That’s a lot of people and a lot of trash.

This year, event organizers have a plan that will help the big festival stay “clean and green” and make a wish come true.

Riverfest Recycles is an educational component of the big festival. In recent years, Riverfest has used its recycling tent to teach festival goer about environmental responsibility.

There have been giveaways for recyclers ranging from T-shirts to iPods to a car.

In 2012, all of the proceeds from recycled cans found on the ground at Riverfest will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation thanks to help from Little Rock-based Tennebaum Recycling.

“All the money this year collected from the aluminum on site later this summer will be put towards granting a wish through the make a wish program,” says executive director DeAnna Korte. “It’s another way for Riverfest to give back and for our festival goers to have a part in that wish.”

Learn more about the creative and goodwill efforts being made by Riverfest at this year’s event in this video below.

The airport inked a deal with Clear Channel Airports, a marketer of airport advertising, in a move that will overhaul the entire advertising program in Little Rock travel hub.

The agreement, which is effective immediately, will include large format video wall packages, LCDs, and digital touch screens. Also, the deal will add environmentally-friendly tension fabric displays to replace most backlit signs and a smaller number of lighted displays will use LED edgelit technology, which uses considerably less power than traditional signage.

Shane Carter, director of Public Affairs and Governmental Relations for the airport, says the arrangement will be a money-maker for the facility.

“The airport will receive a privilege fee that equals the greater of a maximum annual guarantee of $160,000 or 50% of gross revenue on ad sales and 40% of technology set-up costs,” he said.

Clear Channel Airport’s program includes partnerships with two local Little Rock businesses: The Design Group and Doyne Construction. The companies will provide Marketing & PR services, as well as general contracting and ongoing maintenance services, respectively.

The signage improvements are expected to be completed by July 1, 2012.

The committee is reviewing the entire state tax code to assess Arkansas’ competitiveness with surrounding states and to determine if meaningful tax reform can be shaped for the 2013 legislative session.

Last month, lawmakers looked at more than 121 sales tax exemptions.

Rob Moritz with our content partner, the Arkansas News Bureau, reports on today’s meeting:

During Wednesday’s meeting, John Theis, deputy commissioner for policy and legal with the state Department of Finance and Administration, told lawmakers individual income taxes generate about $2.6 billion annually and corporate taxes generated about $423 million during the 2010 fiscal year. He said corporate tax revenue fluctuates from year to year.

Corporate taxes and individual income taxes generate about 55 percent of the state’s general revenue, Theis said.

Theis and DF&A Deputy Director Tim Leathers said taxes for multi-national state corporations are apportioned based on a formula that takes into account the property, payroll and sales tax generated by the corporation in the state.

Rep. Stephen Meeks, R-Conway, asked about the Texarkana border city tax exemption. The Legislature in the mid-1970s exempted Texarkana residents from paying the state income tax because the state of Texas — the Texas-Arkansas state line cuts through the city — does not have an income tax.

Along with eliminating the state income tax for city residents, the state did assess an additional 1 percent sales tax.

Theis said the income tax exemption costs Arkansas just under $20 million a year, while the 1 cent additional sales tax generates about $4 million annually.

You can read more at this link.  Revenue and tax committee members meet next month to review economic incentives used by the state to recruit business prospects.

The event honors businesses and employers that adopt strategies supportive of healthy workplaces and family-friendly employee policies.

Each year, employers that are considered for the awards answer an array of survey questions about the supportive benefits they offer, such as flex time work hours and military leave.

Two companies were named Work-Life Ambassadors at this year’s event: Arkansas Education Television Network of Conway and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Five companies were honored with the Spotlight Award which recognizes organizations that provide exemplary strategies that support a healthy work-life balance. The Spotlight Award winners were:

• Healthy Connections Inc., Mena
• Arkansas Power Electronics International Inc., Fayetteville
• Garver LLC, North Little Rock
• Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center, Bentonville
• Maverick Transportation LLC, North Little Rock

Other award winners were:

Small Company: Hutchinson Financial Inc., Little Rock

Medium Company – For Profit: Transamerica Employee Benefits, Little Roc

Large Company – For Profit: Science Applications International Corporation, Little Rock and The Procter & Gamble Distributing Company, Fayetteville

Medium Company – Nonprofit: Winrock International, Little Rock and Little Rock National Airport (now Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport), Little Rock

Large Company – Nonprofit: City of Fayetteville

Mature Worker Winners: Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Jonesboro and White County Medical Center, Searcy

Robert “Bunny” Adcock, Conway, to the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees. Appointment expires January 14, 2015. Replaces Scott Roussel.

