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Carnall, Spradling elementary schools in Fort Smith recommended for closure

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Chandler Equipment invests $14 million into expansion

Business

Mike Preston wearing a new hat in the business arena

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Carnall, Spradling elementary schools in Fort Smith recommended for closure

The Fort Smith Public School Board on Monday (Dec. 15) heard a proposal from school administration to close Carnall and Spradling elementary schools. The “rightsizing” process has already resulted in…

Chandler Equipment invests $14 million into expansion

Chandler Equipment, a Springdale-based manufacturer and supplier of truck accessories, announced Monday (Dec. 15) the acquisition of 50,000 square feet of facility space, a rebranding and leadership changes as it…

Mike Preston wearing a new hat in the business arena

Former Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston is wearing a new hat these days – a hard hat. Preston was recently named CEO of CDI Contractors, a construction firm owned…

Department of Agriculture implements rice in schools pilot program

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture continues to move forward with the implementation of the Arkansas Rice in Schools Pilot Program, an initiative designed to increase the use of Arkansas-grown rice…

Christmas traditions celebrated at A-State heritage sites

The Arkansas State University Heritage Sites celebrate historical places across the region. Two of the heritage sites, the Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home and Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational…

Health tech innovation program kicks off next year in Northwest Arkansas

A new health innovation program in Northwest Arkansas aims to address the lack of pathways that the region’s nonprofits have to access and implement health and community technology tools offered…

Then and Now: Matt Waller builds what lasts through leadership

For Matt Waller, 61, leadership is about uplifting others, a lesson he attributes to a quote he read as a high school senior by motivational speaker Zig Ziglar: “You can…

Fort Smith begins to gather citizen input for ACME property use plan

Flood mitigation is the primary focus of planning for former ACME Brick Yard property in Fort Smith, but ideas and designs for “recreational amenities” may also be part of the…

Dr. Robin Myers named interim president for Arkansas State University System

The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees named Dr. Robin Myers, the retired ASU-Mountain Home chancellor who served as interim system president in 2024, to serve again as interim…

Executive Summary: Parker focused on securing ‘greatness’ for others, region

Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Metro Daily News Executive Summary series is focused on looking under the title, so to speak, of a business, government, and non-profit executive in the…

Resolution could give Fort Smith full operational control of Parrot Island Waterpark

Fort Smith Director Kevin Settle understands the Parrot Island Waterpark controversy, but said the amenity that has more than 100,000 annual visitors will have a “long-term benefit” for the city,…

Sen. Boozman sees bipartisan effort forthcoming on health care

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., was busier than normal this week with votes on health care and steering agricultural policy with President Donald Trump and the White House. Boozman voted…

Arkansas native Chris Turner leading Yum! Brands

Chris Turner, who was raised in Dewitt, Ark., has risen through the ranks to lead Yum! Brands, one of the most iconic American food brands in the world. Turner took…

Greenwood senior Akira Fujibayashi relishes his role as center

Greenwood, as has been the case for years, is known for its offensive prowess. This season has been no exception. With a dazzling array of skill players, like senior quarterback…

Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: Fort Smith police detective awarded, New Year’s ball drop planned

Following are news brief items from the Fort Smith metro. December Building Work The city of Fort Smith issued building permits for $5.164 million in work during the first week…

November retail sales up 4.53% from year ago

The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) monthly retail sales report indicates that total sales, excluding automobile dealers and gas stations, rose 4.53% from a year ago and increased slightly from the…

Raines, Vasilos to lead CJRW

Advertising and marketing giant CJRW announced Friday (Dec. 12) it will make several changes to senior leadership. Jill Joslin announced her retirement as president. Joslin, who was agency president since…

Helena-West Helena entrepreneur wins $100,000 grant from Poker Power

Misti Staley, CEO of Helena-West Helena-based Staley House LLC and medical device creator, recently won a $100,000 grant from global education organization Poker Power. Staley was one of more than…

Fort Smith water leaks down 76% through November

The aggressive push by city of Fort Smith officials and work crews to get control of what was once a growing number of water leaks is paying off. Active leaks…

WBU and BRTC enter into workforce training partnership

Williams Baptist University (WBU) and Black River Technical College (BRTC) will partner on workforce training in the region it was announced Tuesday (Dec. 9) at the WBU Board of Trustees…