AGP Executive Report

CFP Overhaul: The College Football Playoff locks in automatic bids for Power Four champions, adds a “plus one” Group of Six spot, and gives Notre Dame an automatic berth if it finishes top 12—while debate continues over expanding to 16 or 24 teams. Arkansas Food & Farming: A University of Arkansas team is working on a more stable human growth factor that could eventually support wound healing and metabolic research, while the state’s Division of Agriculture highlights plain water as the best default hydration choice as heat drives demand for “enhanced” drinks. School Food Supply: A grant-backed “CHEF” program in Northwest Tennessee trains cafeteria staff to use fresher local produce, expanding to 12 schools and nearly 6,700 students. Logistics & Retail Tech: Amazon plans to expand drone deliveries to nearly 500 U.S. cities by year-end, aiming for packages to arrive in as fast as 30 minutes. Local Development: Fayetteville’s Razorbash returns to connect students with local vendors, and Johnson’s Square in Fayetteville adds “The Morgan” condos plus a new restaurant. Public Safety: Tennessee is spotlighting daycare oversight after a 6-year-old died after being left in a hot van; the center closed and surrendered its license.

Food Safety & Recalls: The FDA’s 2026 recall wave stays front and center, with major actions tied to outbreaks—Taylor Farms’ cyclospora-linked lettuce and a broad egg recall now escalated to the highest risk level—plus additional jalapeño-linked recalls that keep expanding across multiple retailers. Energy & Utilities: Conway Corp moved into Phase 3 of its drought water curtailment plan, tightening outdoor watering rules as storage stays low, while SWEPCO urged eligible customers to apply for LIHEAP to help cover energy bills. Arkansas Agriculture & Forestry: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture extended forestry cost-share deadlines to Aug. 28, including programs for pine beetle prevention and hardwood reforestation. Infrastructure & River Commerce: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the $346 million Three Rivers Project to protect navigation on the Arkansas and White rivers, supporting agriculture and commerce. Local Industry & Jobs: SANY Nutrition Group opened a new Jonesboro manufacturing facility, and Hytrol committed $500,000 to A-State’s CREST workforce center. Tech & Logistics: Amazon plans to expand lightweight drone deliveries to nearly 500 U.S. cities, aiming for faster suburban drop-offs.

Chemical Safety & Permits: Arkansas regulators say a Fort Smith chemical plant that spilled corrosive acid and killed thousands of fish operated without a required stormwater permit and wasn’t properly disclosed or inspected. Energy & Reliability: Entergy Arkansas suspended disconnects for non-payment through Aug. 21 amid extreme heat, while also warning outages can still happen from severe weather. Wildfire Tech: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture launched a real-time active wildfire dashboard, as burn bans expand and risk rises statewide. Local Infrastructure & Parks: Little Rock authorized applying for up to a $1 million state matching grant for the 30 Crossing park project, aiming to develop about 20 acres downtown. Workforce & Training: Hytrol pledged $500,000 to A-State’s CREST career readiness and skills training initiative, and UAPB’s soccer/track facility funding plan cleared a key Legislative Council step. Food & Agriculture: SANY Nutrition Group opened a new Jonesboro manufacturing facility, investing $30M and targeting 150+ jobs, while Arkansas farmers are being urged to take heat stress and mental health seriously. Energy Policy Debate: A state study reviewed by lawmakers argues nuclear power is feasible and advisable as coal retirements loom and demand grows. Data Centers Backlash: Opinion and reporting highlight growing Arkansas community concerns over data centers—water, noise, rates, and what local governments can legally do.

Food Safety & Recalls: FDA upgraded a salmonella-linked egg recall to its highest risk level, warning of serious illness and death risk; separate Walmart soup kit recalls tied to possible listeria contamination are affecting stores across 29 states, including Arkansas. Public Health Watch: Arkansas reported two new cyclosporiasis cases (both in Benton County), bringing this year’s total to 277 as state health officials track whether the outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce is truly easing. Wildfire Response Tech: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture launched a real-time active wildfire dashboard, with 25 counties listed at high risk and burn bans in most counties, urging residents to avoid approaching fires and to report sightings. Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show localized lows across the state for E15, E85, and diesel in multiple counties during the week ending Aug. 8, with statewide averages generally down from the prior week. Manufacturing & Jobs: SANY Nutrition Group is retooling and operating in the former Butterball Jonesboro facility, investing $30M and targeting 150+ jobs over three years. Workforce Development: Hytrol is backing Arkansas State University’s CREST Center with a $500,000 founding industry partner gift, including naming the Hytrol Workforce Training Room. Transportation Infrastructure: Arkansas DOT set a Sept. 4 ribbon cutting for Phase Two of the U.S. 412 Springdale Northern Bypass and the Northwest Arkansas National Airport Connector Road.

