AGP Executive Report

Family Advocacy in D.C.: A Fayetteville 5-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy, Evvy Wigington, joined Arkansas Children’s Hospital staff for Capitol Hill’s Family Advocacy Day, showing lawmakers how gene therapy and pediatric care change real lives. Road Safety Watch: Arkansas State Police reported three deaths from Friday crashes, including a Fayetteville man killed after a pickup left the road and hit a tree in Washington County. Chase Aftermath: ASP said a pursuit over 100 mph in Camden ended with a 4-month-old baby ejected; troopers say the driver’s choices put four children at risk. Fuel-Finder for Travelers: GasBuddy price checks show Greene County’s lowest E85 at $3.04/gal (week ending May 30), while Prairie County midgrade hit $4.27/gal—useful for road-trip planning. Community Development: UCA’s Center for Community and Economic Development selected 25 Northwest Arkansas leaders for a training pipeline (Washington and Benton counties) supported by the Walton Family Foundation.

World Cup Travel Disruptions: Officials laid out how match-day trains will run to Gillette, including pre-purchased $80 tickets, activated boarding groups, and reduced commuter rail service during the tournament—good to know before you plan a trip. Public Safety & Driving: Arkansas State Police defended a high-speed pursuit that ended with an infant ejected from a vehicle, and urged parents to stay alert around children during summer travel. Wildlife Alerts: Queen Wilhelmina State Park reported abnormal black bear activity with multiple sightings, prompting a visitor safety alert. Baseball & Tourism Tie-In: UALR’s season ended after Troy swept the super regional and advanced to the College World Series—an event that can pull fans and visitors to the region. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reported the lowest premium price in Hempstead County at $4.59 (week ending May 30), with statewide averages also easing—helpful for road-trip planning. Local Events: The 400 Mile Sale continues through Sunday, with vendors and businesses across multiple counties boosting weekend shopping and lodging demand.

Arkansas Travelers Baseball: Lazaro Montes is heating up for Double-A Arkansas, launching four homers in his first four June games and driving Travelers’ offense with a big home/road split at Dickey-Stephens Park. Local Sports & Travel Buzz: Arkansas Travelers also kept rolling in Corpus Christi, shutting out the Hooks 6-0 behind Kade Anderson’s one-hit, five-scoreless-innings start. Gas Prices for Road Trips: Week ending May 30 brought a mix of deals—regular hit $3.99 in Desha County, while diesel lows included $5.17 in Bradley County and $4.39 in Washington County. Family Safety on the Road: Arkansas State Police urged parents to stop for troopers after pursuits involving children, including a May 24 chase that ended with an infant ejected. Outdoor Safety: Queen Wilhelmina State Park is seeing unusually frequent black bear sightings, with visitors asked to hike with extra caution. Community Tourism Events: The 400 Mile Sale runs Thursday through Sunday, with hotels and Airbnbs “stepping up” for shoppers across multiple counties. Walmart in Northwest Arkansas: Walmart Associates Celebration in Fayetteville drew thousands of associates, underscoring Bentonville’s ongoing tourism pull.

Wildlife Safety Alert: Queen Wilhelmina State Park in the Ouachita Mountains is seeing “abnormal” black bear activity, with more than seven sightings reported in a month, including a June 5 evening encounter—visitors are urged to hike alert and use extra caution. Road Safety Reminder: Arkansas State Police is urging parents to “pull over” after a high-speed pursuit in Ouachita County where a driver fled with children in the vehicle; one infant was ejected and troopers removed three small children, with the driver taken into custody. Gas Watch for Travelers: Fuel prices in Arkansas remain spotty by county—Craighead’s lowest midgrade hit $3.82 (week ending May 30), Benton’s lowest E85 was $3.05, and Faulkner’s lowest diesel was $4.65, helping road-trippers plan cheaper stops. Culture & Family Fun: Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville is marking 15 years and unveiling a major 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend, adding new galleries and more Indigenous art to its visitor experience. Local Events: A free historical marker dedication for the Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail’s first stop is set for June 6 in Sherrill, with live entertainment and food.

