AGP Executive Report

College Baseball (Arkansas): Troy swept Little Rock in the NCAA super regional, winning 12-2 in Game 1 and 7-2 in Game 2 to reach the College World Series for the first time in program history; the Trojans will open Omaha against West Virginia. Local Sports Buzz: Troy’s slugger Jabe Boroff is being dubbed “Jabe Ruth” after a power surge that included two homers (one a grand slam) in the super regional. Arkansas Baseball Recruiting: The Razorbacks added pitchers Ridge Harvey (Belmont) and Lance Alexander (Johnson County CC), both set to arrive as sophomores. Arts & Culture (Arkansas): Crystal Bridges opened its major expansion, adding 114,000 square feet and new galleries and studio spaces—part of a broader effort to deepen its art “ecosystem.” Theater: Actors Theatre of Little Rock stages “In the Heights,” while TheatreSquared in Fayetteville presents “Eugene Onegin: A Bluegrass Musical.” Sports Business/Community: Walmart held its annual associates celebration in Bentonville, highlighting company growth and AI training milestones.

Arkansas Arts & Community: Columbia’s Art in the Park returns this weekend at Stephens Lake Park with more than 100 vendor stalls and a theme-driven sculpture by local artist Stephanie Farr—an endangered little blue heron built from trash collected with Missouri River Relief volunteers. Wildlife & Outdoors: The AGFC is launching an alligator landowner pilot program pairing property owners with regulated public alligator hunting permits, running through June 22. STEM for Youth: Arkansas 4-H teams from Grant County earned top-five finishes at the International SeaPerch Challenge, building and navigating underwater ROVs at the University of Maryland. Sports Spotlight: The NCAA baseball super regional picture is taking shape for Arkansas fans, with Little Rock set to face Troy again after Troy’s 12-2 Game 1 win. Summer Safety: Arkansas State University experts are urging sunscreen use and reapplication to prevent long-term skin damage and skin cancer risk.

Arts & Community: Columbia’s Art in the Park returns this weekend at Stephens Lake Park with more than 100 vendor stalls and a theme-driven sculpture by Stephanie Farr, built from trash collected with Missouri River Relief. Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges in Bentonville is set to unveil a $150 million, 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend, adding 29,000 square feet of new galleries plus new learning and engagement space. Local Arts Funding: Summit Utilities is accepting applications for its Summit Cares Grant Program (nonprofits in its Arkansas service territory), with awards of $5,000–$10,000 due July 10. Health & Safety (for families): Doctors warn that even 15 minutes of unprotected sun can damage skin long-term; SPF 30+ and reapplying every 30 minutes is key. Sports (Arkansas spotlight): Troy beat Little Rock 12-2 in Game 1 of the first Super Regional in program history for both teams. Arkansas in the spotlight: Arkansas PBS funding is secured to keep programs on air through 2027.

Public Media: Arkansas TV Commission voted to keep PBS programming available in the state for another year after the Arkansas TV Foundation raised $2.1 million+ to cover dues through June 30, 2027, reversing an earlier plan to cut ties. Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges opens its massive museum expansion this weekend, adding new galleries, gathering and art-making spaces, plus a cafe and digital art studio. Sports (College Baseball): NCAA super regionals kick off Friday with Arkansas teams in the mix—Little Rock hosts Troy in a best-of-three series—while the full slate of matchups and TV times rolls out. Arts & Entertainment (Craft): Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts announces “Craft in Common” on Aug. 29, featuring artists Robyn Horn and blacksmith Elizabeth Brim. Community & Events: Benton’s fifth annual Juneteenth celebration is set for June 13 with food, music, vendors, and family activities. Local News: A man was killed and two others were injured in a late-night Little Rock shooting; a homicide investigation is ongoing.

