Tag: Business

The Russia-Ukraine War Remapped The World’s Energy Supplies, Putting The U.S. At The Top For Years To Come

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CNBC:

Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine a year ago has shifted global energy supply chains and put the U.S. clearly at the top of the world’s energy-exporting nations.

As Europe struggled with threats to its supply of natural gas imports from Russia, U.S. exporters and others scrambled to divert cargoes of liquified natural gas from Asia to Europe. Russian oil has been sanctioned, and the European Union no longer accepts Moscow’s seaborne cargoes. That has resulted in a surge in U.S. crude and refined product shipments to Europe.

It is a shame that the US ever found itself in a situation where we had to overthrow the constitutional, democratically-elected government of Ukraine, start a proxy war with Russia, and carry out a terrorist attack against the infrastructure of Russia and Germany to claim the spot of world’s number one energy exporter.

I know of people who supported Joe Biden for POTUS because they “like his green energy ideas.” They are the sort of people who rail against oil companies, capitalism, corporations, speculators, etc. If you were to ask them if they are anti-war, they would say they are.

Of course, the only thing Joe Biden was ever going to do as POTUS was to pick right back up trying to start the nuclear world war that President Obama set us up for; which Hillary Clinton campaigned for POTUS on the promise of starting. Until thousands of nuclear warheads begin raining down across the globe, business is booming.

See also: Arms Dealers And Manufacturers Benefit From Russia’s War On Ukraine

Walmart To Expand Robotics And Drone Partnerships In Arkansas

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KUAR:

Walmart Inc. and tech company Symbotic announced a new agreement to place Symbotic’s robotics and software automation platform in Walmart’s 42 regional distribution centers. The deal builds on the prior commitment to deploy Symbotic’s system in 25 distribution centers.

Walmart said the end-to-end software-enabled robotics platform will support the company’s goals of modernizing its supply chain operations for increased efficiency including increased capacity, faster order responsiveness and accuracy on shipments to customers and stores.

“The need for accuracy and speed in the supply chain has never been more visible, and we’re confident that now is the time to move even faster by scaling Symbotic’s technology to our entire regional distribution center network,” David Guggina, senior vice president of innovation and automation, Walmart U.S., said Tuesday. “Using high-speed robotics and intelligent software to organize and optimize inventory, the Symbotic System helps us get products to our customers quickly and seamlessly by revolutionizing how we receive and distribute products to stores.”

He said the technology’s ability to build palletized loads of department-sorted inventory will enable Walmart to more quickly get products onto shelves at its more than 4,700 stores, while also making one of the toughest aspects of supply chain work – material handling – safer and simpler. It also creates new, tech-enabled jobs, such as cell operator and maintenance technician, that offer widely applicable skills in robotics and technology.

Fort Smith Stockyards Sales Steady As Prices Rise

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Southwest Times Record:

Since 1941, the stockyards located just off the Garrison Avenue Bridge on the Oklahoma side of the Arkansas River, take the U.S. 64 off-ramp, has been keeping the cattle market moving in Moffett, Oklahoma.

The pandemic affected cattle auctions two years ago, said co-owner Scottie Smith, and beef production issues have affected the supply chain during the pandemic. Currently, higher prices help area cattle producers, but they face higher feed and gas prices.

Live, weekly auctions start at 9 a.m. on Mondays and last until about 8 p.m. or until the last cow goes through the ring. 

Manufacturer At Tulsa Port Of Catoosa To Increase Job Count To More Than 200

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Tulsa World:

An automotive supplier that last year moved into the Tulsa Port of Catoosa has bumped from 80 to 206 its jobs projection over three years.

Lyseon North America, Inc. was awarded up to $7,049,713 over 10 years through the Oklahoma Quality Jobs incentive program, according to a May 3 letter to the company from Brent Kisling, executive director from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

This program provides quarterly cash payments up to 5% of new payrolls for up to 10 years. Companies must achieve an average wage threshold and $2.5 million in new annual payrolls within three years and maintain those jobs over a decade to qualify.

Thousand Of Motorcyclists In Tulsa For Black Wall Street Rally

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KTUL:

Thousands of motorcyclists are in Tulsa for the Black Wall Street Rally.

The organizers say it’s an effort to show the world the resilience of the Greenwood District nearly 101 years later.

“We’re honoring our past, but we’re also looking at the present of what Greenwood looks like today. For us to be able to put on an event here to bring black entrepreneurs from all over have them selling their wares and showing their services here it speaks to the spirt of Greenwood,” said Carmela Hill with the Black Wall Street Rally.

