AGP Executive Report

Road Work for Travelers: Arkansas Department of Transportation will run nightly overnight lane closures on West Walnut Street in Rogers (between Eighth and 45th) from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Tuesday night through Sept. 9, with traffic still accessible both directions. Sports Tourism in the Natural State: Jonesboro is moving closer to hosting bigger youth and amateur tournaments with the First Community Bank Sportsplex, designed for multi-day events and built to keep regional teams from driving hours out of town. Outdoor & Adventure Buzz: Bentonville is set to host AdventureELEVATE North America 2027 (April 20–22), a major trade event aimed at spotlighting the city’s outdoor recreation transformation. Golf Growth: The Arkansas Golf Association is buying land in North Little Rock for new headquarters plans, a sign of continued investment in local sports tourism. Community Health Event: Baxter Health will host a free suicide prevention talk, “It’s a Tough Subject,” Sept. 12 on the ASU-Mountain Home campus. Travel Planning Note: A new report highlights how “fun” destinations can still rank poorly for residents—Tennessee topped CNBC’s “worst place to live” list, despite its heavy tourism draw.

Buc-ee’s Arrival: The Texas travel-stop giant opened its first Arkansas location in Benton, with hundreds camping overnight for the grand opening and an estimated 5 million annual visitors—big news for road trips and local spending. Sports Tourism Boost: Jonesboro is moving ahead with the First Community Bank Sportsplex, designed to host large indoor multi-day youth tournaments so teams don’t have to drive 4+ hours to Memphis and beyond. Golf & Tourism Infrastructure: The Arkansas Golf Association is buying land in North Little Rock for new headquarters, a sign of continued investment in statewide recreation. Local Travel Disruption: ARDOT will close Vandenberg Boulevard nightly in Jacksonville (Aug. 25–27) for Highway 67/167 widening, with detours in place. Community Health Event: Baxter Health will host a free suicide prevention talk Sept. 12 in Mountain Home featuring national speaker Dennis Gillan. Outdoor Staycation Spotlight: Hot Springs’ The Lofts at Creek Street earned a Master Gardeners “Business Yard of the Month” nod after adaptive reuse renovations. Gas Watch: Conway County’s lowest regular price hit $3.39 in the week ending Aug. 15, while diesel in Poinsett County bottomed at $4.99.

Buc-ee’s Arrival in Arkansas: The Texas travel-stop giant opened its first Arkansas location in Benton off I-30 (Exit 114), and fans camped out overnight—turning the grand opening into a full-on roadside festival. Company officials estimate about 5 million visitors a year, a big potential boost for local tourism and spending. Travel Disruption in Jacksonville: ARDOT plans nightly Vandenberg Boulevard closures (8 p.m.–5 a.m.) Aug. 25–27 for the Highway 67/167 widening project, with signed detours in place. Hot Springs Hospitality & Gardens: The Lofts at Creek Street in Hot Springs earned Garland County Master Gardeners’ Business Yard of the Month, highlighting the property’s adaptive reuse and standout flowerbeds. Outdoors & Hunting Culture: Arkansas Outdoors weighs in on feral hog hunting and ongoing debate over AGFC hunting regulations, with hunters pushing back on proposed changes.

Maternity-Care Access: A new March of Dimes report says 33 of Arkansas’ 75 counties are maternity care deserts, leaving many women facing hour-plus drives for prenatal care and delivery—an issue that clashes with the state’s “pro-life” branding. Education Leadership: Peggy Doss, a UAM alum and southeast Arkansas native, becomes the school’s first chancellor, promising a stronger focus on regional needs. Travel Safety Reminder: Arkansas law enforcement joins the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over push ahead of Labor Day, with extra enforcement aimed at impaired-driving crashes. Local Storm Impacts: Greene and Jackson counties report damage and downed lines after Saturday storms and high winds. Culture & Tourism: El Dorado’s Gallery of History will host a Johnny Cash “At Folsom Prison” exhibit Sept. 1–Oct. 23. Family Fun & Sports: Southwest adds more flights to Little Rock as part of schedule changes, while Arkansas Travelers’ Kade Anderson is set for a Mariners MLB debut. Community Alerts: BBB Scam Tracker flags Hughes among Arkansas cities with July scam reports, including a travel/vacation/timeshare loss.

