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Natural gas drillers facing death-defying choices as futures prices hit 17-year low

While declining crude oil prices have roiled international markets from Beijing to New York’s Mercantile Exchange, natural gas futures have quietly plummeted to levels not seen in this century and…

HubX announces startup companies to participate in health care accelerator

Eight startup companies from around the world have been chosen to participate in the HubX-LifeSciences health care business accelerator, a newly announced initiative launched by the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub….

Crittenden County voters approve $30 million hospital plan

Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless said Wednesday that a plan to build a new hospital in West Memphis will soon be reality thanks to the overwhelming support of voters. In…

Exit interview: DHS director John Selig looks back on successes, challenges

It’s been an eventful decade since John Selig was appointed Department of Human Services director in 2005 by Gov. Mike Huckabee. He led DHS through a merger with the Department…

Startup Talk: ‘Hack the Pentagon’ program to test military cybersecurity

Editor’s note: Each Thursday, Talk Business & Politics provides “Startup Talk,” a round-up of startup, technology and entrepreneurial news. ––––––––––––––– DEFENSE DEPARTMENT STARTS ‘HACK THE PENTAGON’ PILOT PROGRAM TO TEST MILITARY CYBERSECURITY:…

FCRA says Chaffee Crossing investments have topped $1 billion

The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority has crossed the $1 billion mark for projected capital investments on properties sold during its 15-year history with an estimated $82.753 million listed as the…

Poll by hospital, pharmacy groups finds voters opposed to managed care

A survey of voters by the Arkansas Hospital Association and the Arkansas Pharmacists Association found most Arkansans opposed to moving the state’s Medicaid population to a managed care system, both…

Jonesboro A&P commission picks Keller over ASU convention center project

Jonesboro Advertising and Planning Commission Chairman Thom Beasley said Wednesday it was a matter of not comparing apples to apples but comparing “apples to pears” when discussing two competing convention…

The Supply Side: Survey of suppliers shows some concern for Walmart business

Editor’s note: The Supply Side section of Talk Business & Politics focuses on the companies, organizations, issues and individuals engaged in providing products and services to retailers. The Supply Side…

Hutchinson: Trump must be more presidential, Arkansas Works a winner Tuesday

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday (March 2) that Donald Trump must be more of a “presidential” leader, that Tuesday’s election results represented a big win for his Arkansas Works health…

Arkansas 3Q GDP mirrors U.S. rate of 1.9%, state sees $123 billion in economic activity

Arkansas’ real gross domestic product (GDP) output in the third quarter ranked 33rd among the 50 states as the state’s economy produced more than $123 billion in economic activity at…

Health Beat: Millennials delaying healthcare treatment due to costs

Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, Talk Business & Politics provides “Health Beat,” a round-up of health-related topics. ––––––––––––––– MANY MILLENNIALS DELAYING HEALTHCARE TREATMENT DUE TO COSTS New consumer healthcare research released…

Apartment projects send Northwest Arkansas January building permit values up 211%

Two large apartment complexes in Fayetteville and an increase in new home permits pushed new construction permit values to more than $129.08 million in January in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and…

Arkansas may participate in program offering job training for food stamp participants

As state lawmakers prepare for the upcoming special session to tweak the so-called “Arkansas Works” program to incentivize work, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday (March 2) that Arkansas…

Arkansas revenue collections grow, state surplus jumps to $31.8 million

Arkansas saw double-digit growth in revenue collections in February as fewer taxpayers received income tax refunds and the state’s predicted surplus from the recently revised fiscal 2016 forecast continued to…

Whole Foods In Fayetteville opens after months of delay, to employ 100

After months of speculation and more months of construction, the new Whole Foods Market at 3425 N. College Avenue opened Wednesday (March 2) with a “Breaking Bread Ceremony” at 7:30…

Vote discrepancy leaves Craighead County Judge race in question

Craighead County Election Commission chairman Jeannette Robertson said late Tuesday there was an 88-vote discrepancy in the electronic tabulation of a county judge’s race, throwing the race into chaos. During…

Benton County sheriff race moves to runoff, Clinard loses re-election bid

Editor’s note: Story by Ben Pollock, special to Talk Business & Politics. –––––––––––––– Northwest Arkansas voters Tuesday were decisive in county party primary races noted for very high turnouts. Results…

Hutchinson’s picks leading in six of eight legislative races, ‘Arkansas Works’ in the balance

Of the eight contested Republican primary races where Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s political action committee donated money in support of candidates supportive of his Arkansas Works initiative, six were winning Tuesday…

Fort Smith Board approves Glatfelter bonds, more than $9 million in sewer work

The Fort Smith Board of Directors formally welcomed York, Pa.-based Glatfelter to the region with a series of resolutions Tuesday night (March 1) at its regular meeting from the Fort…