Governor Mike Beebe also announced the following appointments to boards and commissions:

John Adams, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Workforce Investment Board. Appointment expires August 10, 2013. Replaces John Diaz.

Mary Anderson, Little Rock, to the Public Transportation Coordinating Council. Appointment expires September 20, 2015. Replaces Eric Meyerson.

Cody Beene, Center Ridge, to the Arkansas Facilities Review Board. Appointment expires August 6, 2014. Replaces Dan Shepherd.

Reuben Thomas Brown, Hector, as Pope County Justice of the Peace for District 3. Appointment expires December 31, 2012. Replaces Shirley Chisum.

Sue Buffalo, Little Rock, to the State Board of Private Career Education. Appointment expires April 15, 2019. Replaces Charles Watson.

Katrina Burnett, Jacksonville, to the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board. Appointment expires April 8, 2014. Replaces Coby Logan.

Gentry Collier, Searcy, to the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. Appointment expires February 1, 2016. Replaces Walter Fenton.

Chinetta Davis, Pine Bluff, to the Arkansas HIV/AIDS Minority Taskforce. Appointment expires February 1, 2015. Replaces Tere Roderick.

Donald Arthur “D.A.” Davis, Bay, reappointed to the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board. Appointment expires April 1, 2017.

Glenn Ford, Forrest City, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, Judicial District #1. Appointment expires January 14, 2012. Replaces Lonnie Ford.

David French, Hot Springs, reappointed to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers. Appointment expires April 26, 2017.

Vickie Gibbs-Scott, Crossett, to the Arkansas HIV/AIDS Minority Taskforce. Appointment expires February 1, 2016. Replaces Sue Worsham.

Wanda Hamilton, Little Rock, reappointed to the Arkansas Independent Living Council. Appointment expires February 1, 2015.

Gary Hamm, Fort Smith, as Sebastian County Constable, Upper Township. Appointment expires December 31, 2012. Replaces Jim Hill.

Pace Hindsley, Marvell, to the State Plant Board. Appointment expires March 1, 2016. Replaces Marty White.

Veryl Hodges, D.O., Jonesboro, to the Arkansas State Medical Board. Appointment expires December 31, 2012. Replaces Patty Pettaway.

Dr. Gene Lu, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Commission on Eye and Vision Care of School Age Children. Appointee serves at the will of the governor. Replaces Dr. Vye Watson.

David Luter, Knobel, to the State Plant Board. Appointment expires March 1, 2014. Replaces Chris Henson.

Thomas McArthur, Hot Springs, to the State Board of Barber Examiners. Appointment expires June 30, 2017. Replaces Ray Whisenhunt.

Kenny McGrew, Glenwood, reappointed to the Auctioneers Licensing Board. Appointment expires April 15, 2016.

Codie Malloy, Little Rock, to the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Advisory Committee. Appointment expires October 1, 2015. Replaces Debby Woods.

Veo Mitchell, Mountain View, reappointed to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, Judicial District #16. Appointment expires January 14, 2016.

Sean Oakley, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Service Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2014. Replaces Kristen McKissack.

Nathan Reed, Marianna, to the State Plant Board. Appointment expires March 1, 2016. Replaces William Weaver.

Lupita Roy-Rasheed, Little Rock, reappointed to the Arkansas HIV/AIDS Minority Taskforce. Appointment expires February 1, 2016.

Dr. Joe Thompson, Little Rock, reappointed to the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board. Appointment expires April 8, 2016.

Edye White, Paris, reappointed to the Auctioneers Licensing Board. Appointment expires April 15, 2016.

“Cissy Rucker has a history of military leadership and a keen mind for organization,” Governor Beebe said. “I’m grateful that she has agreed to postpone her retirement awhile longer to continue serving Arkansas and put this department on stronger footing.”

Rucker, 62, spent 33 years in the Arkansas National Guard, retiring with the rank of Colonel. Her assigned duties included Airfield Commander, Surface Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Manager and State Public Affairs Officer. She is a member of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, as well the Women’s International Helicopter Pilots Association.

Before taking the position, Rucker rescinded her state retirement status and will not receive retirement benefits while at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Once headed for $4 a gallon, prices have tumbled recently to under $3.50.

From KUAR-FM 89 News:

AAA Auto Club Spokesman Mike Right says there are several reasons for the decrease in price, including less tension in the middle east.

“There’s a lot of tensions associated with what’s going on in the Middle East that’s been moderated in recent weeks, and I think that is one of the major factors that we’re seeing causing the price of crude to go down and consequently the price of gasoline to go down as well,” says Right.