Arts & Entertainment in Arkansas: Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff opened a new 14-story, 318-room luxury hotel, adding another big draw to the state’s entertainment scene. Local Media: Arkansas PBS is staying on the air after supporters raised $2.1 million+ and the Arkansas Television Commission voted to accept the funds and keep PBS programming available through 2027. Sports (College Basketball): Arkansas will play North Carolina in the SEC-ACC Challenge on Dec. 1 at UNC’s Dean Smith Center, per a CBS Sports report. Sports (Baseball): Arkansas lefty Ethan McElvain was named a finalist for the Stopper of the Year Award, putting a spotlight on the Razorbacks’ bullpen. Community & Culture: Jonesboro’s Kelcie Morris is set to represent Northeast Arkansas on FOX’s game show “The Floor,” after being selected as a contestant filmed in Ireland. Family Safety Online: Arkansas State Police urged parents to strengthen online safety as Internet Safety Month ramps up, with tips including AI-aware privacy and reporting suspicious activity.

Crystal Bridges Expansion: Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is unveiling a major 114,000-square-foot expansion opening June 6–7, adding new pavilions, more trails, and a bigger canvas for American art. Arkansas PBS Funding: The Arkansas TV Foundation says it has secured enough money to keep PBS on the air statewide through FY27 and beyond, with a $2.15 million dues goal covered and additional multi-year commitments in place. Tech for Local Healthcare: Northwest Arkansas Pathology Associates adopted Techcyte Fusion for remote pathology signout, aiming to ease staffing shortages and improve access to specialized expertise. Community Arts Calendar: Pine Bluff Art League announced June events, including a free watercolor workshop at ARTx3 Campus and a monthly meeting open to the public. Little Rock History: A new Little Rock monument honors Arkansas’ U.S. Colored Troops, spotlighting Black soldiers’ service and their role in shaping communities after the Civil War. Belmont Stakes Preview: The 2026 Belmont Stakes heads to Saratoga with a nine-horse field, including Derby top finishers Golden Tempo and Renegade.

Local Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges keeps expanding its story with a new museum addition, and the museum is also set to debut “Keith Haring in 3D.” Live Music: AXS is deepening support for independent venues, including Arkansas stops in the Marathon Live portfolio, while “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” returns to Walton Arts Center July 8–12 and Bryson Tiller brings “The Neo Trapsoul Tour” to Walmart AMP Oct. 16. Community & Public Media: Friends of Arkansas PBS says the Arkansas TV Foundation hit its PBS dues goal to keep programming on air next year. Sports (Arkansas): Little Rock’s baseball run is already paying off for the whole school, and Arkansas softball stars Ella McDowell and Payton Burnham are returning for junior seasons. Civic Life: Little Rock approved data center regulations after a packed public fight over noise, utilities, and transparency.

Crystal Bridges Expansion: Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges unveiled a 114,000-square-foot Safdie Architects-designed expansion ahead of its June 6-7 opening, adding two new galleries, artist studios, a digital art space, a ceramics studio, a new north entrance, and a bridge café (Quartz + Honey) with views of the grounds. Arts & Community Funding: The Arkansas TV Foundation says it has surpassed its $2 million goal to keep PBS programming statewide, with the final gift coming from the Knight Foundation and the board set to revisit affiliation plans. Live Music Tech: AXS announced new and renewed partnerships with independent venues, including a stop at Fayetteville’s George’s Majestic Lounge tied to Umphrey’s McGee’s fall dates. Local Sports Spotlight: UCA held spring commencements for about 1,200 graduates, while Benton’s Sophie Rea signed with Arkansas State University and Cal track and field sent 4 Bears to NCAA nationals. Cultural Calendar: Texarkana’s “Keeping History Alive” event highlights African dance, author showcases, and a cultural fashion showcase.

Arkansas Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges is opening its 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend, doubling gallery space and reshaping how visitors experience American art, with a new focus on widening the “many voices” behind the museum’s story. Local Arts Calendar: The Miller Art Museum is launching its “12x12 Project” series with Adam Fulwiler’s exhibition in June, plus a free artist talk and reception. Community & Events: Hope Downtown Network and the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council are teaming up for the Chalk the Walk Contest. Sports Spotlight (Arkansas ties): Arkansas baseball’s season ended after a loss to Kansas, while the NCAA Women’s College World Series continues to pull bigger ESPN audiences, including record-setting Arkansas vs. Nebraska viewership. Public Life: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared June “Fidelity Month” instead of Pride Month, framing it around Christian values and rededication.