Travel Boost for Arkansas Flyers: Southwest is adding frequencies at Nashville and also adding one new route this year—Little Rock (LIT)—while cutting some other services, a reminder that Arkansas air access can shift fast. Fall Trip Timing: A new guide says fall is prime time for national parks, with cooler weather, wildlife, changing leaves, and fewer crowds from September through November. Bentonville Culture & Art: A look at Bentonville’s visitor surge spotlights Crystal Bridges’ expanded campus and its role in turning northwest Arkansas into a bigger draw for art lovers and weekend travelers. Road-Safety Reminder: Arkansas law enforcement is joining the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” push through Sept. 7 ahead of Labor Day travel. Local Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data flags Hughes as one of the cities with travel/vacation/timeshare losses, including a reported $300 hit. Sports Tourism in the Region: Texarkana’s Swanger Sports Complex reports about $6.5M in visitor impact from tournaments earlier this year.

Impaired Driving Crackdown: Arkansas law enforcement is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, running Aug. 21 through Sept. 7, with extra enforcement aimed at preventing Labor Day–weekend crashes. Sports Tourism Boost: Texarkana’s Swanger Sports Complex is projected to generate about $6.5 million in direct visitor spending from 15 tournaments (Feb–June), bringing roughly 43,000 visitors and a big share from out of town. New Travel-Stop Spotlight: Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas location in Benton (Aug. 17), and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III said the company targets “conservative, business-friendly” states—an expansion move that’s already drawing attention from travelers. Local Travel Safety & Access: Arkansas health officials report only 22 of 75 counties now have hospitals delivering babies, meaning many expectant mothers may need longer trips for labor and delivery. Roadside Reality Check: State regulators say a Fort Smith chemical plant operated without a required stormwater permit before a May spill, raising questions about environmental safeguards that can affect local outdoor plans.

Outdoor Education & Conservation: Arkansas-linked campers from across the country joined Sanibel Sea School’s “A Week in the Field,” a free, application-based program that puts high schoolers into real marine and environmental science work. Wildfire Watch: Crews are battling fast-moving wildfires in Union County near El Dorado (2,100+ acres burned) and Ashley County (about 100 acres), with evacuations reported and road closures in the affected area. Fuel Prices for Travelers: AAA says the national regular gas average is $4.10, while Arkansas GasBuddy reports highlight local deals like Randolph County regular at $3.49 (week ending Aug. 15) and Independence County E85 at $2.49. Family Fun & Attractions: Crystal Bridges’ expansion adds new glass-bridge features, keeping Bentonville a top summer stop for art lovers. State Parks & Safety: State parks are urging heat precautions and pointing visitors to Bull Shoals Lake for cooling-off outings. Local Sports Calendar: Arkansas State released a 14-game non-conference slate for 2026-27, including home games in Jonesboro and a Thanksgiving-week trip to Miami.

Arkansas Tourism & Travel Safety: A new WalletHub look at “most fun” states puts California first, with Florida and Illinois close behind—useful for travelers planning a budget-friendly getaway. Local Travel Deals: Arkansas Scholarship Lottery’s $10 “10,000 Burst” scratch-off has already paid out $10,000 prizes to winners across the state, including Little Rock and Conway, while a $25,000 LOTTO ticket sold at Love’s Travel Stop in North Little Rock remains unclaimed. Family-Friendly Arkansas Outing: Cricket Creek Campground on Table Rock Lake is pitching itself as a cool summer escape with a full-service marina, boat and watercraft rentals, and a day-use splash/play area. Weekend What-to-Do (Arkansas): Arkansas TV’s “Taste Buds” is filming at Off the Rails Cafe in El Dorado, and the state’s event calendar highlights things like Bentonville Restaurant Week and more. Road Trip Reality Check: A report flags Arkansas among the states with the highest fatal crash rates (2020–2024), a reminder to slow down on long drives. Tech for Travelers: Apple Wallet driver’s licenses and IDs are expanding to more states, with Arkansas already live.

