Author: The City Wire Staff

The City Wire Staff

Sam’s Club Cuts 2,300 Jobs, About 2% Of Workforce

Sam’s Club is laying off 2,300 workers as the warehouse club seeks to reduce the level of middle managers. The staff reduction is roughly 2% of Sam’s workforce, and is…

Arkansas’ Large Market Home Sales Up Almost 13% In 2013

The number of homes sold in Arkansas’ four largest metro areas totaled 20,644 during 2013, the first time since 2007 that the tally topped 20,000 and the first time the value of the homes sold in the four markets topped $3 billion.

NLRB Alleges Wal-Mart Violated Worker Rights During ‘Black Friday’ Protests

The general counsel for the National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint Wednesday (Jan. 15) against Wal-Mart Stores alleging that more than 60 store supervisors and one corporate officer violated…

First Federal Asks Investors To Approve Name Change Amid Private Placement

Harrison-based First Federal Bancshares recently outlined the terms of a pending name change to Bear State Financial and a private placement totaling $20 million, if approved by shareholders during a…

Arkansas Home Sales Down In November, Up 10% Year-to-date

The pace of home sales in Arkansas’ four largest metro areas fell almost 5% in November but the sector is on track to end the year with a double-digit gain…

U.S. Freight Numbers Up In November

November data from two prominent transportation trackers continue to show a national economy that is improving but not with impressive gains.

NWA StartUp Cup Announces 2013 Winners

The NWA StartUp Cup announced its 2013 winners during a celebration held Thursday morning (Dec. 19) at the Bentonville Public Library. The three finalists come from a list of more…

Renewable Energy Group To Acquire Syntroleum

The cash burn at Tulsa-based Syntroleum Corp. could soon be over as Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group Inc. announced plans to acquire the Tulsa-based energy company, pending shareholder approval. Renewable Energy…

FDIC Report Shows Arkansas Bank Gains, Slow Economic Growth

Third-quarter 2013 banking and other economic data released Thursday (Dec. 12) by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) show improvements in the state’s banking sector and continued signs of muted…

Wal-Mart Names New CEO For India Unit

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. named Krish Iyer as the new CEO and president of its Indian unit, effective January 20. He replaces Ramnik Narsey, who served in the interim since June,…

Execs Optimistic On Economy, Worry About Healthcare, Regulations

Most of the Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas business leaders who responded to an informal survey from The City Wire are optimistic about overall economic conditions in 2014, but worry…

Downtowns New Part Of Northwest Arkansas Council Strategy

A move announced last week by the Northwest Arkansas Council is geared to build upon the past several years of renewed interest in developing downtown areas in Northwest Arkansas. The…

Majority Of Metro Area Jobless Figures Rise

During October, the lowest metro jobless rate in the state was in Northwest Arkansas with 5.1% and the highest rate was 9.6% in the Pine Bluff area. What’s trending in your area?

Freight Reports Present Mixed Economic Outlook

Optimism was the theme of an American Trucking Associations’ economic report, but a broader index that measures shipments and freight expenditures delivered a sour note on future economic conditions. The…

Arkansas Home Sales Rise, But Prices Trend Lower

The pace of home sales in Arkansas’ four largest metro areas continues an impressive rise toward the end of 2013, but the average home price is trending lower thanks to…

Wal-Mart Income Up, But Guidance Lowered

Wal-Mart Stores posted quarterly income slightly better than what the market was expecting, but officials with the world’s largest retailer have lowered future earnings guidance based on tougher competition and…

‘Pipeline’ Needed For Female Arkansas Governor

Editor’s note: Michael Tilley and Ryan Saylor are co-authors of this article. Having a female name on the door of the Arkansas Governor’s office in the State Capitol is just…

Sparks, Summit Likely To Have New Owner In 2014

Sparks Health System in Fort Smith and Summit Medical Center in Van Buren are on track to have a Tennessee-based owner in early 2014. The relatively new Board of Directors…

Numbers Up For Arkansas Home Sales, September Prices Dip

The number of homes sold in Arkansas’ four largest metro areas continues to rise, but the average home sale price declined during September in the state’s two largest metro areas.

GOP Delegation Questions Obamacare, Pryor Spox Says Letter Leaves Details Out

A letter from the five Republican members of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation to federal Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has been described by the office of U.S. Sen. Mark…