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.
Heads of some of the state's community health clinics say that one aspect of the private option for Medicaid expansion won't reimburse the clinics enough for them to stay open. Arkansas lawmakers continue to explore ways to administer the death penalty, though the drug commonly used to administer lethal injections remains unavailable. The board of Ozark Regional Transit looks at taking management in-house next year. And the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department announces several road construction projects to be started in the next few years.
"King of New York" by Fun Lovin' Criminals
Michael Tilley from The City Wire says sales tax and home sales numbers are up for northwest Arkansas, down for the Fort Smith region.
Rogers Little Theater's musical may be a period piece, but Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers says it’s still very much relevant.
"Welcome to New York City" by Camron
One of the state’s most-read blogs is implanting a metered paywall to helppay for the daily journalism it produces.
From opera to rock and roll, many music-related events are happening in the coming soon to the area.