They are estimating more than 5,000 motorcyclists riding into Tulsa.

There’s no doubt this event is bringing a major economic boost to Greenwood, as well as Tulsa, with thousands of bikers staying in hotels across the city.

Organizers Say Outlook Good For Fort Smith Steel Horse Rally

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Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:

Expectations are positive for the River Valley’s annual, family-friendly motorcycle rally this weekend.

The Steel Horse Rally will roll into town Friday and Saturday. Attendees will be able to partake in live music, entertainment and a host of motorcycle-related activities along Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith, with one in Pocola, Okla.

Dennis Snow, founder and president of the nonprofit Steel Horse Rally, encouraged people Tuesday to come out for the event in light of forecasts of “gorgeous weather” this weekend. The organization hopes to continue to improve rally attendance — estimated at more than 135,000 in 2021 — and the economic impact the event has on the local area.

“We’ve all had a tough time through the pandemic, and a lot of businesses are still recovering,” Snow said. “We had an economic impact of almost $20 million last year, so we encourage everybody to come and enjoy the beautiful downtown Fort Smith area and have a great time and spend your money and leave with a bunch of great memories in the 2022 Steel Horse Rally.”

Google To Invest Another $75M In Oklahoma; ‘The Internet Lives In Pryor,’ Mayor Says

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Fox 25:

Google announced it will invest another $75 million in Oklahoma, including its data center in Pryor, bringing the total investment at the site to $4.4 billion.

“Google’s continued investment in Pryor creates a ripple effect of growth throughout our community,” Pryor Mayor Larry Lees said in a news release. “When Google expands, the growth isn’t limited to the campus. Our schools, businesses, and nonprofits all share in Google’s success, and we are thrilled to see the momentum continue. We’re proud to say the Internet lives in Pryor.”

To date, Google says its Mayes County data center has spurred employment for more than 800 people in a variety of full-time and external supplier roles.

‘Justice For Greenwood’ Juice Hopes To Raise Awareness, Inspire Tulsa Community

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KRMG:

Tulsa’s Inheritance Juicery has created a new beverage to benefit the Justice for Greenwood Foundation.

“Justice for Greenwood” is a blend of cucumber, pineapple, spinach, mint, and lime. Lukas Vodicka is the General Manager of Inheritance Juicery, and he was inspired to create the juice to benefit our community.

“Once we learned about what Justice for Greenwood Foundation stands for, and the centennial was over, we were very passionate about trying to find a way to keep the message going, so it doesn’t just die without all the attention that Tulsa received during that time,” said Vodicka.

50 percent of the juice’s sales from May 1 to Jun. 1 will benefit the Justice for Greenwood Foundation.

“We have about 50 to 60 people every single day in our store say I’d like Justice for Greenwood, which I think is important and very relevant to what we’re trying to achieve and what so many people are trying to achieve in Tulsa.”

Vodicka says Justice for Greenwood has been a top seller, and they plan to keep offering the juice until justice has been served for Greenwood.

Oklahoma Governor Signs Bill For Massive Corporate Subsidy

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AP News:

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed a bill to authorize up to $700 million in state subsidies to lure an unidentified major manufacturer to the state, his staff said Monday.

Stitt and lawmakers who crafted the Large-scale Economic Activity and Development, or LEAD, Act have not identified the company they are targeting, but the Japanese broadcast network NHK recently reported that the Panasonic Corp. is considering both Kansas and Texas as potential locations for an electric-vehicle battery factory.

Oklahoma Prepares For Route 66 Fest In 66 Days

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KOCO:

In 66 days, people from across the world will celebrate the one and only Route 66.

Excited Oklahoma state leaders held an event at the Capitol on Wednesday, highlighting the one-of-a-kind road and the one-of-a-kind event.

“It is Americana. It is the best American road trip that you can do inside America,” Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell.

Route 66 runs from Chicago to California, with more than 400 miles stretching right through Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma has more miles than any other state,” Pinnell said.

To celebrate, AAA is hosting the National Route 66 Road Fest in June.

“No other state is going to beat Oklahoma when it comes to promoting Route 66,” Pinnell said.

Professional Bull Riding Shows To Return To Tulsa For 5 More Years

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News On 6:

PBR is staying in Tulsa for a few more years at the BOK center. Professional Bull Riding is back in Tulsa this weekend. A new agreement means the world’s best cowboys and bulls will keep coming to Tulsa for five more years.