Right says even though gasoline is in highest demand in the summer there’s no guarantee prices will go back up.

“It’s not always what you would expect it to be,” says Right. “For example you would think the highest prices one would pay for a product is when it’s in its highest demand, and in terms of gasoline that would be during the months of July and August. But if you look at the highest prices paid during any month of the year over the last decade or so, it ranges anywhere from April to November. So the fact that the high-demand season is approaching does not necessarily mean that we will be paying higher gasoline prices than we’ve paid in the recent past.”

You can access the full story at this link.

From The City Wire:

The more than 40 jobs at ILPEA in Fort Smith could soon represent additional fallout from the closure of Whirlpool’s Fort Smith refrigerator manufacturing plant.

ILPEA, which makes gaskets and other rubber sealers, has operated in Fort Smith under various owners since 1967. The company’s primary customer is Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool Corp.

Whirlpool announced Oct. 27, 2011, it would close the large Fort Smith plant that produces refrigerators and has also produced ice-makers and trash compactors. The Whirlpool closure will result in the loss of 917 jobs. However, Whirlpool’s Fort Smith plant employed more than 4,500 in early 2006.

Whirlpool announced April 27 that it will close its Fort Smith doors on June 29.

Stuart O’Neal, president of Local United Steel Workers 496, said ILPEA officials notified the workers on Monday of plans to close the operation. O’Neal said 34 hourly jobs will be lost and possibly seven salaried jobs lost if the plant closes.

“They said they would start the plant closing on July 13. … We should be finished Oct. 1, of 2012,” O’Neal told The City Wire.

If the plant does close in October, it will join Fortis Plastics, Huntington Foam, Southern Steel & Wire and other Whirlpool vendors who have closed Fort Smith operations.

Union officials are putting together a package of wage and benefit concessions in hopes of saving the plant and its jobs. You can read more at this link.

Work will be performed at Raytheon’s Camden, Arkansas facility as well as in Tucson, Ariz.; Andover, Mass.; Huntsville, Ala.; Dallas, Texas; Hanahan, S.C.; Anniston, Ala.; San Jose, Calif.; and Middletown, Ohio.

The contract is expected to completed by March 2015.

SM-6 leverages the legacy Standard Missile airframe and propulsion elements, while incorporating the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of Raytheon’s Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

Cong. Mike Ross’ (D) bowing out of the 2014 Governor’s race has been the most exciting news of the 2012 election cycle, which says something about the tameness of this year’s politics.

We haven’t had a clash of the titans like the epic Blanche Lincoln-Bill Halter Senate primary of two years ago. You remember the millions of dollars in ads “thanking” Lt. Gov. Halter for those American jobs in India, or the moving van outside Sen. Lincoln’s home in a suburb of Washington, D.C.

In retrospect, that was a really riveting campaign cycle.

This year, we’ve got a more docile electorate with the hardest hitting swings coming from Fourth District Republicans Beth Anne Rankin and Tom Cotton, who on Tuesday were debating who has raised more money from Arkansans.

Tanner Wilson, a senior at west Little Rock’s Pulaski Academy, has sprouted yard sign’s in his bid for “Supreme Overlord, District 17.” It was the only district with an open seat, we’re told.

Times change. Or do they?

The Republican Party is cranking out press releases capitalizing on Pres. Obama’s same-sex marriage position and a Sen. Mark Pryor (D) vote siding “with the likes of union bosses.” Democrats contend that GOP elected officials like Rep. Nate Bell (R-Mena) continue to “mislead” voters by misquoting Hitler.

On Tuesday night, this reporter caught up with Elvis Presley, the 2012 write-in candidate for Arkansas Governor. He had just successfully guessed the Wheel of Fortune puzzle before Vanna White turned the last letter.

“History professor,” he said.

It turns out Elvis is running for Lincoln Co. Judge this year as an Independent and he’s awaiting the outcome of the Democratic primary between Sam Stephens and Keith Robertson to see who his general election opponent will be.

He says he’s following Secretary of State Mark Martin’s advice that he start smaller and “work your way up the ladder.” Instead of making records, Elvis says he’s going to try to build a record.

He’s still formulating his game plan for the fall, but he figures it will center on roads — “that’s every county” — and industry. He sees Lincoln County in southeast Arkansas as a prime location for a car parts manufacturer.

“If you can put 200-300 jobs in your county, people will stop leaving,” he predicts.

Elvis also thinks those jobs and the extension of I-530 could bring a medical facility and some convenience stores to Lincoln County — not necessarily in that order.

