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Bad Boy Mowers to add 300 jobs in Batesville

Bad Boy Mowers will expand its facility in Batesville – again – creating 300 new jobs over the next five years. “Bad Boy is committed to growing our Batesville roots…

Former State Sen. John Pagan files for Treasurer, U.S. Rep. Womack files for re-election

It was a quieter day at the Arkansas state capitol on Day 2 of the candidate filing period as fewer than 30 people submitted paperwork to run for public office….

With TIF’s help, NLR’s upscale Rockwater Village replaces blight

A formerly blighted area in North Little Rock along the Arkansas River is being redeveloped into an upscale area with homes and apartments, including a new 365-unit development. So far,…

J.B. Hunt, BNSF expand intermodal partnership with new service

Premium intermodal services are expanding in Arkansas as Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. builds on its partnership with Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF Railway Co. Intermodal comprises the use…

First day of filing sees Thurston jump in Treasurer’s race, Democrat to challenge Crawford in CD1

The first day of candidate filing at the Arkansas State Capitol ended with 215 filings, including Republican Secretary of State John Thurston running for an open State Treasurer position and…

Walmart merchant, product execs work to stay current on customer demands

Sam Walton’s mantra of the customer being No. 1 is still the focus for Brock McKeel, divisional merchandise manager for consumer electronics at Walmart U.S., and Jon Alferness, chief product…

Trucking industry report shows challenges linger in third quarter

The truck freight market continued to decline in the third quarter as carriers exited the industry, according to a new freight report. For the third consecutive quarter, U.S. freight shipments…

UAMS BioVentures awarded $3 Million for health tech entrepreneurship program

BioVentures LLC at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has secured a nearly $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support entrepreneurs from socially and…

E. Ritter and Company announces succession plan

Chip Dickinson is stepping down as E. Ritter & Company (ERC) CEO and Director on the Board effective January 1, 2024, at which point he will become Senior Advisor, the…

Soybean bushels and harvest at record pace

Dry weather led to record low water levels on the Mississippi River, but another side impact in the Arkansas Delta has been a stealthy harvest. As of Oct. 29, the…

The Supply Side: Walmart nurtures leadership with free education, training

With more than 1.6 million U.S. employees, Walmart seeks to overcome workforce challenges and avoid a talent war. The retailer hopes to grow the next generation of leadership by offering…

First Security Bank grows trust, wealth management team

There was a time when many financial institutions in Arkansas called themselves “bank and trust.” It’s rare now, but that hasn’t stopped the proliferation of banks expanding their trust and…

Federal grant to fund most of $18.8 million slackwater harbor in Van Buren

An infrastructure project officials have pursued for decades will soon be built. The River Valley Slackwater Harbor project on the Arkansas River in Crawford County will receive a $15.096 million…

National Retail Federation forecasts up to 4% rise in 2023 holiday sales

With the holiday shopping season already underway, the National Retail Federation said Thursday (Nov. 2) that U.S. consumers are estimated to spend about $960 billion between Nov. 1 and Dec….

Residential winter natural gas rates to fall almost 52% in Fort Smith metro

AOG natural gas customers in the Fort Smith area will see winter rates fall 51.8%, with all natural gas customers of Summit – AOG’s parent company – in Arkansas receiving…

Avian influenza found on Arkansas poultry farm

Avian influenza has infiltrated at least one farm in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Testing has confirmed a case on a poultry farm in Madison County. Following…

Gov. Sanders makes appointments to boards, commissions

Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Thursday (Nov. 2) the following appointments to boards and commissions: Arkansas Early Childhood Commission Barbie Baxter, Murfreesboro, to the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission. Term expires on…

Arkansas tax revenue down 7.1% in October; surplus rises to $115.8 million

A 2.6% decline in Arkansas tax revenue in the first four months of the fiscal year has less to do with economic conditions and more to do with lower tax…

Trucking exec talks about challenges of electric vehicles, power sources

Craig Harper, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer at J.B. Hunt Transport, said he’s been immersed in learning all he could about electric and autonomous vehicles since 2016. “We…

Revenue, profits dip in Q3 for Murphy USA

Murphy USA reported lower sales and profits as gas consumption was lower, though company officials noted last year saw record levels in its financial performance. The El Dorado-based retail and…