Arkansas Business: North Little Rock-based First Orion won a 2026 Merit Technology Award for its fraud-prevention tools, while Batesville biofuel and chemicals maker FutureFuel reported an $8.4 million third-quarter loss as higher input costs weighed on results. Agriculture Under Pressure: Arkansas farm bankruptcies reached 32 through the first three quarters, close to 2025’s total of 33. Peanut growers also face uncertainty over having just one buying hub; a $5 million state loan helped save this year’s harvest. Food and Workforce: Arkansas State researchers received a $1.3 million food-research grant, and Arkansas Tech-Ozark and Yates-Nabholz launched an apprenticeship program. Infrastructure and Energy: Arkansas announced $8.4 million for waterway improvements, including $1 million for a conservation project. The Smackover formation is also drawing attention as a potential source of domestic lithium. Business Investment: UAMS plans a roughly $10 million, 24-hour combined emergency and urgent-care facility in west Little Rock. Cattle Supply: Tyson Foods and Allied Beef announced plans for a long-term partnership to strengthen the U.S. cattle supply.