Road & Access Update: ARDOT says Highway 270/365S widening between Pine Bluff and White Hall is now projected to run into mid-2027, with costs up to about $45.96M and work 71.2% complete—an important heads-up for travelers planning trips through the corridor. Outdoor & Hunting: After public pushback, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission advanced a scaled-back plan for a permit-only duck hunting area in the St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA, with multiple zones, a 300-yard buffer, and a lottery permit structure still being finalized. Family Travel & Health: St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, serving southern Arkansas, is nearing completion of a NICU remodel that adds rooming-in options for parents—reducing the need for long drives to Shreveport or Baton Rouge. Local Events: Arkansas weekend listings highlight Fayetteville/Springdale/Eureka Springs farmers markets, Bentonville Restaurant Week (with a bingo-style t-shirt prize), and more community happenings. Hot Springs Tourism: Hot Springs is counting down to the Bass Fishing World Championship on Lake Hamilton Oct. 1–3, with 22 nations expected and Kevin VanDam returning to fish for Team USA. Food & Community: Little Rock Air Force Base hosted “Top SHEF,” a culinary faceoff where the winner will advance to the Air Force-wide competition.

Bass Fishing Spotlight: Hot Springs is gearing up for the Bass Fishing World Championship on Lake Hamilton Oct. 1-3, with 22 nations expected and Team USA set to defend its gold medal. Outdoors & Hunting Policy: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission advanced a scaled-back plan for permit-only duck hunting zones in the St. Francis Sunken Lands, after heavy public pushback. Local Travel & Events: Buena Vista’s Collins Theatre hosts Bluegrass Monday Aug. 24, and the Ozark Folk Center area also has a Bluegrass & Fried Chicken Festival set for Aug. 21-22. Community Travel Support: The DAV Van in Hope is seeking volunteer drivers to transport veterans to VA appointments in Little Rock each Wednesday. Road Trip Reality Check: Gas prices vary across Arkansas this week, with several counties reporting notably low regular or diesel rates in the GasBuddy reports. Hot Springs Buzz: A separate report says a clinic in Hot Springs was hit by a data theft incident.

Outdoor Heat Safety: Arkansas State Parks is urging hikers to plan shorter, shaded routes, carry at least a liter of water per person (and for pets), start drinking early, and watch for heat advisories—plus it points visitors to cooler options like Bull Shoals Lake snorkel tours and Blanchard Springs Caverns. Local Parks Funding: Little Rock is seeking up to a $1 million state matching grant for the 30 Crossing park project, which would help the city develop about 20 acres of downtown green space after the interstate changes. Family-Friendly Fun in Hot Springs: PLANTERS’ NUTmobile is rolling into Arkansas with stops in North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Hot Springs (Aug. 24 and Aug. 26), offering photo ops and giveaways. Travel Safety Crackdown: Arkansas law enforcement will join a nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Labor Day enforcement push from Aug. 21 through Sept. 7. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports show low prices in parts of Arkansas, including $2.64 E85 in Clay County and $3.74 regular in Little River County for the week ending Aug. 8. Community & Faith: Two Bryant teens say they handed out nearly 300 free Bibles in a month during summer break, with prayers and encouragement for drivers along Highway 5.

Outdoor Education: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission honored 31 Arkansas schools (Pre-K through high school) as School of Conservation Leadership for 2026-29, with awards presented at AGFC headquarters in Little Rock. Parks & Recreation Funding: Little Rock’s board authorized applying for up to a $1 million state matching grant for the 30 Crossing park project, aiming to develop nearly 20 acres of downtown land into an urban park after I-30 changes. Hot Springs Fun Stop: PLANTERS’ 26-foot NUTmobile rolls into Hot Springs with three public appearances Aug. 24 and 26, including photo ops, tours, and giveaways. Travel Retail Buzz: Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas store in Benton (74,000 sq. ft., 120 fueling positions), continuing its rapid multi-state expansion. Festival Calendar: The Bluegrass & Fried Chicken Festival returns Aug. 21-22 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, with live music and craft village activities. Food Tourism Spotlight: Nominations are open for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism’s 2026 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame through Sept. 30.

