News on the Wire

Wal-Mart truck crash hits amid effort to amend hours-of-service rules

There is never a good time for a high-profile and deadly traffic accident involving a tractor-trailer rig, but efforts by the trucking industry to amend federal hours-of-service rules likely became…

Arkansas GDP grew at 2.4% clip in 2013, ahead of U.S. rate

Arkansas’ economy gained strength in 2013 as the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew at 2.4% in 2013, ranking The Natural State 16th among the 50 states, according to new…

Rutledge captures GOP primary bid in Attorney General race

The long and bitter battle for the Republican nomination for Arkansas attorney general has come to an end, with Leslie Rutledge pulling out a victory against challenger David Sterling. Unofficial…

Fort Smith Board not likely to audit Daily and Woods’ legal billings

Any chances of an auditing firm reviewing billing by the Daily and Woods Law Firm to the city of Fort Smith appear dimmer after a Tuesday (June 10) study session…

U.S. Marshals Museum to boost public relations budget, efforts

The U.S. Marshals Museum Board is boosting its 2015 public relations budget more than 500% as the museum staff prepares for several events geared toward raising money and awareness for…

Arkansas Special Session nears on public school insurance changes

All part-time school and state employees as well as many spouses of full-time employees would be ineligible for insurance benefits under two draft bills discussed during a meeting of the…

Walton family invests in downtown Springdale, ‘legitimizes’ area work

Excitement is brewing in downtown Springdale with news that an entity funded by the Walton family — Downtown Springdale LLC — has acquired a major landmark building at 202 E….

The Supply Side: Crossmark offers a peek at new collaboration center

Collaboration between the retailer and supplier is nothing new, but a new facility recently opened by Crossmark in Bentonville is designed to offer a new level of technology and virtual…

Fort Smith area, Northwest Arkansas foreclosure filings continue to dwindle

Arkansas is among the majority of states where foreclosure fillings are subsiding to five or six year lows as the housing market recovery shows strength in a slowly improving economy….

Fort Smith Public Library director advocates for millage increase

A decision has not yet been made on if or when voters may decide on whether to approve a millage increase for the Fort Smith Public Library, but it is…

Arraignment held Monday for man who stole Southside Band money

A Utah man who allegedly took $272,500 from the Southside High School band that was intended to pay for a 2012 band trip to Hawaii was in Fort Smith on…

Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith schools pursue new education models

It is no secret that education systems in the 21st century faces an ever-increasing pressure to keep pace with the pace of change. And while students and teachers have seen…

Finances improve among struggling banks, but not all are clear of oversight

Community bank soundness is another sign of the local economic recovery in Benton and Washington counties as well as the Fort Smith metro area. Through the first quarter of 2014…

Tyson Foods counters with $8.55 billion offer for Hillshire (Updated)

Tyson Foods on Monday (June 9) placed an $8.55 billion bid on the table for Hillshire Brands causing bidding competitor Pilgrim’s Pride to fold. The Tyson offer, the biggest meat…

Wal-Mart Shareholders recap: Customers and new tech are the focus

Wal-Mart executives dedicated their 52nd annual shareholders festivities (June 3 -7) to their 220 million weekly customers around the globe. The messages of CEOs Doug McMillon, Bill Simon and Neil…

Last of the 188th warplanes depart, unit converts to new mission

As the last two A-10 Warthogs departed the Air National Guard base in Fort Smith on Saturday (June 7), a small boy looking to the sky was excited about what…

Analysts question Wal-Mart execs on the new change and innovation focus

For several years the central message and mission around Wal-Mart’s business strategy was growth, leverage and returns. Analysts from around the country noted a different message at this year’s annual…

Wal-Mart succession plan keeps Walton family in board leadership

The world got a glimpse into the future board leadership for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Friday (June 6) as longtime chairman Rob Walton announced Greg Penner, his son-in-law, was chosen…

Wal-Mart shareholders, employees hear about ‘customer-centric’ technology

The Wal-Mart shareholders meetings have become part late-night talk show, part church service/pep rally, part United Nations parade, with a retail Woodstock music festival sans the hippies, mushrooms and mud….

Fort Smith Chamber golf tournament to feature robot ‘player’

The 21st Annual Jack White Legislative Golf Tournament to be held Monday, June 16, will involve more than golfers trying to prove their skills on the course – it will…