Author: Roby Brock

Simmons First Wins Auction For Metropolitan National Bank

Arkansas will lose one of its iconic bank names after Simmons First won a bidding war for Metropolitan National Bank.

Cong. Cotton Explains Syrian Stance

Rep. Tom Cotton (R) discusses in-depth why he supports Congress giving Pres. Obama approval for a limited strike in Syria.

Notes From The Campaign Trail 9.6.13

A compilation of inbox media advisories, press releases, tips, news clips, and notes from the campaign trail: CLUB FOR GROWTH TO TARGET PRYOR ON WEB The conservative Club For Growth…

Arvest Bank, Simmons First Bid For Metropolitan National Bank

In surprise moves, Arvest Bank and Simmons First National Corp. joined Ford Financial Fund II in submitting bids to acquire Metropolitan National Bank.

Clinton Touts Health Insurance Positives, Calls On Bipartisan Fixes

Former President Bill Clinton used the forum of his Presidential Library to advocate for the Affordable Care Act, which hits a major milestone on Oct. 1 when health insurance exchanges…

Notes From The Campaign Trail 9.4.13

A compilation of inbox media advisories, press releases, tips, news clips, and notes from the campaign trail.

Notes From The Campaign Trail 9.3.13

For our diehard political readers who have told me they aren’t fed enough to satisfy their appetite of daily campaign news, we re-start our popular “Notes from the Campaign Trail”…

Murphy USA: The Spin-off

Being ready for Day One is the No. 1 priority for Arkansas’ newest publicly traded company, Murphy USA.

Cong. Womack Says Timing Not Right To Defund Obamacare

With only eight working days before October 1 when Congress returns from its recess, Rep. Steve Womack (R) says tying the defunding of the federal health care law to a continuing resolution to keep government operating is an unwise political move.

State Says Nordex Will Repay $2.5 Million In Grants

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission said Nordex USA will repay the state and city of Jonesboro more than $2.5 million in grants it received when it opened its North American…

Darr Canceling Congressional Bid, Goes On Record About Exit (UPDATED)

Lt. Gov. Mark Darr (R) says he will no longer be a candidate for the U.S. Congress, District 4 seat. In a statement released to Talk Business Arkansas this morning,…

Two More Names Added To Senate District 21 Field

Add another candidate to each political party primary in the race to fill Sen. Paul Bookout’s Senate District 21 vacated seat. On Wednesday, former State Sen. Gene Roebuck (D) said…

Bill Clinton To Give Little Rock Speech On Health Care Law

The Clinton Foundation announced Wednesday (Aug. 28) that former President Bill Clinton will give an address on the Affordable Care Act one week from today on Sept. 4. “Clinton will…

Legislators Aim For Action On Ethics Reform

After a roiling week of ethics headlines centered around the resignation of Sen. Paul Bookout (D-Jonesboro) and the self-reporting of potential campaign reporting mistakes by Lt. Gov. Mark Darr (R),…

Bookout Senate Seat Lands 3 Early Candidates

The resignation of State Sen. Paul Bookout (D-Jonesboro) over ethical transgressions related to his campaign finances has spurred plenty of early interest by replacements. Gov. Mike Beebe (D) is expected…

Northeast Arkansas Political Animals Club Launching

Joining central and northwest Arkansas, representatives from northeast Arkansas announced the launch of a new regional Political Animals Club. The Jonesboro Regional Chamber Government Relations Committee is helping start the…

Tilley: Consumer Spending & Manufacturing Showing Weakness

The City Wire’s Michael Tilley joined me on this week’s edition of Talk Business Arkansas. We discussed Wal-Mart’s latest earnings report, which showed consumers pulling back in the present and…

KARK’s Jessica Dean Taking Job In Philadelphia

KARK Ch. 4 news anchor Jessica Dean is leaving her Little Rock post and moving to Philadelphia. Dean will become weekday evening co-anchor at CBS 3 in Philadelphia beginning in…

FCC Commissioner Wants 100 Mps Goal By 2015

With Arkansas pursuing expanded broadband in its public schools, an FCC commissioner says she wants her agency to be a catalyst for meeting the state’s goals and pushing for greater…

Arkansas, National Unemployment Rates Intersect At 7.4% (UPDATED)

Arkansas’ jobless rate has stayed below the national rate throughout the recession and recovery, but for the first time since April 2008, the two rates intersected.