Feral Hog Control: Arkansas landowners can get 75% reimbursement (up to $20,000) for approved feral hog trapping systems under the 2026 Arkansas Game and Fish Commission incentive program, with applications open through Sept. 11. Workforce & Manufacturing: Caterpillar announced up to $3 million for an Arkansas workforce initiative tied to modern manufacturing and technical jobs, partnering with UA-Pulaski Tech and local organizations. Finance & Health: The St. Louis Fed named two Arkansans to industry councils—Curtis Barnett (healthcare) and Suzanne Peyton (transportation)—as input for monetary policy. Tech & Logistics: Uber Eats is partnering with Zipline for autonomous drone deliveries in the U.S., targeting one million drone deliveries a day by 2029. Cybersecurity: Hot Springs oral surgery clinic Arkansas Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons reported a data breach involving patient information. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits over possible Listeria, and the FDA upgraded a large egg recall to its highest risk level after Salmonella concerns. Energy & Weather: Heat advisories continue across Arkansas until a cold front brings relief, while wildfire risk remains high and burn bans expand. Local Development: Texarkana approved budget changes for two economic development projects, including water/sewer work for a manufacturing megasite and runway improvements at the regional airport.

Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Midwest Poultry Services egg recall to Class I, warning nearly 1.6 million cartons of eggs sold in Arkansas and other states could carry Salmonella Enteritidis, with sell-by dates running through Aug. 17. Retail Recall: Walmart shoppers are also being told to check pantries after a Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit recall tied to possible Listeria contamination, distributed in 29 states. Energy & Utilities: SWEPCO says it’s suspending residential disconnections for nonpayment through the end of the week as extreme heat continues, while River Valley storm damage left thousands without power and disrupted water treatment operations. Workforce & Training: Caterpillar announced up to $3 million for Arkansas workforce training, and a Springdale partnership is launching an evening HVACr technician program aimed at EPA 608-ready graduates. Health Pipeline: UA Little Rock and NYITCOM at A-State unveiled a 7-year medical pathway for up to 10 students per year starting spring 2027. Local Economy & Governance: A Jefferson County audit raised questions about vehicle and equipment purchases made without Quorum Court input, flagged as a material weakness in financial controls. Agriculture: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on CRP acres for wildfire-impacted producers. Housing Costs: A Redfin analysis finds Little Rock families spend under 40% of income on housing plus childcare—lowest among major metros.

Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Salmonella egg recall to Class I after linking the eggs to 98 illnesses in 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations; the affected product (about 1.6 million dozen) was sold through Kroger and Brookshire’s, including Arkansas distribution, so shoppers are urged to check dates and not eat the eggs. Energy & Utilities: Entergy Arkansas’ proposed rate formula drew sharp public pushback in Little Rock, as residents questioned costs tied to data-center growth; separately, Mountain Home is weighing higher water and sewer rates plus a rewrite of food-truck parking rules. Workforce & Manufacturing: Northwest Arkansas tech leaders say the region’s startup boom is outpacing hiring, while Arkansas continues expanding manufacturing apprenticeships and trade training, including rising demand at the Arkansas Welding Academy. Mining & Batteries: Standard Lithium and Nano One reported early qualification testing of Arkansas-sourced lithium carbonate for LFP cathodes, and the state keeps building a workforce pipeline for lithium. Local Governance: Arkansas lawmakers briefed economic development districts on the ballot, a proposal that would let cities and counties issue bonds backed by future tax revenue. Public Safety: Arkansas Agriculture crews battled a 210-acre wildfire in Dallas County as burn bans spread statewide.

Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports the week ending Aug. 8 brought some relief in Arkansas, with the lowest premium at $3.78 in Sebastian County and diesel as low as $4.78 in White County, while the statewide premium average slipped to $4.48. Tourism & Local Business: Visit Bentonville CEO Kalene Griffith was named to the Destinations International board, a boost for Northwest Arkansas travel leadership. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a massive egg recall tied to salmonella to its highest risk level, and Walmart recalled tomato soup kits over possible listeria contamination—another reminder for Arkansas shoppers to check labels. State Policy Watch: Trump renewed pressure for permanent daylight saving time, pushing the Senate to act after House passage. Arkansas Industry & Tech: Standard Lithium says its South Arkansas lithium carbonate successfully passed downstream battery testing with Nano One, supporting LFP battery material development. Wildfire & Agriculture: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on Conservation Reserve Program acres for wildfire-impacted areas, including Arkansas.

