AGP Executive Report

Arkansas Senate Politics: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has set a special election for Jan. 5, 2027 to fill the vacant District 18 seat after Sen. Jonathan Dismang resigned; the special primary is Nov. 3 with a Dec. 1 runoff if needed, and candidates can file Sept. 21-24. Public Safety & Courts: A Pulaski County judge will decide whether kidnapping charges against a former Immanuel Baptist Church ministry worker were filed too late, with an evidentiary hearing set for Thursday. Corrections Policy: The Arkansas Department of Corrections is backing away from a broad physical-book restriction and instead plans tighter rules aimed at third-party sellers bringing drugs into prisons. Defense & Jobs: CAE USA won a $300 million recompete contract to keep C-130 Hercules training and logistics at Little Rock Air Force Base through Dec. 2035. UAPB & Community Development: UAPB named Amit Kumar Sinha interim chair of aquaculture and fisheries, and its Extension work continues in Kenya with community garden training and a student agriculture/food security study abroad. Federal Watch: The EPA says it’s launching a study to look for traces of abortion pills in drinking water.

Economic Development: Marion officials are drafting a comprehensive strategic growth plan aimed at expanding retail, housing, and quality-of-life metrics, with “Issue 3” on the fall ballot potentially enabling new economic development districts and incentives. Defense & Jobs: Hanwha Defense USA says it will invest about $2.2 billion in a new Pine Bluff Arsenal munitions campus, targeting 155mm propellant charges and base bleed units and creating nearly 400 jobs over seven years. Federal Courts: Arkansas’ Ten Commandments classroom display law is headed to oral arguments at the 8th Circuit, as a coalition of families challenges the statute under the First Amendment. Elections/Constitutional Authority: Attorney General Marshall co-led a U.S. Supreme Court brief arguing voter qualification authority belongs to states, pushing back on a Ninth Circuit ruling tied to proof-of-citizenship registration rules. Public Safety/Schools: A TikTok threat triggered a lockdown and police custody at Etta Dale Junior High, underscoring how social media threats are driving school security responses. Legal Profession (Local): Arkansas Judiciary data shows Little River County and Marion County each added more active lawyer licenses in August versus the prior month. Procurement/Trade: CAE won a $300 million contract to train U.S. Air Force crews on the C-130, even as Trump’s Canadian procurement ban raises questions about how far it applies to services.

Little Rock & Public Safety: Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott responded to a Saturday River Market shooting, urging parental accountability and warning the city will consider lawful options when unaccompanied minors are involved. North Little Rock Crime: Police arrested Raymond Smith, 65, after a stolen Honda Accord was found being towed without an engine; he faces felony unauthorized use and theft charges. Education & Policy: A new Progressive Policy Institute analysis links stronger teachers’ unions with weaker early-literacy policy scores, while noting it doesn’t prove unions caused lower outcomes; Arkansas is cited among states with weaker unions and stronger literacy outcomes. State Senate Politics: A Trump-backed daylight saving time bill stalled in the Senate, with Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton leading resistance over fears of a repeat of the 1974 “pitch-dark” school failure. Maternal Health: Experts say Arkansas lacks data on whether required postpartum mental health screenings are actually happening, pointing to low Medicaid reimbursement rates. Local Government: Sherwood’s nonpartisan mayoral race has four candidates, with Mayor Mary Jo Heye-Townsell touting grants and public safety staffing. Tech & Governance: An editorial argues Congress should make tech platforms accountable for harm, not just rely on free-speech claims. Business & Courts: A long-running Little Rock estate fight involving Michael Lasiter’s widow and attorney Richard Newland Jr. ends in a confidential settlement. Community & Youth: The Leadership Mountain Home Class launched “The Hatchery,” a youth pitch contest splitting $5,000 in startup funding. Economy & Tourism: Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue rose more than 8% in the first half of 2026, with June setting a monthly record.

Arkansas Politics & Governance: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders set a special election for Jan. 5, 2027 to fill the District 18 Senate vacancy after Sen. Jonathan Dismang’s resignation, with a Nov. 3, 2026 primary and filing windows beginning Sept. 21. Elections & Campaigns: The race is already drawing attention as Searcy City Attorney Will More is reported as the only candidate so far. Education Policy: Arkansas will require yearlong supervised teaching residencies for new teachers in state-approved programs starting spring 2027, with minimum classroom hours ramping from 270 hours to 360 hours. Public Safety: A shooting in downtown Little Rock Saturday night left at least one non-life-threatening injury as police worked to piece together details. Immigration & Local Government: Arkansas-linked reporting highlights how ICE detention practices have relied heavily on a Louisiana facility, raising questions about detention conditions and who is held. Tech & Consumer Privacy: A national look at data brokers, including Acxiom, spotlights how personal profiles can be used to infer sensitive traits—an issue Arkansas lawmakers have been watching.

