AGP Executive Report

Road Work for Hot Springs Visitors: ARDOT will run nightly lane closures on Highway 7 (Central Avenue) between the Lake Hamilton Bridge and Grand Avenue in Hot Springs from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., starting Sept. 27 for about two months, with traffic controlled by cones and signage. Travel & Tourism Spotlight: A new ESPN “30 for 30” podcast, The Fastest Girl in Somalia, tells the story of runner Samia Yusuf Omar and her Olympic dream—an emotional listen for sports fans planning fall trips. Cycling Tourism: Cycle North Carolina’s 2026 “Mountains to Coast” ride (Oct. 4–10) will bring about 800 cyclists through the region, with arrivals in Halifax County on Oct. 7. Local Sports Draw: Arkansas football set a big home marker with a 34-6 win over Tulsa, and the Razorbacks’ Oct. 10 SEC game vs. Tennessee is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Fuel Watch for Road Trips: GasBuddy reports Conway County regular gas as low as $3.83/gal (week ending Sept. 19), with Arkansas’s statewide average at $4.02.

Arkansas State Football: Arkansas State closed its nonconference slate with a 17-14 win over Kennesaw State in Jonesboro, with Clune Van Andel nailing the late game-winner after earlier misses. Razorbacks Football: Arkansas snapped a 12-game FBS skid, beating Tulsa 34-6 behind KJ Jackson’s passing and rushing spark. Local Sports (High School): Arkansas High opened conference play with a 49-14 win over Magnolia, setting up a quick road trip to Lakeside. Outdoor Tourism: Hot Springs is gearing up for the Black Bass World Championship on Lake Hamilton Oct. 1-3, drawing anglers from 23 nations. Travel Planning (Road Trip Culture): A look at US 50’s 100th birthday spotlights the classic cross-country drive and the towns travelers can still experience. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show the lowest regular diesel and premium deals vary by county in the week ending Sept. 19, with some single-station “best price” finds for budget road trips.

Gas Watch (Sept. 19 week): Conway County’s E85 hit a low of $2.76/gal, while Sebastian County’s E85 bottomed at $3.14. Road-trip Fuel Costs: Little River County’s premium reached $4.99, Dallas County’s premium $4.89, and Fulton County’s premium $4.74. Diesel Snapshot: Crawford County’s diesel lowest was $5.59, with Bradley County at $6.18. Outdoor Safety: Four weeks after the Pueblo spill, E. coli is still above Arkansas swim standards along the Arkansas River from Pueblo to Holly, with rain blamed for repeated spikes. Tourism & Hospitality Calendar: The Arkansas Hospitality Association will honor “Stars of the Industry” at the Saracen Event Center Oct. 15 in Pine Bluff. Workforce for Visitors: USCIS reports 3,010 H-2B worker approvals tied to Arkansas worksites for fiscal 2026 through June 30. Travel-Friendly Sports Buzz: Hot Springs is set for the Black Bass World Championship on Lake Hamilton Oct. 1-3.

Razorback Football: Arkansas snapped a 12-game skid vs. Bowl Subdivision teams with a 34-6 win over Tulsa, led by KJ Jackson’s 309 passing yards and two rushing TDs, plus a defense that kept the Golden Hurricane out of rhythm. Game Preview: Arkansas hosts unbeaten Tulsa in a key non-conference matchup at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on SEC Network+. Hospitality & Tourism: The Arkansas Hospitality Association will honor hospitality leaders at the 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards Gala Oct. 15 at Saracen Event Center in Pine Bluff, celebrating the people who make Arkansas welcoming for visitors. Gas Prices Watch: Fuel costs in Arkansas stayed volatile in the week ending Sept. 19, with premium averaging $4.87 statewide and diesel averaging $6.06, while some counties saw standout lows (like E85 at $2.73 in Lonoke County). Travel Tips: NASA and Mayo Clinic shared jet lag guidance, including hydration, avoiding alcohol, and using melatonin strategically.

