AGP Executive Report

Obituary: Arkansas football legend Billy Ray Smith Jr., a College Football Hall of Famer and longtime San Diego Chargers linebacker, died at 64 after a family-linked battle with CTE-caused dementia. Local Crime: Pine Bluff police are investigating a death after they found a man unresponsive in the street; officials say there was no apparent gunshot or stab wound and the case is being treated as homicide. Arts & Community: Northeast Arkansas Visual Art League (NEAVAL) is gearing up for August and September events, including a judged library exhibition and an art show and sale. Performing Arts: Walton Arts Center says single tickets are now on sale for its 2026-27 Broadway season, including “The Outsiders,” “Dirty Dancing: The Musical,” and “Jersey Boys.” Sports for Arkansans: Jonesboro is seeking public input on expanding Joe Mack Campbell Park with a matching state grant, aiming to add more recreation like a walking track and fishing pond. Arts on the Move: Carl Albert State College approved starting a disc golf team, with competition planned for this fall. Public Safety: A Greene County sheriff warns of ankle-monitor scams targeting families with calls demanding money. Lottery: Powerball climbed to about $663 million for Wednesday’s drawing.

Back-to-School Savings: Arkansas’ tax-free weekend is set for Aug. 1–2, with state and local sales taxes waived on qualifying clothing, school supplies, and electronics (clothing/footwear under $100; many accessories and diapers also included). Local Sports & Community: Hot Springs’ Arkansas Diamonds will offer free admission for Saturday’s Arena League Southern Conference championship at Bank OZK Arena, aiming to pack the house for the Monroe Greenheads. Pickleball in the Spotlight: The Spa City Classic returns under new ownership (Tier 1 Pickleball) with a veterans-and-first-responders mission, running Thursday through Sunday at Bank OZK Arena. Student Life at U of A: A new guide for incoming freshmen and transfer students highlights pre-classes “A-Week” events and key campus routines to help Fayetteville transitions go smoother. Health & Safety Reminder: The Great North American Smokeout reframes wildfire smoke as a public health issue that can drift across borders, urging people to monitor air quality and limit exposure. Rules Update for Arkansas Athletes: The Arkansas Activities Association approved tougher fighting penalties for high school athletes, including longer suspensions and a new senior-suspension carryover rule. Music & Pop Culture: “American Idol” is renewed for a 25th season, with auditions kicking off Aug. 25 via “Idol Across America.”

Local Sports Culture: Fayetteville’s Sutton Smith says Arkansas’ culture has changed since the 2-10 season, pointing to leaders stepping up, accountability, and a faster, stronger approach as fall camp nears. SEC vs. Big Ten Buzz: Illinois coach Bret Bielema sparked headlines at Big Ten Media Days by saying the SEC wants to “live in 2005 forever,” arguing NIL and the transfer portal have reshaped college football. Arkansas Heat Relief: Fayetteville opened an emergency cooling center at the Town Center, offering air conditioning, water and snacks as dangerous temperatures pushed some residents—including people experiencing homelessness—toward heat-related illness. Arts & Community Calendar: This week’s picks include the 4-States Truck Bash in Texarkana, Paint and Sip events at Redbone Magic Brewing, and the Hope Watermelon Festival with music, tournaments and family activities. Legal/Workplace: A jury awarded $105,000 to a male surgical technician in a sex-discrimination case involving Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville. Public Safety: Arkansas State Police report a fatal I-49 crash after a portable toilet fell from a pickup truck.

Concert Spotlight: R&B hitmakers Jodeci bring their “Forever My Lady” 35th anniversary tour to The Theater @ Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock on Dec. 1, with tickets set to go on sale Friday via Ticketmaster. Local Arts & Culture: Arkansas Money & Politics named First Orion’s Josh Whitehurst a 2026 “Future Icon,” highlighting leadership in trusted communications—an arts-adjacent business win for the state’s creative economy. Community Health & Public Service: Vaccinate Your Family kicks off a yearlong 35th anniversary celebration, “A Legacy of Prevention, A Future of Protection,” tracing roots to Arkansas First Lady Betty Bumpers and Rosalynn Carter. Arts in the Community: “Salty Artists” spotlights West Little Rock therapist Taya Covey, whose paintings will be featured in the museum’s “Salty Art” exhibit through Aug. 21. Sports & Entertainment Calendar: Diamond Rio headlines a fall show at MAD in El Dorado on Oct. 16, with tickets on sale July 31. Policy Watch: Attorney General Tim Griffin prepares for a two-day Little Rock consumer fraud summit focused on scams and fraud prevention.

