Michael Tilley

Kellams: Right now we have some questions for Michael Tilley with Talk Business and Politics. He's a man we already know isn't a fan of heat domes.

The first agenda item on the Tuesday (July 7) Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting will be a vote to place a change-of-government question on the November general election ballot. If the board vote is held, it will be the second time the question has come before the board.

Progress continues in reducing city of Fort Smith water leaks, with almost 1,000 leaks repaired in the first six months of 2026. The number of active leaks at the end of June was down almost 75% compared with December 2025, according to city information.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors for the second time rejected a resolution that would place a change-of-government question on the November general election ballot. The vote fell along similar lines as a May 19 vote on the same resolution.

Campaign contribution reports show that just under $55,000 – at least – has been raised in the 2026 race for Fort Smith mayor. Several people have announced for the open seat, but only Fort Smith Directors Christina Catsavis and Lee Kemp have filed contribution reports.

Miami-based Foundever plans to hire more than 200 people at its call center in Fort Smith, including bilingual customer service representatives, the company announced July 8. Foundever, formerly Sykes Enterprises, opened the Fort Smith site in 2011 in what was once part of the Phoenix Village Mall.

Another $1 million has been raised toward a $12 million matching fundraising campaign to support the U.S. Marshals Museum , with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin in Fort Smith on Friday (July 10) to present the $1 million check to museum board member and Fort Smith businessman Bennie Westphal.

Kellams: Right now, Michael Tilley with Talk Business and Politics. Michael, happy to have you back. Tilley: Well, I'm glad to be back.

Traffic at the Fort Smith Regional Airport was down almost 6% in June, and followed a 2% decline in May. Also, total passengers traveling through the airport in the first...

Professional and Business Services sector job numbers continue to decline in the Fort Smith metro, with job numbers in the higher-paying category down more than 6% in May compared with May 2025. Jobs in the sector are down almost 9% in the past five years.