Inflation & Cost Pressure: A key inflation gauge jumped to 3.8% in April, with prices rising across groceries, clothing and electricity—raising pressure on household budgets and complicating the political calendar. Fuel & Grocery Ripple Effects: Gas prices are easing after Memorial Day, but Arkansas retailers warn high diesel costs and fuel surcharges are still keeping grocery prices elevated. Clean Energy in Grant County: Treaty Oak Clean Energy says the Redfield Solar Project is now in commercial operation, a 100-megawatt facility tied to local jobs and tax revenue. Transportation & Growth: ARDOT broke ground on a $53.7M Highway 5–Interstate 57 interchange in Cabot, aiming to cut congestion and improve safety for thousands of daily commuters. Affordable Housing Funding: Arkansas is set to receive about $13M in low-income housing tax credits to build nearly 700 affordable units statewide. Data Center Policy Turmoil: Pulaski County’s data center moratorium vote was retracted after a clerk miscount, while the debate continues alongside concerns about electricity and water impacts. Workforce & Industry Training: UA Northark will restart CDL training this fall after a FedEx Freight donation of tractors and trailers. Healthcare Innovation: UAMS launched a toolkit to help hospitals integrate doulas into maternity care teams, starting with Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas. Local Business & Retail Logistics: Walmart says store-fulfilled deliveries are getting faster, with more than 36% arriving in three hours or less. Food & Agriculture Spotlight: The Arkansas Beef Council named Eoff’s “Wombat Burger” the state’s best burger, boosting local food makers.