Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday (Aug. 14) directed the Department of Human Services to end its agreements with Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, effective 30 days from today.

Department of Human Services Director John Selig sent a letter dated Aug. 14 to Jill June, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, informing her of the move.

In a statement, Hutchinson said, “It is apparent that after the recent revelations on the actions of Planned Parenthood, that this organization does not represent the values of the people of our state and Arkansas is better served by terminating any and all existing contracts with them. This includes their affiliated organization, Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.

“I appreciate the legislature’s leadership on this important issue, especially that of Senator Eddie Joe Williams and Representative David Meeks.”

Hutchinson’s action follows the release of a series of undercover videos by a pro-life group, The Center for Medical Progress.

DHS Communications Director Amy Webb said the state has been reimbursing Planned Parenthood clinics in Little Rock and Fayetteville on a case-by-case basis for family planning, pharmacy and gynecological services but has not paid for abortions using Medicaid dollars.

The state so far has reimbursed the organization $51,429.39 this year. In previous years, Planned Parenthood has been reimbursed the following amounts:
2014 – $139,456.11
2013 – $139,864.13
2012 – $127,673.26
2011 – $168,993.66
2010 – $241,554.65

America's Car-Mart based in Bentonville has opened its 143rd used-car dealership. The new lot is located in Rolla, Mo., and is the company’s 19th dealership in that state.

“We expect to open eight additional new locations during this fiscal year,” said CEO Hank Henderson.

Car-Mart’s fiscal 2016 is already underway and company will report fiscal 2016 first quarter earnings after the market close on Aug. 20.

Mercy Clinic Fort Smith has added four advanced practice clinicians. Sarah Anderson, APRN, Carla Hill, APRN, Gayla Johnson, APRN, and Donnelle Wagner, DNP, bring more than 55 years of nursing experience to Mercy.

Anderson is a family nurse practitioner with more than eight years of nursing experience, most of that time serving in the intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Anderson graduated with a master’s degree in nursing in December 2014 from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Anderson is fluent in Spanish and serves as a translator in the hospital and clinic as needed.

Hill joined Mercy Clinic Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in Fort Smith in June, and is an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner with eight years of experience in nursing. She has worked in emergency medicine, urgent care and cardiology departments. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama in Birmingham where she received her master’s degree in Adult-Gerontology Acute Nursing.

Johnson will join Mercy Clinic Cardiology-Phoenix Avenue in September. She is a family nurse practitioner with more than 27 years of nursing experience in the intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Johnson received her master’s degree in Advanced Practice Nursing from University of Central Arkansas in Conway. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Wagner joined the Mercy Clinic Primary Care-Cliff Drive in May. Wagner brings almost 15 years of experience to Mercy Clinic. She has worked in ENT and primary care clinics, as well as the intensive care unit. Wagner received her master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University in St. Louis. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

First National Bank of NWA has hired Mike Wilkins as an agricultural lender.

Wilkins has experience in agriculture and ag business. His most recent position was working with the Arkansas State Bank Department.

“I grew up in Russellville, Arkansas, where my family raised cattle. I helped manage over 3,500 acres and 1,800 head,” said Wilkins. “I fully understand that farmers are busy people. I don’t take that lightly and will do everything I can to meet their financial needs.”

Wilkins graduated in 2006 from Arkansas Technical University in Russellville with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

Rebecca Gomez, Patricia Mays, Judy Phillips, Joyce Sears and Karen Wuthrich have received promotions at BancorpSouth in Fort Smith.

Gomez has been promoted to branch officer. She began her career at BancorpSouth in 1998 and served as teller and customer service representative at the East Branch, prior to transferring to the North Branch as a customer service representative. She was named branch supervisor in 2012 and branch manager in 2014. Gomez is a 1987 graduate of Alma High School and is bilingual in Spanish.

Mays has been promoted to assistant vice president. Mays has more than 30 years of banking experience, with 23 of those at BancorpSouth. She rejoined BancorpSouth in 2006 as a customer service representative. In 2008 she was named Van Buren branch manager, and in 2009 promoted to branch officer. Mays is a Fort Smith native and a graduate of Northside High School. She attended Westark Community College and has completed a number of American Institute of Banking courses.

