Hundreds of millions of dollars have been slashed from Head Start, the historic preschool program, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Jacqueline Froelich reports on the closure of the Willow Heights Head Start in downtown Fayetteville.
Ozarks At Large

The Bella Vista Bypass hits a snag in Missouri, and the Rogers Fire Department gets a FEMA grant worth more than a half-million dollars


Becca Martin Brown tells us that the country lineup of Exile, which features a list of former members of the band, has reunited and will perform soon in northwest Arkansas.
Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood of Trout Fishing in America recently stopped by the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio. Here they are playing the title track from their new album, "Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers."
Becca Martin Brown tells us that the country lineup of Exile, which features a list of former members of the band, has reunited and will perform soon in northwest Arkansas.

Several happenings at area libraries and music at local pubs for this National Chocolate Milkshake Day edition of the daily notes.
Fayetteville competes in the International Compassion Games. Participants can earn points simply by being nice.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, December 9, 2013
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, we learn about undergrounding. Plus, a conversation with the author of "Hanging On Upside Down: The Life and work of Marianne Moore."
Another ballot initiative group is moving forwarrd with petitions after the state's attorney general approved the wording of its measure, which would raise the minimum wage in Arkansas to $8.50. Booneville Community Hospital starts the new year with a new name and new management. Fayetteville is set to be recognized as a compassionate city. Thirteen Arkansas counties are declared disaster areas after the early December ice and snow storm. And with a budget set, the Sebastian County Quorum Court and Fort Smith Board of Directors agree on amenities to be placed in the future Ben Geren Aquatics Park.
"Nicolas Cage" by The Great Wild
Millions of newly insured Americans will be seeking medical care, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act starting this month. And with a projected shortage of primary care physicians to serve them, new research indicates that nurse practitioners may help fill the gap. We hear from a national association board member as well as Dr. Anna Jarrett, an acute care nurse practitioner and professor of nursing at UA-Fayetteville.
Roby Brock, from Talk Business Arkansas, examines a recent poll of some of Arkansas top business officials.
If the weather allows, the second weekend of 2014 will be full of indoor and outdoor events.
"Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider, Go" by Trentmoeller
The inaugural Ozark Mountain Music Festival is all indoors in Eureka Springs. And it has a fun nickname, too.
Schedule Includes:
Friday, 1/24
6 p.m. Barefoot Ballroom -- HonkySuckle
8 p.m. Ozark Room -- Wink
10 p.m. Barefoot Ballroom -- 3 Penny Acre
Saturday, 1/25
Balcony -- Hogscalders
2 p.m. Ozark Room -- Pearl Brick
4 p.m. Ozark Room -- Tyrannosaurus Chicken
6 p.m. Barefoot Ballroom -- SxRex
8 p.m. Ozark Room -- Ben Miller Band
10 p.m. Ballroom -- National Park Radio
MIDNIGHT JAM -- Ron Landis and Chuck
Sunday, 1/26
NOON- Bloody Mary Morning Show Ozark Rooms -- Handmade Moments
"Dream of the Future" by Carter Burwell