Fort Smith

Exploring Arkansas' critical race theory teaching ban, election index ranking, donations enhancing outdoor education, and updates on transgender athletes and vet schools.

Jonesboro-based Hytrol Conveyor Co. said Thursday (Sept. 2) it plans to hire another 100 workers at its Fort Smith manufacturing plant to operate a new product line. The expansion would bring employment in Fort Smith to around 350.

Jonesboro-based Hytrol plans to invest more than $20 million to open a manufacturing operation in Fort Smith that will employ up to 250 within five years.

More than 600 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Arkansas along with seven new deaths. Meanwhile, a new White House report says Arkansas has the 8th highest rate for new virus case, based on last week's numbers. The White House Coronavirus Task Force also noted that Arkansas' rate of positive tests dropped to 7.6% over the previous week. The report says Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Harrison, Blytheville and Texarkana are all in the“red zone” because of the number of new cases and local test positivity rates.

Compared to the rest of the state, Northeast Arkansas has seen an overall growth in employment, sales tax revenue, and new home starts. Talk Businesses…