AGP Executive Report

Lottery Buzz: Powerball’s $600M jackpot is up for grabs after Saturday’s drawing came up with numbers 3-4-24-36-47 and Powerball 17 (Power Play 4x). Arts & Community: Ozark Folkways’ Tomato Festival returns Aug. 1 with food, live music, crafts, and a square dance. Local Arts Leadership: University of Arkansas School of Art director Rachel Debuque is shaping more than new buildings, turning studio practice into public impact. Performance & Stage: Argenta Contemporary Theatre hosts “24 Hour Plays: Little Rock” at 7 p.m. Monday, with proceeds benefiting Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled; Walton Arts Center and Robinson Center also book “A Celtic Christmas” in November. Sports Spotlight: Arkansas high jumper Scottie Vines won silver at the USATF Championships; Kade Anderson threw five perfect Double-A innings for Arkansas. Public Media: AETN faces renewed scrutiny over claims of censorship dating back to its 1966 start. Health Watch: Arkansas cyclosporiasis cases more than doubled to 79, with Benton County the hotspot. Human Interest: A real-life “Spider-Man” in Arkansas helped a wheelchair user cross a busy intersection, winning praise online.

Local Arts & Film: Fort Smith Museum of History will host a free Aug. 4 program on Arkansas film history, featuring “Lights! Camera! Arkansas!” authors Suzanne McCray and Robert Cochran, with photos and clips tied to local productions. Theater: Argenta Contemporary Theatre in North Little Rock stages the 4th annual “24 Hour Plays: Little Rock” at 7 p.m. Monday, with 70+ local theater makers creating six new short plays; proceeds benefit Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled. Music Copyright: Baltimore’s Ekiben was sued over allegedly using the “Space Jam” song in an Instagram promo video, with the case tied to Watson Music Group’s rights purchase. Community Spotlight: A real-life “Spider-Man” in Jonesboro helped a wheelchair user cross six lanes of traffic, captured on camera and shared by police. Circus in Pine Bluff: The Great Bavarian Circus continues its first-ever U.S. tour with shows in Pine Bluff through Sunday. Sports/SEC Buzz: Arkansas football coach Ryan Silverfield used SEC Media Days to push a culture change and address the Razorbacks’ rebuild.

Arkansas Football Rebuild: Ryan Silverfield wrapped up his first SEC Media Days in Tampa, sharing that Arkansas will start practice Aug. 5 and host North Alabama in Razorback Stadium a month later, with a clear focus on changing culture after a 2-10 season. SEC Preseason Buzz: Georgia was picked to win the SEC, while Arkansas landed last in the league’s preseason media poll; the preseason All-SEC list also spotlighted Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy. Local Sports Streaming: Arkansas men’s basketball Bahamas games will stream on FloSports, with matchups against the Bahamas national team, Carleton, Toros del Valle and Calgary. Arts & Community Events: The Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Championships return to the Ozark Folk Center State Park on Aug. 8, featuring daytime competitions and an evening music show. Health & Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people across 17 states, including Arkansas, prompting renewed attention to Midwest Poultry Services recalls. Public Safety: An off-duty Batesville officer was arrested after a pursuit ended with a Tactical Vehicle Intervention, according to Arkansas State Police.

Heat & Community Safety: The Little Rock Zoo will close temporarily from Sunday, July 26 through Saturday, Aug. 1 due to extreme heat, with staff staying on site to care for animals. Sports Facilities: Arkansas athletics says Reynolds Razorback Stadium is getting more than 250 LED lights plus laser effects and an upgraded audio system for the 2026 season. SEC Football Buzz: Georgia was picked to win the SEC in 2026 preseason media voting, while LSU landed fifth; Arkansas is also in the mix as coaches and players wrap up SEC Media Days. Local Sports & Talent: Arkansas baseball signed Japanese right-hander Shogo Miyauchi, the first Japan-born player to sign with an SEC program out of high school. Arts & Entertainment: Hendrix College hosted the 2026 Streamer University program, and founder Kai Cenat says the creator mentorship is expanding internationally with a European edition planned for 2027. Human Interest (Viral): A real-life “Spider-Man” in Jonesboro helped a man in a wheelchair cross six lanes of traffic, captured on traffic camera and shared by police. Public Works/Traffic: All lanes cleared on westbound I-30 in Little Rock after a tractor-trailer overturned, with delays reported earlier. UAPB Legacy: A UAPB retirement celebration honored Andrea Stewart’s decades of service to the university.

