News in brief

Tyson sets layoffs at Arkansas plant

A "temporary layoff" will affect about 150 Tyson Foods workers in Van Buren because of operational changes at a chicken plant, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Workers were notified Wednesday of the changes effective at the end of the month, Tyson spokesman Worth Sparkman said.

"Those impacted may be eligible to work at other locations in the river valley and Northwest Arkansas," Sparkman said. "We'll be assisting them with the application process."

The Tyson chicken-processing plant at 802 S. 28th St., employed about 1,000 workers as of 2016, according to the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Froud, assistant to Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman, said Tyson made a "courtesy call" on Monday to tell the city about the layoffs.

-- Nathan Owens

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