David Smith

Utility draws skepticism for testimony

PSC chief notes mistrust about Entergy Arkansas

The credibility of Entergy Arkansas has come under question, the chairman of the Public Service Commission said Friday.
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No cost guarantees, Entergy exec admits

Under relentless questioning by Arkansas Public Service Commission Chairman Paul Suskie, Entergy Arkansas’ chief executive conceded Thursday that the utility’s customers could again face millions of dollars added to their bills if a new cost-sharing agreement is reached with other Entergy Corp. subsidiaries.
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Entergy cost-sharing getting PSC scrutiny

Probe also to look at transmission system

The Arkansas Public Service Commission begins an investigation today into Entergy Arkansas’ cost-sharing agreement with Entergy Corp. subsidiaries and the parent company’s reluctance to share its transmission grid with other electricity providers.
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State joblessness rate still 7.6% in January

Arkansas’ unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.6 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday.
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PB bank to close 9 branches in state

Simmons blames slump in activity

Simmons First National Corp. will close 10 percent of its branches in June, the Pine Bluff bank said Friday.
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Fewer register autos in January

12% drop seen in new vehicles

New-vehicle registrations in Arkansas in January were down 12 percent from a year earlier, according to a research firm.
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Entergy says it’s willing to fight

Utility challenges state’s authority

The Arkansas Public Service Commission does not have the authority to force Entergy Arkansas to separate from the Entergy Corp. system agreement, and the company is willing to go to court to settle that matter, Entergy Arkansas said Monday.
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Group’s holders of CDs at a loss

Stanford’s fall cost $50 million

Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the closing of the Stanford Financial Group office in Little Rock, a collapse that cost Arkansas investors more than $50 million in certificates of deposit.
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Census work comes at good time for state

Joblessness high; hourly pay is up to $15

The U.S. Census Bureau is taking applications to hire 5,000 workers in Arkansas and pay them $10.50 an hour and up.
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Ex-Affiliated Foods chief admits fraud

He pleads guilty, tells how scheme slowed firm’s crash

The former president and chief executive officer of the now-defunct Affiliated Foods Southwest Inc. admitted Thursday in federal court that he ran a check-kiting scheme that defrauded the company’s primary lender of millions of dollars in an effort to keep the ailing food distributor in business.
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