Author: Talk Business & Politics staff

Talk Business & Politics staff

Forty Under 40: Frank Cardoza

Frank Cardoza was the first in his family to graduate from law school, college or high school. While he was in high school, his family moved from California to Van…

Forty Under 40: Alex Blass

Alex Blass has a strong family legacy in construction and real estate. He counts his greatest achievement “as finding a way to work with my father and my wife in…

Forty Under 40: Erica Bankston

Erica Bankston’s rise in the world of real estate started with a desire to help her dad. Bankston’s father has been in construction her entire life. Building and development have…

Executive Summary: Riley first learned life lessons working in an animal sale barn

Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Metro Daily News Executive Summary series is focused on looking under the title, so to speak, of a business, government, and non-profit executive in the…

Fort Smith Metro Daily News Briefs: Miller Cottages, airport ‘PreCheck,’ and Taco Bell money

Following are recent news brief items from the Fort Smith metro. Affordable Housing Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) provided a $90,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant through…

UA Little Rock names new academic leaders in Donaghey College of STEM

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced several key leadership appointments in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Dr. Srikanth Pidugu, professor of mechanical engineering, has…

Kreuz, Williams join Entergy Arkansas communications team

Entergy Arkansas announced two additions to its communications team. Claire Kreuz and Lamor Williams have been hired to assist the company with internal and external communications and media relations. Both…

Lexicon promotes Bill Fitzgerald to VP marketing and communications

Arkansas-based Lexicon, Inc. has promoted Bill Fitzgerald to vice president of marketing and communications. Fitzgerald joined Lexicon as marketing director in 2021. Tasked with building Lexicon’s marketing department and function…

EV, hybrid numbers decline in Crawford and Sebastian counties

There has been a more than 37% decline in electric vehicles (EV) registered in Sebastian County in the first half of 2025 compared with the end of 2024, and a…

NWA Food Bank CEO to retire in 2026

Kent Eikenberry, president and CEO of Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, will retire in the second quarter of 2026, according to a Thursday (Aug. 7) news release. He joined the food…

Kinco Constructors announces new venture

Kinco Constructors announced Thursday (Aug. 7) the formation of a new partnership: Mulhearn Constructors, a Kinco Company. Seth Mulhearn, former president/owner of Mulhearn Wilson Constructors, will serve as president. Mulhearn…

Harding University receives $1 million gift

Harding University has received a $1 million gift from a private donor. Part of it will be used to start a one-hour credit course, Bitcoin, Monetary History and the Financial…

Ozark United FC names 3 founding partners

Rogers-based Ozark United FC recently announced its inaugural Youth Academy founding partners are Unilever, Arkansas Children’s and America’s Car-Mart. As part of the club’s youth development program, these organizations will…

Eagle Bank & Trust names new C-Suite leaders

Eagle Bank & Trust announced Wednesday (Aug. 6) four new leaders within the company. Collins Cook has been named Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer for Eagle Bank & Trust….

U.S. News rates UAMS in top 10% nationally for cancer care

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) was rated among the top 10% nationally for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-2026 Best Hospitals ranking,…

Jewelry retailer Claire’s files for bankruptcy

Bargain jewelry and accessories mall retailer filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Wednesday amid mounting debt and uncertainty around tariffs. This is the retailer’s second bankruptcy filing since 2018. The company operates…

Mercy Fort Smith set to begin work on a cancer center

Mercy Fort Smith is moving forward to build a cancer center on its main campus at 7001 Rogers Ave., with a ceremonial groundbreaking set for Friday (Aug. 8). Officials with…

Violence prevention event to take place in Bentonville

Between 150 and 200 people are expected to attend the second annual Violence Prevention Conference of Mid-America from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 at NorthWest Arkansas Community College…

Broker, contractor group to meet for Aug. 21 event

More than 125 people are expected to attend the August event hosted by the Northwest Arkansas chapter of Contractors, Closers & Connections. Rock The Deal: CCC at Meteor Guitar Gallery…

Wildfire suppression kit applications being accepted by Ag Department

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for wildland fire suppression kits through Sept. 30. Applications can be submitted online here. Through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, the Department plans…

1st woman to graduate from UCA Aviation Academy is from Prairie Grove

Arkansas rice acres planted drop to lowest level in 50 years

Jonesboro, Craighead County officials ready for new E-911 center

Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: Physician, business award nominations sought, FSPD detectives recognized