Arkansas Public Safety & Justice: The Arkansas General Assembly says it’s pouring money into the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, including a new facility slated for completion in 2027 and added staffing to handle about 30,000 cases a year, with expanded DNA, toxicology, firearms, digital evidence, fingerprints, and medical examiner services. Food & Agriculture: The FDA upgraded a Texas shell-egg recall to its highest risk level (Class I) tied to salmonella, with sell-by dates running through mid-August and multiple brands sold in Arkansas among affected states. Water & Utilities: Fort Smith asked residents to follow voluntary water conservation as drought and triple-digit heat strain storage, with irrigation demand driving the shortfall. State Policy: The Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed revenue and education updates, plus new rules tied to the Wind Energy Development Act. Local Business & Construction: Hines Homes is listed for a $700,000 build at 83 Calion Court, while multiple Little Rock metro permits point to steady commercial and residential activity. STEM & Education: The Museum of Discovery is pushing hands-on science events like Tinkerfest, aimed at inspiring future STEM careers. Health & Consumer Planning: An Arkansas Extension finance expert urged expectant parents to build a financial plan early to handle new baby costs.

Food Safety & Recall Watch: The FDA upgraded a Texas shell-egg recall affecting about 19 million eggs to Class I, its highest risk level, tied to a Salmonella outbreak; the eggs were sold under multiple labels and still carry sell-by/best-by dates running into mid-August, including distribution that reaches Arkansas. Public Health & Consumer Alerts: Walmart shoppers are also facing a separate recall: Marketside tomato bisque soup kits pulled over possible Listeria contamination, with guidance to avoid serving and to sanitize surfaces that may have touched the product. State Policy & Industry Oversight: Arkansas lawmakers reviewed state revenue and education changes, plus new rules tied to the Wind Energy Development Act, as the Arkansas Legislative Council also approved updates affecting the Scholarship Lottery and health insurance contributions. Forensics & Justice Capacity: The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is getting a major upgrade—new facility work slated to finish in 2027 and added staffing—aimed at handling a caseload that has doubled to about 30,000 cases a year. Energy & Infrastructure: Fort Smith asked water customers for voluntary conservation as drought and triple-digit heat strain supplies, while Arkansas wildfire risk remains elevated with burn bans in place across multiple counties. Agriculture & Business: Corteva agreed to pay $3.1 million to settle the Arkansas AG’s pesticides antitrust suit over alleged anticompetitive rebates.

Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Midwest Poultry Services egg recall to a Class I, the highest risk level, covering about 1.6 million cartons (roughly 19.1 million eggs) distributed in Arkansas and other states over possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers also face a separate risk as Kettle Cuisine’s Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits were recalled in 29 states for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Ag & Public Health: Regulators are pressing ahead on the Taylor Farms cyclospora outbreak, including an FDA/CDC trip to Mexico to keep tracing the source after earlier lettuce-linked recalls. Energy & Reliability: Entergy Arkansas and Craighead-area utilities are postponing planned outages due to extreme heat, while officials urge residents to manage power use and stay safe. Wildfire Preparedness: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture says wildfire risk remains elevated statewide, with burn bans in place and guidance for residents and rural fire departments to prepare. Workforce & Industry: Hytrol is set to be recognized as the founding industry partner for the CREST workforce initiative in Jonesboro, supporting training space and career pathways. Local Business/Construction: Brookland voters will consider bond restructuring to fund sportsplex, municipal building, sewer, storm shelters, and road improvements. Manufacturing Growth: Five Rivers Manufacturing expanded its Corning headquarters, adding more than 75 jobs tied to the outdoor and waterfowl decoy industry.

Food Safety Recalls: FDA escalated a salmonella egg recall to Class I, warning of a “reasonable probability” of serious harm or death; the Midwest Poultry Services eggs (about 1.6 million dozen) were produced in Texas and distributed across multiple states including Arkansas. Produce Supply Chain: FDA and CDC began onsite inspections in Mexico tied to the Taylor Farms cyclospora outbreak, which has spread to Arkansas among other states; regulators say traceback points to shredded iceberg lettuce. Local Food Retail Impact: A separate Walmart recall pulled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including Arkansas, after a presumptive listeria positive test; no confirmed illnesses reported. Beef Industry Restructuring: Tyson Foods plans to sell its Pasco, Wash. plant and close beef facilities in Illinois and Utah, citing cattle shortages—raising major job and supplier concerns. Arkansas Power & Heat: Entergy Arkansas is postponing planned outages in parts of the state through Aug. 21 due to extreme heat. Wildfire Preparedness: Arkansas wildfire risk rose to high in 19 counties, with burn bans expanding across much of the state. Local Infrastructure Vote: Brookland voters will consider bond restructuring in November to fund additional sportsplex, municipal building, sewer, storm shelters, and road improvements. Manufacturing Jobs: Five Rivers Manufacturing expanded in Corning, adding 75+ jobs tied to outdoor and hunting gear production.

