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."
Here are the elements of our flower montage for Sunday’s show:
1. Nat King Cole singing Ramblin’ Rose.
2. A skunk named Flower, courtesy of Bambi (from the film of the same name).
3. The Statler Brothers singing Counting Flowers on the Wall.
4. Chris Cooper describes the beauty of nature to Meryl Streep in the film Adaptation.
5. The Foundations with their one big hit, Build Me Up Buttercup.
6. Poppies! From Wizard of Oz.
7. Tiny Tim sings Tiptoe Through the Tulips during his first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1968.
8. The killer Venus flytrap threatens Rick Moranis in the 1986 version of Little Shop of Horrors. Yes, the Venus flytrap does produce flowers.
9. Secretariat wins the 1973 Kentucky Derby (the “run for the roses”) in record time, 1:59 2/5.
10. Lynn Anderson sings I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.
Apologies to Charlie Rose, Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand, Poison, and all the romantic comedies ever where a guy gives a gal some roses. Maybe next time.
A new poll of Arkansas voters shows growing support for expanding Medicaid in the state, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is appointing a new member to its board of directors, and more.
“Two” by: Ratatat
Michael Tilley from TheCityWire.com discusses a new poll asking Arkansas voters about topics in front of legislators.
The 12th Annual Northwest Arkansas Soup Sunday benefiting Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is this Sunday from 4 - 7 p.m. in Springdale. OAL’s Christina Thomas spoke with Laura Kellams, director of the organization’s Northwest Arkansas office.
“Twenty-Two” by: Wakey! Wakey!
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, says there are musicals in Siloam Springs and Rogers and a classic Tennessee Williams play at the University of Arkansas included in a big theater weekend.
“Room 222” by: Ion Storm