News on the Wire

Fort Smith Board vote delays business expansion plan

A Tuesday (Aug. 5) vote by the Fort Smith Board of Directors has put a temporary halt on a business expansion that could create up to seven jobs, according to…

Pryor, Cotton race reflects new political landscape

The 2014 general election is about 17 months away, but that has not stopped the race for U.S. Senate from kicking into high gear even before tonight's (Aug. 6) announcement…

U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton is officially in the U.S. Senate race

After months of speculation and with great fanfare, U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, threw his hat in the 2014 U.S. Senate race, challenging incumbent Democrat Sen. Mark Pryor (D), whom…

Veterans Affairs Sec. Shinseki visits Wal-Mart

U.S. Secretary for Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki made a quick stop in Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday (Aug. 6) to talk jobs with Wal-Mart’s Bill Simon, perhaps one of the nation’s…

Charlie Collins preps for Arkansas Lt. Gov. race

Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, is ready to enter the race for Arkansas Lt. Governor – yet another political move caused the domino effect created by U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton. The…

Owner financing of homes comes with risks

It is no secret that lending institutions have been forced to tighten requirements since the financial crisis of 2008. But a little-discussed financing mechanism known as owner financing, or seller…

Democrats come out hard against Tom Cotton

U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, has not even formally announced he will run for the U.S. Senate, but that has not stopped Democrats and his likely opponent from attacking his…

AG issues opinion on water park construction

An attorney general's opinion released late today (Aug. 5) regarding the use of construction managers at-risk on county projects has left more questions than answers. Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith,…

Fort Smith Board to hear appeal of split zoning vote

The city of Fort Smith's system of checks and balances will be put to work tomorrow night (Aug. 6) as the Board of Directors hear an appeal to the city's…

Fuel efficiency not a top factor for area car buyers

A recent report by an auto industry organization says that fuel efficiency standards in new cars are at their highest numbers in years, but that is not necessarily translating into…

Possible changes emerge in Fort Smith city races

Arkansas’ legislative and constitutional office contests have nabbed the headlines as of late, but in Fort Smith headline-grabbing races are likely the races to be the races for the three…

Tyson shares rally on strong profits, bright outlook

Tyson management expects better food service demand, strong retail sales and improving international metrics to propel profits higher in 2014, building momentum in this last quarter of 2013. The meat…

Chamber crowd hears about Obamacare rules

Fort Smith area business owners got a lesson in the Affordable Care Act and Arkansas' "private option" at this morning's Fort Smith Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Breakfast held…

Leave time plan still uncertain in Crawford County

The back and forth regarding the donation of vacation time has moved another inch after last night's (Aug. 1) meeting of the Crawford County Quorum Court's personnel committee. At the…

ADEQ: Whirlpool pollution plume may be larger

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has called into question a claim made by Whirlpool in their 2012/2013 Groundwater Monitoring Report, dated June 24 of this year. In the report,…

Tyson Foods flies high on profit forecast

Wall Street has heaped lofty goals upon Tyson Foods, forecasting a net income per earnings increase of 18% and revenue growth of 4% in the company’s third quarter results which…

Wal-Mart, retailers vie for bigger entertainment share

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. wants to be known as a solution provider, not just a destination for socks and bananas, which is likely why it continues to delve into entertainment media….

Lawsuit filed over liquor store limits

A state liquor law in Arkansas that limits liquor store permits to one per person and forbids franchising or multiple minority ownership interests could be overturned by a federal court….

Calico County opening to help community groups

Residents who have been going through cinnamon roll withdrawals will not have to wait much longer as Ryan Kirk, manager of Calico County, announced today (Aug. 1) that the restaurant…

Fort Smith area building permits up 41.5%

The values of building permits issued in Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren were a combined $14.515 million in July, up by more than $5 million from the same period…