News Briefs

Walmart to raise tobacco purchase minimum age to 21

Walmart joins the ranks of Walgreens and Rite Aid to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products in its stores to 21. The retail giant made the announcement this…

Mainstream clears annual IT audit

Mainstream Technologies has successfully completed its annual Statement of Controls (SOC) audit, providing risk management information for customers of its managed IT cybersecurity and hosting services. The audit, conducted by…

Simmons Bank names Itzel Meador as SBA regional manager

Simmons Bank has named Itzel Meador as Small Business Association (SBA) regional manager of sales and business development for its eight-state footprint. Meador’s responsibilities include SBA loan production, oversight of…

Baptist Health names Sheila Williams to PACE post

Sheila Williams, who most recently served as vice president and administrator at Baptist Health-Hot Spring County, has been named executive director of Baptist Health’s PACE program. Her new role will…

UAMS announces vice chancellor for research, $1.47 million cancer grant awarded

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) named internationally renowned Shuk-Mei Ho, Ph.D., as its vice chancellor for research. “We could not be more fortunate to have a leader…

Sunstar Insurance Group, Todd Agency of Little Rock to merge

Memphis-based Sunstar Insurance Group’s Arkansas arm will merge with the Todd Agency of Little Rock, adding six employees with a combined 110 years of insurance industry experience. “It’s a new…

Cabana acquires Texas-based money manager, creates $850 million RIA

Fayetteville-based financial services firm Cabana Holdings announced an acquisition Tuesday (May 7) that will increase its assets under management (AUM) by more than 16%. Cabana has acquired Texas-based Fund Architects LLC….

Mark Young named to the Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses Board

The Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses (AAAB) announced Monday (May 6) its two newest board members, Mark Young and William “Goose” Changose. Young currently serves as the president and CEO…

BSR REIT sells four apartment complexes for $31.7 million, will use for debt retirement

Little Rock-based BSR Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), which is expected to report first quarter earnings on May 13, announced Tuesday (April 30) that it sold four non-core apartment properties…

Walmart hires new food safety compliance executive

Walmart has hired Sara Mortimore as its next vice president of global food safety, effective May 13. Mortimore will manage the responsibilities within the company’s ethics and compliance department that…

J.B. Hunt opens first enterprise sales office in Mexico

Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services announced Thursday (May 2) its subsidiary, J.B. Hunt Mexico, has opened an enterprise sales branch in Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, and is the first…

Preserve Arkansas lists Most Endangered Places in Arkansas

Rosenwald School, rural churches that are the linchpins of their communities, commercial buildings with ties to Arkansas’ Jewish and Chinese merchants, one of the state’s last motion picture palaces and…

Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame seeks nominations for class of 2019

The Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for its class of 2019. Nominations will be accepted through June 15. More information and an online nomination form can be…

UAMS opens new Pine Bluff regional campus

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) South Central Regional Campus in Pine Bluff celebrated its grand opening on the Jefferson Regional Medical Center campus on Tuesday (April 30)….

Gov. Asa Hutchinson names Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee members, other appointments

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the following appointments this week: Rob Reynolds, El Dorado, to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. Appointment expires March 29, 2023. Reappointment. Alex Bigger, Pocahontas,…

Arkansas Bankers Association installs new officers

A new slate of officers was installed at the ABA Annual Convention on Wednesday, April 17, including Chairman Robert Robinson, Simmons Bank of El Dorado; Chairman-Elect Jonathan Harrell, Generations Bank…

U.S. gasoline, diesel prices to decrease this summer

The retail price of U.S. regular gasoline is expected to fall 3% to $2.76 per gallon this summer, from the same period in 2018, because of lower crude oil prices,…

Walmart adds Washington, D.C. litigator to legal department

Walmart Inc. has hired Kerri L. Ruttenberg to join the company’s legal department as senior vice president of litigation, effective July 1. Ruttenberg is a partner and head of litigation…

Tyson Foods, Cargill sued by cattle group R-CALF

Tyson Foods and its beef competitors were sued by cattle group — R-CALF USA in a Chicago federal court this week. The complaint alleges Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS S.S. and…

Capital Bank receives approval to change name to Encore Bank

Little Rock-based Capital Bank has been approved by the Arkansas State Bank Department to change its name to Encore Bank. Intention for the bank’s rebranding was disclosed when new leadership…