“The way that is has elevated our national profile with a national audience it’s been tremendous, and it’s been a real point of honor for us to get to host the best athletes in the world when it comes to professional bull riding right here in Tulsa,” said GT Bynum, City of Tulsa.

The competition brings in thousands of people from all over the country to watch. Mayor GT Bynum said the event has brought in $50 million to the city and gives visitors a glimpse of Tulsa.

Survey: Tulsa Continues To Have Lowest Gas Prices In U.S.

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Tulsa World:

The average U.S. price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline dropped 10 cents over the past two weeks to $4.27 per gallon as oil prices continue to “yo-yo,” industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday.

The price at the pump was $1.32 above what it was one year ago, according to the Lundberg Survey taken Friday.

Nationwide, the highest average price for regular-grade gas was in Los Angeles, at $5.85 per gallon. The lowest average was in Tulsa, at $3.52 per gallon.

The price was $3.39 per gallon at Tulsa-area QuikTrips on Monday, according to gasbuddy.com, a fuel price-tracking service.

Tulsa also had the lowest average price in mid-March and in early April, according to the survey.

Tour De Tulsa Returns After A Two-Year Hiatus

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KRMG:

After a two-year hiatus, one of Tulsa’s spring cycling tradition is back on the calendar. Join cycling enthusiasts from across the state and region for the 33rd annual Tour de Tulsa presented by Ascension St. John. on Saturday, May 7 at 8:00 a.m.

This annual go-at-your-pace biking event begins at Dream Keepers Park. Cyclists will complete their choice of a 9-mile family ride, 21, 37, 52, 63 or 103-mile routes.

More than 70 volunteers will be working rest stops along the routes serving fruit, granola bars, water and Gatorade. Tour de Tulsa is hosted annually by the Tulsa Health Department (THD), the Tulsa Bicycle Club and Pathways to Health as a way to promote health in the community.

Massive New Wind Farm Goes Online In Oklahoma

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The Hill:

One of the largest wind farms built in North America is now up and running in Oklahoma, providing wind power to customers in the state as well as to neighboring Arkansas and Louisiana. 

American Electric Power (AEP), a Columbus-based power company, announced its Traverse Wind Energy Center began operating on March 21. 

The Traverse center is expected to generate 3.8 million megawatt hours annually for AEP’s Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Southwestern Electric Power Company customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana — saving customers an estimated $3 billion in electricity costs over the next 30 years. 

Gov. Hutchinson Notes History At First National Bank Of Fort Smith 150th AAnniversary

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Southwest Times Record:

Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined Fort Smith Mayor George McGill and First National Bank of Fort Smith officials for a reception Thursday to recognize their 150th anniversary and an upcoming exhibit about their history.

The reception in the lobby of the bank highlighted the upcoming exhibit at the Fort Smith Museum of History. The exhibit that will open in mid-July and feature parts of the bank history, said Caroline Speir, museum executive director.

Hutchinson said the bank has deep meaning to his family.

ARDOT Study Looks At Possible New U.S. 64 Route In Fort Smith

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KFSM:

On Thursday, March 10, ARDOT held one of a series of meetings looking at the impacts of trucking traffic along U.S. 64 in Fort Smith as it follows Garrison Avenue.

The City of Fort Smith has voiced some concerns about the traffic created by semi-trucks using U.S. 64 along Garrison Avenue as they continue to develop and revitalize downtown. The city also understands the importance of trucking commerce and its role in supplying businesses with what they need to operate.

Fort Smith should return to the glory days of having two downtown bridges. Van Buren has a few of them, Fort Smith should have at least two.

Oklahoma House Republicans Announce Medical Marijuana Policy Package To Increase Industry Regulations

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KFOR:

The Oklahoma House of Representatives Republican Caucus addressed the media Monday afternoon stating how they plan to address the ongoing issues within the state’s medical marijuana industry.

“When the citizens of the state of Oklahoma voted for 788, they voted for a legal medical marijuana free market program. The black market is not the free market,” said House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.

Rep. Echols, referencing the state’s largest ever drug bust that happened on February 22, 2022. More than 150,000 marijuana plants were seized- law enforcement agents estimated the bust to total over $500 million in assets. 

“We have seen black market elements competing with legitimate Oklahoma businesses. They are putting our citizens at risk. They’re doing things in an illegal, unethical manner,” said Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.  Lawmakers react to largest single-day drug bust in Oklahoma history