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."
Governor Mike Beebe says that while a special legislative session will likely be necessary to solve the problems with the state's public school employee insurance program, no session will be called until consensus can be reached. The two candidates for governor have differing opinions on how and when the state's minimum wage should be increased, and the Fayetteville Animal Shelter warns dog owners that hot cars are particularly dangerous for pets.
New (and widely varied) businesses are coming to Fort Smith. Michael Tilley from The City Wire explains what it means for the city.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Protective Services operates a Child Maltreatment Central Registry. This year the registry is undergoing revision. Jacqueline Froelich reports.
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, says the solstice will be celebrated in many ways this weekend...most of the opportunities are free.
Tonight is opening night for another season featuring some of the country's brightest young opera talent.