News on the Wire

Fort Smith planning group looks at future trends

Citizens this week got their first chance to see what the future of Fort Smith would look like if the city continues on its current path. But instead of just…

‘Significant’ changes possible for Fianna Hills Country Club

The company that took a financial gamble on what has proven to be a successful makeover of the former Phoenix Village Mall property may soon invest at least $7 million…

Debate emerges (again) on spinning off Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club has operated in the shadow of big brother Wal-Mart Stores for 30 years, but some analysts and a former Sam’s Club exec say that perhaps the warehouse club…

American Tubing growth in Springdale to add 50 jobs

An estimated $3.2 million expansion of the American Tubing plant in Springdale is expected to create 50 new jobs and boost the company’s annual payroll to $1.35 million. The company…

Area home sales up in October, values mixed

Home sales in the Fort Smith area showed mixed results in October compared to the same month in 2012. In Crawford County, 46 homes were sold last month resulting in…

Big data the target of Fayetteville-based DataRank

Throughout the cyber world, millions of people are talking online. Talking about what they had for dinner, where they went shopping and what they think about the experience. That creates…

Concerns continue with Fort Smith 2014 budget

No budget is set to be adopted at the Dec. 3 regular meeting of the Fort Smith Board of Directors following Monday's (Nov. 18) budget session. At issue is how…

Tyson’s Dynamic Fuels plant burns cash

Tyson Foods execs said Monday (Nov. 18) its Dynamic Fuels plant in Geismar, La., remains idle as it has not reached an agreement to restart production with its joint venture…

Progress noted on ‘secure’ historic Fort Smith structure

Renovation of the historic Friedman-Mincer building in downtown Fort Smith is on track, but the new owner said it is “impossible to fully appreciate” what it has taken just to…

Sexual orientation law opposed by business exec, Boozman

While many may not yet be aware of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013, it has become a hot topic among small and large business managers across the country and…

Barber accomplice found guilty on eight charges (Updated)

K. Vaughn Knight, a Northwest Arkansas attorney and one-time associate with Brandon Barber, was found guilty on eight charges related to money laundering and fraud related to Barber’s messy bankruptcy….

Tyson Foods posts record revenue, shuffles execs

This holiday season looks particularly bright for Tyson Foods’ execs who have earned fatter bonuses thanks to stellar fiscal 2013 results in a somewhat challenging operating climate. But more importantly,…

Home sales rise while foreclosures moderate pricing

Home sales across Northwest Arkansas were strong in October with 206 unit sales in Washington County and 361 in Benton County. Unit sales rallied 21.17% and 8.4%, respectively, when compared…

The Friday Wire: Worried consumers and female governors

Notes of success at Crystal Bridges Museum, a ‘pipeline’ for females to be elected governor, and a retail fight in Kenya are part of the Northwest Arkansas Friday Wire for…

The Friday Wire: Water money and worried consumers

A water park project over budget, a ‘pipeline’ for females to be elected governor, and the continued fight over Obamacare are part of the Fort Smith area Friday Wire for…

Fort Smith Director opposes ‘faith-based budgeting’

The Fort Smith Board of Directors got their first in-depth look at the proposed fiscal year 2014 budget Thursday night (Nov. 14) and it did not take long for questions…

Postal Service shipping costs to rise in 2014

It will cost a little extra to ship that package to the family during the holidays next year if the United States Postal Service gets its way. The USPS announced…

Gun giveaway by gubernatorial candidate draws fire

One candidate for Arkansas governor is getting attention for an unusual giveaway on his campaign website. Republican Curtis Coleman is giving away an AR-15 rifle. The weapon was donated by…

Softer sales don’t dampen Wal-Mart’s holiday plans

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. execs have decked the halls in hopes of ample holiday cheer, despite negative comp sales in the U.S. for the 13-week period ending Oct. 25. The mass…

October foreclosure filings dip

There were 546 households in the Natural State facing possible foreclosure last month, but new filings declined in Northwest Arkansas and remained flat in the Fort Smith market, according to…

Williamson Insurance sells to Inszone

Oklahoma court ruling threatens poultry industry in Arkansas

GDP up 4.3% in the third quarter, consumer confidence declines

St. Bernards to expand Maternal Life360 HOME program into Greene County