Gas Prices Watch: The national average for regular gas rose nearly 5 cents to $4.48 per gallon, the highest for this time of year, as demand ticked up and supply tightened. Local Fuel Deals (Arkansas): Week ending Sept. 19 brought standout lows in several counties—diesel hit $5.46 in Faulkner County, midgrade hit $3.88 in Garland County, premium hit $4.09 in Saline County, and E85 dipped to $2.73 in Lonoke County. Hospitality & Tourism: The Arkansas Hospitality Association will honor “Stars of the Industry” at the Saracen Event Center in Pine Bluff on Oct. 15, celebrating leaders who make Arkansas welcoming for visitors. Outdoor Volunteer Work: Wild Connections is returning to Chubb Park for Oct. 3-4 to remove about 2.25 miles of obsolete fencing to improve wildlife movement. Travel-Adjacent Entertainment: Arkansas baseball’s 2027 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series schedule is set at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Fall Travel Planning: AccuWeather’s 2026 fall foliage forecast says peak color is generally late September to mid-October, with the brightest displays in New England, New York and parts of Northern California, while parts of the Rockies and Northwest may look duller due to drought and wildfires. Arkansas Hospitality Spotlight: Hot Springs tourism leaders scored a big recognition moment—12 local residents were nominated for the Arkansas Hospitality Association’s 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards, including Visit Hot Springs’ Traci Berry for Tourism Employee of the Year and multiple lodging, restaurant and lifetime achievement nominees. Agritourism Grants: Airbnb and American Farmland Trust are offering farmers and ranchers up to $10,000 each for Farm to Stay grants to renovate properties or build farm-stay experiences; Arkansas Agritourism Association founder Ruth Pepler says it could help local operators level up. Local Events Calendar: The Pine Bluff Black Chamber’s Delta Expo returns to the Pine Bluff Convention Center with free admission and family activities, plus a Sept. 25 adults-only concert. Family-Friendly Nature: Hannibal’s Sodalis Nature Preserve is hosting a rare Indiana bat Night Hike and Bat Walk this weekend, with hundreds of thousands of endangered bats expected to take flight. Gaming Industry Update: Saracen Casino Resort plans to terminate its top two executives amid allegations of mismanagement and conflicts of interest.

Travel & Tourism Spotlight: Mount Magazine in Paris remains a top Arkansas escape, drawing about 250,000 visitors a year for cooler temps, big views, and outdoor fun like hiking, birdwatching, rock climbing, hang gliding, and horseback/ATV trails—plus the Lodge at Mount Magazine with 60 rooms and on-site dining. Local Events & Family Fun: Texarkana is gearing up for the 2026 Four States Marching Classic Oct. 3, with 24 bands from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas expected at Tiger Stadium—prelims start 9:30 a.m. Arts & Culture: The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock will open “The Age of Anxiety: German Expressionism in Art and Film” Oct. 9, pairing rare drawings and prints with silent-film scenes through Jan. 10. Community & Safety Watch: Arkansas State Police reported two back-to-back I-40 stops in Pope County that netted about 59 pounds of illegal marijuana and THC vape products. Food & Road Trips: A national roundup highlights Arkansas’s own sandwich scene, including a featured stop in Fayetteville.

Petit Jean State Park Upgrade: Arkansas leaders marked a major open house for Petit Jean State Park, spotlighting the reopening of the renovated historic Mather Lodge, expanded outdoor recreation, and the unveiling of an Arkansas 250 historical marker—plus the new Petit Jean Via Ferrata, billed as the first via ferrata inside a U.S. state park. Community Fundraiser: Jonesboro’s Hope Found of Northeast Arkansas is set for its 4th annual Brewing Hope Coffee Festival in November, with coffee and baked-goods vendors, voting categories, and proceeds supporting human trafficking education and victim assistance. Family-Friendly Race: The Heart and Sole Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K returns to Jonesboro Saturday, starting and ending at NEA Baptist Hospital, with police support along the course. Local Events Calendar: Arkansas Weekend Entertainment Roundup highlights music, theater, and library programming across Little Rock and North Little Rock. On the Road (Fuel Watch): GasBuddy reports show Arkansas regular gas averaging about $4.02/g statewide for the week ending Sept. 19, with several counties listing notably low prices. Safety Reminder: Arkansas State Police reported seizing nearly 60 pounds of illegal marijuana and THC vape products during two I-40 traffic stops in Pope County.

