Business

Walton family heirs reduce stock holdings

In recent weeks heirs of Wal-Mart Stores founders Helen and Sam Walton sold off more than 12.585 million shares of the retail stock with a market value in excess of…

Made in America: Robots on the rise as 2016 shipments jump 10%

Made in America is a roundup of manufacturing-related news. ROBOTS ON THE RISE, 2016 SHIPMENTS JUMP 10% TO $1.9 BILLION The Robotic Industries Association recently reported that the North American…

Ford Motor Co. futurist talks self-driving cars, sharing economy, prepping for future trends

The 100-year-old Ford Motor Company faces a future that includes autonomous vehicles and a sharing economy that threatens vehicle sales, according to Sheryl Connelly, global consumer trends and futuring manager…

RevUnit CEO disagrees with Mark Cuban on future of tech industry

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said fast-paced advancement in automation and artificial intelligence means the software and programming job market soon will be left in the dust, but Bentonville-based tech…

Grand Savings Bank announces promotions, new hire

Guy Cable, CEO of Grands Savings Bank, announced three executive promotions and one new hire this week. Tyler Steele has been promoted to vice chairman of the bank’s board of…

Polk Stanley Wilcox named associate architect for Arkansas Arts Center remodel

The Arkansas Arts Center has selected Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects of Little Rock to aid Chicago-based Studio Gang Architects in the center’s expansion and renovation, estimated to cost $46 million….

Field Agent: Consumers slow to use ‘Alexa’ for online ordering

Personal assistant electronics like Alexa and Siri are proving to be useful among consumers of all ages, according to a recent consumer survey completed by Fayetteville-based Field Agent. While sales…

Fort Smith group makes final recommendations on 2017 CDBG/HOME funds

The Fort Smith Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC) finalized recommendations on $668,943 in grant funding at Thursday night’s (March 2) marathon deliberation from the Creekmore Community Center. The five-member panel…

Energy In-depth: Advanced Energy leaders to gather at State Capitol on March 14

Energy In-depth is a roundup of energy-related news. ADVANCED ENERGY LEADERS TO GATHER AT STATE CAPITOL ON MARCH 14 The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) will host its third “Advanced…

Liquor stores owners bruised by second vote on grocery store wine bill, prepare for one last fight

One day after a bruising, rules-bending fight on the House floor, opponents of legislation that would allow Arkansas stores to sell a wider selection of wines are ramping up for…

Since 2012, Wal-Mart spent nearly $500,000 a day on federal corruption probe

The probe into alleged violations of the Federal Corruption Practices Act (FCPA) in several of Wal-Mart Stores’ international markets has cost the retailer $837 million since 2012 according to a…

Former Gov. Beebe part of bipartisan group to address U.S. Senate Governor’s caucus

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe told a leadership convention at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Thursday that he will join a bipartisan panel of former governors next week in speaking…

Spike in February income tax collections bolster the state’s revenue picture

A $28.5 million spike in income tax collections and an anticipated boost in sales tax collections from Amazon and other online retailers eased concerns at the State Capitol after state…

Linimon to lead office of donor relations and special events for UA Advancement

The University of Arkansas has hired Amy Linimon as director of donor relations and special events for its University Advancement division. She will work closely with alumni, friends, and benefactors…

WorkHound announces $500,000 investment to grow company

A Des Moines, Iowa-based software company working to reduce driver turnover in the trucking industry announced it has raised $500,000 to grow the business. WorkHound, co-founded by Arkansas native Max…

Northwest Arkansas banks report consistent profits led by consumer and commercial loans

Last year was good for Arkansas banks, who posted a combined net income gain of more than 21% in 2016, with a core group of banks in Northwest Arkansas posting…

ForwARd Arkansas group says state needs $20 million investment to keep pre-K programs from falling behind

Arkansas needs to invest $20 million in order to ensure the state’s pre-K programs don’t fall further behind, officials with a statewide education reform and advocacy group said on Wednesday….

Tort reform to ballot; Arkansas Works freeze advances

The Arkansas Senate voted to place a constitutional amendment for tort reform before the voters in November 2018 on Wednesday, while the Arkansas House advanced a measure that would ban…

Fort Smith Public Schools to roll out drone program in fall semester, partner with UAFS

Two Fort Smith high schools will join only four others in the state to launch an unmanned aircraft system (UAS, aka drones) curriculum this fall. The program will take off…

Legislative panel votes to ban marijuana smoking, edibles

An Arkansas Senate committee agreed Wednesday to let Arkansans use medical marijuana, but not to let them smoke it or obtain it from others in edible form, while a House…