Buc-ee’s Expansion: Buc-ee’s officially opened its first Arkansas store in Benton, a 74,000-square-foot travel center off Highway 229 with 120 fueling positions—another big boost for road-trip tourism in the Natural State. Hot Springs Milestone: Hot Springs is marking 150 years since incorporation, celebrating the city’s long-running draw as a spa destination. Local Travel Safety: Hot Springs Village officials shared reports of two separate windshield-striking incidents on area highways, urging extra caution after dark. Fishing & Outdoors: Natural State Fishing owner Eric Watts explains his Guide ARK verified-guide approach and why he focuses on crappie trips in Central Arkansas waters. Food Safety Alerts: The FDA issued a new Salmonella egg alert tied to recalled eggs distributed in Arkansas and nearby states, and a separate Salmonella-linked spicy-food recall is expanding nationwide. Cyber & Health: A Hot Springs oral surgery clinic reported a data hack involving patient information, while UAMS’ Jones Eye Institute named Omair Ali as director of global and community outreach. Tourism Economy Watch: A state audit flagged Miller County bidding and bonus issues—an item worth noting for local governance and public spending that can affect community projects.

Roadside Travel Buzz: Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas location in Benton (1400 Highway 229) with a 74,000-square-foot travel center, 120 fueling positions, and more than 200 jobs—expect heavy traffic near I-30 Exit 114 for the Monday grand opening. Local Planning & Access: ARDOT will hold a public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18 in Osceola on a study for a direct Jonesboro-to-Osceola highway connection, with comments accepted through Sept. 2. Family-Friendly Outdoors: Arkansas Game and Fish is offering free hunter education in Springdale and additional nature safety/education events, including tree-stand safety and Stream Team teaching training. Tourism Safety Notes: A dump truck struck a Jonesboro school bus on the first day of school; no injuries were reported. Community Watch: Fort Smith says a “security event” disrupted some city systems, with cash/check-only payments at two locations temporarily. Arkansas Culture: The University of Arkansas launches a new Ozarks Studies minor aimed at helping students look closer to home.

Buc-ee’s Arrival in Arkansas: The Texas travel-center giant opened its first Arkansas location in Benton on Aug. 17, bringing a 74,000-square-foot stop with 120 fueling positions and more than 200 jobs—plus its signature BBQ, fudge, kolaches, and famously clean restrooms. Tourism & Community Buzz: City officials say the grand opening and ribbon cutting Monday (Aug. 17) should draw a huge crowd, with parking overflow planned near the site off I-30 Exit 114. Road-Trip Planning: ARDOT will hold a public involvement meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Osceola to discuss a study on a direct Jonesboro-to-Osceola highway connection, with comments accepted through Sept. 2. Family Fun at Little Rock Zoo: GloWild lanterns are still on at the Little Rock Zoo through early January 2027, after visa issues forced cancellations at other zoos. Local Food Culture: A feature spotlights Arkansas cheese dip—smooth, roux-based, and spiced—celebrating the state’s “Cheese Dip Capital of the World” reputation. Outdoors & Conservation: Arkansas Outdoors reports on high water affecting a fishing trip at the Little Red River and a Benton County land donation supporting conservation.

Tourism & Events: Little Rock Zoo’s GloWild is still on through early January 2027, despite reports that the lantern company behind it, Tianyu Arts & Culture, canceled similar festivals elsewhere after visa denials for workers. Local Travel & Outdoors: A Benton County landowner donated a 150-acre farm to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, aiming to protect habitat while keeping public outdoor access in Northwest Arkansas. Family Fun: Mount Princeton Hot Springs is rolling out expanded summer perks for overnight guests. Sports Tourism: Arkansas Travelers’ William Knight and other out-of-state standouts are set for games this week, including multiple Tuesday Aug. 18 matchups featuring Travelers players. Community & Governance: Arkansas legislators got a briefing on a November ballot measure (Issue 3) that would let local governments create economic development districts and use future tax revenue-backed bonds to spur private development. Health & Safety: Maumelle High School officials say a venomous cottonmouth was found hidden under a football helmet’s padding during practice, with no bite reported.