AGP Executive Report

Data Center Rules in Fayetteville: Fayetteville City Council is set to consider tighter safeguards for data centers, aiming to balance tech growth with protections for utility customers and residents. Heat and Storm Risk: A dangerous early-summer heat wave and severe thunderstorm warnings are already affecting parts of the U.S., including Arkansas. Disaster Recovery Funding: FEMA approved more than $69.3 million in post-disaster aid across Arkansas and other Region 6 states to repair infrastructure and boost resilience. Public Lands Infrastructure: A House Natural Resources field hearing in Hot Springs highlighted deteriorating national park infrastructure and pushed for reauthorizing the Great American Outdoors Act 250. Solar Expansion in Arkansas: Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5 billion for major solar-plus-storage buildout in Mississippi County, adding gigawatts of clean power and batteries. Water Fight Over Abortion Pill: Arkansas and other GOP officials are urging the EPA to treat mifepristone as a water contaminant, while health and environmental experts say there’s no proof of harm. Local Health Funding: Hempstead County voters approved a hospital tax to support Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center.

Data Center Oversight in Pulaski County: A Little Rock-area county judge candidate says Google met with him to discuss a planned Port of Little Rock data center, including questions about power costs for Entergy customers and impacts on the rural Sweet Home community. Clean Energy Milestone: New national data shows solar overtook coal for the first time in May, with solar at 12.8% of U.S. electricity and coal at 12.2%, even as federal policy favors coal. Public Lands Funding: A bipartisan push to reauthorize the Great American Outdoors Act 250 drew testimony in Hot Springs, with lawmakers and advocates warning that trails, campgrounds, and visitor infrastructure are deteriorating without new investment. Water Protection Fight Over Abortion Pill: Republican attorneys general, including Arkansas, urged the EPA to treat mifepristone as a water contaminant, while health and environmental experts say there’s no proof it harms water or wildlife. Arkansas Grid Resilience: Entergy Arkansas highlighted storm-season readiness, including vegetation management and grid upgrades, aimed at reducing outage risk. Solar Storage Investment in Arkansas: Cypress Creek Energy secured $3.5B financing for a major solar-plus-battery project in Mississippi County, adding large capacity to the regional grid. Wildlife Decline Watch: A study tracks the Eastern whip-poor-will’s quieter nights using tagged birds, aiming to understand migration and population changes.

Arkansas & National Water Fight: Republican AGs from 14 states, including Arkansas, are urging the EPA to classify the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant—while health and environmental experts say there’s no proof it harms waterways or people. Gulf Hypoxia Update: The Mississippi River/Gulf of America nitrogen-reduction effort says states have surpassed a 2025 interim goal, cutting total nitrogen loads 28% from baseline, even as phosphorus reductions lag. Storm-Ready Power: Entergy Arkansas is laying out its summer resilience plan—grid upgrades, smart tech, and aggressive vegetation management—to reduce storm outages. Public Lands Funding Push: A House Natural Resources hearing highlighted deteriorating national park infrastructure and support for reauthorizing the Great American Outdoors Act, with Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman and witness Kevin Costner among speakers. Clean Energy Milestone: New U.S. energy data shows solar overtook coal for the first time in May, underscoring continued clean power growth despite political headwinds. Wildlife Tech in the Region: Researchers are developing AI to identify individual cerulean warblers by their songs, aiming to improve conservation monitoring without invasive banding. Local Environment & Community: A University of Arkansas at Little Rock study suggests urban raccoons may be showing early “domestication syndrome” traits, including shorter snouts linked to living near people.

Data-center fight in Arkansas: A retired UA professor emeritus sued Fayetteville over a nondisclosure agreement tied to a military-grade drone manufacturer, arguing the city didn’t fully comply with an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act request. Air pollution lawsuit (regional): NAACP and environmental groups updated their case against xAI’s Southaven, Mississippi power plant, alleging unpermitted emissions after discovery showed the turbine count rose to 57. Clean water enforcement (Arkansas): ADEQ and Custom Wood Recycling, Inc. entered a consent administrative order over alleged Clean Water Act permit problems at a Danville wood-products facility. Local health funding (Arkansas): Hempstead County voters approved a 0.75% sales tax to support the Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center. Wildlife & habitat: A UK researcher is helping AI learn a bird’s individual song, aiming to improve conservation tracking without invasive methods. Outdoor access: Mountain bikers and business owners criticized a Boulder County proposal that could limit bike access on some parks.