This summer, he’s planning fish frys and hot dog cook-offs to generate enthusiasm for his county judge candidacy. He doesn’t plan to get aggressive until later in the year for fear that voters will lose interest if “you move too fast.”

As for national politics, Elvis seems to have a pretty clear picture of the scene. He says he’s not for Obama, but the President is really just a “fall guy” for the nation’s problems.

He’s “thinking about voting for Romney,” but Congress and Senate make the laws and they’re the ones who need to get their act together.

“It’s just all Mickey Mouse stuff. They need to take care of the big issues,” says Elvis. “A lot less talk and a little more action. That’s what politics need.”

Harris is a solid consistent advocate for the protection of the unborn and traditional marriage.  However, his Republican opponent Lisa Norris of Alma has given troubling answers on both issues.

When asking specifically about the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision, she declined to state whether she supported or opposed the decision and instead said, “I believe health care decisions are best made between an individual and his or her health care provider — not by government or courts.”

This is clearly a pro-choice stance.  However days after completing this survey, she backed away from her position and offered a strange explanation.  She explained when asked about the landmark Supreme Court decision making abortion on demand legal in all 50 states, that she was not talking about the abortion, but instead vitamins.  Yep, you read that correctly. She actually tried to wiggle out of the answer by saying she was talking about a woman’s health care decision such as whether or not to take prenatal vitamins.  She is really pro-life, she said.

Now it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that dog don’t hunt. Coverage from Larry Henry with 5News here.

Another area turning heads is an answer that seems to indicate she is in favor of civil unions for same-sex couples.

When asked about allowing same-sex couples to form domestic partnerships, civil unions, or other legal arrangements that are similar to marriage, she again declined to say whether she supported or opposed them saying instead – “I am supportive of the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. Regarding other such arrangements, I would be cautious of restricting the right of any American to freely associate or enter into voluntary contracts.”

Sort of a confusing answer and she does not come out and say it, but it appears Norris is for some sort of middle-ground civil union.

Norris’ other answers on taxes, voter id, and immigration all appear to be conservative.  But it looks like if social conservatives pick Norris over Harris, they are taking a big gamble on someone who is wishy-washy at best compared to someone who has always been with them.

That’s a gamble I would guess they are not going to take.

Terms of the deal, finalized Tuesday (May 15), were not disclosed.

The acquisition will expand Smith Auto Group from two dealerships with three brands, to five dealerships with eight brands. Also, Smith Auto Group will grow from about 125 employees to a company with around 175 employees.

Smith Auto Group is a third generation, family-owned dealership that has been in Fort Smith since 1938. The first location was in downtown Fort Smith. In 1963, the facility was moved to 1215 U.S. 71 South, “on the curve” at Towson and Zero. The group has a Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership and a Nissan brand.

Kim Hendren and the Hendren family owned the Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram dealerships on one contiguous space in Bella Vista. The family has owned the operation since 1988.

John Smith Jr., grandson of the automotive group founder and now the head of Smith Auto Group, said the deal has been in the works about five months. He said a mutual friend arranged a meeting between himself and members of the Hendren family.  Smith wanted to expand, and the Hendren’s were ready to “move on from the car business … and they thought we’d be a good fit,” Smith explained.

“We’ve been actively looking to diversify and expand our brands for several years. We had a couple of opportunities that didn’t work out,” Smith said in a phone interview.

Smith said expansion into the strong Northwest Arkansas economy will be “very beneficial” to the company.

“Hendren Auto Group was ideal for us to acquire due to its location, size and the synergies gained by adding these 3 dealerships to Smith Auto Group,” Smith said. “I just want to thank the Hendren family for all they did to make this happen. I’m really grateful for all they did to work with us through process.”

Smith admitted with a laugh that pushing the Ford brand will be different.

“But, ultimately that was one of the big drivers, to have that (Ford) as a brand. We’ve been in the Chevy business for a long, long time, so to embrace your head-to-head competition, … that is a change,” Smith said.

Smith Auto recently opened a $4 million Nissan dealership along Interstate 540 in Fort Smith. The new dealership will ultimately be part of an estimated $14 million project that will include the Chevrolet-Cadillac brands.

This article appears courtesy of The City Wire.

Tugwell told the staff:

At the meeting of Winrock’s board last week, I informed our directors that 2012 would be my last year as President and CEO of this wonderful organization.  The board requested a minimum of six months to undertake a search for my successor, and I want to be certain that they have enough time to complete this important job.

