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U.S. cattle herd liquidation continues, down to 1951 levels
The annual cattle inventory report confirmed that the U.S. cattle herd shrunk 2% from a year ago, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture annual report. What's more, the 87.7 million head of...
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Arkansas’ January tax revenue hit by weak retail sales
The percentage increase in year-to-date Arkansas gross tax collections fell to 2.1% in January compared to a 3.4% level in the December report. Also, sales and use tax collections continue to come in...
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Mike Duke reflects on his tenure as Wal-Mart CEO
Mike Duke stepped away from the day-to-day leadership of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Saturday, (Feb. 1) after five years and some of the most profitable times for the retailer in decades.Though Duke did...
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Beebe defends private option savings, takes shot at Whirlpool
story by Michael Tilleymtilley@thecitywire.comGov. Mike Beebe said Tuesday (Feb. 4) there are a “multiplicity” of reasons Arkansas Legislators should vote to fund Arkansas’ private option plan, and he...
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Development front and center for Board of Directors
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comTuesday's (Feb. 4) meeting of the Fort Smith Board of Directors dealt almost entirely with issues most other city governments would probably find to be...
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Agreement brings to ‘standstill’ the takeover attempt of USA Truck
The hostile takeover effort against Van Buren-based USA Truck by Knight Transportation is over. At least for now.The two trucking companies announced Tuesday (Feb. 4) the settlement of litigation filed...
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Gubernatorial candidate Ross proposes phase-in of income tax changes
story from Talk Business, a TCW content partnerDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross proposed a major overhaul of the state’s personal income tax structure on Wednesday (Feb. 5) and said the...
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Consultants: Voters not yet influenced by Pryor, Cotton TV ads
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comThis year's race for the U.S. Senate got off to an unusually early start with the presumptive nominees known well before U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle,...
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Easier credit creates competitive problems for Car-Mart
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comAmerica’s Car-Mart has made a name for itself and its “drive easy” motto providing credit for used-car sales to generations of higher-risk borrowers since 1981....
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Fort Smith area jobless rate jumps to 7.6% in December
Not only did the Fort Smith metro jobless rate jump to 7.6% in December but the November rate of 6.9% was revised to 7%, meaning that the region’s jobless rate has been at or above 7% for 57...
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Valentine’s Day spending expected to drop from 2013 levels
Retailers may not be feeling the love this Valentine’s Day, with total spending projections are down 6.9% from 2013 as fewer consumers plan to give gifts this year.Consumers are expected to dole out...
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Regional building permits down more than 26% in January
Editor’s note: This story is a component of The Compass Report. The quarterly Compass Report is managed by The City Wire and presented by Fort Smith-based Benefit Bank. Other supporting sponsors of The...
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Sebastian County Election Commission, County Clerk dispute election ‘mistakes’
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comThere were fireworks at Thursday's (Feb. 6) meeting of the Sebastian County Election Commission as Chairman Lee Webb addressed the need to avoid mistakes in...
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Keystone Pipeline again enters the political, economic impact discussion
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comNews this week that the U.S. State Department had released its fifth and latest environmental impact study on the Keystone Pipeline project, which would build...
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The Friday Wire: Putrid politics and Whirlpool’s marbles
The upcoming nasty politics of the private option, the Fianna Hills Country Club project, and a governor’s disdain for Whirlpool’s marbles movement are part of the Feb. 7 Friday Wire for the Fort Smith...
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Retail group expects modest sales growth in 2014
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comRetailers, despite a slew of layoffs and store closure announcements in recent weeks are expected to see modest sales growth of 4.1% in 2014, up from 3.7% growth...
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Private equity firm to pay $124.78 million for Allens Canning
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comAllens Canning business went on the auction block earlier this week with Sager Creek Acquisition Corp. winning the bid and agreeing to pay $124.781 million for...
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Statewide GOP candidates talk tax plans, problems with Obamacare
story by Ryan Saylorrsaylor@thecitywire.comCandidates for statewide elective office descended on Fort Smith on Saturday (Feb. 8) talking unreasonable tax cut plans, Obamacare and the role of the...
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Wal-Mart challenges NLRB complaint, says law not a ‘prop’ for unions
Plenty of eyes are watching the outcome of a formal complaint by the National Labor Relations Board against the nation's largest private employer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. But, the retail juggernaut is...
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Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Dillard’s score high in customer loyalty
story by Kim Souzaksouza@thecitywire.comThree Arkansas-based retailers— Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Dillard’s — were sitting high on the 18th annual list of Brand Keys 2014 Consumer Loyalty Engagement...
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