Indian Festival in Waterloo. Local Food Safety: Pulaski County restaurant inspections flagged issues like food residue in a reach-in fridge and missing certified food protection managers. On the Road: Two Craighead County crashes are causing delays on Highway 18 and I-555. Arkansas Sports Spotlight: UIS volleyball heads to Missouri Western for a three-match weekend, while Arkansas baseball adds former Razorback Logan Maxwell as a student assistant coach for 2027.

Charity & Community: Mountain Home’s firefighters and police will face off in the 5th annual MHPD vs. MHFD Charity Ragball Game at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Mountain Home High School softball field, with proceeds benefiting 9-month-old Waylon Callahan, who’s been in Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock since birth after a stroke and brain bleed. Sports Tourism: Fayetteville’s Experience Fayetteville Half Marathon gets a boost with a new title sponsor and a revamped course that runs through Razorback Stadium and John McDonnell Field for the first time, with races Dec. 5 starting and ending at The Gardens on the University of Arkansas campus. Outdoor Events: The 31st Annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon Championship returns Friday through Sunday at Anstaff Soccer Complex in Harrison, featuring precision-flight challenges, family activities, vendors, live music, and balloon flights. Travel Ease (TSA): TSA PreCheck members can now apply for “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” to enter secure gate areas at 13 airports without a flight ticket, making it easier to meet loved ones and enjoy dining and shopping beyond security. Local Culture: Chamber of Mothers opens its first Arkansas chapters in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock, expanding community support for mothers. Arts & Music: The Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle concert at Dyess Colony has been cancelled due to Rosanne Cash’s medical incident, with her recovery requiring a temporary travel and performing restriction. Food & Tourism: Nominations are open for the 2026 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame awards (through Sept. 30), honoring restaurants, food events, and culinary contributors across all 75 counties.

Airport Travel Perk: TSA PreCheck is rolling out “Gateside” at 13 airports, letting vetted non-flyers with a Known Traveler Number pass security to meet loved ones, grab food, and shop—no extra cost for members. Music & Community Events: The Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle at Arkansas State’s Dyess Colony is canceled after Rosanne Cash’s unexpected medical incident; tickets will be refunded in 5–7 business days. Family-Friendly Weekend Picks: AY About You highlights Arkansas events Sept. 10–13, including Fayetteville, Springdale, and Eureka Springs farmers markets plus Eureka Springs Jeep Jam and other local happenings. Local Tourism Spotlight: Little Rock’s Capital Hotel was added to the Southern Living Hotel Collection, celebrating its 150-year history and “Southern hospitality.” Outdoors & Wildlife Watch: Arkansas Game and Fish warns New World screwworms could threaten deer, with tick bites and deep wounds as key risk factors. Sports Travel Angle: FGCU volleyball heads to the Mizzou Tournament in Columbia, facing Arkansas State and host Missouri. Health & Safety Reminder: Vermont rules require special processing for moose, deer, or elk from CWD areas—important for hunters planning trips.

Airport Experience Upgrade: TSA’s new “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” is bringing back gate-area meetups for some non-flyers at 13 airports, including Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (Little Rock), letting approved PreCheck/known-traveler-number visitors clear security to greet loved ones or wait during layovers. Hotel Spotlight: Little Rock’s historic Capital Hotel was added to Southern Living’s Hotel Collection, highlighting its 150-year legacy and “Southern hospitality” appeal for travelers. Maternal Health Boost: Arkansas expanded Medicaid reimbursement for doula and lactation consultant care, aiming to improve outcomes as the state works to close gaps in maternal and infant mortality. National Park Update: Fort Smith’s National Park Service rejected a proposal to recreate the original Belle Point fort, a setback for a local businessman’s up-to-$3 million plan. Local Culture & Travel Reads: Northwest Arkansas’ new free zine “milkweed” is launching with local voices, adding another stop for visitors who like indie finds. Fall Travel Planning: WalletHub ranked Arkansas among the least happy states, while also naming several “happiest” states—useful context for travelers thinking about well-being-focused trips.

Arkansas 250 Marker Ceremony: Pine Bluff will unveil an Arkansas 250 historic marker honoring Chief Saracen and Quapaw history at 11 a.m. Aug. 24 along the Lake Saracen Trail at Regional Park. The free event runs about 45 minutes and spotlights the Delta Rhythm & Bayous Cultural District. Airport Travel Ease (TSA): TSA is rolling out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting eligible trusted travelers and their children pass security at 13 airports to greet or see off loved ones at the gate—an old-school airport moment returning after 9/11-era rules. Arkansas Food & Events: Hot Springs’ Deluca’s Pizza pauses until Sept. 17; Springdale hosts the World Champion Squirrel Cookoff Sept. 12; North Little Rock’s Wingstock runs Sept. 12 at Simmons Bank Arena; Bentonville adds a new guided walking food tour, “Bites & Sites of Bentonville,” plus several new openings. Maternal Care Update: Arkansas Medicaid now reimburses doula and lactation consultant services, expanding maternal support under 2025 laws.