I want to assure you that, for the remainder of 2012, I will be on the job and working with all of you to make certain that we continue to strengthen Winrock, meet our strategic objectives, and respond effectively to the many challenges we face in global development.  At the same time, I will be working closely with the board and staff to develop a smooth transition plan to new executive leadership.

You have my gratitude, in advance, for any help you can provide as we work to assure that Winrock continues as a strong, respected, and effective organization for many, many years to come.

Sincerely,

Frank

A spokesperson for Winrock confirms Tugwell’s pending retirement.

Tugwell has been at the helm of Winrock since January 1999 and worked primarily from the group’s Arlington, Virginia, office.

Winrock International, headquartered in Little Rock, is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the U.S. and globally to increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources. It provides funding and expertise in the areas of agriculture, natural resources management, clean energy, and leadership development.

Winrock International was created in 1985 with the merger of three institutions: the International Agricultural Development Service, the Winrock International Livestock Research and Training Center, and the Agricultural Development Council.

The Agricultural Development Council was actually founded in 1954 by John D. Rockefeller, III.

Winrock International Livestock Research and Training Center was created in 1973, the year that former Arkansas Gov. Win Rockefeller died. It’s purpose was to improve animal agriculture.

For its fiscal fourth quarter, Acxiom reported flat revenues of $287.25 million, virtually unchanged from its fourth quarter one year ago.

Domestic marketing and data services boosted Acxiom’s bottom line. The company said U.S. revenue in the division was up 7% to $168 million, but was offset by declines in its international business. Acxiom’s other business segments only accounted for a net $5 million in quarterly profits.

For the full year, Acxiom posted net earnings of $77.26 million compared to a $23.15 million loss. Revenues for the full year rose 1.5% from the previous year to $1.13 billion.

“While there is still much to be done, we are pleased with our progress and enter our new fiscal year with a much stronger Acxiom,” said Acxiom CEO Scott Howe. “In the past year, we have tightened our focus, significantly strengthened our management team and begun development of our next generation of products. Looking ahead, our fiscal 2013 will be a year of continuing transition and investment. Our management team is now in place and we expect to build momentum throughout the year.”

Acxiom has added 4 high-profile executives to its C-suite in the last year. Howe, a former Microsoft executive, has been at the helm for less than a year. Since joining Acxiom, he has announced the hiring of Chief Financial Officer Warren Jenson, Chief Revenue Officer Nada Stirratt, and Chief Product and Engineering Officer Dr. Phil Mui over the past few months.

Also, Acxiom disclosed last week that its former board chairman, Michael J. Durham, would not stand for re-election to the board at the August 16th shareholders meeting. Durham was at the helm during the tumultuous years when an Acxiom private equity buyout fell apart and when long-time CEO Charles Morgan left the company.

“Mr. Durham’s decision was not due to any disagreement with the company on any matter relating to the company’s operations, policies or practices,” Acxiom noted in an SEC filing.

Acxiom’s shares (NASDAQ: ACXM) closed trading on Monday at $13.05. The company’s stock has traded as low as $8.94 and as high as $14.92 per share during the past 52 weeks.

All federal candidates whose names appear on the primary ballot have to file a pre-primary report showing their contributions and expenditures through May 2.  In addition, certain contributions or loan amounts can trigger the requirement to file a 48 hour notice during the final days of the campaign.

These reports once again reveal that Republicans have a huge fundraising advantage overall and in every Congressional district.

David and Goliath

The race for the Second and Third Congressional Districts are set with no primary opponents.  Neither Democratic candidate has raised much of anything.

Herb Rule in the Second District filed his first report showing he raised $6,652 from individuals, got a check for $2,500 from the Democratic Party of Arkansas, and loaned his campaign $9,900.  His loan is larger than the $8,970 of cash he has on hand.  By contrast, Republican opponent Tim Griffin has raised over $1.2 million and has $619,000 cash on hand.

Similarly in the Third District, Democratic challenger Ken Aden has raised over $35,000, but is down to only $2,000 cash on hand.  This is in spite of running for quite a while — literally, he just ran across the district raising money for hunger. Incumbent Republican Steve Womack has raised about $440,000 and has $315,000 cash on hand.

Loans Down the River

The real action for the primaries is in the other two districts.  Three Democratic candidates are battling it out in the First Congressional District, which runs down east Arkansas along the Mississippi River.

Right now, it appears State Rep. Clark Hall is spending the most money with ad buys on television in the Little Rock and Jonesboro markets as well as cable.  His latest filing shows he raised close to a quarter of a million dollars, but he has a pretty high burn rate with $61,000 cash to start the month of May. He also filed a 48 hours disclosure showing he loaned his campaign an additional $50,000 .

