Author: Roby Brock

Roby Brock

Tourism, advertising legend Wayne Woods dies

Wayne Woods, the longtime cheerleader for Arkansas tourism and former CEO of advertising giant CJRW, has died at the age of 77 after an illness. Woods and his brother, Shelby,…

Senate President Hester says prison can be built for $825M, expects Medicaid moves this week

Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, expects a bill that centers on power generation to move through the Senate soon. He also predicts success moving forward with funding for an $825…

US Rep. Bruce Westerman on SOTU, tariffs, federal park layoffs

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said he heard good things for Arkansas in the president’s address to the nation last week, and he’s hopeful that federal layoffs and tariffs…

LR Port achieves Entergy Arkansas ‘Select Site’ certification for 875-acre megasite

The Little Rock Regional Chamber and Entergy Arkansas announced Friday (March 7) the completion of its Select Site certification for a new 875-acre industrial megasite located on the southeastern portion…

Power generation bill fails in Senate by one vote, effort to be made again

Senate Bill 307, the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025, failed by one vote in the Arkansas State Senate on Wednesday (March 5). The bill received 17 votes for, 11…

AARP survey shows small business support for more retirement options for workers

Respondents to a statewide poll conducted by AARP showed overwhelming support for legislation to make it easier for businesses to access retirement savings choices for workers. The results of the…

$10 million Venture Center Arkansas Fund makes first four investments

The Venture Center Arkansas Fund, launched last year and having raised $10 million, announced Monday (March 3) it has made investments in four state-based startups, with three based in central…

GOP women’s caucus unveils next ‘Dream Big’ initiative

Republican women legislators unveiled Wednesday (Feb. 26) a new package of bills that aims to address children and family issues in the 95th Arkansas General Assembly. Touting the successful passage…

Gov. Sanders, lawmakers unveil anti-China legislative package

Gov. Sarah Sanders outlined Wednesday (Feb. 26) the Communist China Defense legislative package, a group of bills that will divest state resources from China and ban foreign adversaries from buying…

Arkansas’ First Gentleman Bryan Sanders sees opportunities in the state’s outdoor economy

Bryan Sanders, the state’s first First Gentleman, was given a task by his wife, Gov. Sarah Sanders, early in her administration: grow Arkansas’ outdoor economy. And that’s what he aims…

Economics, technology at play in new Fayetteville Shale drilling

David Howald, Flywheel Energy’s chief operating officer, said that controlling costs, new technology, and industry economics are at the heart of his company investing heavily in the Fayetteville Shale Play….

The Jim Guy I knew

I was 12 years old when I first “met” Jim Guy Tucker. I didn’t really meet him, but I saw him in a TV ad running for the U.S. Senate…

Hearing on ballot signature bills lasts six hours; two bills pass

A House panel listening to a package of bills to alter signature collections for ballot initiatives lasted roughly six hours with only two bills making it out of committee. The…

New drilling expected in Fayetteville Shale play

Three new permits have been submitted for horizontal drilling in the once booming Fayetteville Shale play. Flywheel Energy Development, an Oklahoma City-based private oil and gas exploration and production firm,…

NWA boom leads to tight, but healthy commercial real estate market

Marshall Saviers, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the state, says the Northwest Arkansas market is in a pretty…

Petition measures, maternal health bills pass Senate; sports raffle act fails in committee

The Arkansas Senate on Wednesday (Feb. 12) passed five measures to alter the petition signature gathering process, while also advancing the governor’s maternal health package. In the Arkansas House, members…

Constitutional amendment proposals filed for partisan judges, jungle primaries

There are now 28 proposed constitutional amendments that have been filed by senators and representatives in the 95th Arkansas General Assembly. Lawmakers will have the option to refer up to…

Trump’s National Institutes of Health research funding cuts will impact Arkansas

The Trump administration’s announced cuts to research funding could cost two of Arkansas’ major health care centers millions of dollars, but state elected officials say they support the president’s actions…

Collection of economic incentives aims to help Arkansas

A plethora of bills aimed at improving Arkansas’ economic development incentives is in the process of being filed and debated at the state Capitol. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)…

Baptist Health CEO hoping for more stability in health care arena

Like nearly every other hospital CEO, funding challenges, policy changes at the state and federal level, and the never-ending struggle to contain rising costs and improve access are on Baptist…

Cherokee Nation touts annual economic impact of $3.1 billion

Fort Smith spring clean-up campaign begins April 5

NRF expects 2025 retail sales growth between 2.7% and 3.7%

2 Bentonville chefs named nominees for 2025 James Beard Award