Opinion

Hoping farmer relief comes in time

We’ve written for months about the dire circumstances facing Arkansas farmers. They’re not alone — the rest of the country’s agricultural sector — is on life support too. Delayed Farm…

The death of a child is not a fluke

On Oct. 22, 2024, 13-year-old Nehemiah Jackson was walking home from the public library near Kelley Highway in Fort Smith. As he approached North 44th Street from the east, a…

Truckers move Arkansas and America

Our economy increasingly depends on bringing goods directly to customers’ doorsteps or utilizing on-time delivery to ensure businesses have the exact supplies they need, when they need it. This reality…

Lender competition will lift ranchers, farmers

Steve Jobs once commented that “Consumers are the biggest beneficiaries of competition. It forces businesses to deliver better products, lower prices and more choice.” For farmers and ranchers there is…

When crypto wins without rules, families lose without warning

As the only community banker serving in the Arkansas State House, I carry with me not just a title, but a deep, personal understanding of the people behind the numbers….

Governors’ lead on efficiency

Gov. Sarah Sanders is the latest Arkansas governor to lead on efficiency, which is the idea that services can be provided to the people in a more cost-effective manner. Support…

Act 479 alters construction lien laws

The 95th General Assembly of the Arkansas State Legislature, which adjourned in May, saw 1,026 bills become law. In terms of sheer numbers, it was more active than the 2023…

Why your best employees are leaving

Replacing an employee can cost tens of thousands of dollars — yet in Northwest Arkansas, where companies compete for talent to manage the world’s largest retailer, many are watching their…

A lot of litigation

It’s a good time to be a lawyer or to be a legal observer or to be engaged in political-legal battles. I tend to lean to the legal observer position….

Why we must invest in a bold new workforce strategy

Every Arkansan should have the opportunity to achieve their American dream, but such an achievement may look vastly different from person to person. While education consistently forms the foundation upon…

Rethinking the rush hour routine

As the days grow hotter, we remember the challenges Central Arkansas faces each summer in maintaining our air quality. For Central Arkansas, a metropolitan area of more than 350,000 workers…

A ‘Mercy’ lifeline in our backyard

When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 29, the majority of my care was centered in Little Rock. I needed specialized care from a gynecological oncologist and only two…

Steady the climate

Every leader carries a forecast. Some bring warmth and steadiness. Others carry fog, uncertainty or tension. That atmosphere may not show up on an org chart, but it is felt…

Cutting through the noise and funding what matters

There is a lot of noise in Washington right now, but community project funding can quietly deliver where it matters most: right in our backyards. While national headlines churn with…

Telehealth reaches patients where they are

Alice Walton’s vision for the future of health care in the heartland can be summed up in one word: access. Through the work of Heartland Whole Health Institute, her vision…

Communication is key for farmers in challenging times

It’s no secret that farmers are going through a tough time. Being an ag lender and relationship banker means supporting them during difficult moments, encouraging them not to lose hope…

A-State College of Agriculture’s strategic vision for state workforce

Arkansas’ agricultural heritage is more than tradition — it’s the foundation of our economy, communities and higher education. In 1909, four agricultural schools were established across Arkansas. Arkansas State University,…

The incumbent and the newbie

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., knew he’d draw a Democratic opponent in his 2026 reelection bid. He might not have been counting on a farmer from Newport. Hallie Shoffner, a…

Don’t let emotional investing cloud your judgment

When it comes to money, it’s easy to let your emotions get the best of you – particularly during periods of personal stress or market volatility. Even seasoned investors should…

Invest in employee security awareness training

It used to be the promise of sizable cash prizes, free cruises or “get-rich-quick” schemes. But as consumers have become savvier to phishing attempts, so too have those executing them….