Neither of Hall’s opponents have raised much. Prosecutor Scott Ellington reported raising $55,000 in his latest report with $12,000 cash on hand.  A Talk Business poll a few weeks ago showed Ellington had a slight advantage coming into the stretch.  He also filed a 48 hour notice that he picked up $5,000 from a union group on Monday. Ellington was endorsed previously by the AFL-CIO.

The third candidate, Gary Latanich, raised $40,000 but shows that he is several thousand of dollars in debt in his latest filing.  He has little chance of winning, but could force a June run-off if the race is close.  My read is that Hall is closing in fast on Ellington’s early lead with the money he is spending, but pulling far enough ahead to avoid a runoff will be a tough but not impossible task.

Meanwhile, incumbent Republican Rick Crawford has raised raised nearly $800,000 and has just under a half million in his war chest waiting for the winner in November.

Battle Down South

It is no surprise that the open Fourth Congressional District drew the most candidates with incumbent Democrat Mike Ross heading off to join former Sen. Lincoln in the lobbyist ranks.  Three candidates filed on each side with the Republicans again holding a sizable fundraising advantage.

Tom Cotton leads the field with well over a million dollars raised and over $400,000 cash-on-hand, most of it available for the primary.  In addition, he has filed several 48 hour notices showing funds are still coming in.  With the amount of money he has, Cotton is spending money everywhere from television ads in several media markets to direct mail.  And the polls are reflecting that this is paying off with 51 percent support and a 18-point lead on his nearest competitor, Beth Anne Rankin.

Rankin has raised almost $400,000, which would be respectable in most years.  However, she is spending it quickly.

Her latest report shows she disbursed over $120,000 to her campaign consultants last month which has drained her cash to only $80,000, most of which cannot be spent on the primary.  It will be tough for her to hold Cotton close enough to force a primary, but with a third candidate, John Cowart, in the race it is possible.  Her 48 hour notice filed last week shows that Murphy Oil chipped in $1,000 to her campaign.  She has an announcement Tuesday in Murphy Oil’s backyard in El Dorado to announce a fundraising goal.

The Democratic field shows Hot Springs attorney Q. Byrum Hurst is the frontrunner in money raised with over $150,000 raised and $85,000 cash on hand at the beginning of the month.

His report reveals some interesting strategies. Hurst is the only Democratic candidate with ads on television, but he also spent $20,000 on a “Benchmark Poll” and $5,000 to a leading opposition research firm – Huffman & Rejebian.

Nipping at Hurst’s heels according to our latest poll is State Sen. Gene Jeffress who is running a grassroots campaign.  He has only raised about $14,000, but has a few things working in his advantage.

For starters, Hurst has had all sorts of problems creep into his campaign.  In addition, Jeffress’ State Senate seat has a Democratic primary and his brother — also a term limited State Senator — has a three-way Democratic primary in his district.  This will help boost turnout in a part of the district where Jeffress is well-known.  It could also help him in a June runoff, which is almost a certainty as the third candidate, the very conservative D.C. Morrison, will draw a healthy enough level of support to keep everyone under 50%.

A 15-year veteran of the title industry, Dwiggins will report to Stewart Title of Arkansas, LLC President Mike Pryor.

She will be charged with enhancing the Arkansas customers’ experience in title and settlement services.

Dwiggins’ previous experience includes title company database management and title plant construction, as well as commercial and residential title search and examination.

“Lisa is one of the bright stars in the Arkansas title industry, and I am happy to welcome her to the Stewart family,” said Pryor. “She is capable, talented and well-suited for this important leadership role. I look forward to the positive impact she will have on our delivery of title services in Arkansas.”

The President’s 57% tally in a state that will be non-competitive in the fall was a signal of disillusionment among conservative Democratic voters who dominate West Virginia’s party politics.

Obama is likely to experience a similar wave of discontent from Fourth District Democratic voters in Arkansas.

In our latest Talk Business-Hendrix College Poll, conducted last Thursday, May 10, 2012, 38% of Democratic primary voters in the Fourth say they’re casting ballots for John Wolfe, a Tennessee attorney who filed paperwork to qualify for the Arkansas Democratic primary.

Less than half — just 45% — say they presently support Obama.

45% – Barack Obama
38% – John Wolfe
17% – Undecided

The poll was taken just one day after President Obama made public his support of gay marriage; however, Obama has never performed extraordinarily well among voters in rural Arkansas.