Air Quality & Public Health: NAACP and environmental groups updated a lawsuit against xAI’s Southaven, Miss. gas plant, alleging unpermitted emissions from 57 turbines and citing internal emails showing the turbine count rose before a court filing. Water Safety: 14 state attorneys general urged the EPA to track whether mifepristone from abortion pills is contaminating drinking water, arguing wastewater treatment may not remove the drug’s active compounds. Local Environment & Enforcement: Arkansas DEQ and Custom Wood Recycling, Inc. entered a consent order over alleged Clean Water Act permit violations at a Danville wood products facility, including operating beyond an expired NPDES permit. Community & Access: Hempstead County voters approved a three-quarter-cent sales tax to sustain the Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center. Land Use & Growth: The Walton family selected BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group to design a Bentonville STEM university campus on the former Walmart Home Office site, with plans for green spaces and public squares. Wildlife & Invasives: Officials warned anglers about the invasive northern snakehead after a New York detection, urging steps to prevent it from spreading.

Trout Care in Summer: Arkansas Game and Fish is urging anglers to tighten catch-and-release habits as trout stocking remains reduced after last year’s production losses, even as hatcheries work to rebuild numbers. Red River Navigation Push: Miller County Quorum Court approved forming the Red River Intermodal Authority with neighboring counties, aiming to boost conservation and navigation as the Arkansas Red River Commission sunsets July 1. El Dorado Environmental Enforcement: Arkansas DEQ proposed a consent order and fine tied to a 2024 fire at a city property that damaged equipment and an incinerator used for yard waste. Wildlife Habitat Connectivity: A new report highlights why linking habitats across rural landscapes matters for biodiversity and climate resilience. Solar vs. Coal Milestone: National energy data shows solar supplying a bigger share of U.S. electricity than coal for the first time in May, underscoring the shift toward cleaner power. Data Center Scrutiny: Arkansas residents and lawmakers continue to question how data centers affect power costs and emissions, with broader state-level rules spreading. FOIA Fight in Fayetteville: A lawsuit claims the city failed to fully produce records tied to a nondisclosure agreement for a drone manufacturer facility.

Trout Care for Arkansas Anglers: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is urging extra caution with catch-and-release as summer heat stresses tailwater trout, with stocking still below recent years after last year’s trout production losses. Wildlife Habitat Connectivity: A new push is gaining traction for linking habitat areas so animals can move safely across rural landscapes—seen as key for biodiversity and climate resilience. Data Centers Under Scrutiny: Arkansas’s debate over big tech buildouts continues as residents raise concerns about costs and impacts, while other states move toward sales-tax pauses and stricter oversight. FOIA Fight in Fayetteville: A Fayetteville resident sued the city over a Freedom of Information Act request tied to Swarm Aero, alleging the city didn’t fully produce a nondisclosure agreement. Clean Energy vs. Permitting Politics: Permitting reform talks are hitting a trust problem, with lawmakers warning the Trump administration’s stance toward renewables could slow approvals. Public Health & Water Pollution: Fourteen state attorneys general are pressing the EPA to track abortion-drug wastewater contamination, including adding mifepristone to monitoring lists. Local Environment Enforcement: El Dorado faces a proposed consent order and fine after an incident involving a city incinerator and a brush fire.

Solar vs. coal: New U.S. data shows solar hit a milestone—first time it supplied more electricity than coal (12.8% vs. 12.2% in May)—even as federal policy and Trump-era messaging favor coal. Local water & land protection: The Buffalo River Foundation bought 120 acres for the Hill Hamilton Preserve, expanding permanently protected habitat and watershed resources near Marion County’s Indian Rockhouse Loop Trail. Invasive species watch: A national roundup warns about “Frankenfish” northern snakeheads, an invasive predator that can breathe air and spread through waterways, with Arkansas readers urged to stay alert. Arkansas data-center fight: Pulaski County’s Quorum Court is set to vote on a proposed 12-month moratorium on data center development amid concerns about water, power demand, and noise. Arkansas kids’ well-being: A national report finds child well-being worsened in many states from 2019 to 2024, with Arkansas tied to broader pressures on health, safety, and economic security. Community outdoors: Fayetteville-area groups are hosting native plant and invasive removal workshops, pushing “go native, not invasive” for healthier local watersheds.

