Stories by Glen Chase

Agriculture service chief: Foreign deals need fast-track rule The chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service on Monday said it is critical for Congress to grant the Obama administration fast-track authority to negotiate foreign tr... February 24, 2015

Breweries becoming toast of town Sometime this summer, beer aficionados in central Arkansas will be able to pick from nine different breweries, micro-breweries and taprooms as the state capital catches up with a national obsession wi... February 15, 2015

Panelists: Farmers still have influence JONESBORO -- U.S. agriculture needs to build more coalitions as it works to influence national politics on issues such as the farm bill even as the number of farms and farmers continues to shrink, pan... February 12, 2015

Agriculture panel submits 2 nominations for secretary The Arkansas Agriculture Board voted Wednesday to nominate two people as candidates for the state's next agriculture secretary. The board voted unanimously to recommend that Gov. Asa Hutchinson choose... February 5, 2015

Growers, customers talk turkey For Yell County farmer Chuck McCool, the biggest problem he and other growers deal with isn't marketing their products, but knowing who to talk to at harvest time. On Tuesday, McCool and more than 100... February 4, 2015

3 tech firms, 140 jobs head to Conway CONWAY -- Three technology firms plan to hire 140 workers and invest nearly $2.5 million to open offices in downtown Conway. Two of the companies, Metova Inc., and Eyenalyze, will have offices on the ... January 30, 2015

State jobless rate falls again, hits 5.7% Unemployment in Arkansas fell to 5.7 percent in December -- marking the fourth-straight month of declines, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday. Arkansas' drop followed the national tren... January 28, 2015

4 state projects get share of conservation funding Four new conservation partnerships in Arkansas are taking advantage of a new federal program that will provide millions of dollars for watershedwide approaches to improve water quality and wildlife ha... January 17, 2015

State's soybean yield a record in '14 Arkansas soybean growers set records in 2014, producing 160.5 million bushels even as many row-crop farmers dealt with a rain-delayed planting followed by a cool summer and more wet weather as they cl... January 14, 2015

LR inventor's hitch extends out to trailer For Mike Rebick, getting a patent for a unique way to hitch a trailer to a pickup or car was just the first step. The bigger issue was figuring out whether people would want to buy his invention, beca... December 28, 2014

Plant Board OKs 2 weed-kill systems The state Plant Board approved two regulatory changes Thursday that will allow two new 2,4-D and dicamba-based weed control systems to be used by Arkansas row crop farmers. But in granting approval to... December 19, 2014

In state, growers see trade potential WASHINGTON -- Arkansas agriculture and business groups applauded the Cuba trade, travel and diplomatic policy announced by President Barack Obama on Wednesday. U.S. to mend ties with CubaReaction from... December 18, 2014

Board weighs allowing new weed controls The State Plant Board will hold two public hearings Thursday on proposals to allow row crop farmers the option of using two new weed control systems based on the 2,4-D and dicamba herbicides. Director... December 17, 2014

State paper mill to retool, cut 142 jobs Montreal-based paper products company Domtar Corp. said Wednesday it will invest $160 million to convert a paper machine at its Ashdown mill so it can produce "fluff pulp" used for items such as diape... December 11, 2014

Arena's ticket sales sag from 2013's Even as Verizon Arena gears up for one of country music's biggest acts next week, overall ticket sales in 2014 at the North Little Rock venue will see a sharp drop compared with 2013, general manager ... December 4, 2014

LR's Mr. Cool building set to fall Work crews are demolishing the downtown Little Rock building that once housed Mr. Cool Clothing in preparation for a new, four-story building at Main and Third streets. When TerraForma LLC, which had ... November 26, 2014

Welders a crying need in state Rickie Gunn's phone is busy these days. The welding instructor at Black River Technical College in Pocahontas is fielding calls from employers around Arkansas and surrounding states. Not for himself, ... November 24, 2014