Arkansas Football Rebuild: New Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield is telling SEC Media Days he’s focused on changing the program’s culture after a 2-10 season, including a quarterback battle between KJ Jackson and AJ Hill and a push for “discipline” and effort. SEC Media Days Spotlight: Arkansas players Quincy Rhodes Jr., Sutton Smith, and Caden Kitler joined Silverfield in Tampa, with Rhodes leaning into a “boss” mentality and Smith highlighting the significance of wearing No. 5 tied to Darren McFadden. Local Arts & Theater: Arts One Presents opens “Anastasia” in Springdale this week with a live orchestra and a cast of 40-plus. Community Crafting: Queer Craft Corner is getting a boost through WeaveNWA’s 2026 Weave Awards, using rock painting and creative gatherings for community healing. Human-Interest (Jonesboro): A man in a Spider-Man costume helped a wheelchair user cross six lanes of traffic, with the video shared by Jonesboro police. Public Safety/Training: ALETA Northwest graduated 27 cadets from Class 2026-B, preparing new officers across Arkansas. Back-to-School Events: Texarkana’s free Community Back to School Bash is set for Saturday at Razorback Stadium, with supplies and backpacks while they last.

Arkansas Arts & Media: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette brought home multiple honors in the 2026 Green Eyeshade Awards, including first-place spot news photography for Staci Vandagriff and top editorial writing for David Barham, plus recognition for two student interns from the Arkansas Traveler. Food Safety: A recall is in play for about 1.6 million dozen eggs shipped to Arkansas and other states after possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination; shoppers are urged to check carton codes and return affected eggs for refunds. Sports & Culture: Arkansas football coach Ryan Silverfield is fielding SEC Media Days chatter after viral “aura” jokes tied to a team photo—he pushed back, saying he’s a blue-collar, real-deal presence. Community & Hobby Spotlight: Manchester’s Green Dragon Games is leaning into tabletop fun, from Dungeons & Dragons-style sessions to board games and miniature painting. Local Sports Notes: Magnolia golfer Knox Stephens was selected to represent Team Arkansas at the 2026 Southern Junior Cup.

Local Arts Leadership: The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) added 10 new trustees, including Little Rock community leaders and arts supporters, as it continues strategic planning and fundraising. Community Recreation: Centerton broke ground on a $26 million recreation center, with a 36,575-square-foot first phase featuring indoor aquatics, a gym, and spaces for community events. Music & Festivals: Cave City’s Watermelon Festival returns July 23-25, with live entertainment, contests, carnival rides, and a new Trenton Morgan Steak and Chicken Wing Cook-Off. Sports as Culture: Arkansas football coach Ryan Silverfield is in SEC Media Days mode, talking quarterback competition, injuries, and the program’s push into the league’s spotlight. Art & Exhibits: Little Rock’s Cantrell Gallery opens “In Natural Space,” while UALR Downtown hosts “Play in Arkansas,” exploring how play shaped everyday life and culture. Feel-Good Local Moment: Jonesboro Police shared a viral “Spider-Man” rescue helping a pedestrian cross safely in the heat. Lottery Buzz: Powerball’s jackpot climbed to an estimated $567 million for the July 22 drawing.

Arkansas Spotlight: Fayetteville High senior Sawyer Ray made history as the first Arkansas president in American Legion Boys Nation, winning the 2026 session’s top role in Arlington, Va., after being sponsored by Shelton Tucker Craft Post 27. Fashion & Local Culture: Little Rock’s Gitti Studio owner Anne Dudash is turning heads with curated vintage and designer finds—silks, Dior pieces, and Y2K bags—aimed at getting Arkansans “dressing up again.” Sports Legacy: Arkansas football legend Jim Lindsey, a 1964 national champion and longtime Minnesota Vikings star, died at 81 after a lengthy illness. Community & Education: A new look at school field trips says they’re quietly disappearing, with bus costs and driver shortages cited as major reasons. Music: Wynonna Judd shared a new single, “Am I Missing Out,” ahead of her Oct. 2 album “The Hard Truth,” with a stop at the Walmart AMP in Rogers on Aug. 4. Food Scene: Hazel’s Public House is hiring in Little Rock, Mexico Chiquito is expanding to Cabot, and Fayetteville Restaurant Week runs through July 26.