Data Center Fight in Pulaski County: The Pulaski County Quorum Court is set to vote on a proposed 12-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers, with residents flooding officials over fears about water use, power demand, and noise. Private Google Meeting: A separate controversy is brewing in Little Rock, where Google is holding an invite-only meeting about its Port of Little Rock data center—raising questions about who gets access. Invasive Species Watch: Northern snakehead “Frankenfish” is spreading along the East Coast, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warns it can disrupt native ecosystems. Animal Health Alert: USDA confirmed New World Screwworm in Texas; Arkansas ranchers and pet owners are urged to watch for wounds that won’t heal. Buffalo River Land Protection: The Buffalo River Foundation announced the Hill Hamilton Preserve, adding 120 acres of protected forest and watershed land near the Buffalo National River. Arkansas Water & Land Policy: A new state law targets “buy and dry” water transfers out of the Arkansas River Basin by requiring native revegetation before water can be moved. Wildlife Education Win: Stone County 4-H will represent Arkansas at the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program competition after placing first in state competition. Climate Snapshot: A roundup says Arkansas just saw its coldest Junes since 1895, based on average monthly temperatures.

Autonomous Freight in Arkansas: PepsiCo and Gatik say driverless trucks are now running in live commercial networks, with 35 in Arizona, five in Texas, and one in Arkansas—delivering Doritos and other Frito-Lay snacks plus drinks to stores like Walmart and Dollar General. Water Protection Law: A new Arkansas state law targets “buy and dry” water transfers out of the Arkansas River Basin, requiring land revegetation with native plants before water can be used elsewhere. Invasive Animal Health Alert: USDA confirmed New World Screwworm in two calves in south Texas; Arkansas officials say there are no detections yet, but ranchers and pet owners should stay vigilant and act fast if wounds show signs. Local Environmental Enforcement: The Arkansas DEQ fined the City of El Dorado $4,600 over alleged illegal solid-waste burning and an unpermitted air curtain incinerator at a city property. Fish Passage Work: Arkansas Game and Fish highlights ongoing stream habitat efforts to restore fish migration by removing failing low-water crossings and reducing erosion.

New World Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed New World Screwworm in two calves in Zavala County, Texas, and Arkansas officials say there are no detections yet—but ranchers and pet owners should stay vigilant for wounds that won’t heal and other warning signs. Wildlife Habitat & Connectivity: Arkansas Game and Fish highlights fish migration gains from removing failing low-water crossings and restoring stream connectivity, a boost for biodiversity in watersheds like the Little River. Local Conservation Education: Stone County 4-H students will represent Arkansas at the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program competition after winning the state event. Air Quality Enforcement: El Dorado was fined $4,600 by the state DEQ over alleged illegal solid waste burning and an unpermitted air curtain incinerator. Severe Weather Watch: A River Valley tornado event produced three EF-1 tornadoes in Sebastian County, with meteorologists noting how terrain can complicate forecasting. Community Outdoor Events: Watershed Resource Conservation Center is hosting a native vs. invasive plants workshop in Fayetteville, plus Ozark Hill Hikers scheduled walks in Bentonville and Fayetteville.

Wildlife & Biosecurity: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm in a calf in south Texas and set a containment area, prompting Arkansas ranchers to watch herds closely as the parasite can affect livestock and wildlife. Local Environment & Health: Tontitown residents are again raising concerns about odors tied to Eco-Vista Landfill leachate, after a council update on lift-station wastewater handling and odor monitoring. Climate & Data: A new column argues the Trump administration is suppressing climate-disaster and public-health data, warning that gaps in records can undermine safety planning. Energy & Pollution: The Guardian reports Trump is using wartime authority to push $700 million for “clean, beautiful” coal support, including keeping plants online in Arkansas and building export capacity. Land Use & Infrastructure: Pulaski County’s data-center moratorium was miscounted and “did not pass,” meaning applications can continue—while a Little Rock panel heard residents’ concerns about transparency and impacts on majority-Black communities. Agriculture Research: Arkansas cotton trials find potassium deficiency can slash yields, with fertilization boosting output and fiber quality in deficient soils. Weather: Forecasts call for showers and storms early in the week, with downpours and gusty winds possible.

