Statement: ‘Both’ Morning News, DG Will Cover Razorbacks

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Stephens Media issued a joint statement this afternoon, answering some reporting on what their new venture’s staffing plans might be and (perhaps most importantly!) just who’ll be responsible for covering Arkansas’ beloved Razorbacks.
First, in response to a report by the City Wire on the “radical downsizing” that’s supposed to happen [...]

ArkansasBusiness.com: Democrat-Gazette, Stephens Employees Face ‘Uncertain’ Future

Rob Keys of Arkansas Business’ sister publication, the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, files a report today on ArkansasBusiness.com in the aftermath of yesterday’s joint venture announcement between the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Stephens Media in northwest Arkansas.
Not surprisingly, uncertainty appears to be a common theme among employees of both operations:
Said an employee of the Democrat-Gazette: “There’s [...]

And That’s No Bull: The Return (Again) of Bullwhiz

Bullwhiz is back. Again.
The Little Rock-based gossip e-mail, which began in Internet-infancy era of the early 90s and was read and fed by journalists, PR officials, politicos and business leaders, has gone through several incarnations and curators and now has been reborn as an Arkansas news aggregator.
You can check it out at Bullwhiz.com. The site [...]

Update: Lottery Commission Issues Advertising RFP, Takes Action on Staff Salaries

The Arkansas Lottery Commission today took action to reign in staff salary spending, passing a motion requiring its personnel committee to approve of the hiring of any staff position that pays more than $80,000 per year.
ArkansasBusiness.com Assistant Internet Editor Mark Carter was live-tweeting for Capsearch from the meeting, and his reporting is available here. Also: [...]

Lock Down: The Democrat-Gazette Takes Free News Off the Web in Northwest Arkansas

It had to happen sometime.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette announced Sunday that, starting Aug. 5, its northwest Arkansas newspaper edition will no longer offer free access to print edition stories on the Web. Like content on the state edition of the paper at ArkansasOnline.com, NWANews.com will be accessible to paying subscribers only.
Publisher Walter Hussman, who’s been praised [...]

Updated: Wal-Mart Shareholders Meeting

The Wal-Mart faithful are crammed into Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville and the shareholders’ meeting is well underway. You can catch @ArkBusiness live tweets from the event and follow coverage on ArkansasBusiness.com.

Also: A live Webcast by Wal-Mart is available here.
Ben Stiller hosts. Gene Simmons is in the building. Always surreal. Always.
Update: Meeting’s over! Kris [...]

Sharing Is Fun: What I’m Reading Via Google Reader and Other Stuff to Pass the Time

When the updates get spotty around here, don’t worry. There’s still much more to check out ’round the ol’ blog. May we recommend:
Latest News from Arkansas Business – Top of the left-hand rail. The latest Arkansas Business news from our main daily breaking news feed at ArkansasBusiness.com.
Stuff I Read (via Google Reader) – Conveniently located [...]

Gen Y Workers and the Labor Market: Tables Turned?

Remember how Generation Y workers thought they didn’t have to work their father’s 9-to-5 shift? That they wanted flexibility in their jobs? That they valued friendships and feedback over a steady check? That employers needed to learn new strategies in order to cope with (coddle) these sensitive world-changers?
In this job market we wonder, “Yeah. How’s [...]

Reality Bites: State Revamps Budget Forecasts

Happening now: Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration Director Richard Weiss is delivering the bad news to the Arkansas General Assembly’s Joint Budget Committee. Arkansas’ budget picture for the next fiscal year? Less rosey than originally thought! Are chickens coming home to roost? Has recession finally come to Arkansas?
All will be revealed. Track the breaking [...]

Democrat-Gazette Newsroom Takes Furloughs; Wehco Cuts Costs at All Newspapers

The Arkansas Times popped their note here about more cost-cutting measures at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Arkansas Business media writer Mark Hengel follows up with more here, including word that all of publisher Walter Hussman’s Wehco newspapers are trying to contain costs in some way or another as ad revenue dries up.
General Manager Paul Smith [...]