
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.
The best guess is that the 500,000th resident in the four-county Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area arrived today.
at end of show: "Henry and the Great Salt Lake" by Don't Stop Please
Only five swimming beaches were closed throughout Arkansas during the Memorial Day weekend, as E. Coli hot spots haven't been as bad so far as in previous years. And, passage of a water projects bill in Congress may mean federal money for waterway infrastructure projects in Arkansas.
"Blue Buildings" by Aunt Martha
Roby Brock from Talk Business Arkansas discusses the primary election results and more in his weekly business and political news recap.
The President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands visited Northwest Arkansas over the weekend, to join thousands of Ozark islanders in celebrating their nation’s 35th Constitution Day.
Jacqueline Froelich attended opening ceremonies Friday evening and brings us some sounds of the gathering.
Becca reminds us the Gulley Park Summer Concert Series begins Thursday.