Coal Push in Arkansas: The Trump administration is channeling nearly $700 million into coal power using the Defense Production Act, including funding that keeps existing plants running in Arkansas and supports new coal and export infrastructure—raising fresh questions for Air & Climate Impacts and local communities. Wildlife in the Natural State: A western Arkansas roadside sighting turned out to be an American bittern, while central Arkansas videos of “snakes taking over” a vacant home were explained as black rat snakes likely drawn by overgrown cover and nearby food sources—both stories highlight Habitat & Human Encounters. Heat & Storm Watch: Forecasters warn of showers and storms moving into Arkansas for the work week, and separate reporting flags how extreme heat can quickly damage cars’ contents—an urgent reminder for Public Safety. Community Development: UCA’s Center for Community and Economic Development picked 25 Northwest Arkansas leaders for a planned, sustainable development pipeline program—focused on Local Governance. Education & Growth: OSM Aviation Academy is set to scale a pilot training hub at Drake Field in Fayetteville, and Crystal Bridges opened a major expansion in Bentonville, boosting Jobs & Cultural Life.

Coal Funding in Arkansas: President Trump is using the Defense Production Act to push nearly $700 million into coal power, including support that keeps plants running in Arkansas and other states, plus funding tied to a California export terminal. Wildlife Safety in Arkansas: Queen Wilhelmina State Park is issuing a heightened warning after reports of unusually high black bear activity, with multiple sightings in a single month. Local Nature Spotlight: Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center is drawing visitors with wildlife and trail features highlighted in a new local video. Invasive Tick Alert: A new report spotlights the Asian longhorned tick’s ability to reproduce without mating, raising concerns for livestock and tick-borne disease spread. EV Charging Abroad: Guyana says it’s on track for 24 public EV charging stations by year-end, tied to its low-carbon and climate resilience plans. Community Grants: Summit Utilities opens applications for its 2026 Summit Cares Grant Program, prioritizing conservation and energy-efficiency projects alongside basic needs and youth programs.

Coal Funding Push in Arkansas: The Trump administration is set to funnel nearly $700 million into the U.S. coal industry using the Defense Production Act, including about $425 million to extend the life of existing coal plants across multiple states with Arkansas listed among recipients, plus additional DOE grants for new builds and restarts. Data Center Fight in Central Arkansas: Residents and local leaders are clashing over hyperscale AI data centers in Pulaski County and Little Rock, with a public roundtable planned to answer questions ahead of a possible moratorium vote. Environmental Risk at Tarague Beach: A coalition of 21 states and industry groups is backing the U.S. Air Force in a lawsuit over a WWII bomb detonation range in Guam, where activists argue the site is contaminating land and water. Wildlife Safety Alert: Queen Wilhelmina State Park is urging extra caution after reports of unusually high black bear activity, including multiple sightings in a month. Community Grants: Summit Utilities opened applications for its 2026 Summit Cares Grant Program, prioritizing basic needs, student programs, community enrichment, and conservation/energy efficiency. Art With a Water Message: Columbia’s Art in the Park festival features an endangered little blue heron sculpture made from trash collected from Missouri waterways, aiming to spur less-polluting habits.

Coal power push in the spotlight: President Trump says the federal government will spend $700 million to extend or restart coal plants using the Defense Production Act, including upgrades tied to Arkansas and other states. Oil & gas cleanup updates: Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission filings report two South Arkansas wells plugged—one in Miller County and one in Columbia County—under plugging and abandonment reporting. Water quality enforcement: ADEQ and New Five Star Enterprise LLC reached a consent administrative order over alleged Clean Water Act permit renewal problems at a wastewater treatment facility in Crittenden County, with a $1,000 civil penalty. Local environment + community: Columbia’s Art in the Park festival highlights conservation through a sculpture of an endangered little blue heron made from trash collected from Missouri waterways. Public input on big infrastructure: A Little Rock-area roundtable is set to answer questions about hyperscale data centers and a proposed Pulaski County moratorium, with environmental and policy voices on the panel. Wildlife note: Black bear sightings around Lake of the Ozarks are rising as bears come out of hibernation and search for food.