Guest Commentary

by The City Wire staff -

Hillary: A problematic messenger

Despite all the advantages Hillary Clinton has going for her in the upcoming 2016 presidential elections cycle, she does have some vulnerabilities and challenges that could at best diminish the…

by The City Wire staff -

A focus on heritage tourism

Not long ago, I was in Hot Springs as the Arkansas Arts Council named the 2015 Arkansas Living Treasure recipient. It’s a big deal. This year’s honoree was Lorrie Popow,…

by The City Wire staff -

Vision and the mayoral platform

Where there is no vision, the people perish, at least that is one translation of Proverbs 29:18. Although I have no ecclesiastical or apostolic authority to change the Bible, I…

by The City Wire staff -

No ‘team’ in Cotton (Updated)

Editor’s note: This essay has been edited to reflect that Sen. Cotton did indeed address the media following his lone “No” vote, and that Sen. Cotton called out the other…

by The City Wire staff -

A different approach to education

One of the best-kept secrets in Fort Smith is a non-traditional approach to learning created by Italian physician, Dr. Maria Montessori, in the early 20th century. Educational goals for students…

by The City Wire staff -

Highway heartburn

Speaking recently at the Arkansas Trucking Association’s Annual Business meeting in Hot Springs, Gov. Asa Hutchinson dropped a few names or positions of names likely to be on the working…

by The City Wire staff -

Grading the new Governor

While the 90th General Assembly finally ended this past week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson quietly celebrated his 100th day as Arkansas’ 46th Governor. He appears this month on the cover of…

by The City Wire staff -

Fort Smith: A great place to die

I recently had an “Aha!” moment. I’ve worried about the Greater Fort Smith Region’s lack of economic growth, the loss of our youth to other cities and states in order…

by The City Wire staff -

A nice bump for Gov. Hutchinson

The latest poll out from Talk Business & Politics, Hendrix College and Impact Management Group give Gov. Asa Hutchinson a significant 11% jump to a 63% approval rating. The 11%…

by The City Wire staff -

Narrowing the skills gap

This week I signed into law three bills that form our workforce-training plan. Afterwards, a Little Rock television station ran a story about a fellow named Lawrence Aaron. A student…

by The City Wire staff -

Anxiety about legal anxiety

According to the Stanford News, a law professor at that particular college is working on his doctorate in psychology and is putting his training to use by putting together a…