Maternal & Infant Health: A Father’s Day op-ed from Rep. Lee Johnson ties Arkansas moms and babies to early support during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period, arguing families thrive when care and resources are there when they’re needed. Medicaid Spending Watch: New U.S. HHS Medicaid payment data show local increases across Arkansas communities—North Little Rock’s Enteral/Parenteral Therapy rose to $3.13M in 2024 (+9%), Ozark Medicine Services and Procedures hit $345,261 (+13.1%), Parkin’s Medicine Services and Procedures climbed to $438,452 (+15.1%), and Harrisburg Dental Services reached $47,109 (+3.1%). Testing & Treatment Access: Coronavirus Diagnostic Panel billing rose in Pocahontas to $9,318 (+124.8%) and in Piggott to $28,660 (+4.7%), while Dumas Radiology Procedures jumped to $13,860 (+39.6%). Blood Supply Alert: Our Blood Institute declared an emergency blood shortage in its Oklahoma system, warning O-negative inventory dropped to 65 units—less than a day’s supply—impacting hospitals it serves across the region. Food Science & Careers: Arkansas lawmakers approved $5M for a UA Food Science Center of Excellence in Fayetteville, building on $30M in federal support to expand food innovation, health and safety research, and workforce training. Correctional Health & Safety: Arkansas State Police are investigating an assault on a correctional officer at the Larry B. Norris Unit in Tucker, where an inmate allegedly stabbed an officer in the face with contraband; the officer was treated and released.