Author: Roby Brock

Lt. Governor Darr Plans To Resign On Feb. 1 (UPDATED)

After 10 days of tumult, embattled Republican Lt. Governor Mark Darr says he will step down after an ethics scandal. What could happen next?

Politics 24/7/365

The world of political communications rarely has a quiet moment. Six prominent campaign spokespeople explain why.

Morrilton, Conway County To Seek Quarter Cent Tax For Jobs (UPDATED)

The Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway County Economic Development Corporation are seeking a five-year, quarter-cent countywide sales tax to be used for job recruitment to Conway County. The…

Darr: No Plans To Resign, No Malice In Ethics Violations

Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Darr told reporters today that he has no plans to resign from office over a major ethics fine and that his case is different from others…

Metroplan Report Notes Labor Force Decline, Employment Sector Shifts

Metroplan, the central Arkansas planning organization, released its “December 2013 Economic Review and Outlook” on Monday. The report indicates that the region’s employment has fared better than the state and…

Mike Ross Debuts TV Ad Starring Gov. Beebe

If there was ever any doubt that Democrat Mike Ross wants to hitch his wagon to popular Gov. Mike Beebe (D), the first TV commercial of the 2014 gubernatorial campaign…

Arkansas Unemployment Rate Unchanged At 7.5%

Arkansas’ jobless rate remained unchanged from October to November at 7.5%. The number is well above one year ago when the state unemployment rate stood at 7.2%. U.S. unemployment in…

For Entergy, The Light Switch Flipped And Hopefully Nobody Noticed

The light switch has flipped and hopefully nobody noticed. That’s the attitude of electricity transmission officials in a large part of Arkansas. Entergy Arkansas announced it has completed its integration…

CapRocq Core Real Estate Fund Garners $56 Million In New Equity

Nearly one year ago and with an initial $50 million capitalization, a group of Arkansas real estate leaders formed a new private investment fund focused on acquiring assets throughout the…

Business Leaders Survey In Arkansas ‘Slightly Optimistic’ For 2014

Talk Business Arkansas’ first-ever survey of more than 100 state CEO’s, company presidents, and general managers reveals a generally favorable view for 2014.

Simmons First Salutes Chairman And CEO Tommy May

J. Thomas May is set to step down from his post as Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corp. on Jan. 1, 2014. Despite a debilitating disease, he’ll assume a new high-profile chairman’s position.

Sen. Marco Rubio PAC To Aid Tom Cotton Senate Bid

While you’re watching the winter weather, expect to see yet another political ad in the U.S. Senate race on your TV screen. The Wall Street Journal and other outlets report that…

Sen. Pryor Launches New TV Ad Touting His Faith

As we enter the holiday season, incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor released a new TV ad that will air statewide beginning Wednesday (Dec. 4). The ad touts Pryor’s faith…

Broadband Groups Sending Recommendations To Governor

The ambitious effort to expand broadband capability in Arkansas public schools moved forward on Tuesday (Dec. 3) as two working groups accepted an engineering report and recommended the state proceed…

DF&A Downgrades Forecast, Warns Of Tax Collection Slowdown (UPDATED)

Citing an expected decline in income tax collections, state forecasters revised the current fiscal year budget downward by 1.7% from the previous year. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration director…

New Ad Targets Potential Cotton Vote On Changes To Mortgage Reform Law (UPDATED)

A third party group is launching a new TV ad aimed at GOP Senate hopeful Cong. Tom Cotton’s position on changes to a mortgage reform law. Americans United for Change…

For McLarty Auto Group, The Sale-Leaseback Option Unlocks Capital

When you have a company the size and scope of RML Automotive, you’re looking for advantages to improve profits in a sizable manner, not incrementally. Little Rock-based RLJ McLarty Landers…

Arkansas Children’s Hospital CEO Marcy Doderer Up To The Challenges

Arkansas Children’s Hospital CEO Marcy Doderer must like a challenge. She’s tackling several as she follows in the footsteps of a CEO legend, wrestles with health care reform, and pushes…

UCA President Tom Courtway Outlines Vision For Growth

University of Central Arkansas President Tom Courtway says there are four ways that students fail to obtain a college degree once they begin the journey. In an interview on this…

AG Chief Of Staff Says Superintendent Suggs A Catalyst For Settlement

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s chief of staff Erika Gee said new Little Rock Superintendent Dr. Dexter Suggs was a crucial catalyst in the recent desegregation settlement that received preliminary approval…