Author: Michael Tilley

Billy, Jeff and Chuck

Billy, the old friend from the college days at Arkansas Tech University, called again this week. He typically calls after a few beers on a Sunday afternoon, but wasn’t able…

Most Arkansas-based Stock Prices Up In 2012

Share prices improved during the first nine months of 2012 for nine of the 15 publicly-held companies based in Arkansas, with the two retailers who serve different ends of the demographic spectrum posting impressive gains.

Yoakam’s Pears

Dwight Yoakam reached out to various pop culture influences, including the Beatles, to craft his newest album, “3 Pears.” Influences are not a surprise for this fan of Yoakam who…

It’s your fault

The thing that pisses me off more and more with each election cycle is not the BS we hear from politicians or political groups, it’s the folks who allow the…

That terrible day

The many memorials this week were as painfully sobering as they were respectfully appropriate. It has been one year since that day. What fell from the sky one year ago…

Deal Pending On Sale Of Fort Smith Whirlpool Plant

There is some uncertainty about a deal being final, but Whirlpool Corp. officials say they have sold the more than 2 million square-foot plant in Fort Smith, but the new buyer is not a company that will directly bring production and jobs back to the plant.

Arkansas Best Will Appeal $750 Million Lawsuit Dismissal A Second Time

Fort Smith-based ABF Freight System will again appeal to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (St. Louis) a dismissal of its $750 million lawsuit against the Teamsters and other parties.

A General question

Dear Attorney General Dustin McDaniel: What with all the time you spend fighting payday lenders and studying the layout of the governor’s office and responding to letters from Arkansas House…

USA Truck Signs New Credit Deal

USA Truck on Friday (Aug. 24) announced a new credit agreement a few weeks ahead of a period set to begin on Sept. 7 in which the trucking company would have faced more penalties for breach of covenants on an earlier credit agreement.

Community Health, Blue Cross Resume Negotiations

While no agreement has been reached, the parent company of Northwest Medical System has decided to honor its existing contract with Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield beyond Sept. 1.

Freight Reports Paint Picture Of Slowing U.S. Economy

A national trucking sector struggling through economic ups and downs hit the middle in July with no change in the American Trucking Associations’ Truck Tonnage Index. The index, considered a…

Tax rhetoric and reality

Let’s travel once more into the most dangerous ground in today’s political environment, which would be the damn-near abandoned beautiful valley of calm in which compromise, moderation and careful deliberation…

Economist: Lessons To Learn From Beebe’s Frustration

There are two primary lessons to learn from the verbal lashing Whirlpool Corp. recently received from Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe.

Beebe Zings Whirlpool Execs Over Labor Move To Mexico

Gov. Mike Beebe isn’t happy with Whirlpool, believes some of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s federal budget plans could be “problematic and troublesome,” and is willing to put his tax-cutting credentials up against Republicans.

Keep calm

The Arkansas GOP is doing everything but measuring for new carpet in the Arkansas House Speaker’s office. They are anticipating that come November the Republicans will capture a majority in…

‘Cloudy’ Outlook Noted For USA Truck

The financial struggles at Van Buren-based USA Truck are likely to continue and another attempt could be made to buy out the company, according to Alex Gray, founder of Grayvest and a private investor with more than 20 years of private equity experience.