Trail of Tears commemoration: The Oklahoma Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will meet June 27 in Tahlequah, then hold a 2 p.m. grave marking for James Downing near Peggs—an event that also doubles as a meaningful regional history stop for travelers. Crystal Bridges 15th anniversary: Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges is celebrating 15 years and unveiling a major 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend, adding new galleries and more Indigenous art to deepen the museum experience. Family safety on Arkansas roads: Arkansas State Police shared details after a high-speed Ouachita County pursuit where children were in the vehicle; troopers removed the kids and the driver was taken into custody, with ASP urging parents to prioritize child safety and avoid reckless flight. Gas prices watch: GasBuddy reports show mixed but generally cooling fuel costs across Arkansas counties, with several local “lowest price” picks for regular, midgrade, and diesel—useful for road-trip planning. Arkadelphia food buzz: Arkadelphia is leaning into National Donut Day and National Churro Day with local snack hype tied to new churro mini donuts.

NCAA Baseball (Arkansas): Little Rock’s Trojans are headed to a first-ever NCAA super regional after beating Southern Miss and Jacksonville State in the Hattiesburg Regional. This weekend they travel to Troy, Alabama, for a best-of-three with Omaha tickets on the line. MiLB (Arkansas): The Arkansas Travelers topped the Corpus Christi Hooks 3-2 at Whataburger Field, moving to 3-0 in the series; former William Penn Charter standout Samuel Siani appeared in the game. Road Trip Costs (Arkansas): AAA says the national regular gas average is down 18 cents to $4.24, the second straight weekly drop. In Arkansas, GasBuddy reports diesel as low as $4.69 in Pulaski County (week ending May 30). Family Safety Online (Arkansas): Arkansas State Police ICAC Task Force is urging parents to boost online safety during Internet Safety Month, warning that summer enticement cases often rise. Local Tourism/Travel Boost (NWA): Walmart Associates Week is driving a surge of visitors to Northwest Arkansas businesses, with restaurants reporting quick turnarounds from slower summer traffic. Arkansas Culture: A historical marker was unveiled in Rogers recognizing the first Walmart store’s role in Arkansas history as part of the state’s 250th anniversary.

Local Travel & Events: Arkansas State Police is urging families to practice safer online habits during summer as part of Internet Safety Month, noting online enticement cases often rise during summer and the start of school. Community & Culture: Blues legend Bobby Rush will be honored Saturday in Sherrill with the inaugural marker on the Arkansas River Delta Blues Trail, a free event starting at 10 a.m. Roads & Access: Greenwood cut the ribbon on the Main Street extension of the new Greenwood bypass, a $58 million project aimed at easing traffic and improving safety in eastern Greenwood. Tourism Economy: Walmart Associates Week is boosting Northwest Arkansas foot traffic, with local restaurants reporting quick turnarounds from the influx of out-of-town associates. Gas Watch: Arkansas fuel prices show pockets of relief, with multiple counties reporting lower regular gas in the week ending May 30, including Craighead ($3.37) and Grant ($3.69).

Arkansas State Parks Summer Guide: A new “Visit state parks in the Natural State” feature spotlights family-friendly outdoor stops across Arkansas, from Crater of Diamonds State Park’s diamond-digging fun to more ways to camp, hike, and explore this summer. Hot Springs Fishing Spotlight: Hot Springs is gearing up for the 20th Bass Fishing World Championship on Lake Hamilton (Oct. 1-3), with Visit Hot Springs touting the event as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see top anglers on Arkansas waters. Local River Fun + Cause: The Kings River Smallmouth Shootout in Berryville drew 42 teams and raised about $5,000 for the Mayfly Project, which mentors kids in foster care through fly fishing. UA Little Rock Education Recognition: UA Little Rock was recognized nationally for its Innovative Gifted Education Program, with leaders presenting in Washington, D.C. Jonesboro Youth Sports Camps: Arkansas State men’s basketball coach Ryan Pannone announced 2026 camps in June and July at the Red Wolf Center, open to kindergarten through eighth grade. Safety for Summer Online: Arkansas State Police urged parents to boost online protections for children during National Internet Safety Month, noting summer enticement risks. Gas Prices Check (Travel Budget Watch): GasBuddy reports show the lowest regular gas deals in several Arkansas counties around the week ending May 30, including Greene ($3.79), Polk ($3.79), Union ($4.06), and Pulaski premium ($4.18).

