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Introducing the 2022 Fast 15 class

We are proud to introduce our Fast 15 honorees for 2022. These young professionals impact a wide range of professions just a few years after starting their careers. Across disciplines,…

Stuttgart community seeing the light at the end of the broadband tunnel

Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bethany Hildebrand was preparing for an interview through Zoom with Talk Business & Politics when an all too frequent problem emerged. Her internet…

New study puts home affordability crisis in perspective

In the U.S., the percentage of average wages needed to buy a home is at its highest level since the housing market collapse in 2008. Still, a median-priced home remains…

Sanders has firm lead in GOP gubernatorial primary, Jones on track to win Democratic bid without runoff

The general election matchup for Arkansas Governor is shaping up to be Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Democrat Chris Jones, according to a new survey from Talk Business & Politics…

AG Rutledge has big lead in Lt. Governor’s field, but race still open to runoff

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge leads a crowded field of contenders for the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor, according to new survey results from Talk Business & Politics and Hendrix College….

Poll: Incumbent Secretary of State John Thurston near 50% in primary bid; Democrats tied

The two party primaries for Arkansas’ Secretary of State show a clear lead for the incumbent among GOP voters, while the two Democratic candidates are tied and vying for a…

The Supply Side: Consumer packaged goods makers, retailers prep for possible recession

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers are operating in uncharted waters with inflation at a 40-year high, supply chain issues not helped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, labor shortages and…

Denny Altes charged with abuse of public trust

Former Arkansas legislator Denny Altes, who is a Republican candidate for Sebastian County Judge, has been charged with one count of abuse of public trust, a class C felony. A…

Jeff Pitchford named Arkansas Farm Bureau EVP

Jeff Pitchford has been named as Arkansas Farm Bureau’s executive vice president. He replaces Warren Carter, who is retiring May 31, 2022. Arkansas Farm Bureau’s executive vice president serves as…

Poll: Griffin leads in AG primary; large undecided in State Treasurer GOP race

Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin has a commanding lead over his challenger Leon Jones, Jr. in their quest for the Republican nomination for Arkansas Attorney General. Rep. Mark Lowery leads State…

Governor appoints interim Health secretary, new director of Health Department

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday (May 5) announced that Renee Mallory will serve as interim Secretary of Health, while Dr. Jennifer Dillaha will serve as director of the Department of…

Market watchers estimate 36% gain in quarterly net income for Tyson Foods

Springdale-based Tyson Foods is predicted to see quarterly earnings per share of $1.83, compared to $1.34 a year ago, when the company reports earnings on Monday (May 9). The consensus…

The Supply Side: Walmart selling international assets to focus on higher growth markets

It has been more than two decades since Walmart aggressively moved to grow its global retail footprint. But in the past two to three years, the Bentonville-based retail giant has…

Jonesboro businessman Wallace Fowler dies at 87

One of Northeast Arkansas’ most influential businessmen and philanthropists has died. Wallace Fowler Sr. died Wednesday (May 4) at NEA Baptist Hospital. He was 87. His wife and business partner,…

Atlas Tube opens $150 million facility, 75 new jobs to be created

Atlas Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, has opened its newest steel mill in Blytheville. It’s the second facility they have opened in Mississippi County’s largest city. The new facility…

Farmers encouraged to use potash ‘tool’ amid rising fertilizer prices

Fertilizer prices have edged slightly downward in recent months, but remain a worrisome aspect of the 2022 growing season for farmers. In addition to supply chain issues relating to the…

Undecided voters control fate of runoffs in U.S. Senate primaries

The two races for U.S. Senate nominations in Arkansas will both be determined by undecided voters who have yet to make up their minds in the May 24th statewide primaries….

Jeff Purinton selected as the new vice chancellor for athletics at Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University System President Dr. Chuck Welch announced Wednesday (May 4) that Jeff Purinton, an athletics administrator who most recently spent the last seven years as part of the…

Rogers startup Firebend offers supply chain, logistics technology

Rogers startup Firebend was spun out of Fort Smith-based Propak Corp. after founder Steve Clark envisioned the supply chain company as a technology company with supply chain expertise, an executive…

Amazon Prime Day returns in July; company posts first-quarter loss

Prime Day will return in July, according to Amazon who made the announcement in its first-quarter earnings report for fiscal 2022 last week. The e-commerce titan reported a net loss…