Three weeks ago, a Talk Business-Hendrix College Poll showed Obama performing better in the culturally conservative First Congressional District of Arkansas. In that poll, Obama received 65% of the vote compared to Wolfe’s 24%.

Also of interest, Fourth District Democrats were asked to describe their political leanings before any candidate or issue questions were posed.

Q: How would you describe your political leanings?

21% – Liberal or Progressive
46% – Conservative
33% – Moderate

There is a higher percentage of self-described conservative Democratic voters in the Fourth compared to the First. In the First District poll, respondents described their political leanings as follows:

22.5% – Liberal or Progressive
40.5% – Conservative
37% – Moderate

THE GOP PRIMARY
Conversely, in the Republican primary Mitt Romney seems to be coalescing his support as contenders who qualified for the GOP ballot earlier this year have suspended or halted their campaigns. Romney, who has had a difficult time winning social conservatives that make up a large base of Arkansas Republican voters, is the easy victor among his rivals in the Fourth, according to a separate poll conducted among GOP primary voters.

59% – Romney
15% – Santorum
11% – Gingrich
7%  – Paul
8%  – Undecided

Dr. Jay Barth, with the Hendrix College Department of Politics and International Relations, helped craft and analyze the polls. He offered the following analysis:

No surprise is shown on the Republican side as the presumptive nominee Romney is on his way to a comfortable victory in the GOP primary in the Fourth district.  While other candidates might have done well in the state in the most heated period in the nomination campaign, party loyalists are now lining up behind the nominee.

A different story is shown on the Democratic side as only 45% of voters who have either already voted or who plan to vote in the primary indicate support for President Obama.

Clearly, as Wolfe is an unknown candidate, the votes for him are in opposition to the President. In this southwest Arkansas primary, 46% of those who plan to vote call themselves conservatives and this group breaks decidedly against the President.

Most of these voters will never vote for the President in November, but they get an early opportunity to voice their opposition now. While the sample is small, those voters who have already voted have voted more solidly for the President so Obama’s showing may not be quite as poor as indicated by the aggregate results. However, the results from Arkansas — based on our polling in the Fourth and First Districts — indicate that the Arkansas primary may produce a somewhat embarrassing result for the President.

POLL METHODOLOGY
Both polls were conducted by Talk Business Research and Hendrix College on Thursday, May 10, 2012. The Democratic poll, which has a margin of error of +/-4.8%, was completed using IVR survey technology among 418 likely Democratic voters in Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District.

Participants were selected from a database of district voters who have voted in some or all of the last 5 Democratic primary elections and who affirmatively answered a question that they have early/absentee voted or intended to vote in the Democratic primary on May 22, 2012.

The Republican poll, which has a margin of error of +/-4.7%, was completed using IVR survey technology among 437 likely GOP voters in Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District.

Participants were selected from a database of district voters who have voted in some or all of the last 5 Republican primary elections and who affirmatively answered a question that they have early/absentee voted or intended to vote in the Republican primary on May 22, 2012.

All media outlets are welcome to reprint, reproduce, or rebroadcast information from this poll with proper attribution to Talk Business and Hendrix College.

For interviews, contact Talk Business executive editor Roby Brock by email at roby@talkbusiness.net or Barth at barth@hendrix.edu.

Today Ross told the Arkansas media he would not be a candidate for Governor in 2014, catching everyone by surprise.

Last July, Ross announced his wouldn’t seek Congressional reelection in 2012 and it was widely speculated that Ross made that decision to make it logistically easier to run for Governor.  Ross’s remarks at his 2011 retirement press conference and subsequent statewide travels were clear signals he was likely to run for Governor.

I’m told by reliable sources that Ross struggled with today’s decision for months.  Ross has been in public office for 22 years, ten years as State Senator and 12 years as Congressman and I’m told that he is just tired of political life and the prospect of a high-paying job with Southwest Power Pool, Inc. was too good to pass up.

However, some astute Democrats are grumbling that if political retirement was Ross’s intention all along, he should have announced such before redistricting began last year and Democrats could have drawn Congressional lines accordingly.

At this time, the only potentially definite Democratic candidate for Governor is Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.  Of course, everyone thought Ross was running for Governor, so who knows who’s actually running at this point.

Little Rock businessman John Burkhalter has floated his name as a potential candidate, but Burkhlater has floated his name in previous cycles, only to not pull the trigger. Finally, former Lieutenant Governor and 2010 Senate candidate Bill Halter could make the race, however,  Halter has a history of waiting until the last minute to announce his political intentions, so we might know until late 2013 what his political intentions are, if any.

With Ross out, is there a potential and viable Democratic candidate out there who might throw his/her hat into the ring that we might not have previously considered?