Phillips has been promoted to loan officer, and has 44 years of banking experience. She first joined BancorpSouth in 1971 in the customer service area before relocating out of state. In 1975, she rejoined the bank as a proof operator, later becoming supervisor of the proof and transit department. She also later served as a customer service representative. In 2001, Phillips moved to the South Branch as administrative loan assistant. In 2013, she was promoted to loan representative. Phillips has completed the BancorpSouth Lenders Orientation program and has participated in American Institute of Banking courses throughout her career.

Sears has been promoted to branch officer, and has 42 years of banking experience, with 21 of those at BancorpSouth. During her career she has served as teller, vault teller, customer service representative, consumer and commercial loan assistant and mortgage loan originator. Sears transferred to the Fayetteville Branch in 2008 where she was named branch supervisor for the Fayetteville and Rogers branches in 2012 and branch manager of both branches in 2014. She attended Gentry High School, Arkansas Tech University, East Central University, and Westark Community College.

Wuthrich has been promoted to first vice president in commercial lending. She has 40 years of experience, with more than nine years at BancorpSouth. She holds an associate’s degree from Westark Community College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arkansas State University. Wuthrich is a graduate of the 2013 Leadership Fort Smith class, chairman of the Fort Smith Housing Assistance Board, treasurer of Girls, Inc. of Fort Smith, sustaining member of Junior League of Fort Smith, a member of Leadership Fort Smith Alumni Association, and is a PEO Chapter F. member.

BancorpSouth Inc. is a financial holding company based in Tupelo, Miss., with approximately $13.6 billion in assets. The company operates 287 commercial banking, mortgage, and insurance locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including an insurance location in Illinois.

Simmons First National Corp. announced a series of organizational management changes following the announced future retirement of David Bartlett, president of the bank holding company, in January.

“David has played a key role in structuring Simmons Bank for continued growth and success,” said George Makris, the Simmons First National Corp. chairman and CEO. “He led the transition from an eight-bank holding company to our current organization. We’ll soon be a one-bank holding company approaching $8 billion in assets. David will be missed.”

Bartlett, the president of Simmons First National Corp. and the chief banking officer for Simmons Bank, has held leadership positions with major banks in Texas and Arkansas. He was a founder and the chief executive officer of Alliance Bank of Hot Springs, which merged with Simmons in 2004. Bartlett was chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association in 2013-14.

“We wish David and his wife Nancy safe travels and much fun as they enjoy their grandchildren in retirement,” said Marty Casteel, the Simmons Bank CEO. “In addition to David’s contributions to our growth, he also introduced many best practices to our organization. David has been a leader in the banking industry and in the communities where he has lived. He has truly represented Simmons well in every aspect of leadership.”

The following changes also were announced Monday:
• Barry Ledbetter, the chair for the Central/Northeast Arkansas region for Simmons Bank, will assume the duties of chief banking officer. Ledbetter has been with Simmons for three decades. He previously served as chief executive officer of Simmons Bank of Northeast Arkansas.

• Matt Reddin will assume the duties of chief lending officer, a new position for Simmons Bank. Reddin will work to develop community bank lending teams. He also will have a leadership role in the bank’s loan approval structure.

• Adam Mitchell will assume the duties of chief retail officer, a new position for Simmons Bank. Mitchell will work to ensure the efficient delivery of products and services through the Simmons retail branch network.

• Freddie Black, the chair for the South Arkansas region for Simmons Bank, will assume the duties of regional chair for the state of Arkansas. Simmons will consolidate the three existing Arkansas regions – Central/Northeast Arkansas, South Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas – into one region.

• James Stobaugh will continue to lead the northwest Arkansas operations for Simmons and will report to Black.

Collective BIas, based in Rogers, was named to the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.

Recognizing its 548% three-year revenue growth, Collective Bias ranked No. 808 on the list. In addition, the company achieved the No. 2  position for top Arkansas companies, grossing the highest annual revenue for all private companies in the state.

Collective Bias helps brands develop branded content that seeks to reach the right buyers, and achieve engagement results.

"We are honored to be recognized for another year as one of American's Fastest-Growing Companies, and are especially proud of our standing in our home state," said Bill Sussman, CEO of Collective Bias. "This validates that the industry is ready for data-driven shopper social media and that brands are embracing the benefits of how it helps them achieve their sales and marketing goals.”

Buddy Philpot will step down as executive director of the Walton Family Foundation, the philanthropic organization started by Sam and Helen Walton, after 15-years of service.

