Tag: Government & Politics

Wireline Companies Look to FCC Decisions

Rural Arkansas telephone companies may be facing a cut to revenue due to the Federal Communications Commission possible reductions in interstate access charges to foster competition among carriers.

Contract Starts Study For Wastewater Plant

The Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority?s estimated $40 million wastewater facility might be fully operational by 2009, which will help with supply demands for the growing region.

VIC Client Receives Research Award

OmniPak LLC, a Fayetteville client of Virtual Incubation Corp., has received a $100,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research award from the National Science Foundation.

The Region’s Largest Public Utilities

Southwestern Electric Power Co. and Arkansas Western Gas Co. top the lists of the region’s largest public electric companies and public gas companies.

Technology Advances in Arkansas (Editorial)

Arkansas may be on its way to picking itself up by its economic bootstraps and building the technological utopia scientists and politicians dreamed of.

$1.5B Needed for Road Improvements (Market Forecast)

Figures show that our region?s estimated available funding falls very short of our transportation needs.

Parkway Bank Adds NWA Board Members

Parkway Bank of Rogers announced that it had elected five Northwest Arkansas residents to its board: Oneida Larimore, Mickey Rapier, Mike Necessary, Dave Covington and Dean Eisma.

Orthopedic and Spine Hospital Registers with Secretary of State

Northwest Arkansas Orthopedic and Spine Hospital files for incorporation with the Secretary of State?s office, likely making it the only physician-owned specialty hospital in the regions.

Congress Offers Katrina Relief (John B. Ervin Commentary)

As a result of the massive disaster in the Gulf Coast, Congress passed the $6.1 billion Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act that speeds tax relief to individuals and businesses impacted by the devastation.

Bone Up for Road Bonds (Editorial)

Here?s what you need to know when deciding whether to vote ?yes? on the highway bond proposal on Dec. 13.

Area Investors Lost $7.2M to Fraudsters

Two cease-and-desist orders and one consent order issued by the Arkansas Securities Department this year show that fraud can be done in almost any form.

Future of Estate Tax Up in Heir

Debates continues over the possibility of estate tax repeal.

Roth 401(k) Benefits Baby-Boomer Tills

Wealthy individuals can take advantage of the Roth 401(k) that will become available in 2006, thanks to the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001.

Fayetteville and Hot Springs Lead Employment Surge as Pine Bluff Falters (Analysis)

Three state MSAs experience dismal labor market while two flourish.

ANB Financial Deposits Nearly Double

ANB Financial shows a 49 percent increase in deposits year-over-year.

The Latino Market (Jeff Hankins Commentary)

As the number of Latinos in Arkansas rises, we can recover and capitalize on new opportunities and embrace the rapidly growing Latino population in the state.

Teacher Pay Still Low (Editorial)

With a public education system that has been declared unconstitutional, we need to continue to pay the best we can to attract the best teachers.

New Madrid Quake Inevitable, But Public Painfully Unprepared

Scientists describe the specter of a catastrophic earthquake along the New Madrid fault as a not-if-but-when scenario.

State Seeks Medicaid Waiver for Employee Groups

The rising number of people in Arkansas without health insurance could wreak havoc on the state?s health care industry.

Long-Range Survey Found Rail Support

A look at survey results used to update the region’s Long Range Transportation Plan.

Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: ‘Oceanscape’ playground work begins, Mercy stroke program renewed

Walmart likely to tap insiders for expected leadership changes

Dan Wright re-elected Arkansas Farm Bureau president

Arkansas Tourism Ticker: Tourism tax numbers down through August, job numbers up