David Bradford, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Why the silence? Are there really no gay riders in the men's pro peloton?

2 weeks ago | cyclingweekly.com | David Bradford

In May 2021, I wrote a feature questioning why, among the more than 900 male cyclists employed on UCI professional teams, not a single one was openly gay or bisexual. Just weeks earlier, pro BMX rider Corey Walsh had come out as gay, and by October, Australian footballer Josh Cavallo had become the world's first openly gay male professional footballer. The following year, Britain saw its own breakthrough when Blackpool FC's Jake Daniels came out.
Downtown Fort Smith tourism mural could be ready by summer

1 month ago | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

As the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) settles into its newly renovated and fully functional office space at 524 Garrison Avenue, work continues on the portions that will ultimately serve the public. The lobby that faces Garrison is a construction zone. For now, the automatic sliding glass doors that will someday welcome visitors remain locked. Flooring is only partially installed.
Marshall wants to create template for transparency at Fort Smith Public Schools

2 months ago | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

The path that brought Allan Marshall to his job as chief communications and engagement officer for the Fort Smith Public Schools began, fittingly enough, in the public school system. He was hired by the district in early December 2024. “Public school is everything,” said Marshall.
Van Buren Chamber moving to a new multi-use building

2 months ago | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

When asked what the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce has planned for 2025, President and CEO Julie Murray had a simple answer: moving. The chamber is in the process of selling its building, an historic property located at 510 Main St.At the same time, renovation has begun at 111 North 12th, which in the past has served as a public library and an annex for the city’s planning department.
Which pro team has the best jersey? Cycling Weekly's pro kit awards 2025

Feb 11, 2025 | cyclingweekly.com | James Shrubsall |Adam Becket |David Bradford |Tom Davidson

The 2025 season is very much underway, even if the biggest names are yet to grace the stage - next week even sees the UAE Tour begin, the second WorldTour race of the year. As a result, you are probably already getting used to the new colours and designs of the peloton, from the wacky to the similar.
Roads, downtown, parks part of ongoing improvements in Van Buren

Feb 8, 2025 | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

Van Buren Mayor Joe Hurst said the city’s goal for 2025 is relatively simple: continue to improve what is already working. The most visible evidence of that will be when bidding opens in July on a $12 million project to improve the intersection of Highway 59 and Interstate 540. In partnership with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), Van Buren will fund 25% of the project, or $3 million. “State engineers have come up with a plan. A roundabout.
Roads, parks, AML leadership part of Greenwood mayor’s 2025 plans

Feb 6, 2025 | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

For Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow, the word that might best describe his expectations for the year 2025 is “infrastructure.” The most visible example at present is the bypass that, when finished, will direct through-traffic out of the city center. “We want to relieve some traffic issues downtown,” said Kinslow. “We love our eighteen wheelers, but we don’t necessarily want them downtown.” The completion date for this project is August 2026.
Van Buren sales tax revenue up in November

Feb 3, 2025 | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

November 2024 sales and use tax revenue for Van Buren totaled $734,865, up 2.1% over the $719,808 in November 2023. However, year-to-date tax revenue for the Crawford County city is down by the same percentage. The monthly gain is in line with a consistent, incremental annual increase for the city, as reported by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Greenwood sales tax revenue up more than 7% through November

Jan 31, 2025 | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

Greenwood sales tax revenue through November 2024 totaled $4.018 million, up 7.07% compared with the same period in 2023, and up 38.6% compared with the same period in 2020, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) . Barring any surprises when DFA posts the December revenue, the city should post relatively healthy gains in 2024 revenue, which is an indicator of consumer spending.
Fort Smith CVB director discusses hotel trends, availability

Jan 29, 2025 | talkbusiness.net | David Bradford

Hotels can be seen as a measure of a city’s prosperity. Along west Phoenix Avenue, for example, the construction of numerous hotels suggests business and tourism travel growth – in short, economic optimism. Overall, the city has more than 2,000 hotel rooms available. Elsewhere in town, by contrast, the closure of more historical lodgings might indicate the opposite.