He recently notified the board of directors and Walton family by letter of his intent to resign saying that he will stay on as long as needed for smooth transition. The organization will conduct a nation search for a new executive director.

Rob, Jim and Alice Walton expressed their appreciation to Philpot for his service over the years.

“He has been an outstanding executive director for our foundation and a leader whom so many throughout the philanthropic world know, trust and respect. As we recently completed the development of long-term strategies to guide our programs, Buddy has decided that now would be an opportune time for a new executive director to take over,” the Walton heirs noted in an blog on the Walton Family Foundation website.

Under Philpot’s leadership, the foundation has grown ten-fold to nearly $400 million. The organization has expanded from a four-person staff to a team of more than 75.

“We are exceptionally optimistic about what’s ahead for the foundation, a belief inspired largely by the impact we’ve experienced with our more than 1,900 grantees and strategic partners across the U.S. and around the world, especially during Buddy’s tenure,” the foundation noted in the release.

The family said it and the foundation remains “committed to the core belief that there are no limits to what people can achieve when they are given the opportunity, the encouragement and the incentive to do their best,” which was at the core of Sam Walton’s beliefs.

Philpot is a longtime business associate of the Walton family, having previously served as president of Arvest Bank, which is led by Jim Walton. He plans to continue working at Walton Enterprises, a holding company, after he steps down from the foundation.

The Bob Evans restaurant in Rogers has closed as one of 20 underperforming sites shuttered by the Ohio-based this year. The windows have been boarded up and a sign on the premise states the that building will be auctioned via the internet on Sept. 3.

Officials with Bob Evans announced plans to close 20 restaurants back in April. Most of the locations were shuttered by May 31. The Rogers location closed in July.

"Closing a restaurant is a difficult decision as it directly impacts our guests and employees. These restaurants, however, despite efforts to improve performance, were not meeting expectations. Bob Evans Farms is committed to assisting impacted employees by offering positions in nearby restaurants where possible. In cases where relocation is not possible, severance benefits will be offered to full-time and part-time employees,” said Mark Hood, chief financial officer for the company.

He said the company will immediately seek to sell these properties, with net proceeds estimated between $15.0 and $17.0 million.  

Although restaurants subject to closure generated approximately $20 million of annual revenue, this action is expected to improve annual operating income by approximately $2.5 to $3.0 million. 

State Rep. Justin Boyd, R-Fort Smith, announced Thursday (Aug. 20) that he will seek re-election to the House District 77 seat during the 2016 election cycle. He is in his first two-year term.

“My first term has been interesting,“ Boyd said in a statement. “My main focus has been working with the legislature on the state of healthcare in Arkansas. Being named to the
Governor’s Taskforce on Healthcare Reform has given me a unique perspective and helped to position Fort Smith squarely in the middle of the crucial discussions on making a difference for the state.”

Boyd, a pharmacist, has more than 15 years experience in healthcare and business in the area. He served as section manager in pharmacy operations at Mercy Fort Smith from 2003-2009 and prior to that as a clinical pharmacist at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville. Since 2009, he has owned Coleman Pharmacy of Alma.

He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas Walton College of Business. Boyd also received an associate’s degree from University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. He also serves as a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at UAMS.

The U.S. Marshals Museum and Walmart U.S. will sell U.S. Marshals Service 225th silver dollar commemorative coins in Fort Smith area stores. Starting Saturday (Aug. 22) at 10 a.m., the limited edition silver dollar coins will be available for $51.95 at the Walmart stores on Zero Street in Fort Smith and Liberty Drive in Greenwood.

“We appreciate Walmart, and the entire Fort Smith community, for their continued support of the U.S. Marshals Museum,” said Jim Dunn, president and CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum. “We hope everyone will go out and purchase one of these beautiful silver dollar coins to honor the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service and help bring this important project closer to the finish line.”

To celebrate its new partnership with Walmart, the U.S. Marshals Museum will host a free community event on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Zero Street Walmart in Fort Smith and will feature local U.S. Marshals cooking hot dogs and hamburgers. The local community team from Arvest Bank and U.S. Marshals Museum staff and supporters will be on hand to support the event.

