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November job numbers up in all Arkansas metro areas

As was the case in October, all eight of the metro areas in or connected to Arkansas had job gains in November. Northwest Arkansas had the lowest metro rate at…

Chief Justice fires employees, five justices stand against terminations

Newly sworn-in Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker terminated key employees at the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), but five of the high court’s justices contend she lacks…

President Biden blocks U.S. Steel sale to Nippon

Citing national security concerns, President Joe Biden has blocked the sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese-based Nippon Steel Corporation. The $15 billion deal, more than a year in the making,…

ARDOT director reflects on 41 years with the state agency

Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) Director Lorie Tudor retires Jan. 10, 2025, after 41 years with the agency. She started as a clerk typist, left to obtain an engineering degree,…

Most Arkansas-based companies see stock price gains in 2024

Six of the 11 Arkansas publicly traded companies posted stock gains for the full year, compared to five of 11 that had gains to end the third quarter. Walmart posted…

Lower tax rates push Arkansas revenue down almost 3%

Arkansas’ fiscal year-to-date (July 2024-December 2024) tax revenue is $3.973 billion, down 2.9% compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year, according to Friday’s (Jan. 3) report from…

Mabee Foundation gives $2 million to Arkansas Children’s Northwest

Arkansas Children’s Northwest has received a $2 million challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation to support its expansion project, according to a Thursday (Jan. 2) news release….

Ruling could revoke marijuana cultivation license for River Valley Relief

A Dec. 30 ruling by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herbert Wright Jr. again places in jeopardy the future of Fort Smith-based River Valley Relief (RVR), which is one of eight…

Ponder recalls her memories of Pearl Harbor attack

In the days leading up to the Dec. 7, 1941, attack at Pearl Harbor, military code breakers were at work trying to decipher Japanese codes. Japan was waging war in…

Alec Farmer rolls off Highway Commission

Jonesboro businessman Alec Farmer ended his 10-year stint on the prestigious Arkansas Highway Commission and had a lot to reflect on upon his departure. For the past two years, he…

Drought app seeks to measure, help predict trends for agri sector

When the peanut industry returned to Northeast Arkansas in 2010, the rationale for the companies investing in buying points was simple. Disease and a lack of water ravaged many parts…

Arkansas medical marijuana pounds sold up almost 23% through November

Looking for an area of product disinflation? Try Arkansas’ medical marijuana sales where pounds sold through November are up almost 23% but sales revenue through November is down 2.1%. According…

Federal Judge strikes down parts of Arkansas law intended to regulate library books

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks on Monday (Dec. 23) issued an order striking down key provisions in Act 372, an attempt by the Arkansas Legislature to censor library books….

The Supply Side: Walmart CEO says company ‘just getting started’ with changes

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, 58, has logged 40 years in the retail business, spending the past decade at the helm of the global retail and technology company. He is the…

Arkansas tops in nation with third quarter GDP growth of 6.9%

Arkansas’ third quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) of $149.105 billion grew at an annual rate of 6.9%, the most of any U.S. state, according to Friday’s (Dec. 20) report…

Gov. Sanders appoints two to Supreme Court, new Secretary of State

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Friday (Dec. 20) announced that Cole Jester will serve as Arkansas’ Secretary of State and Justice Cody Hiland and Nicholas Bronni would fill vacancies on the…

Arkansas’ year-over-year job numbers up 2.5% in November

Arkansas added more than 33,000 net jobs in November compared with November 2023, and the number of unemployed fell almost 9% in the year. As a result, the state’s jobless…

Walton Family Foundation design program has backed 20 NWA projects

Since its inception in 2015, the Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program of the Walton Family Foundation has provided $28 million to support the design of 20 projects for community gathering…

14 Arkansas universities and colleges receive $26.7 million in HIRED grants

Of the $26.7 million in workforce training grants announced Thursday (Dec. 19) by Gov. Sarah Sanders, $4.45 million will land in the Fort Smith metro, and institutions in the University…

University of Arkansas Board extends contract for UA Chancellor Robinson

The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and University of Arkansas Chancellor Dr. Charles Robinson agreed Wednesday (Dec. 18) to extend the chancellor’s contract to Dec. 31, 2027. Robinson was…

Carnall, Spradling elementary schools in Fort Smith recommended for closure

Chandler Equipment invests $14 million into expansion

Mike Preston wearing a new hat in the business arena

Department of Agriculture implements rice in schools pilot program