Ozarks At Large
Simultaneous tax cuts and hikes, charter schools and the latest on Medicaid expansion from the state legislature; jockeys prepare for this weekend's Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn; more sidewalks in Fayetteville and the population continues to grow in Northwest Arkansas; all in today's Segment A.
The Arkansas General Assembly moves forward with a controversial voter ID bill, education and education supporters rally against a proposal that would shift money from the state's general fund into highway construction, and Arkansas' U.S. Senate contingent speaks out about efforts to pass a federal budget.


State lawmakers continue to weigh the issue of Medicaid expansion two weeks after receiving word from Washington that federal Medicaid expansion funds could be used for a privatized expansion of the system. A pair of lawmakers also weigh in on how recent anti-abortion legislation has affected Arkansas' reputation in the rest of the country. And a controlled burn is set for tomorrow in one local city.
Late last week, the Northwest Arkansas Council released the results of a study on the area's Business Retention and Expansion Efforts. The study was compiled from interviews by area chambers of commerce with 459 area companies. We speak with Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the council about the survey and what the results mean for the area moving forward.
Another area city plans to speak out against a bill in the Arkansas Legislature that could mean a rollback of city development regulations. Governor Mike Beebe touts the state's efforts to make sure fewer children in Arkansas go hungry, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art again gets national recognition, not for its paintings but for the construction of the museum itsself.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, distance education will have a strong presence in a program on the University of Arkansas campus next fall, plus Rogers Little Theatre brings a comedy classic to the stage. We go behind the scenes with The Man Who Came To Dinner.
Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the launch of Music Television, now known as MTV. This weekend in Springfield, there will be a celebration of the decade that was the '80s.
"Centerfield" by John Fogerty
The Fort Smith office of the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission is slated for closure sometime in the next year. Entergy has announced plans to lay off hundreds of workers across the country, and some of those layoffs will occur at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville. State economic development officials meet with representatives of the Quapaw Tribe regarding archaeological artifacts at the site of the Big River Steel construction site in Osceola.
"Sail" by Awolnation
The four corners region of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas are at the epicenter of an unusual weather phenomenon categorized as “derechos.” An expert at the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center explains. (Map courtesy SPC)
Roby Brock of our content partner Talk Business Arkansas talks with Arkansas Congressman Tim Griffin about the move to split the Farm Bill, and how the nutrition title may not be passed this year.
More entertainment notes, plus free felines from the Fayetteville Animal Shelter.
"Lamplight" by The Bombay Bicycle Club