Ozarks At Large
Another ballot initiative group is moving forwarrd with petitions after the state's attorney general approved the wording of its measure, which would raise the minimum wage in Arkansas to $8.50. Booneville Community Hospital starts the new year with a new name and new management. Fayetteville is set to be recognized as a compassionate city. Thirteen Arkansas counties are declared disaster areas after the early December ice and snow storm. And with a budget set, the Sebastian County Quorum Court and Fort Smith Board of Directors agree on amenities to be placed in the future Ben Geren Aquatics Park.


Here are out ten clips relating to Buffalo, New York and the War of 1812.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.


Our insect expert Dr. Donald Steinkraus suggests a few gifts to encourage children's interest in insects and nature.


Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, June 2, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, finding balance between nature and technology; we speak with author Richard Louv about nature deficit disorder and possible ways to cure it. Plus, autism spectrum disorder is on the rise in Arkansas. We learn more about the Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center.
Becca Martin Brown from NWA Newspapers gives us a preview of the Walton Arts Center's 2013-2014 season.
Recently, the band Little Chief came to the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio for a conversation and performance. Their EP, “Somewhere Near the River,” is now available on iTunes.
With federal budget sequestration looming around the corner, Arkansas' U.S. Senate contingent sounds off about the issue. We also look at how budget sequestration could impact research at the University of Arkansas. And, the Arkansas Legislature moves forward with two anti-abortion bills.
"Loud Pipes" by Ratatat
The pipeline, which will pump heavy crude oil mined from Canadian tar sands through Cushing, Oklahoma to Texas Gulf Coast refineries is providing hundreds of jobs for Oklahomans and sourcing steel pipe in Arkansas. Opponents claim the project is environmentally disastrous and only serves petrochemical industry interests.
(Photo courtesy of David Druding)
Small business owners in Arkansas express concern over the federal healthcare law. Maggie Carroll from our content partner KUAR in Little Rock has more.