AGP Executive Report

OZ Trails Bike Park: Bella Vista’s new OZ Trails Bike Park is open to founding members ahead of its June 12 public debut, and it’s Arkansas’s first chairlift-served mountain biking experience—nearly 20 miles of trails with rentals and dining planned. Memorial Day Travel: AAA says Memorial Day travelers face the highest gas prices in four years, with the national average around $4.51 and Arkansas listed near $4.06. Air Travel & Lodging: Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas is getting lodging upgrades via an Air Force deal with IHG, with Little Rock AFB also on the multi-year list. Tourism & Outdoors: Bentonville is hosting on-foot events and native plant learning, while Sebastian County trail and park work continues as officials push for a “great natural environment.” Safety Watch: An Arkansas man was arrested for allegedly threatening a Walmart mass shooting tied to hantavirus lockdown fears. Sports Spotlight: NCAA men’s regionals kicked off Monday, and Arkansas softball is set for a Fayetteville super regional after a 10-2 win over South Florida.

Arkansas Softball Spotlight: The Razorbacks are hosting an NCAA super regional for the fourth time in program history after a 10-2, run-rule win over South Florida, setting up a best-of-three series at Fayetteville against either Duke or Arizona. Local Sports Buzz: In Little Rock, UALR’s men finished 3rd and women 4th at the OVC Track and Field Championship, with standout wins including a 200-meter title by freshman Jeremiah Patton. Tourism & Travel Watch: Buc-ee’s Benton is inching toward opening—local officials say the first Arkansas location is targeting Labor Day (or mid-September), with plans for about 300 jobs. Community & Safety: Memorial Day water-rescue training is underway on Lake Hamilton as crews gear up for a busy holiday weekend. Business & Growth: Movers & Shakers updates include new leadership at First Community Bank and Harding University’s next dean of Bible & Ministry. Offbeat National Note: A Texas League star, Dylan Dreiling, was named Player of the Week after a big series that included four homers.

Super Regional Spotlight: Arkansas softball is hosting an NCAA super regional again after a 10-2, run-rule win over South Florida in Fayetteville, setting up a best-of-three vs. either Duke or Arizona. Duke’s Ticket-Punch: Duke beat Arizona 9-4 in Game 7 of the Durham Regional, with Layla Lamar going 3-for-4 and driving in two. Memorial Day Travel Moment: A motorcycle caravan for Run for the Wall rolled through Central Arkansas on its way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Holiday Safety Prep: Hot Springs crews trained on Lake Hamilton ahead of Memorial Day weekend, adding new rescue gear after past boating tragedies. Tourism & Outdoors: Lake Ouachita State Park is gearing up for summer with more recreation programming, while Searcy’s Riverside Park is rebranded as Little Red Riverpark to build a bigger outdoor draw. Local Business Buzz: Buc-ee’s is in a brand-infringement lawsuit fight, and Arkansas road funding is moving forward for unpaved road upgrades in rural counties.

Buc-ee’s vs. copycats: Texas travel giant Buc-ee’s is suing a Georgia convenience store, Teddy’s Market, claiming brand infringement over a similar mascot and branding—and it’s also facing customer chatter around its new pay-at-the-pump card policy. Memorial Day water safety: Hot Springs first responders are training on Lake Hamilton ahead of the holiday rush, with new rescue gear funded by a 2024 Entergy grant after last year’s deadly boating collision. Outdoor escape ideas: Arkansas anglers are being pointed to creek fishing season, with guides highlighting prime flowing-water spots for smallmouth and bass. School pride: Magnet Cove’s archery team just dominated at the national NASP tournament in Louisville, stacking top finishes across multiple events. Health watch: The Arkansas Department of Health says hantavirus risk to the public remains extremely low as it monitors the rare cruise-ship outbreak. Roads & travel: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced unpaved road funding for six counties, aiming to improve drainage and stormwater management.

Memorial Day prep turns tense: Arkansas police arrested Aaron Keith Bynum after an online threat to carry out a mass shooting at a Walmart if the U.S. shut down again over hantavirus fears, charging him with terroristic threatening and harassing communications. Public Safety on the water: Hot Springs crews trained for Lake Hamilton emergencies ahead of the holiday rush, citing last year’s deadly boating collision and new rescue gear funded by a $160,000 Entergy grant. Rural roads, real impact: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced unpaved-road funding for six county projects, targeting drainage and stormwater improvements. Tourism calendar: Van Buren’s King Opera House hosts “A Wrinkle in Time” (May 22-24) and Fort Smith’s Arts On Main continues “The Western District,” while Lake Ouachita State Park gears up for summer with more recreation programs. Family travel logistics: Walmart and Amazon are pushing faster delivery to rural America, aiming to win customers beyond big metro areas.