Food Safety: The FDA says the biggest U.S. cyclospora outbreak now hits 17 states, tied to iceberg lettuce, with case counts climbing to 9,481 and hundreds hospitalized; Arkansas is among the states added earlier in the spread. Food Safety: The FDA also upgraded a massive egg recall to its highest risk level, Class I, warning of a “reasonable probability” of serious illness or death tied to Salmonella Enteritidis. Agriculture & Rural Economy: A Newport rice farmer is taking the fight to Washington with the “Soil Sisters,” citing depressed rice prices, high input costs, and Riceland Foods’ temporary drying-facility closures. Energy & Utilities: Entergy Arkansas is suspending disconnects through Aug. 21 and resuming Aug. 24 as extreme heat continues. Wildfire Risk: Arkansas officials warn all 75 counties are at moderate wildfire risk, with burn bans expanding across the state. Local Business & Growth: Michaels is rolling out a new experiential store format in Rogers, adding more hands-on shopping and textile-focused features. Manufacturing: Tyson Foods plans to close beef facilities in Illinois and Utah as it restructures production to address a severe cattle shortage. Policy & Industry: Lawmakers are set to debate lithium mining in Mississippi’s 2027 session, a sign of how battery-materials policy is moving into the spotlight.

Food & Manufacturing: Gray broke ground on InnovAsian’s first U.S. chicken processing facility in Jonesboro, a greenfield project tied to Nichirei’s North American push. Beef Industry Reshuffle: Tyson Foods will close its Joslin, Illinois and Eagle Mountain, Utah beef plants and pursue sale of its Pasco, Washington facility, consolidating beef capacity to Dakota City, Holcomb and Amarillo. Retail & Supply Chain: Walmart shoppers are shifting online—foot traffic fell while Walmart.com trips rose—highlighting how digital promos are changing retail demand. Energy & Utilities: Entergy Arkansas is suspending power disconnects through Aug. 21 due to extreme heat, while firefighters battled a Tesla Megapack blaze after an I-40 crash. Wildfire Risk: Arkansas wildfire risk stays moderate statewide as burn bans expand to 36 counties; officials cite dry, hot conditions and warn against outdoor burning. Public Health: The FDA upgraded an egg recall to Class I after salmonella concerns, affecting multiple states including Arkansas. Local Business & Community: A George-Little Rock district bond vote will decide a $17 million renovation plan for century-old school buildings. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker shows Mountain Home tied for 14th in Arkansas scam reports in July.

Data Center Policy: Independence County’s quorum court unanimously approved a five-year data center moratorium, joining other Arkansas counties that have paused approvals—while Little Rock and Pulaski County continue moving forward despite community pushback. Manufacturing Expansion: Five Rivers Manufacturing expanded its Corning headquarters, bringing G&H Decoys and three acquired brands under one roof and highlighting duck hunting’s $4.25M-a-day economic impact. Food Supply & Safety: Whole Foods recalled jalapeño-containing salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods tied to a broader salmonella outbreak linked to Coast Citrus Distributors and earlier Taylor Farms recalls. Retail & Consumer Demand: Dillard’s reported second-quarter results with 1% sales growth and higher gross margin, citing tariff rebates and cash reserves. Local Public Safety Tech: Cabot paused Flock automated plate-reader cameras after privacy concerns, with the mayor ordering the system disconnected. Aviation Infrastructure: XNA in Bentonville sought a federal TIFIA rural loan to cut financing costs for its Western Concourse expansion. Energy & Logistics Watch: New analysis flagged thousands of internet-exposed industrial control devices near U.S. data centers, raising cooling and power security concerns.

Food Safety: Whole Foods joined a widening salmonella recall of jalapeño products tied to a Mexico supplier, with affected salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods sold in multiple states including Arkansas. Food Safety: The Taylor Farms/Taylor Fresh Foods jalapeño recall also expanded after hundreds of illnesses, pulling products distributed through major retailers like Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Local Economy & Growth: Bentonville developers say the current heat is forcing smarter construction planning—water use, landscaping, and even concrete curing schedules—to keep Northwest Arkansas growth resilient. Energy & Infrastructure: Arkansas is part of a multi-state push to keep the Enbridge Line 5 gas pipeline open, arguing federal authority should prevent a single state from shutting it down. Local Governance (Data Centers): Pulaski County’s Quorum Court advanced a proposed ordinance aimed at tightening rules around data centers, while Fort Smith board members discussed making development “as difficult as possible.” Public Safety: Arkansas wildfire risk is rising statewide, with all 75 counties at moderate risk and many counties under burn bans. Agriculture: USDA’s August crop outlook points to strong corn production but continued wheat declines, with Arkansas producers watching yield and acreage updates.