News on the Wire

Fort Smith officials nix urban forester idea

It has been almost six months since worry was expressed about whether Fort Smith would be able to maintain its Tree City USA status, but as the city's Parks and…

Jorgenson celebrates ‘whirlwind’ 100 days at NWACC

So far in the 100 days that she’s served as President at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson says that everything has either “lived up to or exceeded” her…

Wal-Mart committed to India, despite split with Bharti (updated)

Wal-Mart told The City Wire it remains committed to India and the market and does plan to grow its cash and carry business after the split with its venture partner…

Whirlpool’s Fort Smith site has buyer with ‘strong interest’

Although Whirlpool exec Jeff Noel was in Fort Smith to talk about the pollution problem at the company’s closed manufacturing plant, he did deliver encouraging news with respect to the…

Whirlpool says pollution plan ‘based on good science’

Representatives from Whirlpool appeared before a special study session of the Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Oct. 8) to present an update on efforts to clean up trichloroethylene…

Crossmark facility to aid supplier-retail collaboration

Forget those 5-slide Power Point presentations in sterile, blank canvas meeting rooms at Wal-Mart Home Office when a product isn’t selling well or there is some issue to work out…

Fort Smith Board agrees to help fund sports complex

The Fort Smith Board of Directors agreed Tuesday (Oct. 8) to move forward with funding a portion of the River Valley Sports Complex (RVSC). The next steps in the project,…

Knight ‘serious’ about bid to acquire USA Truck

USA Truck was able to avoid one takeover attempt, but some market watchers say the Van Buren-based trucking company may not be able to push back against the takeover attempt…

Whitaker seeks re-election to House seat

Rep. David Whitaker, D-Fayetteville, announced Tuesday (Oct. 8) he would seek a second term to his District 85 House Seat, which encompasses parts of Fayetteville and Farmington in Washington County….

Arkansas home sales up 12.4% through August

Home sales in Arkansas’ four largest metro areas during the first eight months of 2013 totaled 13,916, up more than 12% compared to the 2012 period and at a level…

Legislative Audit completes probe in Bella Vista

The city of Bella Vista was cited for lack of internal controls in its recent 2012 review by the state’s Legislative Audit Division, the only weakness reported by state auditor….

ABB to sell Baldor’s generator business

Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB, the parent company of Baldor Electric Co., has announced it will sell its North American generator business – once a rising star within the Baldor portfolio of…

Retail imports rise despite government shutdown

The approaching holiday season is expected to push retail freight 9.1% higher in October, compared to the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker survey released…

Whirlpool: No exposure risk from TCE pollution

The city of Fort Smith, including the city's Board of Directors, got their first look at what will be discussed at tomorrow night's (Oct. 8) special study session, when Whirlpool…

Pitsch to again run for House District 76

Is the second time the charm? For Mat Pitsch, he's sure hoping it is. Pitsch, a Republican business owner and educator, announced today that he would run for the Arkansas…

Construction activity booming in the Fort Smith area

Two large commercial projects helped push Fort Smith building permit values in September to levels more than double what they were during the same month in 2012. The city of…

Shutdown may cause Dassault Falcon layoffs (Updated)

An estimated 250 workers at Dassault Falcon’s Little Rock operation may soon be sent home if the federal government shutdown continues. And Gov. Mike Beebe (D) is none too happy…

Toy firm to invest $6.5 million, add 74 jobs in Rogers

Rogers is famous for Daisy BB guns but it will soon be home to another toy maker, Redman & Associates, who announced a $6.5 million investment to relocate its ride-on…

Branch downsizing expected amid bank technology usage

The days of building fancy brick and mortar bank branches are quickly fading amid a wider use of technology and mobile banking trends. Last week the nation’s largest financial institution…

Arkansas Business Hall of Fame adds new members

James Faulkner, Thomas “Mack” McLarty, Stanley Reed and Mark Simmons have been named as 2014 inductees to the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. They will join 62 other members during…

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