Author: Roby Brock

Roby Brock

Third Round Of Layoffs At Acxiom Begins

A third, and likely final, wave of layoffs at Little Rock-based Acxiom Corp. began on Wednesday (Feb. 26) as the database marketer continued its push to realign its workforce to…

U.S. Chamber Official Warns Against Fracking Overregulation, Touts Energy Mix

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce official warned an Arkansas audience that overregulation of fracking practices in the oil and gas industry could cost jobs, tax revenue, and the overall economy….

Gov. Beebe, AEDC Seed Innovation Hub With $575,000

Gov. Mike Beebe, Rep. Warwick Sabin (D-Little Rock) and AEDC director Grant Tennille revealed a $575,000 infrastructure grant to the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, which held a “wall breaking” ceremony…

Sen. Pryor Endorses State Minimum Wage Increase

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor (D) endorsed a proposal to raise the state minimum wage incrementally to $8.50 over the next three years, signing a petition to support the ballot effort….

Cong. Cotton Delivers GOP Weekly Address

Cong. Tom Cotton (R), challenger to incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor, is this week’s featured GOP national spokesman in the party’s weekly address. Cotton spends the three-and-a-half minute high-profile platform…

Windstream Lays Off 400 Companywide

Windstream Corp. announced that it would cut 400 jobs companywide, including 67 positions in Arkansas and 36 at its Little Rock headquarters and facilities. The telecom provider said that the…

Wal-Mart Profits Tumble

Revenues grew modestly, but profits took a tumble as Wal-Mart reported its fourth quarter and full year financials. The Bentonville-based retail giant reported fourth quarter net income of $4.43 billion…

Car-Mart Earnings Slip On Charge-offs, Competitive Pressures

America’s Car Mart posted lower earnings as charge-offs and competition reduced net income in its most recent quarter. The Bentonville-based “buy here, pay here” used car dealer reported third quarter…

Senator English Changes Private Option Vote For Action On New Jobs (UPDATED)

A slice of drama was cut from the state capitol on Tuesday as a state senator previously opposed to the private option said she would now vote to fund it. However, the House fell short of passing the funding measure.

To Understand The Private Option Split, Look To Saline County

Two representatives in one Arkansas county offer a microcosm of the GOP rift that has split Republicans over the fate of the private option.

Cong. Griffin Joins Arkansas Lt. Governor’s Race

Four months after declaring he would not seek a third term in Congress, Rep. Tim Griffin (R) said he will run for Arkansas Lt. Governor, joining a crowded, but dwindling, field of Republican candidates.

nGage Labs And UALR Partner On 3D Data Visualization Project

nGage Labs and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) have formed a partnership to utilize the Little Rock school’s Emerging Analytics Center. In January, nGage Labs was named…

Goodwill Sees Explosive Growth In Last 5 Years

While unemployment has remained a troublesome economic factor more than five years after the Great Recession, it has helped one Arkansas non-profit grow four-fold.

Three Votes Will Define The Fiscal Session

The 2014 legislative fiscal session will be remembered for two words – Private Option – and three potential votes.

Four Leaders Join State Business Hall Of Fame

The University of Arkansas Walton College of Business will induct four new members in the state’s business hall of fame on Friday night.

Double-digit Gains For Electronic Gambling At Oaklawn, Southland In 2013

Don’t bet against Oaklawn or Southland. The two Arkansas venues with casino-style gaming saw double-digit spikes in their overall electronic games of skill (EGS) revenues in 2013.

Capitol View: Can PO Funding Survive Until Policy Changes Can Be Made?

An architect of Arkansas’ private option and one of its chief critics agree that the battle for its funding fate in the upcoming fiscal session will be to help the health insurance plan survive until more policy changes can be made in the 2015 regular session.