Business in Arkansas
State’s jobless rate dips to 7.1%; ebb in labor force ends
posted: 05/18/2013 3:52 a.m. Discuss
For the first time since January 2012, Arkansas’ civilian labor force grew, even if only by about 900 people, as the state’s April unemployment rate slipped to 7.1 percent from 7.2 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday.
Flights seen declining faster at smaller airports
posted: 05/18/2013 3:44 a.m. Discuss
Though Arkansas’ two largest airports followed a national trend of declines in commercial airline flights during the past five years, they haven’t been hit as hard as many of the nation’s smaller airports, according to a national study issued this week.
Retailer files suit so critics keep out
posted: 05/18/2013 3:42 a.m. Discuss
Wal-Mart has filed a lawsuit in Benton County Circuit Court to prevent several anti-Wal-Mart groups from trespassing on store property — specifically to prevent the groups from engaging in past activities, such as unlawful picketing, demonstrations, disrupting customers and confronting managers.
Business news in brief
posted: 05/18/2013 3:37 a.m. Discuss
QUOTE OF THE DAY “I’m not surprised major hubs have fared better.The larger the population base, the more potential travelers.” John Parker, Fort Smith Airport director, about a new study showing small U.S. airports have lost commercial airline flights over the past five years. Article, 1D
NEWS IN BRIEF
posted: 05/18/2013 3:35 a.m. Discuss
$5.2 million awarded in nursing-home suit A Faulkner County jury awarded the family of a Perry County woman $5.2 million in a suit against a Greenbrier nursing home.
Arkansas jobless rate falls to 7.1% in April
posted: 05/17/2013 9:12 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas' unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point in April to 7.1 percent, the state Department of Workforce Services announced Friday.
Retailer must let suits use bribe file
posted: 05/17/2013 3:42 a.m. Discuss
Wal-Mart Stores can’t block investors from using publicly disclosed internal files in lawsuits that claim that company directors failed to properly oversee executives accused of bribing Mexican officials, a judge said Thursday.
Study: Gas drilling in state hasn’t contaminated wells
posted: 05/17/2013 3:32 a.m. Discuss
Shale-gas production in Arkansas has not resulted in groundwater contamination, according to a study by researchers at Duke University and the U.S. Geological Survey.
NEWS IN BRIEF
posted: 05/17/2013 3:29 a.m. Discuss
Entergy, steel mill get initial rate OK The Arkansas Public Service Commission on Thursday tentatively approved an agreement on electric rates between Entergy Arkansas Inc. and a steel mill to be built near Osceola.
Pipeline changes to curb diesel, jet fuel into state
posted: 05/17/2013 12:50 a.m. Comment 1
The owner of a pipeline that supplies diesel and jet fuel to three locations in Arkansas — El Dorado, North Little Rock and Jonesboro — has notified a federal agency that it plans to make changes in the pipeline.
Wal-Mart earnings rise 4.6%
posted: 05/17/2013 12:48 a.m. Discuss
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported lackluster first-quarter earnings per share of $1.14 Thursday, blaming the outcome on a longer-than-usual winter and a delay in income tax return checks being issued in the critical first part of the quarter.
Tyson sets animal-treatment advisory panel
posted: 05/16/2013 12:19 p.m. Discuss
Tyson Foods Inc. said Thursday that it has assembled an independent panel to serve as advisers to FarmCheck, the animal-treatment audit program crated by the Springdale-based poultry producer last fall.
Wal-Mart profit ticks up, trails forecasts
posted: 05/16/2013 7:03 a.m. Discuss
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported Thursday first-quarter net income of $3.78 billion, up about 1.1 percent from the $3.74 billion earned in the previous first quarter.
Acxiom profit off 71.3% but still tops predictions
posted: 05/16/2013 3:48 a.m. Discuss
Acxiom Corp.’s net income for its fiscal-2013 fourth quarter fell 71.3 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago, the company said Wednesday.
Dillard’s quarter reaches a record
posted: 05/16/2013 3:47 a.m. Discuss
Dillard’s Inc.’s earnings increased 23 percent in the first quarter, spurred by strong sales in women’s accessories and lingerie, the Little Rock retailer said Wednesday.