“Walmart has deep roots in Ft. Smith and I along with my team of associates are delighted to team up with the U.S. Marshals Museum to launch to the public the 225th anniversary commemorative silver coin,” said Kelly Clark, store manager of the Zero Street location. “It is very exciting for us to be a part of something that will bring honor to the Marshals and the community.”

The silver dollar coin, produced by the United States Mint, highlights the legendary role the U.S. Marshals Service played in the American West. On its reverse side, it depicts a frontier U.S. Marshal holding a “Wanted in Fort Smith” poster. The obverse depicts a U.S. Marshals Service star and the silhouettes of deputies on horseback pursuing a fugitive.

Arvest Bank of Fort Smith/River Valley Region, will be partnering with Community Services Clearinghouse, River Valley Regional Food Bank, and River Valley Food 4 Kids for the 1 Million Meals initiative, a two-month, bank-wide effort to provide one million meals or more to those in need.

All three organizations will receive nonperishable food and monetary donations made at Arvest branches in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood, Clarksville, Russellville, Mena and Paris in Arkansas and in Oklahoma the Sallisaw, Poteau branches from Sept. 2 through Oct. 31. 

Community Services Clearinghouse works to feed the hungry through two programs – a food pantry and the Meals For Kids backpack program – serving five counties in Arkansas and two in Oklahoma.

The Meals For Kids program serves identified students in 83 schools in the area with nutritious snacks for the weekend.  Community Services Clearinghouse also partners with the Fort Smith, Ark., schools to provide bags in the summer. The program provides nearly 90,000 bags of food per year.

The River Valley Regional Food Bank is alleviating hunger in eight West Central Arkansas counties.  The food bank sources food and related product donations, warehouses and distributes that food through a network of 189 member agencies to roughly 46,000 individuals. Annually, the food bank provides 8 million pounds of food to families with children, the elderly and the disabled, homeless, veterans in need and long term unemployed adults. The value of the food bank’s yearly distributions is estimated at over $13 million.  The food bank is a member of Feeding America and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and serves as a community partner of the United Way of the Fort Smith Area.

“We are thrilled to have all these organizations benefitting from the 1 Million Meals initiative in our area,” said Beth Presley, marketing director Arvest Fort Smith and River Valley. “The food and funds raised during this campaign will help provide meals for families right here in the communities that we serve and just in time for the holiday season.”

Fort Smith and the River Valley residents can help support the Community Services Clearinghouse, River Valley Regional Food Bank and River Valley Food 4 Kids during the initiative by dropping off nonperishable food items or purchasing a 1 Million Meals paper can for $1 at any of the 24 Arvest branches in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood, Clarksville, Russellville, Mena and Paris in Arkansas and in Oklahoma the Sallisaw, Poteau branches or calling (866) 952-9523 to contribute.  Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for local, hungry families.

Tulsa Community College (TCC) has selected the Northwest Arkansas office of CJRW for advertising and marketing services. TCC, with more than 27,000 students, is Oklahoma’s largest two-year college.

TCC is among several clients Little Rock-based CJRW has added in recent months, including Caboodles and its sister company Creative Options; Schmieding Produce, United Bank, and United Built Homes. Caboodles and Creative Options market cosmetic cases and craft storage containers.

“Obviously, we are very pleased to add these leading organizations to our client portfolio,” Brian Rudisill, president of CJRW/Northwest Arkansas, said in a statement. “We will be working with our clients to further expand their brand identities.”

Rudisill called each “a good fit with our staff, expertise and services.”

In selecting CJRW, TCC noted CJRW’s higher education experience and research-based approach to marketing as two factors in its decision to partner with the agency.

“While our roots are firmly planted in Arkansas, we are continuing to attract clients throughout the region as well as brands with national identities such as Caboodles,” said Rudisill.

Caboodles and Creative Options market cosmetic cases and craft storage containers.

In addition to its NWA location in Springdale, CJRW has an office in downtown Little Rock at 300 Main St.

Reflecting on the 10 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Wal-Mart and its foundation committed $25 million over five years to support disaster recovery and resilience efforts worldwide. As part of the commitment, the Walmart Foundation is making an initial investment of $500,000 in grants to select local nonprofits in the U.S. Gulf Coast region.

Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon made the announcement Friday, (Aug. 21) in New Orleans.