State Parks & Heritage: Petit Jean State Park celebrated the reopening of renovated Historic Mather Lodge, plus expanded outdoor recreation like a via ferrata and new Monument Trail mountain biking system, along with an Arkansas 250 historical marker. Travel Events: Arkansas Weekend events run Sept. 24-27, including Hispanic Heritage Month fiestas, county fairs, and food truck festivals—plus a Miss Arkansas and Miss Arkansas Teen appearance in Prescott. Local Tourism & Community: DHS rolled out an ARHOME outreach toolkit ahead of a Jan. 1, 2027 work requirement for beneficiaries, with ready-to-share materials across 75+ county offices. Road Trip Costs: GasBuddy reported Arkansas fuel price snapshots for the week ending Sept. 19, including Pulaski County regular at $3.69 (lowest), Clay County regular at $3.87, and Arkansas County premium at $4.39—useful for planning drives. Outdoor Recreation Spotlight: Arkansas tourism-friendly momentum continues as Petit Jean adds new climbing and biking experiences.

Arkansas History & Culture: On Sept. 24, Meriwether Lewis Randolph—Thomas Jefferson’s grandson—died in 1837, and Hot Springs’ St. Joseph’s Infirmary (now CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs) opened in 1888. Wildlife & Outdoors: Conservation news from the region: more than 258,000 endangered Indiana bats are returning to Hannibal’s Sodalis Nature Preserve for winter. Health & Travel Safety: Measles cases are rising in Missouri, and an Arkansas pediatrician urges families to confirm vaccination status—especially with travel and crowded events. Local Tourism & Community Events: A “Shoot to Cure” sporting clays tournament at Remington Gun Club benefits Arkansas Children’s Hospital, pairing a day outdoors with a cause. Food & Local Business Watch: Little Rock’s Hillcrest Japanese restaurant Kemuri is listed for lease, raising questions about its future. Family-Friendly Fun: Lake Hamilton’s volleyball win at Wolf Arena keeps the Wolves climbing in the 5A South. Sports Calendar: MSU finalized a tough men’s basketball slate that includes Arkansas on Thanksgiving in Detroit.

Tourism & Events: Jonesboro’s First Community Bank Sportsplex is nearing an early-2027 opening, with officials saying the new venue will boost the sports tourism economy as more tournaments and family events are booked. Community & Heritage: Descendants of Alexander Foreman gathered at the restored Sequoyah’s Cabin Museum in Oklahoma, highlighting the cabin’s ties to early ferry operations and Arkansas-area history. Local Business & Travel: Buffington Homes by Toll Brothers announced the final chance to buy in Bentonville’s McKissic Springs, with only five homes left near XNA—an easy draw for visitors and home-seekers. Outdoor Recreation: USACE Little Rock District will waive day-use fees at recreation areas Sept. 26 for National Public Lands Day (boat ramps and swim beaches). Road Safety for Travelers: Arkansas Agriculture urges drivers to slow down during harvest season and watch for farm equipment, wide turns, and blind spots. Public Health Alert: Measles exposure warnings were issued after a traveler passed through Philadelphia International Airport, reminding travelers to check immunity and monitor symptoms.

National Public Lands Day: USACE Little Rock will waive day use fees at its recreation areas Sept. 26, covering boat launch ramps and swim beaches (camping fees excluded). Defense & Jobs: Hanwha Defense USA will build a $2.2 billion artillery ammunition factory at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, creating about 400 jobs. Travel & Access: Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) saw a slight August dip in outbound enplanements (-0.3% year over year) but expects about 3% growth to a record 1.3 million enplanements in 2026. Outdoor Recreation: Fall camping demand remains steady—campground bookings are pacing slightly ahead of last year, with Arkansas among the stronger growth states this September. Local Tourism & Events: Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville launched a community survey to shape its next three-year plan for arts, culture, wellness, and lodging. Family Fun: Arkansas High’s tennis teams notched wins in Magnolia, a reminder that local sports weekends keep visitors coming.

