News on the Wire

Economist: U.S. GDP growth ‘mediocre’

The U.S. GDP grew 1.9% in the first quarter of 2011, down from the 3.1% during the fourth quarter of 2010 and considerably lower than the 3.7% growth in the…

The Compass Report: May 2011 Numbers by the Wire

The May 2011 Numbers by the Wire report show improvements in area sales and hospitality tax collections, albeit at a slow pace thanks to the negative effect of higher fuel…

Fort Smith 1% tax collection up 3.4% in May

The good news for the Fort Smith city budget is that the May sales tax collection report showed gains of the city’s 1% collections and the city’s portion of the…

Rheem to move 250 jobs to Mexico (Updated)

Editor’s note: Story updated with changes throughout. Rheem announced Thursday (June 23) the company will move 250 jobs from Fort Smith to an expanded manufacturing plant in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico,…

Court decision may alter Fort Smith project plans

The Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Amendment 89 could provide the Fort Smith Board of Directors more options in addressing sewer system improvements, expansion of the city’s fire department…

Arkansas Supreme Court upholds interest rate amendment

story by Roby Brock and Michael Tilley [email protected] The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that a constitutional amendment dealing with state interest rates and special funding bonds…

Professor: Don’t turn off nuke plants

University research and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, advise against a retreat from nuclear energy. Opposition or fear of nuclear energy began to wane in the past 10 years. New…

Support wanes for Arkansas highway bills

Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner Talk Business, contributed to this report. He can be reached at [email protected] Part of a quid pro quo between truckers, Gov. Mike…

Arkansas personal income up 4.82% (Updated)

Personal income in Arkansas during the first quarter of 2011 was $99.012 billion, up 4.82% compared to the first quarter of 2010 and up 1.9% compared to the fourth quarter…

Fort Smith board approves police pay change

story by Luke Hobbs [email protected] The Fort Smith Board of Directors voted on Tuesday (June 21) to lower the weekly overtime threshold for city police officers. The 6-1 vote came…

Quorum Court approves economic development resolutions

story by Aric Mitchell [email protected] Sebastian County Quorum Court members showed solidarity Tuesday night in unanimously voting for two resolutions designed to boost future economic development and infrastructure for Sebastian…

Regulators consider moratorium on disposal wells

Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner Talk Business, wrote this report. He can be reached at [email protected] The director of the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission will ask…

124-year old Warner Smith & Harris firm to close doors

The planned closing of Warner Smith & Harris, a law firmed founded in 1887 and considered by many a cornerstone of the region’s legal community, proves that the economics of…

U.S. travel and tourism economy in slow recovery

A federal economic report released Tuesday (June 21) showing a decline in first quarter 2011 spending on travel and tourism provides insight into enplanement trends at Arkansas’ top three airports…

TEA Party not similar to GOP

story info courtesy of the University of Arkansas FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the GOP, the Tea Party is a mixed bag, according to political scientist Angie Maxwell of the University…

Average monthly residential OG&E bill to increase $2.32

Arkansas’ Public Service Commission on June 17 approved an $8.787 million rate increase on about 66,000 Oklahoma Gas & Electric customers in western Arkansas. That increase could soon be followed…

Evan’s Project provides photos for hospitalized infants

story and photos by Ruby Dean [email protected] An expectant mother’s hopes and dreams grow even faster than her fetus. Thoughts of bringing home a newborn to hold close and love…

Wal-Mart wins Supreme Court appeal in class-action lawsuit (Updated)

The U.S. Supreme Court was unanimous in rejecting a bid to further the sex discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The decision, issued Monday, is a setback for a class-action…

Area foreclosure actions dip in May

The number of Fort Smith regional properties in a foreclosure action fell 6.32% in May courtesy of more than 32% decline in Crawford County foreclosure actions. In Arkansas, properties in…

‘Fun in the Fort’ map provides economics lesson

In just a few short weeks, a group of enterprising individuals in Fort Smith conducted a poll of elementary students in Fort Smith, created a map production company with several…