“Hurricane Katrina touched our customers, associates, and communities in a profound way, and we haven’t forgotten,” McMillon said. “Working hand in hand with the people of the Gulf Region at that difficult moment showed us there are times when we can make a real difference. Today we’re gathering with leaders in New Orleans to reflect on the progress made since the storm and to make a $25 million commitment to disaster response and resiliency globally. We will continue to help communities prepare for - and recover from - the unexpected,” McMillon said during Friday’s event.

In addition to the $25 million commitment, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation also announced $2.9 million in grants recently made to several nonprofits that will help build the capacity of communities across the United States to be prepared to respond to disasters through business, government and nonprofit collaboration, volunteer training and new technology.

The grant recipients include:
• Good360: A $1 million grant from Walmart will support a new digital platform called DisasterRecovery360 that enables nonprofits to track the supplies needed immediately at the site of a disaster. It also allows companies to fulfill those needs in real-time through in-kind and cash donations.

• PYXERA Global: A $457,000 grant from Walmart will develop a global disaster corps model and run three pilot programs, in partnership with Team Rubicon. The model is designed to leverage volunteers to help communities prepare and respond to disasters.

• Team Rubicon: A $250,000 grant from Walmart will support the reintegration of military veterans by using their unique skills to respond to emergencies. The grant will further develop an incident management curriculum and develop advanced disaster response training for Team Rubicon volunteers.

• United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction: A $1.2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation will support the R!SE Initiative that will help build coalitions and local campaigns in the U.S. Gulf Coast specifically, and communities worldwide, to address the challenges of community preparedness and resiliency.

The World Trade Center of Arkansas in Rogers received its third round of grant funding from the State Trade Export Program (STEP). This year's award totaled $207,535.

The grant was created to increase small business exports for the United States. The Trade Center also received this grant funding previously in 2011 to 2012.

“We are excited to be a STEP recipient again. We know first-hand the direct positive impact this grant has on Arkansas small business and the creation of jobs,” said Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas. “The STEP Grant also gives Arkansas companies opportunity to establish strategic partnerships globally that fosters long term growth.”

Small businesses within the United States will have access to $17.4 million dollars in funding to support small business export growth and job creation. This funding will support small business in foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, international marketing campaigns, trade shows and workshops. 

“With 95% of the world’s consumer living outside the United States, SBA’s STEP program ensures that America’s small business can succeed in the 21st Century global economy,” SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, noted in the release.

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will host a memorial exhibit from Sept. 8-11 in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center commemorating the Sept. 11 attacks.

The exhibit will contain prints of several pieces of artwork on display at the newly constructed World Trade Center and four self-standing pieces. The Student Veterans Organization has been heavily involved with this exhibit as well as the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), who will perform a flag ceremony to open the exhibit.

Stacey Jones, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events, said the exhibit remembers a day that shouldn’t be forgotten.

“UAFS is very blessed to have such meaningful artwork,” Jones said. “We shouldn’t forget this day. It is a great opportunity that we have this art and the opportunity to educate others.”

The exhibit will be located near the fireplace in the Campus Center, and hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. For more information about the exhibit, contact the Campus and Community Events Office at 788-7300.

Siloam Springs Regional Hospital has joined with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to provide emergency care for stroke patients in the region.

Called AR SAVES (Arkansas Stroke Assistance through Virtual Emergency Support), the program uses a high-speed video communications system to help provide immediate, life-saving treatments to stroke patients 24 hours a day. The real-time video communication enables a stroke neurologist to evaluate whether emergency room physicians should use a powerful blood-clot dissolving agent within the critical three-hour period following the first signs of stroke.

The AR SAVES program is a cooperative between the UAMS Center for Distance Health, the state Department of Human Services, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital and 48 other Arkansas hospitals.

Arkansas, which ranks first in the nation in stroke death rates, had 1,560 stroke-related deaths in 2011, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nationwide direct and indirect cost of medical and institutional care of permanently disabled stroke victims was $73.7 billion in 2010, according to the American Heart Association’s 2012 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.

Officials with the program say it’s important the public be aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke, such as facial drooping or an uneven smile, arm numbness or weakness, and slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding speech. To remember them and the importance of getting to a hospital immediately, think FAST — Face, Arm, Speech and Time.

Since the program began Nov. 1, 2008, more than 2,791 patients have received stroke consults through AR SAVES and 751 patients have received the blood-clot dissolving agent.

