Business

‘ALICE’ provides a path forward for underserved

Every day, we meet Arkansans suffering under heavy loads. The dad who puts in long hours as a janitor at a local public school but can barely afford medications for…

Gov. Hutchinson: No high school graduation ceremonies prior to July 1

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Saturday (April 25) that traditional high school graduation ceremonies will not be allowed prior to July 1. Arkansas Department of Education officials also are reviewing options…

John Brown University accepting students for new bachelor’s degree

Siloam Springs-based John Brown University recently announced it has developed an undergraduate criminal justice program that will begin this fall. The private, Christian university has started to enroll students for…

Blue & You Foundation awards first Rapid-Response COVID-19 Relief Program grants

The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas has awarded the first 10 grants in its Rapid-Response COVID-19 Relief program, which will provide up to $1.7 million in grants…

Bridge loans help save an estimated 3,500 jobs, another $1 million added to the state program

Bridge loans to Arkansas businesses from a program created to stem job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have helped retain almost 2,500 full-time jobs and about 1,000 part-time jobs,…

Top six Walmart execs compensation a combined $112.39 million in 2019

In a Thursday proxy filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Walmart reported compensation of its top six executive officers totaled more than $112.39 million. The top earner was…

COVID-19 cases trend higher for three days as number of tests increase

The good news is more COVID-19 tests are being conducted in Arkansas. The bad news is more positive cases could require state officials to “rethink” the plan to begin opening…

State’s schools, Department of Education get $129 million from CARES Act

Arkansas’ K-12 public schools and the state Department of Education will receive almost $129 million from the $2 trillion CARES Act passed last month by Congress. U.S. Secretary of Education…

Manufactured goods orders fell 14.4% in March

New orders for manufactured durable goods declined 14.4%, or by $36 billion, to $213.2 billion in March, from February, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau released Friday…

TempleLive sets May 15 concert; Harry’s Downtown shuts its doors

TempleLive in downtown Fort Smith is attempting to “lean forward” during the COVID-19 pandemic and open its doors for a May 15 concert. But just a few blocks west, the…

Bank OZK posts first quarter declines in income and revenue

First quarter net income for Little Rock-based Bank OZK fell 89.2% thanks to a significant credit loss allowance charge. First quarter revenue was $299.653 million, down 6.1% compared with the…

WalletHub: Consumers want more stimulus relief

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has been disastrous for the economy by wiping out 22 million jobs and costing about $25 billion per day in economic losses, according to St. Louis…

Tyson Foods suspends operations at Washington beef packing plant

Tyson Foods said Thursday it is temporarily suspending the operations at a large beef packing and processing plant in Pasco, Wash., as it works with health officials to test employees…

Ritter Communications launches online music venue for regional entertainment

COVID-19 has stopped nearly all local musicians from performing at venues throughout Northeast Arkansas. Ritter Communications has found an innovative way to turn shutdowns into a showcase streamed concert series….

Fort Smith sales tax revenue rises in March, up 3.8% year-to-date

Sales tax revenue for Fort Smith did not show a decline in March, though city officials are preparing for a major drop in the coming months. The March sales tax…

Petroleum products use falls to lowest level in decades amid COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. consumption of petroleum products has fallen to its lowest level in decades because of measures that limit travel and because of the general economic slowdown as a result of…

Gov. Hutchinson announces two-day COVID-19 testing ‘surge’

Arkansans are being asked to consider participating in the two-day “Arkansas Surge Campaign” in an effort to boost the number of COVID-19 tests conducted, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday (April…

Movista shifts gears to fill need for workforce health monitoring during COVID-19

Until a COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine is readily available, many employees may be subject to health monitoring in most public-facing workplaces. Bentonville-based technology firm Movista is responding to that likelihood with…

Cargo trailer manufacturer to create 70 jobs in Crossett

Cynergy Cargo, an enclosed cargo trailer manufacturer headquartered in Douglas, Georgia, announced Thursday (April 23) that it will build a new facility in the Crossett Industrial Park. The company plans…

Arkansas’ tourism industry handles COVID-19 better than other states; leisure, hospitality industry most affected in state

The tourism industry in Arkansas looks to be faring the COVID-19 pandemic better than other states, but the health crisis is expected to have the biggest impact on the leisure…