Month: February 2012

Layoffs Of 100 In Store For Wynne Plastics Factory

About 100 workers near Wynne will be laid off after a company decided not to rebuild one of three buildings after a fire disaster last year.

Sampier fired as NACA director

John Sampier, executive director for Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority, was fired late this afternoon for misuse of the authority’s credit card. The board met in executive session around 3:15 p.m….

Officials place aquatics park on ballot

The Sebastian County Quorum Court and Fort Smith City Board of Directors approved an inter-local agreement at a special joint meeting Thursday night (Feb. 16) to move forward on the…

Say It Ain’t So! All You Can Eat Catfish, No More

All-you-can-eat catfish buffets are becoming a thing of the past as restaurants struggle to stay afloat, according to industry operators. How might that impact Arkansas’ catfish farmers and restaurants?

House Republicans Split on Trucker Tax Cut Repeal

So far, the fiscal session has been a snoozefest. Please note, I am not complaining; it is supposed to be that way. It is designed to focus almost exclusively on…

Adam & Eats: River City Deli

This week I’m very excited. When I heard we have a new deli in Fort Smith, especially a New York style deli, my mouth began immediately watering. The chance to…

Alice Walton to receive honorary UA degree

To recognize the “lifetime of contributions” of Alice Walton, the University of Arkansas is granting her an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters during the spring All-University commencement ceremony…

Low natural gas prices won’t stop drilling

Even as Wall Street analysts continue to ratchet down their 2012 forecasts for already record low wellhead prices, Fayetteville Shale producers don’t appear ready to completely halt cash-rich drilling plans…

Burris Explains Republicans’ $21 Million Budget Cuts

Yesterday, House Minority Leader John Burris laid out a Republican proposal to cut $21 million from the budget as originally submitted by Gov. Mike Beebe. The cuts are directed at…

Catfish: All you can eat, no more

All-you-can-eat catfish buffets are becoming a thing of the past as restaurants struggle to stay afloat, according to industry operators. Wholesale catfish prices have risen to record highs, availability of…

Harrison: Books deliver ‘great characters’ of history

FAYETTEVILLE — Some authors will stand before an eager crowd, presenting their written words with deliberate emphasis and measured pauses. The exercise feeds their egos. Not Bill Harrison. Instead, he marked…

UAFS Symphonic Band Concert

Join the UAFS Symphonic Band in concert as they present musical works that blend Old World charm with New World energy. 7:30pm – Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center (Fort Smith…

UAFS Choral Concert

The UAFS Chorale and Women's Chorus will perform their annual spring concert at Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Avenue. FREE and open to the public. Concert starts at 7:30…

House Of Representatives Approves Resolution For Trucker Tax Repeal

By a 81-15 margin, members of the Arkansas House of Representatives approved a resolution that will allow a non-budget bill to be introduced in the fiscal session.

Oklahoma income tax plan pressures Arkansas’ tax future

Oklahoma's Governor is pursuing a radical overhaul in the Sooner State's personal income tax structure and Arkansas policy makers say the Natural State will feel the pressure to respond. Earlier…

Ouch! Worst Legislator in America Does Better Job than Arkansas Democratic Leaders

For quite awhile now, I’ve lamented numerous times here on Cook’s Outlook about the dramatic lack of Arkansas Democrats using social media. Both on Facebook and Twitter, Democrats in Arkansas…

Lignite push draws skepticism, opposition

Advocates for lignite development in Arkansas say it could be a boon similar to the natural gas renaissance seen in the state, but environmentalists rank their concerns on par with…

Democratic Black Caucus Honors 10

In celebration of Black History Month, the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus (ADBC) will host its eighth annual King-Kennedy Dinner at the Metroplex Event Center in Little Rock at 7pm. The…

Alice Walton To Receive Honorary Degree From UA

The University of Arkansas will honor Alice Walton with an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters at its spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12.

UA to Award Honorary Degree to Alice Walton

Chancellor says Walton’s impact is worthy of the honor.

Fort Smith Board hears new plan for Bass Reeves Legacy Loop project

Outcomes ABA opens clinic in Hoxie

Governor makes appointments to boards and commissions

ScaleUp Accelerator focuses on intimacy, impact of program