Crop sellers tuned in to rule-making Two new businesses with plans to help farmers get their crops to market are closely monitoring discussions between lawmakers, growers and others on the best way to regulate grain dealers in the afterm... November 19, 2014

Farm agencies draft grain dealer bill Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Butch Calhoun unveiled draft legislation Wednesday that would require anyone operating as a grain buyer to be licensed by the state as a way to help row-crop farmers get... November 6, 2014

Turner Grain petitions for bankruptcy Turner Grain Merchandising Inc. of Brinkley has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing nearly 60 farmers, grain dealers, trucking companies and other entities with outstanding claims wort... October 25, 2014

Debt deferred for farmers hit by default Federal agriculture officials have granted 23 farming operations hurt by the August shutdown of Turner Grain Merchandising Inc. in Brinkley an additional 90-day extension before they must begin repayi... October 21, 2014

Storms hamper farmers' harvests Row crop farmers across Arkansas trying to complete the 2014 harvest are being pushed into a waiting game as they deal with storm systems that are leaving behind muddy fields and rain-soaked crops. "W... October 14, 2014

Peanuts a rising crop for farmers Greg Gill of Walnut Ridge wrapped up his peanut harvest Sunday. As a new member of the National Peanut Board, Gill said he hopes Arkansas' designation as a primary peanut producing state will direct m... October 9, 2014

Autumn hunt for outdoor gear keeps sporting goods stores busy With the fall hunting seasons in Arkansas getting underway, sporting goods retailers are seeing a steady stream of customers shopping for rifles, shotguns, clothing and other hunting gear as outdoorsm... October 5, 2014

Old-building kinks delay Main Street Lofts again The twists and turns of renovating old buildings have again delayed the move-in dates for tenants of the Main Street Lofts project in downtown Little Rock. Everything from updating electrical systems ... October 2, 2014

Gamblers betting on close-to-home casinos Signs on the sides of buses in downtown Little Rock send a clear message: "Better Odds. Fewer Miles." Ongoing expansions at two Arkansas gambling locations -- Oaklawn Gaming & Racing in Hot Spring... September 28, 2014

Riverdale 10 theater in LR gains permit for beer, wine sales Theater owner Matt Smith won permission Wednesday to serve beer and wine at the Riverdale 10 Cinema in Little Rock after being closely questioned about how he'd prevent minors from obtaining alcohol d... September 18, 2014

Beetle's presence impedes firewood Firewood customers are being urged to "buy it where they burn it" after the state Plant Board's decision to impose an emergency quarantine on the movement of all hardwood firewood after the emerald as... September 16, 2014

Beer sales buzz at state retailers' growler stations Buying beer by the growler at retailers is proving a popular option in Arkansas with both stores and in-state breweries reporting brisk sales. “We knew it was going to be big, but I mean we’ve been bl... September 12, 2014

Cinema gets 2nd shot on alcohol A proposal to allow beer and wine sales at the Riverdale 10 Cinema in Little Rock will go before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board next week. Michael Langley, director of the Alcoholic Beverage Con... September 10, 2014

Soybeans, cotton set for record harvests Arkansas' soybean and cotton yields are expected to set new records in 2014, despite a slow start from cool, wet spring weather. Soybean yields are expected to average 46 bushels per acre, up 2.5 bush... August 15, 2014

In state, catfish farmers stock up Arkansas catfish farms saw the number of large and medium food-size fish drop in the first half of 2014 even as the number of fry and fingerlings nearly doubled. Ted McNulty, director of the Aquacultu... August 13, 2014

Forester: Beetle spotted in state The emerald ash borer, an Asian beetle whose larvae feeds on ash trees, has been found for the first time in insect traps in five south Arkansas counties, the state Agriculture Board learned Wednesday... August 7, 2014

Monticello to get wood-pellet plant A Texas company announced plans Wednesday to build a $90 million wood-pellet plant in Monticello that it said will add 52 jobs to the community's labor force. Zilkha Biomass Energy LLC of Houston said... July 31, 2014

