Regions

Reform initiative receives bipartisan support

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) said he would support a potential ethics reform proposal on the same day that former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and Lisenne Rockfeller, widow of former Lt….

Roller Derby!! RVRG vs Shreveport Roller Girls

Saturday, June 30, 2012 7:00pm Crystal Palace Skate Center 3000 S 70th Street Ft. Smith Arkansas Come one! Come all! It's roller derby time! Doors open at 6:30…

Tyson Foods restructures debt

Tyson Foods said Wednesday (June 6) the company plans to redeem all of the $810 million 10.5% unsecured bonds due March 2014. In doing so, the meat giant had to…

Director Merry: No collaboration on vote

During the Tuesday (June 5) City of Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting, City Director Philip Merry made a comment that raised at least one eyebrow, that of Ward 3…

Fed says May expansion was ‘moderate’

BLOOMBERG — The Federal Reserve said today that the U.S. economy maintained a moderate pace of growth as factory output rose and the real-estate market improved. “Overall economic activity expanded…

BancorpSouth issues consumer alert

Tupelo, Miss.-based BancorpSouth announced Wednesday (June 6) that its customer continue to experience an increased level of fraudulent messages, often referred to as phishing, targeting numerous BancorpSouth customers and non-customers….

Crawford County literacy program receives grant

The Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy has been awarded a $6,200 grant from the Dollar General Foundation. The money will help bring awareness to the community of the mission of…

Oklahoma changes

This year’s legislative session included a number of major policy victories that will save taxpayer dollars, deliver more efficient government services and create an environment more conducive to job creation….

Trash service issue could be on November ballot

The trash service issue isn’t over for Joel Culberson. And if he can pull off a large task in the next 62 days, the issue will be in front of…

Fort Smith Board nixes trash automation plan

Rate increases could be on the way from the Fort Smith Department of Sanitation (DOS) following a 4-3 vote from the City of Fort Smith Board of Directors that ended…

Arkansas GDP growth rate falls in 2011

Arkansas’ GDP totaled $91.496 billion in 2011, up just 0.3% compared to 2010, with a decline in agricultural income the culprit for low growth, according to economist Michael Pakko. The…

Agribusiness Weekly Update: Meat demand improves

Beef U.S. beef packer margins averaged $21.25 per head last week, according to Hedgers Edge. A year ago packers pocketed about $8 a head. June fed cattle are trading this…

Walmart calls meeting with Bella Vista council

Walmart Neighborhood Market #2763 and a four-pump gas station are among the proposed plans along U.S. 71 near Oldham Drive in Bella Vista. Walmart spokesman Dan Morales said the retailer…

Fort Smith municipal races set

The City of Fort Smith Board of Directors filing period is over, and the picture is a little clearer, with one incumbent automatically returning, one fighting for his job, and…

Fayetteville Shale Play impact revised upward

Job creation and investment related to the Fayetteville Shale Play have topped 2008 predictions of $17.9 billion in economic activity between 2008 and 2012. A study released Tuesday (June 5)…

The Acoustic Refugees take shelter at Kelts Pub

You may know Altus for its beautiful vineyards and wine, or maybe for its beautifully restored St. Mary’s Church, or perhaps even for its rich coal mining heritage. But if…

Tyson Foods’ beef plant delisting expands

The nation’s largest meat company, Tyson Foods Inc., confirmed Tuesday (June 5) that its Finney County, Kansas, beef plant has been temporarily removed from the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service…

The Compass Report: Economy good in Central Arkansas

The 2012 first quarter economy in the central Arkansas area received a grade of B-, meaning that minor improvements were seen in most current and leading economic indicators. Year-on-year tax…

The Compass Report: NWA economy strong in early 2012

First quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Northwest Arkansas metro area saw improvements compared to the first quarter of 2011. The gains were primarily the result of higher employment and…

The Compass Report: Fort Smith regional economy down

First quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Fort Smith metro area remained flat compared to the 2011 period, with an ongoing decline in overall employment and building permit values weighing…