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.
Arkansas' U.S. Senators speak about changes to SNAP benefits in the legislation moving through the Senate. Governor Mike Beebe is calling for a funding increase for a graduate student grant program. And, the U.S. Marshals Museum sets a date for its groundbreaking.
U.S. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa from Hawaii has filed a bill asking for a massive increase in special grant funding to reimburse public spending on Marshallese migrants living in the U.S. As Jacqueline Froelich reports, millions of dollars have been distributed to Hawaii over the years, but not one cent of the grant money has every reached the mainland, including Arkansas, home to thousands of Marshallese.
A 4.2 mile long concrete barrier along I-540 just north of the Bobby Hopper Tunnel is experiencing extreme cracking. Researchers at the University of Arkansas are testing various treatments to see which can stop and prevent the cracking in an effort to save the wall.
A festival organizer discusses the process that happened behind the scenes to prepare for Thunder on the Mountain.
Eagle's Nest Paranormal is looking for a new member and you get be it! Becca Martin Brown has more.