Community & Culture: Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville launched a community survey (Sept. 21–Oct. 9) to shape its next three-year strategic plan, asking visitors what they value most and what priorities should come next for the nonprofit’s arts, culture, wellness, and gathering spaces. Music & Live Events: The Edgar Loudermilk Band returns to KASU-FM’s Bluegrass Monday series on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Collins Theatre in Paragould. Food Tourism: Nominations are open through Sept. 30 for the 2026 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, honoring long-standing restaurants and people who share Arkansas culinary heritage with visitors. Outdoor & Travel Demand: A new report says Arkansas is among the states seeing strong campground growth this September, with fall bookings pacing slightly ahead of last year. Road Safety for Travelers: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture urges drivers to slow down during harvest season and watch for farm equipment on state and county roads.

Travel & Outdoors: Arkansas Department of Agriculture is urging drivers to slow down and share the road during peak harvest, when combines, tractors, grain carts and module trucks move between fields across state and county highways. Family Fun & Local Events: Fayetteville’s Ozark Hill Hikers invites walkers to a Wednesday route along the Razorback Greenway, University of Arkansas and downtown, and Beaver Lake hosts a Saturday Volunteer Day cleanup at Hickory Creek Park. Arts & Culture: Arkansas State University-Mountain Home’s performing arts series brings Artrageous to the Vada Sheid Community Development Center Wednesday night. Road Trips & Planning: Buena Vista’s weekend calendar highlights open mic, a stewardship gala, free eye clinic, 14er Fest and a Dolly Parton Memorial Pub Crawl. Community & Safety: Fayetteville-area officials continue mourning after two Woodland Junior High students died in a UTV rollover; the investigation remains active. Big News for Arkansas: Hanwha Defense USA is moving forward with a $2.2 billion artillery ammunition campus at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, creating about 400 jobs. Tourism Watch: Arkansas Tourism Ticker reports tourism tax revenue up more than 8% through June.

Airport Access Upgrade: Northwest Arkansas National Airport gets a boost as Highway 642 now links the Springdale Northern Bypass (I-42) directly to XNA, improving travel flow for visitors heading to the region. Tourism Economy Check: Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue rose 8.5% in the first half of 2026, hitting $14.234 million from January–June, with June setting a new monthly record at $2.961 million. Family-Friendly Campus Plans: UAM’s Parent/Family Appreciation Day returns Sept. 26 with games, music, and a Walk of Champions parade before the 6 p.m. football kickoff. Local Events on the Calendar: The Columbia County Fair and Livestock Show Parade rolls at 5 p.m. Sept. 21 in Magnolia, starting at University Plaza and looping through downtown. Travel Perk for Service Members: TSA expands “Honor Lanes” at 30+ airports for military flyers and families, offering faster security access with valid ID. Culture & History for Travelers: A look at how “The Negro Motorist Green Book” helped Black travelers find safe lodging and services during segregation—Route 66 history with real travel lessons. Community Impact Grants: Summit Utilities’ Summit Cares program awarded $175,000 statewide, including support for a Pine Bluff lodging program for cancer patients and families.

Transportation & Access: Northwest Arkansas travelers got a boost as XNA’s connection improved: Highway 642 opened Sept. 4, linking the Springdale Northern Bypass (now Interstate 42) directly to the airport, with the second phase of the bypass also celebrated—easing congestion and setting up future extensions east of Springdale. Tourism Economy: Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue climbed 8.5% in the first half of 2026, reaching $14.234 million from January through June, with June alone hitting a new monthly record of $2.961 million; the tax covers lodging, camping fees, short-term rentals, watercraft rentals, and attraction tickets. Outdoors & Travel Inspiration: A Little Rock group is chasing cooler temps and silver salmon in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands—an example of how Arkansas anglers are turning to far-flung trips when summer heat hits home. Culture & Storytelling: A travel podcast segment highlights presidential campaign songs and Johnny Appleseed roots, adding another reason to plan heritage-focused stops and listening-friendly road trips. Community Events: Little Rock-area sports and local matchups continue to draw visitors regionally, including Austin Peay’s upcoming conference opener in Little Rock.