Arkansas Arts & Culture: Little Rock husband-and-wife duo Cliff & Susan Prowse repeated as Entertainer of the Year at the Arkansas Country Music Awards, also taking the Vocal Group/Duo prize; Kelsey Lamb won Female Vocalist and Tyler Kinch earned Male Vocalist. Local Community & Arts Access: Village SCAT (South Central Arkansas Transit) in Hot Springs Village added five new vehicles to its door-to-door rides for residents, keeping the nonprofit’s low $4 one-way trips moving. Music (National): Indie-rock band Death Cab for Cutie shared “Stone Over Water,” a preview of its upcoming album I Built You A Tower and kicked off tour momentum with recent TV and festival appearances. Sports (Arkansas spotlight): Arkansas baseball’s season ended after Kansas rallied from a 5-0 Arkansas lead to win the Lawrence Regional final 13-9; the fourth inning swing included a three-run homer by Tyson LeBlanc. Arts & Entertainment (Sports crossover): Arkansas and Arizona have verbally agreed to a multi-year men’s basketball series starting Dec. 19 in Phoenix as part of the Naismith Hall of Fame Series.

NCAA Baseball (Arkansas): Kansas beat Arkansas 13-10 in the Lawrence Regional to advance to its first-ever Super Regional, while Arkansas begins an offseason reset after a 13-10 season-ending loss at Kansas and the transfer portal opens for players including Cayden Mitchell and Tyler Holland. NCAA Baseball (Arkansas ties): Little Rock advanced to the Super Regional for the first time in program history, celebrating a win with its bus driver after topping Southern Miss in the regional. NCAA Baseball (regional roundup): Ole Miss and Mississippi State punched Super Regional tickets, and Florida’s season ended after Troy routed the Gators 10-2 in the Gainesville Regional final. Arts & Culture (Arkansas): Crystal Bridges’ major expansion gets a closer look, and Arkansas Tech’s Norman Hall Art Gallery opens “The Line Goes Up,” featuring works by alumnus Wilson Whitlock through Aug. 12. Local Arts Festival: The 17th Annual Delta Arts Festival returns to Newport June 5-6 with 175 artists, 30 bands, and free admission. Community & Youth: A Jonesboro taekwondo summer camp runs 10 weeks, and Stamps’ boil order was lifted after water tests cleared following a pump failure. Food Access: A new central Arkansas nonprofit, The Lunchbox Fund, is launching to help close the gap in student meal access. Sports (music/legacy): Hall of Famer Raymond Berry, a Colts star and later Patriots coach, died at 93.

NCAA Baseball (Arkansas teams): Kansas beat Arkansas to win the Lawrence regional, setting up a super regional, while Missouri State’s season ended after a loss to Northeastern in an elimination game. NCAA Softball (regional spotlight): Tennessee is one win from the WCWS final after reaching the semifinals vs Texas, with the semifinal set for June 1 on ESPN. Local Sports (Arkansas connection): Little Rock Open champion Colton Smith won a delayed final at Rebsamen Tennis Center, and Arkansas State’s Ckyler Tengler tossed a near-perfect no-hitter for the Mallards. Arts & Community: A Memphis comedian hosted a fashion show spotlighting children with autism, bringing the runway to Little Rock and Nashville. Arkansas Public Life: The Arkansas Insurance Department kicked off Medicare Fraud Prevention Week with a “Prevent, Detect, Report” push for seniors and families. Arts & Culture (Arkansas): Little Rock Soirée’s June issue is out, featuring women’s profiles, wellness, fashion, and an artist spotlight.