Southwest Time Record changes mean 37 layoffs The Southwest Times Record will lay off 37 people as it shifts its printing and mailroom operations from Fort Smith and Van Buren to facilities in Springdale and Lowell owned by Stephens Media LLC and... July 31, 2014

Rice, soybeans are farmers' picks Correction: Arkansas’ principal crop acreage planted in 2014 increased slightly to 7.73 million acres compared with the 7.68 million acres in 2013. This story incorrectly described the change. Arkansa... July 1, 2014

State seals its lips on oil carrying rail cars Arkansas has joined the list of states that have agreed to keep private the information supplied by railroads that ship volatile Bakken crude oil through the state in rail tank cars. In May, the U.S. ... June 18, 2014

Sales-tax refund is suit aim by AT&T Two subsidiaries of AT&T Mobility LLC want the state to refund nearly $17 million they say is owed Arkansas customers after the cellular-phone companies collected unauthorized sales taxes for Inte... June 12, 2014

Hotel, store plans pitched for LR site A 4.9-acre parcel at University Avenue and 12th Street in Little Rock is being considered for a new five-story, 110-room hotel and a Murphy USA convenience store, according to applications pending bef... June 5, 2014

S. Africa firm buys PB mills, 8 others An Atlanta company that wants to focus on paperboard packaging is selling its Arkansas operations as part of a $105 million deal involving nine U.S. plants that produce multilayer bags, one of which i... June 5, 2014

Southwind to build rice mill, employ 30 at Port of Pine Bluff Southwind Milling Co. LLC, a division of the private equity firm Optimum Group, announced plans Monday to build a rice mill at the Port of Pine Bluff. The mill is expected to add 30 jobs, which could ... June 3, 2014

Farms in 3 state watersheds up for U.S. clean-runoff cash Some farmers and property owners in three Arkansas watersheds who are interested in improving water quality and reducing sediment and nutrient runoff are seeking a share of a $33 million initiative th... May 22, 2014

Wine bottles aged on ocean floor Two weeks ago, Jim "Bear" Dyke Jr. was on a boat that pulled seven metal cages, each containing a case of wine, from Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. Dyke, an Arkansas native and president of Mira... May 19, 2014

Rule lets retailers fill beer growlers Beer drinkers will be able to get growlers of their favorite brew filled at places other than microbreweries or brew pubs under under a new rule being readied by state Alcoholic Beverage Control. Mich... May 14, 2014

Pair had 12 minutes head start on twister MAYFLOWER - When the insulation started raining from the ceiling of the closet where Kay McKneely and her husband, George, had taken cover just minutes before a tornado struck Sunday evening, the coup... April 28, 2014

Rain interrupts state’s planting Arkansas farmers are dealing with a stop-and-go planting season, frequently halting operations as rain forces them to wait for fields to dry out. While the planting of crops such as rice, corn and sor... April 24, 2014

‘Arkansas Grown’ sprouts anew Two months after a Governor’s Mansion gathering, nearly 150 farmers and buyers have added their names to a growing list of those wanting to participate in the relaunch of the state’s “Arkansas Grown” ... April 20, 2014

Arkansas distillers eager to start The still in Jesse Core’s Springdale brewery has been gathering dust since 2012. Now, after nearly two years of wrangling and waiting, he can dust if off - Core finally has the permits he needs to dis... April 13, 2014

Delivery of wine to home now OK Wineries can’t use the nation’s two biggest shipping companies to ship bottles directly to Arkansans who stop by for a tasting or tour and then decide to send a bottle or two home. A year-old state la... April 3, 2014

Cable firms, Viacom in talks on pact Negotiations between entertainment content company Viacom Inc. and a group representing small cable television operators around the country, including several in Arkansas, continued Tuesday after an e... April 2, 2014