Business

Crude oil prices to rise as markets become balanced

International benchmark Brent spot prices are expected to be an average of $44 per barrel in the fourth quarter and rise to $49 per barrel in 2021 as oil markets…

CARES Act committee approves more than $200 million for city/county expenses, tourism industry support

More than $200 million in requests were approved Wednesday (Sept. 9) by the Arkansas CARES Act Steering Committee, with $150 million for cities and counties and $50 million for a…

Sen. Cotton on Trump’s list as potential Supreme Court justice

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., was among 20 additional individuals named by President Trump as potential Supreme Court nominees at the White House on Wednesday (Sept. 9). Afterwards, Cotton released…

Wages, salaries still down as recession continues

The longest expansion in U.S. economic history started in June 2009 and ended in February 2020 just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Consumer spending crashed in March and April…

Report: Manufacturers in Heartland states receive ‘fair share’ of PPP loans

Manufacturers across the middle of the United States received their “fair share” of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, but the companies had varying shares of PPP loans based on their…

State partners with Baptist Health on COVID testing; Walton says tourism industry ‘hardest hit’

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is partnering with Little Rock-based Baptist Health to boost COVID-19 testing capacity by 20%. It’s an effort to “control our own destiny” with respect…

COVID-19 impacts public schools in Northeast Arkansas

Schools throughout Northeast Arkansas re-opened by Aug. 26 per state mandate and now some in the region have reported spikes in COVID-19 among their student populations. The Lawrence County School…

Walmart is testing grocery delivery with Flytrex drone service

Walmart has launched a pilot program with Flytrex using drones to deliver groceries and household essentials in Fayetteville, N.C., according to a blog posted Wednesday (Sept. 9) by Tom Ward,…

Tyson Ventures partners with Rejoicy to help feed Northwest Arkansas residents

Tyson Foods said its investment arm is working with the online marketplace platform Rejoicy to connect with Northwest Arkansas businesses to provide prepared and healthy meals to families in the…

Baptist Health opens Gastroenterology Center in Van Buren

Baptist Health has opened a Gastroenterology Center in Van Buren with Dr. Thusha Nathan now accepting patients. Nathan provides comprehensive gastroenterology services, including treatment for Hepatitis B and C, management…

Walmart pharmacy ready to give flu shots

Retail giant Walmart has unveiled a new digital scheduler so customers can book a flu vaccine appointment at any of Walmart’s 4,700 pharmacies. Walmart said its stores are following COVID-19…

Leadership Arkansas announces Class XV

Thirty-one individuals from throughout Arkansas have been selected for Leadership Arkansas Class XV, a program operated by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas. This…

Conductor receives USDA rural business development grant for Level Up program

Conway-based The Conductor has partnered with Main Street Arkansas to provide Level Up, a small business support program for rural entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19. This project is funded by a…

Car-Mart to lease 2B’s Auto Sales site in Siloam Springs

Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart will move its dealership at 351 Highway 412 East in Siloam Springs to a new location after the retirement of a longtime used car dealer. Car-Mart is…

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull names four new associates to LR office

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC added four new associates to the law firm’s Little Rock office. They are: Bria Blair Guthridge, Glenn V. Larkin, E. Jonathan Mader and Robbi Riggs…

Black River Technical College one of few fire science programs in state

Alan Haskins has a lot of fond memories from his youth, but among his most favorite were attending volunteer firefighting meetings with his father, Jackie. His father was a volunteer…

Crude oil production increased 11% in 2019

Total U.S. crude oil production rose 11%, or by 1.24 million barrels per day, in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Lighter, less dense crude oil contributed…

Road tax supporters launch first TV ad

A group supporting the permanent extension of a half-cent sales tax for road improvements launched its first TV and radio ads on Tuesday (Sept. 8). Vote for Roads. Vote for…

Walmart to hear from 850 entrepreneurs in the October virtual Open Call

Walmart has narrowed the field of prospective suppliers down to 850 participants for this year’s virtually conducted Open Call slated for Oct. 1. The retailer sifted through more than 4,800…

Tourism numbers take a hit in Fort Smith metro; restaurant sector improving

Not unlike other parts of the state, the Fort Smith metro tourism sector has been beat up by COVID-19 during the first half of 2020. Maryl Purvis, director of the…