
Ozarks At Large

A bill to repeal the ban on firearms in churches advances to the state Senate today. U.S. Senator Mark Pryor announces the beginning of his reelection campaign, though its not starting quite yet. U.S. Senator John Boozman speaks out in favor of a plan to temporarily suspend the nation's debt limit on borrowing. And J.B. Hunt Transport Services announces a record fiscal quarter as it releases its fourth quarter 2012 financials.

A cooking lesson at the Bella Vista Public Library is on the menu for Becca's Wednesday entertainment picks.
Two state lawmakers weigh in on the debate about proposed expansions to the state's Medicaid system as the 89th General Assembly begins its second week in session. The unemployment rate for the state rose in December, but a state economist says the increase is not statistically significant. And 2012 housing sales figures for Northwest Arkansas have been compiled; overall sales and median home prices are up in some areas, but not all.

Here's the list of our presidential songs, quotes and miscellany for our montage:
- President Dwight Eisenhower's farewell address on television on January 17, 1961
- President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address three days later.
- James Brown sings "Funky President."
- President Franklin Roosevelt's first fireside chat on radio on March 12, 1933.
- The band They Might Be Giants performing the catchy (and educational!) song "James K. Polk."
- Ronald Reagan speaks on June 12, 1987.
- Johnny Cash performs the standard "Mr. Garfield."
- Henry Fonda predates Daniel Day Lewis by more than 70 years in Young Abe Lincoln, directed by John Ford.
- The song "Peaches" by the band . . . The Presidents of the United States of America
- Herbert Hoover addresses voters in 1928. (bonus points if you knew that one)
With all of the acts announced for this year's Wakarusa music festival on Mullberry Mountain, Kevin Kinder of NWA Newspapers gives us his thoughts on this year's lineup.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, the Nobel director and secretary talks about the selection process for the annual Nobel Peace Prize; he's on the University of Arkansas campus today. Plus, the Northwest Arkansas Council on jobs created in the area in the past year, and the differences between education in the U.S. and the European Union.
If you want to relive those middle school days, the BOK Center in Tulsa is hosting a large dodge ball tournament.
The latest enrollment numbers for Arkansas' Private Option are announced, the city of Fayetteville gets ready to accept nearly a million dollars in grants for trails construction, design and engineering,and one water-borne illness is making the rounds through Arkansas and the nation.
A new report issued by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families reveals the state’s foster care system would better serve children by allowing them to stay with their family of origin. Jacqueline Froelich talks with the report’s lead author, Jennifer Ferguson.
The Arkansas Press Association hosted three debates last week, including one with the four candidates in this year's governor's race.
Roby Brock, from Talk Business and Politics, takes a look back at the previous seven days in Arkansas news.