Special Election Watch: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has called a special election for Arkansas Senate District 18 after Sen. Jonathan Dismang’s resignation, with a special primary set for Nov. 3 and the general election on Jan. 5, 2027; Searcy City Attorney Will More is currently the only announced candidate. Education Policy: Arkansas will soon require new teachers to complete yearlong supervised residencies in classrooms, with minimum weekly in-person hours ramping up across the two semesters. Public Safety: A shooting in downtown Little Rock Saturday night left at least one person injured, initially described as non-life-threatening, as police worked to piece together details. Immigration Detention Spotlight: A report on ICE detention in Arkansas says many people held in the state spent the longest stretches of their detention at a Louisiana facility, with a large share never convicted of a crime. Health & Medicaid: Arkansas finance officials told lawmakers Medicaid spending rose by $400 million year over year, and they’re asking lawmakers to keep Medicaid fully funded after a $200 million restricted reserve approval. Higher Ed/Workforce: Arkansas State University-Beebe is expanding HVACR training and scholarships through the Metallica Scholars Initiative.

Medicaid Funding Fight: Arkansas finance secretary Jim Hudson told lawmakers the state spent about $400M more on Medicaid in FY2026 than the prior year, and the Legislative Council approved $200M in restricted reserve funds to cover the state match—Hudson urged lawmakers to keep Medicaid fully funded and ensure the trust fund stays “adequately capitalized.” Election 2026 Prep: Arkansas voters have until Monday, Oct. 5 to register for the Nov. 3 general election; the state uses paper applications and requires a driver’s license number or last four of a Social Security number. Health Policy in the Courts: A federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a lawsuit challenging changes to Title X grant awards, saying the plaintiffs didn’t show enough concrete harm. Arkansas Health Expansion: Alice Walton and partners announced a new Bentonville specialty-care campus aimed at improving access and outcomes, including a “whole person” approach. Education/Local Government: Fort Smith metro briefs highlight improved school grades under ESSA and “Gem School” awards for multiple campuses. Federal/Defense Link to Arkansas: Germany’s first F-35A deliveries include initial pilot and maintainer training at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. Sports (Arkansas angle): Week 3 SEC play kicks off with Georgia at Arkansas on ABC at noon.

Education Freedom Accounts: Arkansas lawmakers released $70 million in reserve funds for the Educational Freedom Account school choice program, bringing 2026-27 total funding to $379.4 million and keeping the state on track for tens of thousands of participating students. Medicaid Funding: Arkansas finance officials warned lawmakers Medicaid spending jumped by about $400 million year over year, approving $200 million more in restricted reserves to cover the state’s required match and urging lawmakers to keep Medicaid fully funded. Special Election: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders set a Jan. 5, 2027 special election for the vacant District 18 state Senate seat after Jonathan Dismang resigned for a job with Arkansas Electric Cooperatives. Pharmacy vs. PBM: Twelve independent Arkansas pharmacies sued Express Scripts in Missouri court, alleging underpayments on more than 40,000 prescriptions and seeking damages under the state’s new PBM reimbursement law. Public Safety & Community: Jonesboro’s Elks Lodge held its annual Law and Order Breakfast honoring first responders, while Cabot’s The Vine Church held a grand opening for a new sanctuary. State Economy: Arkansas unemployment fell to 3.9% in August as employment hit another record high. Wildfire Response: Oklahoma and Mississippi National Guard helicopters joined Arkansas efforts to contain the Bunker Fire near Camden.

Special Election: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders set a Jan. 5, 2027 special election for the Arkansas Senate District 18 seat after Sen. Jonathan Dismang’s resignation; a special primary runs Nov. 3, with filing deadlines and petition rules spelled out, and Searcy city attorney Will Moore has already announced. Education & Schools: Arkansas says fewer schools and districts earned failing or low grades in 2025-26 under the LEARNS Act, and the state is also awarding nearly $7 million through the Arkansas Gem Schools program for achievement and growth. Economy & Jobs: Arkansas’ unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in August, with labor force growth and job gains reported in multiple sectors. Public Safety: Pine Bluff police reported overall crime declines in August, even as thefts rose; separately, a Mountain Home man faces felony charges after deputies say he stole and sold brass vases from military gravestones. State Government/Policy: Arkansas joined a multistate push urging stronger federal action against counterfeit GLP-1 drugs. Higher Ed/Research: A $1.9 million NSF grant will fund KU-led work with Arkansas State and others to study soil fungi that could boost drought tolerance in wheat and rice. Sports/Community: New Arkansas game wardens graduated and received assignments; the Arkansas State Fair returns Oct. 16-25.