Arkansas Arts & Culture Calendar: CALS Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock is rolling out an August film lineup packed with big-screen anniversaries, including “The African Queen” (75), “The Omen” and “Marathon Man” (50), “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (40), “Beauty and the Beast” (35), “Mars Attacks!” (30), “Donnie Darko” and “The Princess Bride” (25), plus “Cars” (20); several titles screen for free, and beer/wine will be sold on site. Local Arts & Community: Magnolia’s Advertising and Promotion Commission approved $8,000 for marketing, including photo/video promotion and a TV/streaming push, plus a $1,000 grant tied to a livestock jackpot show at Story Arena. Sports as Entertainment: Arkansas basketball fans got a surprise—John Calipari says the Razorbacks will add exhibition games vs. Kansas and Memphis, alongside the already-announced Gonzaga matchup. Outdoor Fun for Families: Northwest Arkansas nature centers are hosting youth hunter education and marksmanship challenges, with a free prescribed-burn certification class in Springdale. Weather Watch: Dangerous heat continues across Northwest Arkansas with a heat advisory Tuesday (noon–8 p.m.), with heat index values near 110. Adoptions & Jobs: Jonesboro highlights local pet adoptions (Dale and Augie) and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux begins hiring for its Jonesboro opening in early September.

Fort Smith Arts Coalition: A new River Valley Arts and Culture Coalition is forming to give local nonprofits a “collective place” for collaboration, networking, and shared resources, with help from the UAFS Center for Nonprofits. Arkansas Sports & Schedules: LSU released its full 2026-27 men’s basketball slate under Will Wade’s return, while Arkansas fans also get more hoops momentum as SEC schedules roll out across the league. Local Soccer Update: Arkansas State women’s soccer held preseason media availability ahead of the 2026-27 season, with an exhibition at UT Martin and a home opener vs. Little Rock. Real-Life Superhero Moment: A Jonesboro man dressed as Spider-Man helped a wheelchair user cross a busy highway, earning praise from police and going viral. Campus Move: The University of Arkansas sees a leadership shift as Laura Jacobs heads to the University of Tulsa as vice president of strategy and senior advisor. Health & Community: The American Red Cross warns of a national blood crisis, urging donors to book appointments now.

Tourism Leadership: Hot Springs names Devin Heath as the new head of Visit Hot Springs, aiming to build on Steve Arrison’s long run and keep the destination “year-round.” Downtown Dining: Little Rock’s historic Brooks Justice Building is moving toward a new food-and-drink opening, with Jennifer Maune planning Fleur Pastry & Cafe first, then Restaurant Fleur, plus a basement wine cellar/speakeasy. Airport Overhaul: Design work is taking shape for major upgrades at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, including a new arrivals hall, terminal commons, and baggage claim area. Local Courts: Fayetteville asks a judge to dismiss a lawsuit tied to a proposed student housing project on Dickson Street after the developer lost its property contract. Arts & Culture: Arkansas history spotlight for July 26 includes Jacob Trieber becoming the first Jewish federal district judge in the U.S. Journalism: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette racks up first-place wins in 11 categories at the 2026 Diamond Journalism Awards. Community & Safety: Arkansas’ problem gambling helpline calls rose 22.5% in the first half of 2026 as mobile sports betting expands.

Arkansas Arts & Community: ARTx3 is gearing up for August with “Shrek the Musical” at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (Aug. 1-2) plus its Live@5 series and a new exhibit featuring Pine Bluff native Alexia Lams, with a free public reception tied to the show’s opening. Local Arts & Education: The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana launched a new 12-credit Certificate of Proficiency in Artificial Intelligence, aimed at students and working professionals who want practical AI skills. Farming & Food Culture: The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food opened applications for its 2027 Farm School (Feb–Nov), a hands-on program for beginning specialty crop growers, with scholarships available and a Sept. 30, 2026 deadline. Sports Spotlight: Arkansas high jumper Scottie Vines won silver at the USATF Outdoor Championships, clearing 7-5, while the Arkansas Travelers’ season continues to draw attention through standout minor-league performances. Arts & Entertainment Beyond Arkansas: The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood is set to reopen in early 2028 after a long shutdown, a big win for movie history fans.

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.