Rural Health Funding: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced $54.6 million in Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program grants, including $27.4 million for nutrition, prevention and chronic disease projects and $27.2 million for workforce development, with Northeast Arkansas recipients such as St. Bernards, Mississippi County Hospital System, and a family medicine residency partnership involving NYIT. Alzheimer’s Care Planning: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council reviewed the updated 2026 state plan, emphasizing earlier detection, better access to evaluations (especially for rural residents and people under 65), and expanded caregiver support ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Food Insecurity Push: The Arkansas Community Foundation launched the Arkansas Full Table Fund, a five-year, $10 million Walmart Foundation-backed initiative to tackle food insecurity statewide, while the Arkansas rice industry donated 201,500 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank for Hunger Action Month. Medicaid Work Requirements: As Medicaid work requirements begin in some states, reporting highlights tougher documentation rules for people claiming they’re medically unable to work and the legal pushback from Democrats. Health Access in Retail: Walmart is piloting “Health Ambassadors” in Searcy and four other rural communities, focusing on diabetes, weight management and maternal health with pharmacist-led support. Public Health & Safety: Cabot and Little Rock Christian paused a football game after separate medical emergencies; officials say those patients were released or recovering.