Author: Michael Tilley

Michael Tilley

Riff Raff: What kind of monsters are we?

A new Pew Research Center survey suggests that 68% of us have “news fatigue.” It’s 77% with Republicans and 61% with Democrats. The survey results are great news for Republicans,…

Former Sen. Jake Files sentenced to 18 months in prison, judge calls violations ‘egregious’ (Updated)

Editor’s note: Story updated with additions and changes throughout. –––––––––––––––––– Former Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, was sentenced Monday (June 18) to 18 months in federal prison by U.S. District…

Glatfelter provides public a view of $90 million investment in Fort Smith plant

It took a little longer than they expected and cost a little more than planned, but Glatfelter officials publicly opened their new $90 million manufacturing operation in Fort Smith with…

‘High-quality prospects’ interested in space in former Whirlpool plant in Fort Smith

Part of the more than $3.65 million in ongoing work by Phoenix Investors to further renovate the former Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Fort Smith could make way for a warehouse/distribution…

Budget reduced for U.S. Marshals Museum, awaiting word on ‘major grant applications’

Staff leaders with the U.S. Marshals Museum told the museum’s board they were able to reduce the budget for the planned facility and the amount to raise is now down…

Feds say Sen. Files’ ‘deliberate fashion’ to commit fraud warrants more prison time

Federal prosecutors are asking for up to 24 months of prison time for former Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, more than the 12 to 18 months that may have been…

Northeast Arkansas travel and tourism tax revenue a mixed bag in 2017

The travel and tourism industry in Northeast Arkansas sent mixed signals in 2017, with the state’s 2% tourism tax posting gains in most of the key counties, but Jonesboro hotel…

Medical college economic impact valued at $415 million, more with physician retention

An economic impact study suggests the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) will produce at least a $415 million boost to the Fort Smith metro. But ACHE President and CEO…

Top lawyer hire at USA Truck adds to number of women in top corporate legal jobs

The number of Arkansas-based publicly held companies to hire a female as top legal counsel grew Monday (June 4) with the announcement of Katherine Knight as vice president-general counsel at…

Walmart Board chair says retailer’s culture of risk taking, going big is ‘vibrant’

Climbing Mt. Everest is a good example of risk taking, doing something big. Walmart Inc. Board Chairman Greg Penner used his recent ascent of the world’s highest mountain to offer…

Live music venue to open in downtown Fort Smith

It’s “been in the back of my head for awhile,” Jeff Gosey said of bringing another live music venue to downtown Fort Smith. That’s part of the reason he’s opening…

Riff Raff: Shawshank shareholders soiree

Folks in Bentonville are prepping for the June 1 Walmart shareholders meeting. We at Talk Business & Politics may or may not have acquired a draft agenda of the big…

Altes endorses Glidewell in Senate District runoff against Rep. Pitsch

Former Sen. Denny Altes, R-Fort Smith, who finished last in the recent three-person GOP primary for the Senate District 8 seat, is throwing his support behind Frank Glidewell. A June…

Rep. Pitsch receives Gov. Hutchinson endorsement in primary runoff against Glidewell

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who handily won the Republican primary for his second term, is endorsing Rep. Mat Pitsch, R-Fort Smith, in the June 19 GOP primary runoff election against former…

Glidewell and Rep. Pitsch headed to runoff in Senate race, Crawford wins House race

Frank Glidewell won the special election for the state Senate seat representing Fort Smith, and also will face Rep. Mat Pitsch, R-Fort Smith, in the June 19 runoff in the…

What’s next in agriculture? Autonomous tractors, vertical farms and more drones

Dirt. Nutrient-rich, alluvial-plain soil. It’s the foundation of Arkansas’ row crop agri industry. Rice, soybeans, cotton and other profitable plants have for generations risen from millions of eastern Arkansas acres….

Riff Raff: Pelican state pot, monument madness, and identification politics

One of the grow sites for medical marijuana in Louisiana is LSU. No joke. Won’t be ready this year, but 2019 tailgating in Baton Rouge could be a gold and…

Fast 15: Meagan Piroutek

The job is “pretty awesome.” That was Meagan Piroutek’s response when asked about her corporate marketing strategist job at Fort Smith-based OK Foods. Company President Trent Goins believes the vertically-integrated…

Fast 15: Jordan Hale

He was laid off after 11 months with his first job. And of his first time to meet the person who would become his wife: “We did not get along…

Riff Raff: A fortunate son

Editor’s note: This essay was first posted May 10, 2009. Happy Mother’s Day! –––––––––––––––– A lot has changed in Mom’s world. The world in 1949, the year of her birth,…