The Riverfront Blues Festival takes the stage this weekend in Fort Smith. Becca Martin Brown has more.
Ozarks At Large
Arkansas is one of 45 states to enact Common Core State Standards. A new office on the University of Arkansas campus has been established to find new ways bring those standards into the state's schools. We learn more about the Office of Innovation in Education from the office's director.

Senator John Boozman says he would like to see the National Security Agency use more focused efforts to curb terrorism rather than relying on programs that use mass collections of data. The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners approves a draft of rules for implementing the state's new voter ID law. Work is expected to begin soon on clearing the Cache River, a tributary of the White River. And the special collections department at the UA's Mullins Library unveils a new exhibit to celebrate National LGBT Pride month.


The Genesis Technology Incubator has been in the same place in some form for nearly three decades. But much has changed in and around that facility, as the Arkansas Research and Technology Park has coagulated on the acreage surrounding the facility.
Becca says the Fort Smith Museum of History is presenting a recreation of the Boston Store's tea room at noon Thursday.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, October 7, 2013
Ahead on Ozarks…an algae with a funny nickname…didymo…has been found in the White River watershed. The plan to keep it form spreading has been put in motion. And writing a book through facilitated communication: Holly Fields explains how her non-verbal daughter, Stephanie R. Marks, wrote the book "Paula’s Journal: Surviving Autism."
The Springdale Municipal Airport recently received a $150,000 grant to help improve access to its terminal.
"LaRue" by Still on the Hill
The state Department of Workforce Services releases March unemployment numbers for Arkansas, though they remain slightly above the national rate. Plus, the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage will either be reaffirmed or struck down in the coming weeks.
"Marseilles" by Hey Marseilles
P3 Waste Consulting has helped develop a program for Mercy Hospital in Rogers to recycle blue wrap used to keep surgical instruments sterile.
In his weekly recap, Roby Brock discusses Home BancShares reporting a record first quarter profit and more.
"Voice In My Throat" by Pearl and the Beard
A screening of the documentary film Girl Rising aims to raise local awareness to the challenges girls face globally in education. Hosted by GIRLS Rock of Ramay Junior High, the screening will be at 6:30 Thursday evening at the Fayetteville High School Performing Arts Center.