Genesis acquires 3
properties in state
Genesis Health Clubs has acquired three Esporta facilities from LA Fitness in Central Arkansas, the company said in a news release.
The expansion by the Wichita, Kan.-based health club enterprise marks its first step into Arkansas and a plan to solidify its brand across the South and Midwest. The announcement also mentioned the purchase of gyms in Kentucky and Louisiana.
"We are doubling down in our existing strongholds of Lexington and Louisville while expanding into Arkansas and Louisiana because we know there is demand for a higher standard of fitness," said Rodney Steven II, president of Genesis Health Clubs. "We're bringing the best in fitness, wellness and member experience to these cities, and we couldn't be more excited."
The purchase of the LA Fitness locations was effective Feb. 27. They are now Genesis Little Rock Midtown at 304 S. University Ave.; Genesis East Little Rock at 11700 Chenal Parkway and Genesis North Little Rock at 2939 Lakewood Village Drive.
Genesis has 77 locations across 13 states.
-- Dylan Sherman
Strategic reserve
plan boosts crypto
Cryptocurrency prices jumped Sunday after President Donald Trump's surprise announcement that he wants the U.S. government to purchase and hold a variety of digital assets in a strategic reserve fund.
Trump said on social media Sunday that his administration is working toward creating a "Crypto Strategic Reserve" that will include lesser-known cryptocurrencies XRP, solana and cardano. He later followed up with another post saying his planned reserve would also include bitcoin and ether, the two most popular cryptocurrencies.
The announcement helped crypto prices rebound, at least temporarily, after recent sell-offs. Bitcoin was trading around $90,000 Monday morning after dipping below $80,000 last week. XRP, solana and cardano saw spikes in their prices after Trump's announcement Sunday trailed by a more gradual decline through Monday morning.
While campaigning, Trump pledged support for a "strategic national bitcoin" stockpile to include bitcoin the U.S. government has seized in law enforcement actions.
-- The Associated Press
Index opens week
down 24.93 points
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, closed Monday at 850.93, down 24.93 points.
"Monday was a rough day for stocks after President Trump indicated that there was "no room left" for tariff negotiations with Canada and Mexico, indicating that new levies against both countries will go into effect today (Tuesday)," said Chris Harkins, managing director at Raymond James & Associates.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.