Author: George Jared

George Jared

FNBC forms deposit leadership team

FNBC has formed a Deposit Leadership Team to better position the bank for future growth and expansion, it said Wednesday (March 31). The team of four has a depth of…

Two Northeast Arkansas counties still leading state in COVID-19 cases

Gov. Asa Hutchinson eliminated the mask mandate on Tuesday (March 30) and dropped the age to qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine to 16 years old. The changes come as cases…

Broadband improvement district measure clears House, heads to Senate

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed something that economic developers and those who live in rural areas in Arkansas already knew: access to broadband internet in many parts of the state is…

Arkansas Senate committee considers ‘jungle primary’ amendment

The Arkansas Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee heard Tuesday (March 30) of a proposed constitutional amendment that would create open or so-called “jungle primaries.” The amendment, and two…

Supha Xayprasith-Mays to seek Democratic nomination for governor in 2022

Businesswoman and civic leader Supha Xayprasith-Mays (pronounced Sai-Pri-Sith-Maze) will seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2022. She announced her intentions to run Friday (March 26). “I am running for…

Cold weather may impact cattle breeding this spring

Record cold weather just prior to the start of spring could have a significant impact on the number of cattle produced during 2021. Cattle breeding experts with the University of…

Stakeholders coalesce to tackle state’s feral hog problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed many human activities, but it hasn’t stopped feral hogs from reproducing and causing damage to agriculture fields throughout the state. During 2021, the Cooperative Extension…

Public comment period on the extended use of dicamba set to begin

Perhaps the most controversial subject in Arkansas agriculture, the use of the herbicide dicamba, will now require public input. A 30-day public comment period has been set for a proposed…

Jonesboro tops $2 million in sales and use collections for one month

Craighead County and Jonesboro have consistently set all-time sales and use tax collection records in recent years, and no month has been better than February in terms of setting all-time…

‘Legislative Bootcamp’ bill aimed at arts and technology economic development

Divisive cultural issues have been the hallmark of this year’s legislative session, but Arkansas lawmakers may have found common culture on arts and technology as an economic engine this past…

Ritter Communications expands into Lonoke

Ritter Communications has expanded the company’s 100% fiber high-speed internet and advanced business solutions to Lonoke business customers. The company will bring a full suite of telecommunications services including voice,…

Judd Hill Foundation to expand ASU’s farmer’s market

Arkansas State University will rename its farmer’s market, the Judd Hill Farmer’s Market, and there are multi-million dollar plans to expand. The Judd Hill Foundation will provide about $2.4 million…

Ernest Hemingway’s connections to Arkansas explored in upcoming documentary

Ernest Hemingway’s first novel may have been turned into a movie but he was not pleased. “A Farewell to Arms,” a book he mostly wrote while staying with his wife…

ASU ready for guidance on next round of COVID-19 funding

The three rounds of federal COVID-19 stimulus for higher education institutions and students have been very beneficial, Arkansas State University President Chuck Welch said during ASU’s recent quarterly meeting. Guidance…

Senate bill moves franchise tax administration back to Secretary of State from DF&A

Two years ago, the state Legislature thought it would be prudent to have the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration take control of the administration and collection of franchise taxes….

Ritter Communications expands high-speed internet in Augusta and Stuttgart

The cities of Augusta and Stuttgart will soon have 100% fiber high-speed internet services available to local residents thanks to help from the Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) Broadband Grant Program….

Dr. Fred Bourland receives A.L. Vandergriff Cotton Pioneer Award

Mississippi County native Dr. Fred Bourland received the A.L. Vandergriff Cotton Pioneer Award in February from the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. He is a professor of cotton breeding and genetics…

ASU hires Tom Bowen as its new Athletic Director

Arkansas State University’s quest to find a new Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics has ended. Chancellor Kelly Damphousse announced Wednesday (March 10) that Tom Bowen, a 25-year veteran in collegiate…

Personal income, savings on the rise in 2021

It’s been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world and there are signs that the turbulent economy, a side impact of the virus, might be on an upswing….

Former State Senator Gene Roebuck of Jonesboro has died

One of Northeast Arkansas’ most well-known former state senators has died. Gene Roebuck, 85, of Jonesboro passed away Monday (March 8) at NEA Medical Center. The cause of death was…

The 9th annual Juneteenth celebration slated for Jonesboro

Applications being sought for Farmers Market Promotion Program

Stevens to lead architecture school at the University of Arkansas

Fort Smith metro home sales up almost 4% through April