Healthcare & Consumer Relief: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a multistate $694 million settlement with auto lender Credit Acceptance Corp., including cash and debt relief for borrowers and injunctive changes to strengthen consumer protections. Education Accountability: Arkansas released new school grade data showing fewer schools and districts received failing or low grades in 2025-26, with hundreds moving up to B or C. Campaign Trail: Turning Point USA brought its “America: Love it or Leave it” tour to the University of Arkansas, drawing students for a debate-style event ahead of the midterms. State Politics & Public Safety: A judge set $1 million bond each for an Independence County couple accused in a child kidnapping case involving a 12-year-old from South Carolina; investigators say the case may lead to federal charges. Local Government & Growth: West Little Rock held a ribbon-cutting for a new “micro-hospital” offering 24/7 emergency care and imaging, part of Nutex Health’s Arkansas footprint. Infrastructure Watch: The U.S. House passed the Water Resources Development Act, including a provision tied to Colorado’s Arkansas Valley Conduit—relevant to the broader water policy fight in the region. Legal/Workforce Notes: Arkansas Judiciary data showed more active lawyer licenses in Sebastian and Searcy counties in August than the prior month.

Healthcare & Consumer Protection: Arkansas is among 30 states getting federal Obamacare “user fee” refunds—$500 per person for nearly 1 million Americans—after a surplus from overcharges tied to the federal exchange. Public Safety & State Government: Families of Arkansas children with disabilities renewed pressure on Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders over a Medicaid waiver waitlist affecting more than 2,400 families, as DHS work to start supportive living services is set for January. Education Policy: Arkansas school districts’ 2025-26 letter grades improved, with more As and Bs and fewer Fs, tied by Gov. Sanders to the LEARNS Act. Elections & Voting Rights: A new explainer lays out why Trump administration efforts to force states to hand over and consolidate voter rolls face repeated legal blocks. Energy & Data Centers: The Arkansas Public Service Commission denied Entergy Arkansas’ request for a 20-year power purchase deal with Big Island Solar, while Entergy also dropped a trade-secrets lawsuit against local news over details of a West Memphis Google data center agreement. Law & Courts: A CalMatters/Consumer Reports investigation spotlights how data broker Acxiom profiles people—raising privacy alarms for Arkansas consumers too. Weather: Hot, mostly sunny conditions continue across South Arkansas through Saturday.

Arkansas Politics & Governance: State Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Beebe) announced his resignation to become vice president of external affairs for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, setting up a special election; Searcy City Attorney Will Moore immediately threw his hat in the ring for District 18. Public Health & Disability Services: Families of Arkansas children with disabilities renewed pressure on Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders over the Medicaid waiver waitlist, where more than 2,400 families are still waiting for supportive services. Courts & Government Transparency: Entergy Arkansas dropped its federal lawsuit against the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Times and a citizen activist over publication of data-center documents regulators released in error. Education & Demographics: Falling birth rates are forcing districts nationwide to close or consolidate schools, raising tough budget and staffing questions. Economy Watch: Retail sales rebounded 1.2% in August, even as the Fed raised rates again—an Arkansas economist warns higher borrowing costs could hit farmers first. Local Law Enforcement: The Boone County Sheriff’s Office reported a suicide in a public parking area on Sept. 15. Business & Jobs: Taber Extrusions celebrated a new $85 million Russellville press expected to create 70 jobs.

Arkansas Politics & Elections: Hallie Shoffner, challenging Sen. Tom Cotton, defended “undocumented” farm workers on Free Arkansas, saying farmers rely on them and arguing, “we’d trade five Americans for just one of them.” Campaign & Civic Engagement: Arkansas State University-TV will host three October debates, including the Senate race between Cotton and Shoffner (Oct. 22) and House and U.S. House contests in October. State Government & Policy: Arkansas DHS will begin work to serve people currently waiting for the Community and Employment Support Waiver, with services slated for January at the latest. Local Government & Economy: Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade touts public safety and infrastructure wins as he seeks a third term. Community & History: Pine Bluff will unveil a Trail of Tears marker on National Trail of Tears Remembrance Day, naming removal-route leaders tied to the Arkansas River. Business & Jobs: Taber Extrusions opened an $85 million Russellville expansion, adding a major new extrusion press and expected to create 70 jobs.

