Talk Business & Politics

This is a comprehensive news platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights about Arkansas. The content is led by Roby Brock, who has conducted over 2,000 interviews with key figures in business and politics. He hosts the "Talk Business & Politics" show, which is broadcast every Sunday morning at 9 am on KATV Channel 7. Additionally, Brock hosts a radio program that is aired on NPR affiliates across the state. The team includes skilled staff members, contributors, and content partners who are experts in their respective areas.

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Report estimates possible Fort Smith metro losses in Medicaid, SNAP funds

4 days ago | talkbusiness.net | Michael Tilley

Crawford and Sebastian counties could lose almost $600 million in Medicaid funding over a decade if proposed federal legislation is approved, according to “rough” estimates from the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.
Fort Smith Board to review consent decree compliance, water meter plan

6 days ago | talkbusiness.net | Michael Tilley

The Fort Smith Board of Directors has asked city staff to better communicate sewer system work to address improvements mandated by a federal consent decree. Part of that communication will begin Tuesday (June 23) at the board’s study session. The board also is set to hear a presentation about “advanced metering infrastructure” that could help the city reduce an estimated 35% “non revenue water loss” from billing errors and other factors.
Director named for consolidated 911 center in Sebastian County

6 days ago | talkbusiness.net | Michael Tilley

The hiring of Wes Milam as director of public safety communications for the City of Fort Smith is a key step in the consolidation of 911 operations in the city and Sebastian County into a center expected to be fully operational by 2027. Milam for more than two decades has been employed by the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD), most recently as a department captain. His first day on the 911 job is June 23, according to the City of Fort Smith press release.
Cody Vaught ready to lead boys’ basketball program at Alma

6 days ago | talkbusiness.net | Buck Ringgold

Cody Vaught, who was recently hired as Alma’s new boys basketball coach, didn’t begin his coaching career with that sport. He started out as a softball and volleyball assistant in West Fork. But Vaught played a number of sports attending high school in Clarksville, and even played tennis while attending the University of the Ozarks there, so he was able to adapt to whatever sport generally consumed his time.
Terms set for US Steel-Nippon deal

1 week ago | talkbusiness.net | George Jared

The country’s first billion-dollar corporation and at one time its largest company, has been sold despite national security concerns. U.S. Steel has been sold to Japanese-based Nippon Steel Corporation for $15 billion. The deal is a year and a half in the making. Former President Joe Biden had blocked the merger in January citing national security issues with allowing one the leading steel manufacturers to be owned by a foreign company.
Director Catsavis ends push for hire-fire change, laments business leader lobbying

1 week ago | talkbusiness.net | Michael Tilley

Fort Smith City Director Christina Catsavis will end her push to shift the hire-fire power with department heads from the city administrator to the board, but she is discouraged about pressure from “CEOs and business leaders” who opposed the effort. The Fort Smith board after a lengthy debate on Tuesday (June 17) voted 4-2 against Catsavis’ proposal. The board in 2013 shifted the hire-fire authority for department heads to the city administrator.
Van Buren chamber staff ready to move into new offices

1 week ago | talkbusiness.net | Michael Tilley

The Van Buren Chamber of Commerce is less than two weeks away from a long-awaited move into its newly renovated offices at 111 N. 12th St., according to chamber President and CEO Julie Murray. The former public library and city annex building renovated for the chamber also will include a “business resource center.” Murray said the renovation cost was estimated at $550,000, and the chamber staff – two full time and one part time – will begin moving in June 30.
Chinese soybean imports plummet

1 week ago | talkbusiness.net | George Jared

Tariffs, low commodity prices, historic rains, spiraling input costs, and a lack of an updated Farm Bill have left many row crop producers in the doldrums, and some have decided not to farm at all this year. Prices for all traditional row crops grown in the Arkansas Delta – soybeans, corn, rice, and cotton – have been down, but soybean prices had been slightly better. They may have another hit coming.
Hire-fire shift proposal rejected by Fort Smith Board

1 week ago | talkbusiness.net | Michael Tilley

An effort by Fort Smith Director Christina Catsavis to shift the city’s hire-fire authority over department heads from the city administrator to the board was short-lived, with the board voting Tuesday (June 17) against her idea. The Fort Smith board in 2013 shifted the hire-fire authority for department heads to the city administrator. In 2015 there was an effort to return that authority to the board, but the board voted 4-2 in February 2016 to keep the authority with the city administrator.
Fort Smith Board approves highest possible sewer rate for Arkoma

1 week ago | talkbusiness.net | Michael Tilley

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (June 17) rejected two sewer rate options for the city of Arkoma, which by default sets the rate at $8.75 per ccf. That’s an amount Arkoma Mayor Joshua Johnson has said the city may try to block with legal action. Fort Smith city staff recommended two rate options as part of a five-year contract set to begin June 22. Johnson has said in recent meetings that his city may seek a court injunction if Fort Smith pushes for a rate Arkoma can’t afford.