College Sports Policy: A bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act” would tighten rules on revenue sharing, athlete endorsements, and in-season coach recruiting, after lawmakers cited cuts to women’s and Olympic programs. Veterinary Care & Rural Tourism: Arkansas State University’s new College of Veterinary Medicine is rolling out a Large Animal Ambulatory Service, sending large-animal vets to farms for exams, herd health, breeding and pregnancy work—good news for rural communities and visitors who travel for agriculture events. Family-Friendly Local Life: Little Rock’s ACCESS Early Childhood keeps its car-line drop-off tradition, built during COVID and now centered on community and relationships. Arkansas Baseball Spotlight: The Little Rock Trojans’ first-ever NCAA super regional run is drawing campus-wide buzz, with officials saying the momentum can lift alumni engagement and school pride. Sports Camps: Arkansas State men’s basketball coach Ryan Pannone opens registration for 2026 summer camps in Jonesboro. Arts & Events: Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock hosts “Music in the Wild” with ticketed performances. Healthcare Access: Community Clinic in Siloam Springs expands women’s health services at a new location. Travel Watch: A national report flags hundreds of rural hospitals at risk of closure, raising concerns for emergency travel times.

Arkansas Sports & Travel Buzz: UALR’s baseball Trojans keep rolling—after eight straight wins, they reached their first-ever NCAA super regional and will face Troy in a best-of-three series in Troy, Ala., starting Friday. Northwest Arkansas Visitor Experience: Crystal Bridges in Bentonville is opening a major 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend, adding new spaces and reshaping how guests move through the museum. Outdoor & Staycation Ideas: Walnut Ridge opened a new 18-hole disc golf course at Stewart Park, aiming to get more families outside during summer. Community & Main Street Foot Traffic: Jonesboro is testing a one-lane Main Street pilot (with a drop-off/delivery lane) and says early feedback is mostly positive, with drivers more cautious at crosswalks. Regional Mobility: Union Pacific’s proposed merger with Norfolk Southern was discussed at the Little Rock Rotary Club, with officials pointing to Arkansas rail connections and Mississippi River-area benefits. Aviation Update: XNA in Bentonville is growing, naming a new chief financial officer as enplanements rise and nonstop routes expand.

Crystal Bridges Expansion: Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges is adding 114,000 square feet and reworking how visitors experience the museum, with the expanded space opening to the public this weekend. Airport Growth: Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) says enplanements are rising and promoted Ashton Collier to chief financial officer as the airport adds nonstop options and keeps most routes running. Little Rock Flights: Clinton National Airport announced new nonstop service to Destin, Orlando-Sanford, and St. Pete-Clearwater, plus Orlando flights starting June 6—bringing more summer travel choices from Little Rock. Local Main Street Pilot: Jonesboro is getting early feedback on its downtown Main Street lane reduction pilot, which turns one lane into a drop-off and delivery lane while watching traffic and crosswalk behavior. Outdoor Fun in the Natural State: Walnut Ridge opened a new 18-hole disc golf course at Stewart Park, part of a broader push to keep residents active and encourage staycations. River Conditions: The Arkansas River is running far below average in Colorado, a reminder that summer water levels can shape recreation plans across the region.

New Flights from Little Rock: Clinton National Airport added nonstop service to Destin, Orlando-Sanford, and Saint Pete-Clearwater, with Orlando International starting June 6—expanding summer options from the state’s main hub. Hot Springs Village Water Watch: With Lake Lago down more than 24 feet after a long drought, Hot Springs Village POA approved an urgent $195,000 18-inch gravity-flow water line from Lake Cortez to Lago, aiming to be operational in about two months. UALR Baseball Spotlight: Arkansas-Little Rock’s Trojans advanced to the NCAA super regionals for the first time in program history after sweeping the Hattiesburg Regional, with coach Chris Curry leaning into a “super lethal” mindset. Arkansas Events for Visitors: The Delta Arts Festival returns June 5-6 in Newport, drawing about 4,000 tourists each year with free admission, 175 artists/authors, and 30 bands across downtown stages. Family-Friendly Outdoors: Ponca Nature Center’s free “Wild Wednesday” geology class is set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, plus Northwest Arkansas Audubon’s Saturday birding field trip near Garfield.

