News on the Wire

Ark Challenge: Start me up

FAYETTEVILLE – Some of the most ambitious young minds in technology and business have made their way to Fayetteville to take part in a 14-week accelerator program known as the…

Future looks better for Metropolitan Bank

It’s been a long haul for Little Rock-based Metropolitan National Bank since it began bleeding losses just two years after it invested more than $30 million in Northwest Arkansas infrastructure….

Fort Smith Board reviews citizen survey results

Fort Smith Directors reviewed findings from the National Citizens Survey (NCS) Tuesday (Oct. 30) that the city falls short in public perception for three key areas: police services, city appearance…

Arkansas House District 97: Ballinger and Berry

The race for Arkansas House of Representatives District 97 pits candidates Bob Ballinger (R) and Robert Berry (D) against each other in a contest that for both men will focus…

Fort Smith metro jobless rate down to 7.6% in September

With the number of unemployed falling below 10,000 and the number of unemployed back above 120,000, the Fort Smith regional jobless rate was 7.6% in September, down from a 7.9%…

NWA jobless rate dips below 5%

The unemployment rate in Northwest Arkansas fell in September to 4.9%, the first time the rate has been below 5% since November 2008. The jobless rate was below the 5.3%…

Supplier travel to Wal-Mart lifts local hospitality sector

BENTONVILLE — As the economy improves and Wal-Mart is returning more products to its shelves, the Northwest Arkansas hospitality and travel industries are starting to feel the change. “April 2012…

Arkansas House District 89: Hernandez and Neal

The race for Arkansas House of Representatives District 89 pits candidates Yessie Hernandez (D) and Micah Neal (R) against each other in a contest that for Neal, will be about…

Arkansas Senate District 6: Stubblefield and Wells

The race for Arkansas Senate District 6 pits Rep. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, against candidate John Paul Wells (D) in a contest that for both men will be about growing jobs…

Early voting heavy in Washington, Benton counties

Officials report turnout for the first week of early voting in Benton and Washington counties to be heavier than in the last presidential election. Arkansas allows early voting 15 days…

Crunch time for opposition of ‘wet’ Benton County

BENTONVILLE — Motorists traveling east and west through Centerton on Arkansas 102 get a little bit of advice from the First Baptist Church of Centerton during their commute. The church's…

NWA StartUp Cup showdown approaches

The NWA StartUp Cup competition for entrepreneurs is winding down this week as seven finalists have one more chance to win the judges’ favor on Nov. 1. The business model…

Voting trends up in Sebastian, down in Crawford County

Early voting for the 2012 general election is underway, and Sebastian County is seeing a slight uptick in voter participation when compared to the 2008 presidential election. During the first…

Knight’s career rises with Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club

Peggy Knight was a single mother with a young son in 1983 when she lost her marketing job at a hospital. With no college degree and the U.S. economy struggling…

Arkansas House District 88: Alexander and Sugg

The race for Arkansas House of Representatives District 88 pits candidates Randy Alexander (R) and Edwin Sugg (D) against each other in a contest that for Alexander, will be about…

NWACC new to November ballot

BENTONVILLE — As voters in Benton and Washington County head to the polls during early voting through election day Nov. 6, they will see a race on the ballot that…

Wal-Mart, big boxes brace for Sandy

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is a giant no doubt, but arguably one of the most nimble when it comes to handling weather-related disasters for its workforce and its 140 million weekly…

Arkansas House District 86: Leding and Scott

The race for Arkansas House of Representatives District 86 pits Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, against challenger Brian Scott (R) in a contest where jobs and education will play large roles….

Construction sector picks up pace in NWA

Home builders across Benton and Washington counties are busier this fall in asking local cities for new permits. It’s customary for permits to increase in September as builders want to…

Arkansas Senate District 9: Holland and Pennartz

The race for Arkansas Senate District 9 pits Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, against Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, in a contest that for Holland, will be about "putting people back…