Regardless, Ross’s announcement today has far-reaching implications for potential gubernatorial candidates and the 2014 Governor’s race.

Full statement:

“I’ve received a lot of encouragement and given serious consideration to seeking the office of Governor of Arkansas in 2014, a race that will begin early next year.  However, after a lot of prayer and reflection, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2014.

I announced in July 2011 that I would not be seeking a seventh term to the U.S. House of Representatives.  As a result, instead of campaigning and raising money, I have been able to spend more time, including weekends, with my family for the past year.  We have enjoyed getting back to a more normal way of life after 22 continuous years of elective service.  This led me to the realization that there is life after politics.

Therefore, following my current term in the U.S. Congress, which ends January 3, 2013, I will be joining Little Rock based Southwest Power Pool as its Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations.

While many people have never heard of Southwest Power Pool, they perform an important mission in managing the electric grid and keeping electric rates affordable in nine states.  Public service has always been an important part of my life, and although I will no longer be holding elective office, this is another way for me to continue to serve the public as Southwest Power Pool works to meet the electricity needs of its nine-state region today and for the future. This is an especially good fit for me, as I begin a new chapter in my life, because Southwest Power Pool is a non-profit organization that serves an important public service, and it allows me to remain here at home in Arkansas with my family.

I have held elective office for the past 22 years, including 10 years in the Arkansas State Senate and 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.  During that time, we have helped thousands of people and fought for common sense policies, but I didn’t do it alone.  It was done with the help of a dedicated staff that worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Arkansas.  I will always be grateful to them for their service to our state and nation.

My service to the people of my home state has been the highest professional honor of my life, and I will never forget those who have placed their trust and confidence in me.  Let me assure the people of Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District that I will remain on the job, and continue to provide them with a strong and effective voice in our nation’s capitol for the remainder of the term that I was elected to serve, just as I have tried faithfully to do from the beginning.”

The 21st Century customer might well browse specialty stores offering advice and product tutorials and then scan the bar code and purchase that very product from an online retailer delivered right to her home.

These and other challenges facing brick and mortar retailers from specialty shops like Lewis & Clark Outfitters to Walmart were discussed Friday (May 11) at the Rogers Chamber of Commerce Focus on the Economy luncheon.

Carol Johnston, senior vice president at Walmart, said consumers are armed with powerful technology and using like never before in their daily shopping habits.

“We are a brick and mortar store but multi-channel sales including online purchases are here to to stay,” Johnston said.

Walmart estimates about 53% of its customers have smart phones, 32% have tablets and 75% have laptops at home.

The company continues to try and reach the 21st Century consumer in its multi-channel platform, from supercenters, the smaller express stores — both in rural and urban areas — and e-commerce.

Johnston said the company is “playing with” an application that allows a customer to make a shopping list on their phone that will indicate to them each aisle in which a product is located. Once in the store, they can then scan the item into their phone and pay for it automatically with a credit card on file.

“It is out there now but we are still tweaking it some,” Johnston said.

The retail giant has also made big strides in the past couple of years to clean up stores, add back product, reintroduce fishing and fabric lines and expand its money centers in an effort to win back customers who strayed.

“We know the economy is still extremely challenging for our core customers. Many are living paycheck to paycheck from the 1st to the 15th of the month. We are continuing to invest in low prices and make sure products are available so she doesn’t compound her worries by using extra gas to run all over town looking for the bargains,” Johnston said.

Greg Spragg, owner of Lewis and Clark Outfitter, also shared his business concerns in this slowly recovering economy. He too, agreed today’s customers are choosy and very much in control of their own destinies. Spragg said small business owners must stay keenly focused on identifying their customer and then providing top-notch service.

“Brick and mortar is not going away because individual customer attention will win out. But small retailers must differentiate the way they deliver it,” he said.

Spragg added that increased competition from large sporting and outdoor retailers like Academy and soon Cabela’s are a concern at first glance. But reflecting on something he heard from Sam Walton year’s ago when he worked as a regional VP of operations for Sam’s Club helped reverse  that limited perspective.

“Mr. Sam would say the best performing Sam’s Clubs were located across the street from a Costco,” Spragg said.

He added that increased competition brings in more traffic to this region and opportunities for him to create new customer relationships.

Spragg expects the next three to five years will provide good growth opportunities for Lewis and Clark. He said a new smaller footprint store will soon be opening on the University of Arkansas campus, just down from the Walmart Express.

Kim Souza with our content partner, The City Wire, is the author of this report. She can be reached by email at ksouza@thecitywire.com.