Outdoor & Nature Calendar: Ponca Nature Center’s free “Wild Wednesday” geology class is set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, and Northwest Arkansas Audubon’s field trip at the Rob and Melani Walton Nature Preserve runs Saturday at 8 a.m. with a 2–3 hour hike. Fishing & Community Events: The John W. Brown “Fishing with a Vet” military bass tournament is Saturday at Prairie Creek Park (5:45 a.m. takeoff; $80 per team through Thursday). Arts & Tourism: Newport’s Delta Arts Festival returns June 5–6 in downtown, with 175 artists/authors, 30 bands, free admission, and an estimated 4,000 tourists coming to Jackson County each year. Local Travel Safety Watch: Arkansas Scholarship Lottery warns of phone scams claiming you won prizes—no winning tickets are awarded over the phone. Road Conditions: Expect increased Arkansas National Guard traffic on highways and interstates through mid-June for annual training. Little Rock Spotlight: A new partner joins Dr. Suzanne Yee’s long-running Little Rock practice, adding a fresh chapter for patients.

Military Travel Advisory: Arkansas motorists should expect increased Arkansas National Guard traffic on highways and interstates starting May 29 through mid-June as units head to annual training. Local Outdoor Access: Lake Wedington Recreation Center in the Ozark National Forest reopened for a free one-day public event after years of closure, drawing nearly 1,000 visitors for swimming and water fun. Tourism Spotlight: A new Casino.org study ranks Hot Springs National Park as one of the cheapest U.S. national parks for a weekend trip, with Great Smoky Mountains National Park also placing near the top. Arkansas Pride in Sports: UALR baseball advanced to its first-ever NCAA super regional with a 6-3 win over Jacksonville State, while Kansas baseball also punched its ticket after a comeback win over Arkansas. Community Picks: “AY’s Best of 2026” winners were revealed, highlighting top Arkansas businesses and services across hundreds of categories. Travel Policy Watch: California added Arkansas and four other states to its list of banned state-funded travel destinations, citing LGBTQ+ discrimination concerns.

New Outdoor Access: Lake Wedington Recreation Center in the Ozark National Forest reopened for a free one-day public run after years of closure, drawing nearly 1,000 visitors for swimming, fishing memories, and water fun. Cycling Tourism Boost: Mason City, Iowa opened Prairie Rock Trails, one of the Midwest’s rare paved bike parks, with a bike fest that pulled hundreds of riders—plus a reminder that paved trails help keep parks usable during bad weather. Arkansas Outdoors Funding: U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman says he’ll hold a Hot Springs field hearing in June to gather input for the Great American Outdoors Act reauthorization, spotlighting Hot Springs National Park and federal park maintenance needs. Culture & Music: The Arkansas Folklife Festival announced its full June 26–28 lineup at Riverfront Park in North Little Rock, featuring Grammy winners Lucinda Williams and Bobby Rush and dozens of Arkansas roots and community performers. Local Travel Safety Note: Arkansas State Police reported a fatal motorcycle crash on Hwy 412 near the Washington/Benton County line, underscoring the need for caution on summer roads.

Outdoors & Federal Funding: U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman says he’ll hold a Hot Springs field hearing in the second week of June to gather testimony for the Great American Outdoors Act reauthorization, aiming to spotlight national parks and the state’s outdoor draw. Arts & Tourism: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville will open its major expansion June 6–7, adding new galleries plus learning and community spaces designed to blend with the Ozark landscape. Local Culture Calendar: The Arkansas Folklife Festival announced its full music lineup for June 26–28 at Riverfront Park in North Little Rock, headlined by Grammy winners Lucinda Williams and Bobby Rush. Family Fun & Safety: Arkansas State Police reported two deaths in a May 30 motorcycle crash on Hwy 412 near the Washington/Benton County line, underscoring road safety for summer travelers. Sports Spotlight: UALR advanced in its NCAA Hattiesburg (Miss.) regional after beating Jacksonville State 8-6, a win that could keep fans packing local venues.