Medicaid & Work Requirements: Arkansas is starting a “soft launch” of Medicaid work requirements that kick in next year, aiming to test verification steps without cutting coverage right away—after earlier attempts were tied to confusion and coverage losses. Education Attendance: Across the U.S., states are tightening rules to bring chronically absent students back, including monitoring, public reporting, and tougher parent consequences—part of a broader push Arkansas families will feel as schools ramp up accountability. Little Rock Updates: The city approved using Trex-donated decking to repair the William E. Clark Presidential Park Wetlands boardwalk, and police urged residents to use department stations for safer internet-based swaps. Local Grants: Garland and Montgomery County nonprofits and public agencies can apply for Hot Springs Area Community Foundation Giving Tree grants up to $8,000 (deadline Aug. 15). Health Care Shifts: Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are seeing hospital reorganizations and service cuts/expansions as growth strains systems. Weather: Storm chances linger in parts of Arkansas into Monday, with heavy rain and gusty winds the main concerns. Sports: Arkansas ties show up in MLB Draft coverage, including Arkansas pitcher Carson Wiggins and other Razorbacks selected.