Obama was Unpopular in Arkansas, but Legacy Hazy (Andrew DeMillo Analysis)
Barack Obama left the White House on Friday with a low approval rating in Arkansas. His legacy, after eight years in office, is hazy as Donald Trump begins serving as the nation's 45th president. read more >
by -
Beebe, Brooks, Hubbard Join UAMS Foundation Fund Board
Seven new members have been elected to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Foundation Fund Board. read more >
Governor, FDA Sign Agreement Extending NCTR Program
Arkansas has signed a memorandum of understanding to extend its partnership with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) in Jefferson County. read more >
Recruiting Billion-Dollar Shandong Sun Paper Mill Starts With Breakfast
The future pulp mill site, five miles south of Arkadelphia, represents Shandong Sun Paper’s first North American project. Construction of the complex is expected to begin a year from now and produce 250 new jobs to staff it when fully operational in 2020. read more >
by George Waldon -
It Takes a Village (Editorial)
It took the efforts of many people over half a decade and two state administrations to land the Shandong Sun Paper plant that has the potential to transform the economy of Clark County and beyond. read more >
Business Icons: Wallace Fowler Saw Financial Success Take Wing in Northeast Arkansas
Wallace Fowler, who grew up in northeast Arkansas and became one of the state’s wealthiest businessmen and bankers, says his success came from hiring the right people and making sure customers are satisfied. read more >
by -
Amendments Expand Arkansas Session Beyond Budget (Andrew DeMillo Analysis)
When Arkansas voters mandated the Legislature meet annually, the plan was for lawmakers to take up a wide range of issues one year and focus primarily on the budget the next. The same voters can be forgiven if they see little daylight between the two types of sessions nowadays. read more >
by -
Mike Beebe Joins Board of Home BancShares, Stock to Split in June
Former Gov. Mike Beebe has been named to the board of directors of Home BancShares Inc., the publicly traded parent company of Centennial Bank that is headed by his college fraternity brother, Chairman John Allison. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Auditor, Former Commissioner Bash Arkansas Lottery’s 10-Year Contract Extension
Former Arkansas Scholarship Lottery officials are critical of a recent decision to add 10 years to the contract of a vendor whose original contract was altered after lottery commission approval. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Mike Beebe Joins Tyson Foods’ Board of Directors
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has been named to the board of directors of Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale, the publicly traded meat processor announced Wednesday. read more >
Sun Paper, Hutchinson Sign Intent Letter to Study $1.4B South Arkansas Plant
A long-planned paper plant in south Arkansas has taken another step forward. Shandong Sun Paper Industry on Monday signed a letter of intent with Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to study building a $1.4 billion pulp mill in the area. read more >
by Lance Turner -
Big River Steel Mill Rises in Northeast Arkansas
The construction of the Big River Steel mill is a project defined by superlatives: at $1.3 billion, the biggest economic development project in Arkansas history; at $700 million, the biggest construction project in the state; one of the most technologically advanced, etc. read more >
by Jan Cottingham -
Don’t Be Surprised by Delays on Arkansas Death Row (Kelly Kissel Analysis)
It should come as no surprise that two years after Gov. Mike Beebe floated the idea of perhaps doing away with the death penalty, eight condemned inmates would be lined up for their turn in Arkansas' death chamber. But no one should be surprised if some or even all of the execution dates set between now and Jan. 14 pass without anyone dying. read more >
by -
Gearhart Leaves after 7 Years Leading University of Arkansas
G. David Gearhart wrapped up a seven-year tenure as chancellor of the University of Arkansas hopeful that a state with few college graduates will push more of its children into higher education. read more >
by -
Arkansas Aerospace’s Summer in Paris
Arkansas too often keeps some “well-kept secrets” as far as business goes. The aerospace industry doesn’t want to be secretive anymore. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Former Beebe Chief of Staff Morril Harriman Joins Mitchell Williams
Morril Harriman has joined the law firm of Mitchell Williams Selig Gates & Woodyard PLLC as counsel in the firm’s Little Rock office. Harriman has 25 years of experience in private practice law and 16 years of service in the Arkansas Senate. read more >
Lake View Case’s Shadow Shrinks (Andrew DeMillo Analysis)
By allowing school districts to avoid being merged with their neighbors when they fall below the state's minimum enrollment, the Arkansas Legislature signaled that the shadow of a long-running education funding case no longer looms large. read more >
by -
Mike Beebe Joins Roberts Law Firm of Little Rock
The Roberts Law Firm PA of Little Rock announced on Facebook that former Gov. Mike Beebe has joined the firm. read more >
by Lance Turner -
Hutchinson Straddles Issue with Unsigned Law (Andrew DeMillo Analysis)
By letting a measure become law without his signature to prohibit local governments from expanding anti-discrimination protections, Gov. Asa Hutchinson is straddling the debate over a proposal being cast as endorsing bias against gays and lesbians. read more >
by -
Mike Beebe Says He Hopes Lifting State’s ‘Swagger’ is His Legacy
Despite key accomplishments, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe admits that the legacy he hopes to leave after more than three decades in elected office is nebulous. It's trying to change the attitude of a poverty-stricken Southern state where "Thank God for Mississippi" is a familiar catchphrase. read more >
by -