Fort Smith

Fort Smith Parks Director Doug Reinert says River Valley Sports Complex ‘needs our help,’ not ridicule

The River Valley Sports Complex needs help, not ridicule, says Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Director Doug Reinert. That was his message at the Tuesday, Jan. 11, meeting of the…

Wal-Mart exec Rita Carney talks importance of mentoring girls in STEM education

The shortage of technology workers in the U.S. continues to widen because not enough women enter or stay in the field, according to Rita Carney, vice president IT business continuity…

Arkansas House votes to let future speakers pick committees

The Arkansas House of Representatives voted Wednesday to change its rules and give future speakers of the House the power to appoint committees. The rules change also would allow House…

Wal-Mart’s Chief Information Officer Karenann Terrell to exit Feb. 24

Karenann Terrell, executive vice president and chief information officer for Wal-Mart Stores, is parting ways with the retail giant at the end of February. Terrell made her announcement public in…

First two medical marijuana-related bills roll out of committee

The first two pieces of legislation related to the state’s newly passed Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment passed the House Rules Committee Wednesday (Jan. 11), including one extending the time for…

State budget forecasters optimistic about tax revenue, say budget can ‘fully fund’ governor’s tax cut plan

Two of the state’s top economic forecasters told a Senate panel on Wednesday they are confident lagging tax collections in the first half of fiscal 2017 would continue improving and…

Sen. Cotton suspects White House may be behind intelligence leaks

With published reports of leaked intelligence information and testimony from federal officials, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Wednesday that he would like to find out the source of the…

Trucking industry stocks get reality review after post-election bump

Much of the trucking industry has been riding a wave of Donald Trump euphoria since the Nov. 8 election, but that’s starting to hit reality as analysts downgrade stock ratings…

Fort Smith sales tax down slightly, expected to finish 2016 ‘slightly above’ budget forecasts

Fort Smith city sales tax collections tapered off 2% in November 2016 compared to the same period last year and fell short by 2.2% against the month’s revised budget estimates….

Walton interests purchase Magnolia Gardens in downtown Springdale for $2.33 million

Springdale Downtown LLC, an entity controlled by Bentonville-based Walton Enterprises, has purchased the Magnolia Gardens Event Venue in downtown Springdale in two separate deals totaling $2.33 million. According to records…

University of Arkansas planning new residence halls on south end of campus

In response to a continued increase in enrollment, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has approved a major capital improvement project to build new residence halls on the south end…

Wholesale electricity price declines in 2016, tied to natural gas cost

Wholesale electricity prices declined at major U.S. trading hubs in 2016, and the fall was primarily driven by the low cost of natural gas, “which is the fuel that often…

‘Ones To Watch’ in the 2017 legislative session

Editor’s note: This feature story appears in Talk Business & Politics 2017 “State of the State Report,” which highlights major policy issues and offers an in-depth look at key Arkansas…

Methodist Village clears Fort Smith Planning Commission hurdle, on track for $15 million assisted living facility in 2017

Methodist Village will move forward with Phase I of its plan to build the first full-service Life Plan Community in the Fort Smith region. Life Plan Communities (or LPCs) allow…

Oklahoma court ruling threatens poultry industry in Arkansas

GDP up 4.3% in the third quarter, consumer confidence declines

St. Bernards to expand Maternal Life360 HOME program into Greene County

Then and Now: Cooperative business model a good fit for Mitchell Johnson