Arkansas Sports Spotlight: Kansas beat Arkansas 13-10 in nine innings to win the Lawrence Regional title, ending the Razorbacks’ season after a weekend of must-win games. Arkansas Baseball Survival Run: In an elimination win earlier, Nolan Souza’s career-high-tying 5 RBI helped Arkansas outlast Northeastern 10-9, setting up the rematch vs. KU. College Softball Shockwaves: UCLA’s run ended after a nine-inning thriller—Texas Tech rallied from a three-run deficit to beat UCLA 8-7 and advance to the WCWS semifinals; Texas also moved on by defeating Nebraska 3-1. Local Community & Safety: A hazardous-material train crash in Conway hit an unoccupied vehicle; no leaks or public threat were reported. Little Rock Vigil: Hundreds gathered at a southwest Little Rock church for a vigil honoring 18-year-old Ja’Coby Green, killed May 27; authorities arrested Quadaurise Dunn. Arts & Culture Calendar: Hot Springs’ free Bridge Street LIVE returns Thursdays in June, kicking off with Fayetteville’s Funk Factory and featuring multiple themed nights and local bands. Outdoor Fun: Lake Wedington reopened for a day after years of closure, drawing nearly 1,000 visitors for swimming and water activities. Business/Industry: Tetra Technologies conditionally approved the final investment decision for its new Lafayette County bromine plant, a step toward domestic supply expansion.

AI & Public Safety: Central Arkansas officials are wrestling with the fallout of AI, from energy- and water-hungry data centers to real-world misinformation—Fort Smith police warned residents about an AI-generated video falsely claiming an injured officer was home with his family. Local Business Support: Fayetteville is rolling out a Business Starter Kit to make permits and setup easier for new entrepreneurs, after owners said the process can be more complicated than in other cities. Women’s Softball (WCWS): Tennessee stayed alive with a 2-1 walk-off win over Texas Tech, while Alabama kept rolling past Nebraska; Arkansas’ season ended after an 11-0 loss to UCLA. Arkansas Baseball (NCAA): Arkansas’ run is on the brink after a 5-3 loss to Kansas in the Lawrence Regional; the Hogs must win twice Sunday to survive. Arts & Culture: “Covered Buttons” spotlights the Ozarks birth-control movement through a historically grounded novel by Lyon College professor Dr. Stephanie Saunders. Community & Sports: Fayetteville’s police training and security upgrades are highlighted in a look back at how the Stephen Carr ambush changed the department.

NWA Arts & Culture: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is gearing up for its big expansion in Bentonville, opening June 6-7 with new galleries, learning spaces, and community gathering areas—plus a spotlight on how the museum’s mission stays rooted in Arkansas. Community Spotlight: Brookland Middle School sisters Willow and Scout Brown launched “Blooming Beyond Bullying,” a student-led kindness movement that’s grown to weekly meetings and schoolwide inclusion efforts. Local Sports (Arkansas): Arkansas softball’s first WCWS run ended with an 11-0 loss to UCLA after a 10-inning Nebraska walk-off earlier in the week; UCLA’s Megan Grant hit a record-setting 42nd homer in the rout. NCAA Baseball (Arkansas): Arkansas baseball beat Missouri State 9-5 in the Lawrence Regional to advance in the winners bracket, setting up a matchup with Kansas. What to Watch: Southern Miss vs. Virginia in the Hattiesburg Regional is set for 3 p.m. Central on ESPN+. Weather: South Arkansas stays very warm and humid with daily thunderstorm chances through the weekend.

NCAA Softball Spotlight: Nebraska’s Ava Kuszak hit a walk-off two-run homer in the 10th to beat Arkansas 5-3 in the Women’s College World Series, sending the Razorbacks to an elimination game vs. UCLA. WCWS Update: Texas, the defending champ, stayed alive with a 4-0 elimination win over Mississippi State, while Alabama opened strong vs. UCLA. Track & Field: Arkansas men’s track qualified 21 entries for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, led by Jelani Watkins and Tevijon Williams. Men’s Golf: Arkansas shot even-par 288 in the NCAA Championships first round, tied for 10th, with coach Brad McMakin earning finalist status for the Dave Williams Award. Local Arts & Community: A new “Mercantile Collective” is set to give displaced creatives retail space after Painted Tree closures. Culture Calendar: The Arkansas Folklife Festival returns June 26-28 at North Little Rock’s Riverfront Park. Education/Youth: Arkansas Boys State welcomed 580 students for its civics and leadership week. Creative Camps: Arkansas Center for the Creative Arts in Fort Smith announced a summer lineup of camps in music, dance, theatre, film and more.