Opinion

Life-saving resource is reducing opioid abuse

Too many Arkansans are dying or being harmed by opioid drug misuse or overdose. Opioids were involved in 61% of all drug overdose deaths and about 40% of all emergency…

The ‘perfect storm’ for a nursing shortage

This should get your attention. There will be 1 million vacancies for nurses by the year 2024 — a mere six years away. There are a few factors that are…

Let’s not forget the history of progress for women

I was recently recognized by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal as one of 10 honorees for its Women in Business awards. The recognition and the Business Journal publication surrounding the…

A Little Rock that is open for business

I have talked to hundreds of voters, and the question always arises: why aren’t we creating enough good-paying jobs in Little Rock? We saw the Amazon distribution center get awarded…

Breaking through the noise about workforce development

The rhetoric about the Arkansas workforce continues to swirl around the difficulty in finding qualified employees, with the blame most often pointed at a failed education system. At a time…

Click & Collect

“Add to cart.” Those three transformational words are shaping multiple industries, with significant implications for all of us who touch retail, both as shoppers or as professionals. People love to…

Lesser known SNAP-Ed is a vital part of Farm Bill

While many people know that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides resources for millions of Americans in need of food assistance, they are less familiar with SNAP-Ed. A vital…

A rich life … it’s not what you think

Earlier in the spring, I was asked to speak at a healthcare technology leadership conference. I ended my talk to this meeting with this quote: “And in the end, the…

FOIA in Fort Smith is almost DOA, Part II

We noted a few days ago in Part I of this essay the city of Fort Smith’s regard – or disregard – for the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)….

Addressing Jonesboro’s ‘expanding, diverse needs’

As I write this, a news story is making the rounds that a magazine for economic developers and investors has rated the Jonesboro metropolitan area No. 1 in the South…

Riff Raff: FOIA in Fort Smith is almost DOA, Part I

One may need a healthy dose of that still unavailable medical marijuana if hoping for a timely, cooperative and convenient response from Fort Smith city government to a Freedom of…

Issue 1: A solution looking for a problem

Issue 1 is a wolf cloaked in sheep’s clothing. Arkansas voters will vote in November to decide whether to change the Arkansas Constitution with this proposed amendment. The amendment is…

Taking your business global

In today’s global economy, business leaders should consider sourcing and selling in foreign markets to grow their business. Whether your company is a subsidiary of a foreign company or a…

Soybean politics

It’s only August, but I can’t wait for September to get here for a number of reasons. First, September means the return of football season. Friday night lights, Saturday afternoon…

Cigarette tax increase will help business and employee health

The Arkansas Tax Reform and Relief Legislative Task Force had a veritable buffet of options to consider this week as it prepared its recommendations for the Legislature. But they decided…

Considering term limits

According to a recent article by Steve Brawner in this publication, if cleared for the November 6th ballot and passed by the voters, the proposed amendment to the Arkansas constitution…

Lawsuit reform is key ingredient for Arkansas’ future

Arkansas needs lawsuit reform to compete economically and increase access to health care. As we work to grow our communities, we are burdened by the threat of frivolous lawsuits and…

There’s a lot of buzz today surrounding e-commerce and omnichannel retail. The revolution we’re witnessing in digital retail — mobile shopping, store pickup, local delivery — has ignited a fundamental…

Taking back our economy

Harvest season is just around the corner here in the United States and farmers across the country are concerned. Not so much about yields – always a factor when your…

The Arkansas Senate should end fight against live-streaming

“Incoming Senate President Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, says he wants members to vote later this year to open up the Senate chamber and its committee meetings for live-streaming.” This is…