Maternal Care Access: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement data show rural families are driving farther for labor and delivery as units close, with 29% traveling over 30 minutes and 8% over an hour in 2024; since 2020, eight labor and delivery units have closed statewide. Nursing Excellence: Baxter Health earned Magnet redesignation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, highlighting nursing leadership and practice as it renews its national credential. Cancer Care Expansion: Highlands Oncology broke ground on a new five-story cancer-care center in Rogers, targeting a 2028 opening and adding capacity for Northwest Arkansas. Food Safety & Recalls: FDA flagged a Great Value Hawaiian Roll recall tied to an oily/sticky substance on packaging surfaces; no injuries reported. Local Health System Resilience: Eureka Springs Hospital’s new CEO says changes are improving performance, including 24/7 helicopter coverage and shifting from travel nurses to employed staff. Workforce & Workplace Culture: Arkansas Business released its 2026 Best Places to Work list, featuring major health systems and insurers across the state. Gut Health Research: University of Arkansas researchers report celery/parsnip-family compounds reduced gut inflammation in a Western-diet mouse study.