Trail & Waterfall Tourism: A new hiking guide spotlights the Big Creek Cave Falls trail near Newton County—no sign at the turn, rough gravel access, and limited facilities, but big payoff for waterfall chasers. Family & Community Events: Benton’s Saline Memorial Hospital hosts a free Beautiful Beginnings Baby Fair June 6 (baby boot camp, Q&A, car seat safety, and giveaways). Summer-Ready Attractions: Lake Ouachita State Park is gearing up for peak season with winter maintenance, new visitor-center branding, and more recreation programming like snorkeling/swimming tours, kayaking, and an astronomy event around July 4. Local Trail Expansion: Saline County will cut the ribbon on the first Southwest Trail segment May 29—about 2 miles—part of a planned 65-mile connection toward Hot Springs. Road Trip Costs: AAA reports only “little relief” for drivers as national gas prices dip then rise again ahead of Memorial Day. Cultural Stops: Texarkana dedicates a Freeman-Custis historical marker honoring the Red River Expedition of 1806.

NCAA Softball Shockwave: Stetson just knocked off host Florida State 8-3 in the Tallahassee Regional opener, never trailing, and now sets up a May 16 matchup with the winner of UCF vs. Jacksonville State. Arkansas Outdoors & River Tourism: Even with low flows, Arkansas River outfitters say reservations and customer traffic are steady—low water means clearer water and more technical rapids. Family-Friendly Summer Plans: The Arkansas 4-H Center is gearing up for day camps and overnight camps, with activities like swimming, paddleboarding, rock climbing, and archery. Local Travel Disruption: Jacksonville drivers should expect overnight ramp closures on Highway 67/167 for construction and lane-widening work. Community Spotlight: Arkansas State University staff were honored for retirement and years of service, underscoring the steady civic backbone behind tourism and events. Gas Watch: AAA reports the national average is edging back up ahead of Memorial Day, keeping travel costs top of mind.

Title IX Spotlight: A Title IX violation at Little Rock Central High is back in focus, with parents and students pointing to major gaps between boys’ baseball facilities and girls’ softball conditions—an equity fight the district has tried to “wait out.” Festival Buzz: Magnolia’s Blossom Festival and the World Championship Steak Cook-Off roll into the weekend with an all-day art crawl, market stops, and ticket pickup details. Road & Travel Watch: AAA says Memorial Day gas prices are poised to be among the highest in four years as the national average dips then rises again. Buc-ee’s Expansion: Buc-ee’s is opening new Florida locations and rolling out a pay-at-the-pump policy that changes how cardholders pay at the pump. Arkansas Sports: UALR falls to Southeast Missouri State 4-2; Arkansas State blanks South Alabama 10-0 (7). Community Health: NAACP Sebastian County Branch plans a town hall on changes at Baptist Health Fort Smith.

HBCU Funding Push: Arkansas HBCU leaders joined Reps. French Hill and Alma Adams in Washington to announce the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, aiming to boost federal grants for campus improvements at Arkansas’s four HBCUs. Public Safety & Justice: A deathbed confession is driving a search near Chester for a boy’s remains, while in federal court a North Carolina man was sentenced to 27 years for child sex crimes involving an Arkansas girl, and an Australian man tied to an Arkansas sting received 28 years for CSAM. Family Travel & Local Tourism: Buc-ee’s in Benton is set to open Aug. 17, 2026, and Ozark cut the ribbon on a new pedestrian bridge on Highway 65—part of the Chadwick Flyer Trail. Roads & Outdoor Planning: Independence and Sharp counties are among six getting unpaved-roads funding, and USACE says Beaver Lake dam conduits will open May 14 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) with strong-flow warnings. Community Events: The Pulaski County Fair runs May 14-24 in North Little Rock, and Logoly State Park continues its environmental education mission under Superintendent Corbin Merriott.

Community Pantry Boom: Second Baptist Church in Drew County says its food pantry went from helping a few dozen families to serving hundreds in just over a month—over 5,200 pounds of food distributed through three events. Next-Gen Rodeo: Two Hampton High 7th graders qualified for the Arkansas National Junior High Rodeo Team and will head to the world’s largest junior high finals rodeo in Guthrie, OK. Local Learning & Fitness: Insight Karate in Conway is expanding its long-running Harkrider Street programs for kids, teens, and adults. Travel Convenience: Northwest Arkansas National Airport is rolling out CLEAR facial recognition for faster TSA entry for enrolled travelers. Outdoor Spotlight: Logoly State Park in Magnolia is highlighting hands-on environmental education at Arkansas’ first environmental education state park. Food & Farm Watch: Arkansas rice farmers are bracing for rice billbugs as row rice expands. Sports News: Arkansas Travelers beat Northwest Arkansas 9-8 in 11 innings; meanwhile, Brandon Clarke’s death at 29 is reported by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Airport Upgrade: Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is rolling out CLEAR’s facial-recognition option so some travelers can skip manual ID checks and move through security faster. Bentonville Growth: City Council approved major Rainbow Curve intersection upgrades plus plans tied to a pickleball complex and new transformers for the Bentonville Health Care Campus. Road Work in Fayetteville: Phase 2 of Maple Street improvements is underway near the University of Arkansas, with detours and limited crosswalk access during construction. Big Travel News: Buc-ee’s is set to open in Benton on Aug. 17, while another Buc-ee’s in Oak Grove, Kentucky, has been pushed to 2029. Legal/Health Watch: An Arkansas abortion case may be revived after a recent state Supreme Court ruling on how constitutional challenges are handled. Community & Culture: Pulaski County Fair kicks off Friday at Riverfront Park, and North Little Rock marks the Old Mill’s 50th anniversary with a “party like it’s 1976” celebration.

