by - April 3, 2023 5:15 pm
New city of Fort Smith public relations manager hired
Josh Buchfink is the new public relations manager for the city of Fort Smith. He fills the position left vacant when Shari Cooper left the city Oct. 11. Cooper is…
Talk Politics
by - April 3, 2023 4:28 pm
Local nonprofit enters agreement with Medical Center of South Arkansas
South Arkansas Regional Hospital (SARH) announced Monday (April 4) it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Medical Center of South Arkansas (MCSA) and its related businesses, including physician clinic…
by - April 3, 2023 9:11 am
USDA accepting applications for $1 billion in renewable energy REAP grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday (March 31) that USDA is accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest…
by - April 2, 2023 10:00 am
Arkansas GOP chairman urges caution on Trump indictment until charges are known
Republican Party of Arkansas chairman Cody Hiland, a former local and U.S. Prosecuting Attorney, said there is much distrust in the justice system and he urged caution in reacting to…
by - April 2, 2023 9:09 am
Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he is running for President; Bentonville kick-off later this month
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday (April 2) that he will run for U.S. President in the 2024 election cycle. In an interview that aired Sunday with ABC reporter…
by - April 1, 2023 10:10 am
Revenue Stabilization Act shared with lawmakers
In another pending sign that the Arkansas legislature is winding to a close, Arkansas lawmakers on Friday (March 31) revealed the Revenue Stabilization Act, the balanced budget proposal that outlines…
by - March 30, 2023 4:29 pm
Governor, legislative leaders agree on income tax cut
Gov. Sarah Sanders and state legislative leaders on Thursday (March 30) agreed on a $124 million income tax cut that will go into effect this year, if approved. SB549, filed…
by - March 30, 2023 3:35 pm
Senate committee considers victims’ rights amendment
The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee heard presentations Thursday (March 30) on a “Victim’s Bill of Rights” proposed constitutional amendment that is part of Gov. Sarah Sanders’ Safer,…
by - March 29, 2023 10:40 pm
Freedom of Information Act measure to limit public access to documents fails in committee; meeting exemption passes
A bill that would have limited uses of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) failed to pass in the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday (March…
by - March 29, 2023 8:53 pm
Sentencing bill advances; prosecutors, sheriffs, county judges support
A bill requiring Arkansans convicted of the most serious crimes to serve 100% of their sentences passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on a voice vote Wednesday (March 29). Senate Bill…
by - March 29, 2023 7:11 pm
Future Fort Smith calls for better city employee wages, better marketing
The Future Fort Smith group told the Fort Smith Board of Directors that the city should consider better wages for city employees and a marketing slogan other than “Trailblazing Fort…
by - March 28, 2023 8:11 pm
AG Griffin files 3 lawsuits against social media giants over deceptive practices
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed three different lawsuits – in three different jurisdictions – against social media giants TikTok, ByteDance, and Meta Platforms on Tuesday (March 28). The lawsuits…
by - March 27, 2023 10:05 pm
Constitutional amendments get first House hearing
After 33 resolutions were filed to refer various legislative initiatives to voters for the 2024 ballot, 13 of those measures received a hearing on Monday (March 27) during a meeting…
by - March 27, 2023 6:51 pm
Gov. Sanders announces 3,000-bed prison plans, 100% violent crime sentences
A judicial reform and prison construction legislation package will add 3,000 prison beds and require the most violent offenders to serve 100% of their sentences, Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Monday…
by - March 26, 2023 9:14 am
Joint Budget Chair containing spending growth, hopes to slice top tax rate to 4.5 percent
Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, co-chairman of the Joint Budget Committee still hopes the regular session will adjourn by April 7 with a successful funding of schools, prisons and another income…
by - March 26, 2023 9:11 am
State commissioner monitoring national bank stress, confident in Arkansas banking system
Arkansas State Bank Commissioner Susannah Marshall is keeping an eye on the national banking turmoil of the last few weeks surrounding Silicon Valley Bank of California, Signature Bank of New…
by - March 26, 2023 5:12 am
Mainstream Technologies sees unprecedented growth thanks to state contracts, changing workforce trends
Some companies announce their plans for hiring and expansion before actually doing it, some look back on a time period and realize they’ve got something to share. Little Rock-based Mainstream…
by - March 25, 2023 4:26 pm
Rep. Cozart files bill to change school funding formula, will run this week
A bill filed Friday (March 24) by the former longtime House Education Committee chairman would change Arkansas’ school funding formula. House Bill 1689, the Comprehensive Investment in Student Achievement Act…
by - March 25, 2023 12:56 pm
ESG legislation is anti-business, will cost Arkansas retirees money
Entrenched, single-party rule is dangerous to Democracy for many reasons. One of the most insidious is that absolute authority enables the powerful to create their own reality and justify almost…
by - March 23, 2023 8:14 pm
‘Better Communities’ series restarts with Searcy panel discussion
Talk Business & Politics, in partnership with First Security Bank and the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, will host a “Better Communities” town hall on Tuesday, March 28 in Searcy….