Tyson Foods filed its opening brief with the Supreme Court who is hearing the meat giant’s challenge to lower-court rulings that awarded a $5.8 million class-action payout for 3,300 employees at an Iowa pork plant.

The nature of the suit deals with overtime payment being sought by plant workers for the time they spent putting on and taking off protective equipment required in their jobs. Tyson believes the lower courts erred in certifying the case as class-action. The suit states that the prosecution included hundreds of workers that “have no legal right to any damages.”

Tyson Foods pays employees at its Storm Lake, Iowa, pork plant in a “gang-time” system, which pays them “from the time the first piece of product passes their work stations until the last piece of product passes.” The company also pays a fixed amount of extra time called “K-Code” time to knife-wielding employees for donning/doffing related activities, according to the court summary.

The Tyson workers filed suit against their employer in 2007 seeking overtime pay. They won class-action status. But Tyson Foods has disagreed to the “class action status” since it was awarded.

Tyson argued that 70% of the class certified as knife-wielding employees were already receiving a fixed amount of extra “K-Code” time for donning/doffing-related activities. The plaintiffs in the case claimed that the K-Code time allowance were not sufficient and resulted in unpaid time on the job.

Tyson Foods learned in June that the U.S. Supreme Court would hear its challenge petition. Oral arguments and a ruling are expected later this fall.

“We were initially involved in this case because federal wage and hour laws are not precise in determining how to compensate certain activities. However, we’re now addressing another aspect of the case: whether there’s enough evidence for the case to be certified as a collective or a class action,” Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson, said in an email statement back in June. “Since even the federal courts of appeal are divided over the requirements necessary to be part of such cases, we asked the U.S. Supreme Court to get involved. We’re pleased our request has been granted and look forward to presenting our position.”

Hendrix College has received a $26 million gift from the estate of Mary Ann Dawkins of Little Rock. The gift, the largest in Hendrix College’s history, will support scholarships, promote college affordability and launch the school’s fundraising effort to construct a new welcome center at the northeast corner of the campus.

“Not only is today’s announcement a historic moment for Hendrix, it’s an incredible moment for future students,” said Hendrix College President Bill Tsutsui.

Dawkins, a United Methodist, passed away in December 2014. In 1986, she attended a performance of the Hendrix College Choir’s Candlelight Carol Service at First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock. Following the performance, she was inspired to establish the Dr. David and Mary Ann Dawkins Endowed Scholarship Fund at Hendrix in memory of her late husband, Dr. David Dawkins.

Dawkins retired from Coulson Oil Company, founded by her parents, after 41 years. She served as Corporate Secretary and previously served on the Board of Directors at Coulson Oil. She was on the boards of the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association and Mid-South Make-A-Wish Foundation and was a Special Olympics supporter.

“We are grateful, honored, and humbled by Mary Ann Dawkins’ extraordinary generosity,” said Tsutsui. “This gift will help us continue to attract bright and talented students and keep the world-class liberal arts education and student experience at Hendrix within reach of all young people and their families.”

Prior to the Dawkins estate gift, the previous largest gift to Hendrix was a $10.985 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation in 1998, which was used to complete a comprehensive renovation of science teaching and research facilities and to construct the new Donald W. Reynolds Center for Life Sciences.

With the Dawkins’ gift, the Hendrix endowment will surpass $200 million for the first time in the institution’s history.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said Wednesday (Aug. 26) that it would stop selling the AR-15 and some other semi-automatic rifles.

The retailer squashed the notion that the decision was based on political pressures and said that sluggish demand for these products were the sole reason for the decision.

"This is done solely on what customer demand was," according to Wal-Mart spokesman Kory Lundberg. "We are instead focusing on hunting and sportsman firearms."

Lundberg said Wal-Mart will stop selling a class of rifle called the modern sports rifle (MSR), which includes the semi-automatic AR-15. He said that class of rifle was sold in fewer than a third of its roughly 4,500 U.S. stores.

The move comes as part of a regular "reset" of its sporting goods department for the fall season, he said.

Consequently, the announcement comes the same day that two television journalists were shot and killed while on the job in Roanoke, Va. A former station employee walked into the studio Wednesday morning fatally shooting two reporters while they were on the air. Vester L. Flanagan II, then wounded a third worker and fled the scene by car. Flanagan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while being pursued by law enforcement officers after fleeing the homicide.