Travel Tech Boost: CLEAR just rolled out at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), adding CLEAR+ Lanes, automated biometric eGates, and CLEAR Concierge to speed travelers from curb to gate. Local Growth & Learning: UCA’s Center for Community and Economic Development picked 25 Northwest Arkansas leaders for its Community Development Pipeline program, while UAM English professor Kay Walter earned a statewide lifetime service award. Outdoor Fun Gets Bigger: Arkansas’ first multistate water trail is now open—paddlers can kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from Siloam Springs to Oklahoma’s WOKA Whitewater Park. Safety Watch: A Florida missing child alert involves a 2-month-old and a 17-year-old possibly traveling with a 40-year-old man in a 2017 GMC Yukon with an Arkansas tag. Roadside Reminder: Arkansas State Police footage highlights how quickly a high-speed highway chase can turn deadly.

Crater of Diamonds Moment: A grieving Pennsylvania woman found a 3.09-carat diamond at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park, saying she “really needed this” after losing her son and burying her father. New Water Trail: Arkansas and Oklahoma officially opened the Upper Illinois River Water Trail, a 15.5-mile paddle route linking Chamber Springs near Siloam Springs to WOKA Whitewater Park. Memorial Day Travel Watch: AAA expects 45 million Americans to travel more than 50 miles over Memorial Day, with gas prices in Arkansas hovering just under $4 a gallon. Safety & Community: Bentonville police reported a cyclist hit by an officer; Hardy’s flood-damaged Loberg Park playground is still being secured as FEMA and state processes continue. Tourism-Adjacent Growth: Buc-ee’s plans its first Arkansas store in Benton this August, with more expansions lined up for 2027.

Missing Person Alert: Authorities in Bossier City, Louisiana are asking for help finding Jonathan Bohrer, 39, last seen earlier this month; his white 2006 Chevy pickup was later spotted heading north on Highway 3 into Arkansas. Arkansas Youth & Summer Plans: Sebastian County Extension and Arkansas 4-H are rolling out free “School’s Out Pirate Bash” activities May 29 plus additional free day camps later this summer. Tourism Upgrade in Little Rock: The B. Finley Vinson Plaza downtown has been refreshed with a new shade structure, fountain, and seating—aimed at hosting live music and community events. Outdoor & Family Fun: Arkansas Game and Fish is shipping catchable channel catfish statewide for summer fishing, and elk hunters can apply online for a limited permit draw through June 1. Sports Crossroads: Kentucky canceled a midweek baseball game with Northern Kentucky, citing travel and recovery ahead of its Arkansas series.

Arkansas Outdoors & Hunting: Hunters can apply online for a limited Arkansas elk permit draw through 11:59 p.m. June 1 at agfc.com/license; 15 permits will be drawn at the Buffalo River Elk Festival (June 26-27) in Jasper, with winners notified by email/phone. Game & Fish Stocking: Channel catfish are being shipped from AGFC warm-water hatcheries to ponds statewide—over 1 million fry produced yearly, with many grown to catchable size for anglers. Northwest Arkansas Events: Spring bird walks at Lake Fayetteville (free, drop-in) plus Ozark Natural Science Center’s Call of the Wild fundraiser and a beginner-friendly trapping class at the Hunt Family Nature Center. Road & Travel Notes: Weather forced an I-49 closure in Louisiana for emergency repairs; and Colorado’s US 24 resurfacing north of Buena Vista starts May 18 with alternating traffic and up to 15-minute delays. Big Retail Buzz: Walmart was named the most trusted grocery store in a national survey, and Buc-ee’s expansion plans keep rolling—Arkansas is on the list.

Buc-ee’s Expansion: The travel-plaza giant just mapped its next wave: first-ever stores are slated for Arizona and Arkansas in 2026, with Arkansas’s Benton site expected to open early-to-mid August near I-30 and Hwy 2—plus more new-state debuts in Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin in 2026-27. Arkansas Campus Spotlight: Arkansas State University students headed to Dallas for the National Student Advertising Competition for an NFL marketing case study, returning with the Jeanie Ruedy Spirit Award. Travel Budget Reality: A new survey says 37% of Americans plan no summer trip, mostly because of rising costs—fueling demand for closer, cheaper getaways. Outdoor & Family Fun: Lake Wilhelmina’s long renovation is set for a May 15 ribbon-cutting, and Chaffee Crossing’s Food & Artisan Market returns May 16 in Fort Smith. Health Alert for Pet Owners: A nationwide heartworm map flags Arkansas among the highest-incidence states, reminding dog owners to protect against mosquitoes.