Consumer Confidence Up in June, Highest Level Since Pandemic
US. consumer confidence rose again for the fifth consecutive month in June. This puts at the highest levels seen since the start of the pandemic and comes as a sign…
What economic impact could Juneteenth as a federal holiday have on Arkansas?
Despite its celebration for several years, no data has been collected on the economic impacts in Arkansas of federalizing Juneteenth. Juneteenth was celebrated as a national holiday for the first…
Jobs rebounding quickly, Young says
After the pandemic, employment has rebounded locally almost to 2019 levels, Mark Young, president and CEO of the Northeast Arkansas Industrial Development Corporation, said. The city is providing NAIDC with…
UAMS chancellor says COVID-19 is ‘at best, smoldering’ in Arkansas
UAMS chancellor says COVID-19 is 'at best, smoldering' in Arkansas Though many feel the pandemic is lifting, top state health officials are raising concerns. The Chancellor of UAMS described COVID-19…
UA, NOWDiagnostics Partner for COVID-19 Study
The University of Arkansas and NOWDiagnostics Inc. of Springdale announced a partnership Tuesday to study the prevalence of coronavirus antibodies among UA students, staff and faculty. The company will use…
U.S. Home Construction Up Moderate 3.6% in May
U.S. home construction rose 3.6% in May as builders battled a surge in lumber prices that have made homes more expensive. The May increase left construction at a seasonally adjusted…
Fed Sees Faster Time Frame for Rate Hikes As Inflation Rises
The Federal Reserve signaled Wednesday that it may act sooner than previously planned to start dialing back the low-interest rate policies that have helped fuel a swift rebound from the…
UAMS Receives $1.4M Grant to Study COVID-19 Disparities
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences researchers have been awarded a one-year, $1.4 million grant to study the causes behind COVID-19’s devastating impact on minorities and develop plans to help…
Mark Hayes Knows Tech a Two-Way Street for Cities
Mark Hayes joined the Arkansas Municipal League in 1989 as an in-house litigator before becoming the league’s general counsel. He was appointed executive director of the organization in 2018. Before joining…
As COVID-19 cases wane, vaccine-lagging areas still see risk
New COVID-19 cases are declining across most of the country, even in some states with vaccine-hesitant populations. But almost all states bucking that trend have lower-than-average vaccination rates, and experts…
Illegal dumping becoming worse in Pulaski County since start of pandemic
The pandemic is to blame for a rash of illegal trash dumping in Pulaski County. It’s a common occurrence, but county officials say it’s become worse in the last year.…
Summer Job Market for Teens Is Sweet
Young Americans are saving the summer. Businesses are counting on teenage workers to staff restaurants, golf clubs, resorts and other hot-weather entertainment spots emerging from pandemic lockdowns. Many employers are struggling…
U.S. Home Broadband Gains Greatest in Suburbs
The adoption of home broadband varies by demographics, including community type: urban, suburban and rural. As of Feb. 8, 2021, suburban residents in the United States showed the greatest adoption of broadband,…
Arkansas Races to Bridge Broadband Divide
Money to upgrade broadband infrastructure is being spread across Arkansas at a furious pace after the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the depths of the digital divide and delivered federal dollars to…
Typical american now hiring sign in black letters over the white background with local small business building
US Adds 559K Jobs as Firms Still Struggle to Fill Positions
U.S. employers added a modest 559,000 jobs in May, an improvement from April’s sluggish gain but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy…
‘Never seen anything like it’: Demand far surpasses inventory in Arkansas housing market
'Never seen anything like it': Demand far surpasses inventory in Arkansas housing market The housing market in central Arkansas is red hot, with demand for homes far surpassing inventory across…
Arkansas State Parks returning to normal with new features
Kelly Farrell, the chief of interpretation for Arkansas State Parks, gave a presentation to the El Dorado Kiwanis Club Wednesday, where she spoke about some of the organization’s upcoming initiatives.…
Finance Report: Arkansas Surplus For Year Nearing $1B
Arkansas' surplus for the fiscal year is approaching $1 billion, the state's finance office said Wednesday, as it reported a major boost in income and sales tax collections. The Arkansas…