Arkansas at SEC Media Days: The Razorbacks will send seniors Sutton Smith, Caden Kitler and Quincy Rhodes Jr. to Tampa for SEC Media Days, joined by first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield. TrueSouth spotlights Arkansas duck culture: SEC Network’s “TrueSouth Presented by YellaWood” returns Sept. 15, with the Arkansas episode “Arkansas Flyway” airing Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. ET, featuring Prairie County duck camps and local food stops. Historic Cane Hill exhibit: Historic Cane Hill opens “Arkansas Portraits: Black and White Photographs from the Farm Security Administration Collection, 1935-1938,” bringing 1930s Ozarks-era images by major photographers to life. Local arts & community picks: “Best Bets” highlights Texarkana events like “Field Day 2026” and Paint and Sip nights, plus a Buena Vista Road to Smalltown concert with Bonfire Dub. Fayetteville transparency move: City Council adopted an ordinance setting a more public process for nondisclosure agreements, tightening how NDAs are handled. Little Rock shooting update: Police named Robert Fluker, 39, charged with capital murder in Sunday’s Eagle Suites shooting that killed Otis Shavers and injured Kendrick Christopher. Back-to-school savings: Arkansas’ sales tax holiday runs Aug. 1-2, covering qualifying school supplies, clothing and certain electronics.

Powerball Buzz: The anonymous winner of the Dec. 24, 2025 $1.8B Powerball jackpot has been identified as Tracy Hartwick, the younger brother of North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick, who claimed 94% of the prize. Arts & Culture: “Black Oxygen” brings AI and art together in a conversation with Arkansas-raised artist Kierston Ghaznavi. Health & Community: CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock received a $1M gift toward its Anthony Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, supporting structural heart services. Local Arts Events: Arkansas State University’s Historic Dyess Colony will host the Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle on Sept. 19 with Rosanne Cash returning alongside Ruthie Foster and Rhett Miller. Sports Spotlight: Jonesboro’s Abigail Leggett won the Dick Clay “That’s Sports” Memorial Endowed Scholarship at A-State, and Lamar High’s Mylee Parker earned recognition after a standout senior softball season. Tech for Arkansas: OroraTech wrapped up a pilot with the Arkansas Forestry Division to improve wildfire and prescribed-burn monitoring.

Arts & Community Spotlight: South Arkansas Arts Center is hosting a lobby gallery exhibit, “You Have No Idea How Talented My Friends Are,” featuring artwork by 40 Magnolia Specialized Services artists (July 21–29), plus a public reception July 25; the center also announced the cast for its Penguin Project Summer Camp production of “Annie KIDS,” running July 20–24 with a July 24 performance. Local Sports & Events: A-State’s Football Kickoff Party is set for July 30 in Jonesboro with live music, vendors, and a team meet-and-greet. Youth Sports Safety: Extreme heat warnings are in effect for summer practices, with doctors urging hydration, supervision, and early/late training to avoid heat illness. Arkansas Football News: Legendary Razorbacks player and NFL veteran Jim Lindsey has died at 81. SEC Media Days (Arkansas ties): Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz says RB Ahmad Hardy is medically cleared and could enter a return-to-play protocol in 5–8 weeks.

Local Arts & Music: Hope Downtown Network and the Klipsch Museum of Audio History wrap up the 2026 “Summer Sounds Downtown” series with the final concert Thursday, July 23 (6:30-8 p.m.) featuring Trey Johnson and Dave Almond at The HUB in Historic Downtown Hope. Arkansas Culture & History: Arkansas History Today marks the 48th anniversary of Mary Jimmie “Bobo” Shinn’s disappearance (July 20, 1978), noting she was last seen in Magnolia and that the case remains open. Entertainment (Live Music): Wic Whitney brings his queer-forward rap and singer-songwriter energy to White Water Tavern in Little Rock Sunday, July 26 at 6 p.m. Sports (Arkansas Spotlight): Arkansas football legend Jim Lindsey, a key figure in the 1964 national championship team, has died at 81. Community Pets: Jonesboro Right Now highlights NEAHS “Pets of the Week” Cheerio and Priscilla, both ready for adoption. Public Safety: A Weiner City Council member, Arthur Booth, faces an Aug. 4 court date after stalking charges.

