Video / Podcasts

Broadband study leader talks price tag, remote delivery

Lou McAlister has been traveling Arkansas for months and he knows a thing or two about who has broadband, who needs broadband, and how hard it will be to deliver…

Export leader sees opportunity for Arkansas agriculture, aircraft

Jonathan Bricker, a banker with Arvest Bank, began his finance career working as an international business development representative. The economic development side of the business stuck with him and now…

New Winthrop Rockefeller Institute CEO ready to advance strategic plan

New Winthrop Rockefeller Institute CEO and Executive Director Janet Harris said the nonprofit that sits on top of Petit Jean Mountain is ready to take its mission further in the…

AG candidate Jesse Gibson wants to bring courtroom experience to office, outlines other priorities

Democratic Attorney General candidate Jesse Gibson said he’ll emphasize independence, prison reform and human trafficking if elected to be the state’s chief legal officer, but he cites his nearly 25…

Economist: Inflation no longer transitory, yet recession seems remote

University of Arkansas Walton College economist Mervin Jebaraj thinks inflation will be present for a significant period of time, but he doesn’t see a recession in the near term. Appearing…

Energy leaders say more supply, stable policy needed for lower costs

As inflation eats into family and business budgets, energy is one component of the economy that has been driving higher prices. Two energy leaders – Chad Kinsley, VP of operations…

New Clinton School dean to build on success with academic programs, continued partnerships

Dr. Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, the new dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, is no stranger to politics, political science or public service. Approaching her first…

Trex CEO says fulfilled promises sealed $400 million project in Arkansas

When recycled deck manufacturer Trex Co. decided to locate its $400 million campus in the Little Rock Port last year, it was the culmination of an 18-month rigorous site selection…

GOP gubernatorial candidate Doc Washburn on Sarah Sanders: ‘I believe she’s a RINO’

Talk show host Doc Washburn says his GOP rival for governor aligns too closely with “Republicans in Name Only” – RINOs – and that has caused him to question her…

Sen. Joyce Elliott reflects on long legislative career, new voter engagement endeavor

State Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, hasn’t officially left the Arkansas State Senate yet due to term limits, but she understands her time there is drawing near. When the fiscal…

Ukrainian-born professor in Arkansas shares perspective on Russian invasion

Dr. Kateryna Pitchford spent the first 21 years of her life in Ukraine, but now calls Conway, Arkansas her home. She recalls what life was like growing up under communist…

Incoming Senate leader says ‘communication’ will be his strength

Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, will lead the Arkansas State Senate in 2023, but he’s already getting a head start on the foundation that will guide his term as President…

UAMS Chancellor feeling ‘optimistic’ about COVID-19 surge, cites concerns about long-term effects

Dr. Cam Patterson, chancellor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said he’s “feeling optimistic” about the Omicron surge of COVID-19, but warns other variants are coming and the…

U.S. Rep. Crawford says Putin solely to blame, calls for Europe to step up defense of Ukraine

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said Vladimir Putin is solely to blame for the invasion of Ukraine, and the First District Congressman said Europe must take a more active role…

Electric truck-van manufacturer to locate in Osceola, bring 800 jobs

Envirotech Vehicles will locate a multimillion-dollar commercial electric vehicle plant in Osceola, with plans to hire up to 800 workers over the next 10 years. The 90-acre, 580,000-square-foot manufacturing facility…

Rep. Monte Hodges says he’s staying in Congressional race

Rep. Monte Hodges, D-Blytheville, says he will stay in the race for U.S. Congress despite a nearly 20-year old allegation that never resulted in any charges being brought against him…

Medical debt elimination coalition working on additional measures

Late last month, a broad coalition of Arkansas nonprofits and donors coordinated the elimination of $35 million in medical debt for over 23,000 Arkansans. Leaders from two of the organizing…

U.S. Rep. French Hill discusses Ukraine, bomb threats, Jan. 6th committee

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, said he’s concerned about Russian troop build-ups, the economy, bomb threats, and getting to the truth of what happened on Jan. 6, 2021. In…

Labor force in flux as workers grapple with pandemic problems, new business opportunities

UA Walton College of Business economist Mervin Jebaraj sees a transformative development unfolding in Arkansas’ workforce. It’s not just the loss of jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it also…

Executive roundtable: Labor issues, infrastructure key to 2022 success

The state of the state’s economy has been contradictory and in flux for nearly two years. In many ways, it has been impaired and derailed; on some fronts, business has…