School Choice Funding: A key Arkansas legislative panel endorsed releasing $70 million in reserves for the Educational Freedom Account program, setting up a Friday vote that would bring total 2026-27 state funding to $379.4 million. Energy & Data Centers: Lawmakers grilled Entergy and others at a Joint Committee on Energy meeting over data center projects, ratepayer impacts, and Entergy’s lawsuit against the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette tied to Google-related contract documents. Public Health: Central Arkansas Water resumed adding fluoride after a hydrofluorosilicic acid shipment arrived, while Conway’s provider warned it may pause fluoridation due to ongoing chemical shortages. Elections & Civic Engagement: National Voter Registration Day coverage highlighted Arkansas registration options and deadlines, alongside local efforts like UAFS helping register 81 voters. Courts & Federal Politics: With midterms looming, Trump’s White House is pushing to confirm a slate of federal judges before a possible Senate power shift. College Sports Policy: The Senate advanced the Protect College Sports Act, moving it closer to a final vote amid continued opposition. Local Notes: Randolph County voters will decide a quarter-cent sales tax for law enforcement and dispatch funding.

Elections & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Trump’s order aimed at tightening mail-in ballot procedures, and a new analysis says about 30% of Americans used mail voting in 2024. State Education Funding: Arkansas Department of Education asked lawmakers to tap $70 million in reserve money for Education Freedom Accounts in 2026-27. Disability Services: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced supportive living services for families on the CES waitlist, responding to public pressure over long delays. Medicaid Leadership Shakeup: Sen. Jonathan Dismang, a key architect of Arkansas’ hybrid Medicaid expansion, resigned to join Arkansas Electric Cooperatives as vice president of external affairs. Public Health: Central Arkansas Water reported a fluoride chemical shortage, leaving more than half a million Arkansans temporarily without fluoridated drinking water. Crime & Justice: Arkansas State Police arrested a suspect in a 1992 Pine Bluff newborn homicide after a DNA match. Local Government: Campbell County commissioners will decide whether to seek legal counsel to sue Caryville-Jacksboro Utilities over alleged overcharging. Privacy & Tech: A new report highlights how AI and camera networks are reshaping American privacy concerns.

College Sports Law Push: Supporters of the Protect College Sports Act are pressing for a Senate vote as college football returns, with Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell leading the push and critics warning the bill could amount to illegal collusion. Military Readiness Watch: A Defense Department inspector general report says the U.S. is facing ammunition shortfalls tied to the costly Iran war, raising questions about depleted inventories. Housing Relief in Little Rock: A new organization is set to disburse federal rental assistance funds left stalled by problems at People Trust Community Loan Fund, after delays contributed to evictions. Public Safety—Wildfire: A wildfire in Highland Industrial Park burned about 200 acres and prompted evacuations at SAU Tech and nearby areas before being contained. Law Enforcement Corruption Case: Arkansas State Police arrested two former/active lawmen in Jasper and Newton County on firearm theft charges. State Government & Courts: The Trump administration sued Arkansas and other states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, continuing a broad DOJ legal sweep. International Trade: Arkansas and Japan will hold a rice-focused agriculture summit in Little Rock next month. Local Notes: Arkansas broadcasters gathered in Pine Bluff for their annual convention.

Crypto & Ethics: Senate Republicans released a revised “Clarity Act” crypto bill with new ethics, banking and consumer protections, including changes pushed by Democrats, ahead of a Tuesday procedural vote that needs 60. Federal Health Costs: The White House says it will refund $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states for alleged Obamacare “overcharges,” including Arkansas. Arkansas Courts & Sports: A Washington County judge granted Arkansas football players Caleb Wooden and Sean Williams a preliminary injunction against NCAA rules, giving them a fifth year of eligibility. Local Public Safety: Paragould police arrested Cody Taylor on a $750,000 bond after threatening letters were sent to officials and residents. Criminal Justice: A Van Buren man, Donnie R. Wallace, was found guilty of child sex crimes in Ozark and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Economy Watch: Fort Smith metro manufacturing jobs are up nearly 12% over five years, with tourism also rising. Community & Culture: Arkansas Food Hall of Fame nominations are open through Sept. 30.