SEC Media Days (Tampa): College football’s “Talking Season” kicks off Monday with SEC Network coverage and streaming via fubo/ESPN app, as new storylines take center stage—especially LSU’s Lane Kiffin era and other big coaching questions across the league. Arkansas Sports Spotlight: Regions Bank is launching an SEC video podcast featuring new head coaches, including Arkansas’ Ryan Silverfield, giving fans a closer look at leadership and coaching paths. Local Football Updates: Glenbrook’s coach says summer 7-on-7 competition is sharpening a young team ahead of a tough fall schedule. Community Music: Co-Op Summer Showcase returns with a free “Escape On A Horse” concert Friday, July 24 at Co-Op Park in Los Alamos. Public Health/Local Impact: Walmart is pulling certain Taylor Farms bagged iceberg salads in 27 states tied to a cyclosporiasis investigation, with no confirmed illnesses reported yet. Arkansas Science & Health: UAMS researchers publish new statewide data on how pregnant Arkansans purchase medical cannabis and how patterns shift during pregnancy. Arts & Culture (Arkansas-facing): A statewide property-record directory expansion from ParcelRecordsUSA aims to make Arkansas arts-adjacent research easier by unifying access across all 75 counties.

Community Spotlight: Neighbors in Need NEA’s 5th annual Community Picnic in Jonesboro drew a huge crowd at St. Bernards Auditorium—free barbecue, bounce houses, live music, and resource booths—until organizers posted they were “officially out of food” just before 2 p.m. Public Health & Safety: A 36-inch water line break in the Pea Ridge area triggered conservation alerts across multiple Northwest Arkansas cities and a possible boil-water notice once service is restored. Arts & Entertainment: Co-Op Summer Showcase is set to feature the band Escape On A Horse for a free community concert at Co-op Park on July 24. Sports Business: Regions Bank launched “Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC,” a video podcast spotlighting new SEC head coaches including Arkansas’ Ryan Silverfield. Local Legacy: Fort Smith energy leader Emon Mahony Jr., a longtime advocate for Lake Fort Smith, has died at 85. Science in Arkansas: UAMS researchers released new findings on medical cannabis purchasing patterns among pregnant Arkansans.

Local Arts & Culture: The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in Little Rock screens “Lincoln@Gettysburg” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday as part of its Movies at MacArthur series, with free admission, popcorn and soft drinks. Community Events: Entergy Arkansas is adding in-person customer care pop-ups statewide, including a Little Rock stop at the Watershed Family Resource Center (July 29) with free fans and bill help, plus LIHEAP application guidance. Food Safety: Walmart stores sold 735,840 recalled Pillsbury Bread Rolls (two frozen dough lots) due to possible glass contamination; the recall is limited and product has been removed. Sports & Youth: Arkansas basketball recruiting news: 4-star guard Davion Thompson reclassified to the 2026 class, joining the Razorbacks’ backcourt plans. Sports & Training: Lake Hamilton Wolves and Lakeside Rams wrapped summer football camps this week, with coaches highlighting effort, quarterback play and defensive work. Arts & Entertainment Commentary: A new opinion piece reflects on the Museum of Native American History marking 20 years of art, artifacts and education.

Local Film Night in Little Rock: The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will screen “Lincoln@Gettysburg” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday as part of its Movies at MacArthur series, with free admission plus popcorn and soft drinks. Theater Season News: Actors Theatre of Little Rock announced its fifth-anniversary Season Five, “A Fearless Celebration,” featuring an Arkansas premiere of “Jagged Little Pill” (June 9-26, 2027) and a regional premiere of “Somewhere Over the Border” (Sept. 29-Oct. 16, 2027), plus an immersive “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opener (Feb. 17-March 6). Hot Springs Music Spotlight: The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble presents “Jackie’s Favorites,” a free 2:30 p.m. Sunday concert at the Garland County Library benefiting the Eleanor Klugh Jackson House. Back-to-School Savings: Arkansas’ tax-free weekend runs Aug. 1-2, with clothing under $100 per item exempt and electronics, school and art supplies also covered. Public Health Reminder: Arkansas officials urge safe food handling amid a Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in multiple states.