News Briefs

Forge Institute names new C-suite leaders

Forge Institute has named new officers to its leadership team. Daniel Ross is the new chief growth officer and Jim Schnoes will serve as the chief financial & compliance officer….

Newport’s Tech Depot wins Star of the Southwest Award

The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Austin Regional Office awarded Newport’s Tech Depot Project the Star of the Southwest Award. White River Planning and Development District, the Newport Economic Development Office,…

NWACC board approves $2.6 million in faculty, staff raises

The board of trustees at Bentonville-based NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) approved the 2025 budget which includes more than $2.6 million in faculty and staff pay raises to become effective…

ASBTDC at A-State plans July consulting sessions

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Arkansas State University will offer several opportunities for small business owners to learn about growing their business in July. ASBTDC provides…

Former Westside YMCA in Little Rock sells for $1.8M

A former YMCA owned by Arkansas Sports Medicine LLC, managed by Drs. Jimmy Tucker and Eric Gordon, was sold on June 14 to SwimGym LLC, led by Connie Raley, for…

Arkansas Children’s promotes Ryan Solomon to SVP of hospital operations

Arkansas Children’s is promoting longtime leader Ryan Solomon to senior vice president of hospital operations for Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock. He will begin his new role on…

North Little Rock Tourism promotes Slagle, Kouns and Morris

North Little Rock Tourism has promoted three of its employees, the destination marketing organization announced Monday (June 24). Stephanie Slagle has been promoted to vice president of marketing & communications;…

Lyon College, Ozarka College sign agreement for nursing students

Ozarka College and Lyon College have signed an articulation agreement to facilitate a pathway for students pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The agreement simplifies the transfer and…

Arvest Bank completes 14th year of Million Meals initiative

Arvest Bank’s 14th annual Million Meals campaign raised $170,856 to benefit over 34 food partners in Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith metro. The Fayetteville-based company shared the details in…

Walmart is testing a new system to better manage fruit supply

Walmart is partnering with Israel-based Agristask, a crop supply chain company, to test the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in sourcing fresh fruit such as blackberries and cherries. Agritask’s…

Hendrix, UCA sign teaching degree partnership

Hendrix College students now have a seamless pathway to becoming transformational teachers and leaders in education, thanks to a new academic degree partnership with the University of Central Arkansas. The…

Northwest Arkansas sees lowest mortgage activity since 2015

According to Attom Data Solutions, mortgage originations in Northwest Arkansas were down 5.5% in the first quarter this year compared with the same time last year. The total marked the…

Katie Holley named marketing manager for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives

Katie Holley has been named marketing manager for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), the statewide association for Arkansas’ 17 electric distribution cooperatives. Bringing more than a decade of experience to…

A-State names interim deans; ASU System announces Welch Presidential scholars

Interim deans of the College of Education and Behavioral Science and the Graduate School have been named at Arkansas State University, effective July 1, Dr. Calvin White Jr., executive vice…

Walmart fined $1.64 million for unlawful pricing practices in New Jersey

Walmart has settled claims of unlawful unit pricing in 64 New Jersey stores. Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced the $1.64 million settlement on Tuesday. The settlements include a $1.61 million…

Southern Bancorp adds Joycelin Randle as senior manager

Southern Bancorp hired Joycelin Randle as its senior manager for investor relations & stakeholder engagement. “We are thrilled to welcome Joycelin to the Southern Bancorp team,” said Kenya Davenport, interim…

Delta Innovator Search launched

Entrepreneurs, scientists, agricultural leaders and other innovators with ideas to improve the health and economy of the Mississippi Delta Region are invited to join the inaugural Delta Innovator Search. The Rural Innovation Alliance, will accept applications for…