Airport Travel Update: TSA PreCheck is rolling out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting approved non-flyers pass security and reach airport gates for one calendar day at 13 airports, including Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock—so families can do welcomes, meet up during layovers, and even shop or dine beyond security. Local Tourism & Community: The Little Rock Regional Chamber has hired Katie Rutledge as the 30 Crossing Park project manager, overseeing new park features funded by the Bezos Earth Fund, including a destination playground, wetlands garden, event lawn, and sports courts. Regional Tourism Growth: Cassville is joining a new Tri-State Marketing & Tourism Alliance aimed at boosting smaller communities across southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas, and northeast Oklahoma. Arkansas Events & Culture: Four Arkansas country music legends—Tracy Lawrence, Jim “Moose” Brown, Dave Gibson, and Eck Robertson—are set for induction into the Arkansas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2027. Health & Travel Timing: Country star Rosanne Cash postponed several shows after an unexpected medical emergency; her next scheduled stop is Sept. 19 in Jonesboro.

Airport Access & Travel Convenience: TSA PreCheck is rolling out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting select non-flyers pass security at 13 airports (including Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport) to meet loved ones at the gate, shop, or dine—passes are free, apply 1–3 days ahead, and are valid for one calendar day. Northwest Arkansas Road Updates: Bentonville is closing Southwest Rainbow Lane near the Rainbow Curve for more than a year (through April 1, 2028) for a $7.5M intersection rework aimed at easing congestion for drivers heading to and from Northwest Arkansas National Airport. Local Travel Infrastructure: Springdale marked completion of major bypass and airport connector projects, including a scenic byway designation for the airport access road to improve trips and reduce traffic at the I-49/412 interchange. Arts & Events: The Secret City Improv Comedy Festival returns Oct. 8–10 in Oak Ridge with a large, multi-state lineup, including a stop from Improv Little Rock. Music on the Move: Rosanne Cash postponed three concerts in Wyoming and Montana after an unexpected medical emergency; her next listed stop is Sept. 19 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Sports Calendar (Arkansas ties): The SEC set 2027 baseball schedules, with Auburn’s slate including a trip to Arkansas and home games against teams like Missouri, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Alabama.

Arkansas Travel & Tourism: Airport access upgrade: TSA is rolling out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting eligible non-flyers with a Known Traveler Number enter participating airports past security to meet friends and enjoy terminal shops and dining; the initial list includes Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Arkansas. Road-trip boost: Travelers using the new Highway 642 connector to XNA during Labor Day reported a smoother drive and about 5–12 minutes saved, avoiding slower routes through Cave Springs. Local culture & events: Rosanne Cash has postponed several shows after an unforeseen medical emergency, but she’s still slated to return to the stage Sept. 19 in Jonesboro. Community spotlight: Southern Arkansas University System trustees heard updates on fall enrollment and STEM outreach, including LiTHIUMLEARNS and its mobile STEM lab touring Arkansas schools.

TSA Travel Ease: TSA is rolling out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting approved PreCheck members enter airport terminals beyond security to meet friends and loved ones—available at 13 airports, including DFW. Aviation Safety: Federal investigators are zeroing in on a key landing moment after an Amazon cargo jet overran the runway at Miami International Airport, killing at least five; they’ll examine touchdown point, speed, braking, weather, and whether a go-around was possible. Arkansas Sports & Travel Buzz: Arkansas fans get a spotlight as the Razorbacks open the season with a 31-14 win over North Alabama, then head to face Utah next—good timing for visitors planning game-week trips. Local Outdoors & Events: Arkansas outdoor interest stays hot as Labor Day travel ramps up, with reports of extreme heat across the state and reminders to plan ahead for hikes and lake time. Food & Safety Watch: Fayetteville and Springdale inspections highlight food-safety issues at multiple spots, a reminder for travelers to check local health updates before dining.

Air Travel Ease for Arkansans: TSA’s new “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” lets approved, non-ticketed visitors pass security to reach gates at 13 airports, including Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport—free with PreCheck/KTN and applied for online at least a day ahead. Razorbacks Football Buzz: Arkansas opened the season with a 31-14 win over North Alabama, powered by a defense that forced nine punts, but coach Ryan Silverfield flagged an offense that sputtered with penalties and turnovers. Travel Cost Watch: Labor Day gas prices are hitting record highs for this time of year, with the national average around $4.14 as crude stays expensive. Local Sports Tourism: The Arkansas Travelers’ lease at Dickey-Stephens Park is set for a new 20-year deal, keeping the ballpark in the spotlight for visitors. Outdoor Timing: Arkansas dove season runs Sept. 5–Oct. 25 and Dec. 8–Jan. 15, 2027—hunters are planning around hot, shifting conditions.

Labor Day Travel Costs: Gas prices are hitting new highs for this time of year, with the national average around $4.14 as crude stays pricey—good news for Arkansas road trips, but a reminder to budget for the pump. Airport Access Update: TSA is testing “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” at Little Rock’s LIT plus 12 other airports, letting approved, non-ticketed PreCheck members pass security to meet loved ones sooner. Heat & Safety for Outdoor Plans: The Labor Day weekend is shaping up with extreme heat and storm risks across much of the country, so Arkansas visitors heading to lakes, trails, and campgrounds should plan for early starts and hydration. Arkansas River Recreation Watch: A Colorado advisory for John Martin Reservoir has been lifted after an upstream sewage spill, while parts of the Arkansas River still have water-contact limits—check conditions before you swim. Local Sports Spotlight: Arkansas’ opener vs. North Alabama ended 31-14, and the Arkansas Travelers are in the spotlight as their Dickey-Stephens lease talks continue.