Author: Roby Brock

Roby Brock

Bank OZK reports record Q2 earnings

Bank OZK announced Thursday (July 20) that net income for the second quarter of 2023 was a record $167.9 million, a 26.9% increase from $132.4 million for the second quarter…

Home BancShares produces healthy Q2 profits

After completing its big Texas merger, riding rising interest rates and navigating mixed signals in the economy, Home BancShares posted healthy second quarter profits. The Conway-based financial institution, parent company…

PSC to Summit Utilities: Issues largely resolved, suspension of late fees, disconnections to end

The Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) issued a filing disclosed Monday (July 17) that will allow Summit Utilities to discontinue the suspension of late fees and disconnections within the next…

State Chamber chief hopes tax cut trend continues

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce CEO Randy Zook says what he hopes will happen and what he expects to happen with the state’s $1.16 billion budget surplus will be similar….

Justice Karen Baker says her experience makes her most qualified to lead Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker, who has announced she will seek the Chief Justice position, said her experience makes her the most qualified to lead the court. Baker, who…

77,000 removed from Medicaid rolls in June

In the third month of activity, Arkansas posted its highest level of disenrollment figures since beginning its redetermination process mandated by state and federal law. In June, Arkansas Department of…

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is bringing ‘something new’

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts executive director Dr. Victoria Ramirez is ready to wear a new hat. With renovation of the new museum in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park complete, Ramirez…

Arkansas political legend, longtime office holder, Charlie Daniels, dies

Charlie Daniels, the former Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands, Secretary of State and Auditor of State, has died after a brief illness. He was 83 years old. Daniels, who served…

Rep. French Hill tackles broadband vote, COVID relief fraud, party politics

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, shared his views on a variety of subjects ranging from his vote on infrastructure and broadband funding to COVID relief fraud to Russia and…

Gov. Sanders names RPA chair Cody Hiland to Arkansas Supreme Court to replace Justice Robin Wynne

Gov. Sarah Sanders appointed Republican Party of Arkansas chairman Cody Hiland to the Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday (July 3) to fill a vacancy left by the death of Justice…

AG Griffin says FOIA law needs to modernize

Pointing to a need for privacy in sensitive situations, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said Sunday (July 2) the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) needs to change to adapt to…

DHS officials say redetermination numbers meeting estimates, work requirement waiver in ‘negotiation’ phase with feds

Nearly halfway through a six-month process to redetermine Medicaid eligibility for hundreds of thousands of Arkansans, Department of Human Services officials said they believe estimates of where the population would…

Internet trade group files lawsuit against Arkansas’ Social Media Safety Act

NetChoice, a coalition of trade associations, e-commerce businesses, and online consumers, filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday (June 29) in the western district of Arkansas against the state for Act…

Justice Rhonda Wood offers vision for Chief Justice, wants magistrate system to speed up trials

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood remembered her colleague Justice Robin Wynne and outlined her vision if she is elected Chief Justice in 2024 – a vision that includes creating…

Federal judge permanently blocks Arkansas law banning transgender procedures for minors, AG will appeal

An Arkansas law that banned medical procedures for transgender patients under the age of 18 was permanently blocked by U.S. District Judge Jay Moody on Tuesday (June 20). Arkansas Attorney…

Children & Families director says child care, early childhood education key to statistical improvement

When the most recent Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Book was released last week, a number of troubling statistics presented itself for Arkansas. Improving child care and early childhood…

Economist: Despite mixed Fed signals, recession increasingly unlikely

University of Arkansas Walton College economist Mervin Jebaraj has been parsing through the Federal Reserve Bank’s statement on economic conditions from last week. The signals are mixed, but he thinks…

Gov. Sanders to attend aerospace and defense trade forum in Paris

Gov. Sarah Sanders said Wednesday (June 14) she would travel to Europe for the Paris Air Show next week in an effort to recruit more aerospace and defense business to…

Trucking industry leader discusses economy, workforce challenges

This isn’t Shannon Newton’s first road trip. The president of the Arkansas Trucking Association has seen plenty of ebbs and flows in her career leading and working in the transportation…

CARTI opens new surgery center in Little Rock

Cancer care provider CARTI opened its new 57,000 square foot surgery center on Friday (June 9) at its campus in midtown Little Rock. The new surgery center includes eight private…