Author: Michael Tilley

Michael Tilley

Glatfelter net income up 40%, sanitary wipe shipments up 6%

Shipments of products like those made at the Glatfelter plant in Fort Smith were up 6% year-over-year as the demand by consumers for sanitizing wipes grew amid the COVID-19 pandemic,…

March jobless rate rises to 4.2% in Fort Smith metro, unemployed number up 20%

The March jobs report for the Fort Smith metro shows the first signs of COVID-19 on the regional economy, with the jobless rate rising to 4.2%, up from 3.8% in…

CDC to provide Arkansas 90,000 test kits; businesses encouraged to ‘set the example’

Arkansas is set to receive 90,000 COVID-19 testing kit supplies in May from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday (May 6). He said…

Gov. Hutchinson issues dates, guidelines for venue reopening; Ready for Business program returns with $55 million

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday (May 4) announced dates and guidelines for the limited opening of indoor and outdoor venues and places of worship. It was also announced that the…

$85 million more sought for Ready for Business grants; barbershops, hair salons can reopen May 6

A steering committee on Friday (May 1) approved an additional $85 million in funding for businesses preparing to reopen, bringing the fund total to $100 million. The additional money is…

Ready for Business grant program halted after miscue; gyms and fitness centers may reopen May 4

A $15 million program funded with federal dollars designed to help small businesses in Arkansas reopen has been temporarily halted to update the application and gain legislative approval, Gov. Asa…

All Arkansas metro areas see increases in the number of unemployed in March

All metro areas in or connected to Arkansas posted jobless rate increases in March, with year-over-year increases in the number of unemployed ranging between 44% in Jonesboro to 4.8% in…

Restaurants can begin limited openings on May 11; $15 million grant program created

Arkansas restaurants can begin a limited reopening on May 11, with the state establishing a $15 million grant fund to help restaurant and other business owners reopen in a way…

U.S. GDP drops by 4.8% in the first quarter; full COVID impact not in the report

The initial estimate of the first quarter U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) fell at an annual rate of 4.8%, reflecting the first impacts of COVID-19 on the economy. The decline…

Van Buren businessman Ed Yeager has died

Ed Yeager, co-owner of the four Yeager Hardware stores in the Fort Smith and Van Buren area and son of the company’s founder, died Monday (April 27). He was 78….

Gov. Hutchinson: No high school graduation ceremonies prior to July 1

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Saturday (April 25) that traditional high school graduation ceremonies will not be allowed prior to July 1. Arkansas Department of Education officials also are reviewing options…

Bridge loans help save an estimated 3,500 jobs, another $1 million added to the state program

Bridge loans to Arkansas businesses from a program created to stem job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have helped retain almost 2,500 full-time jobs and about 1,000 part-time jobs,…

COVID-19 cases trend higher for three days as number of tests increase

The good news is more COVID-19 tests are being conducted in Arkansas. The bad news is more positive cases could require state officials to “rethink” the plan to begin opening…

TempleLive sets May 15 concert; Harry’s Downtown shuts its doors

TempleLive in downtown Fort Smith is attempting to “lean forward” during the COVID-19 pandemic and open its doors for a May 15 concert. But just a few blocks west, the…

Gov. Hutchinson announces two-day COVID-19 testing ‘surge’

Arkansans are being asked to consider participating in the two-day “Arkansas Surge Campaign” in an effort to boost the number of COVID-19 tests conducted, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday (April…

Decision dates set on possible opening of restaurants, beauty shops, other venues

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday (April 22) said the state, with some limitations, will lift restrictions on elective surgeries, and he set dates for when he will make decisions on…

Redistricting amendment organizers seek legal relief from signature gathering rules

Arkansas Voters First is asking the federal court for signature collection relief in its push to place an amendment on the November ballot establishing a non-partisan redistricting commission. The COVID-19…

Economic recovery group plans late May interim report; prison COVID-19 cases rise to 670

The economic task force appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson met Tuesday (April 21) to begin discussing how best to reopen the state economy. The group plans to issue an interim…

Arkansas health secretary says more testing needed; prison COVID cases rise to around 600

Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith on Monday (April 20) asked doctors to begin testing more patients with COVID-19 symptoms, saying commercial labs have the capacity. Smith, who made…

Steuart Walton to chair Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Saturday (April 18) announced that Steuart Walton of Bentonville will chair a newly established Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force. Walton is the grandson of Walmart founders…