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.
After a busy few months of winning contests, Barrett Baber and his band are preparing for a performance at George's May 16. You can hear Barrett play another song here.
The Arkansas Supreme Court yesterday reversed a lower court's ruling that struck down the state's voter ID law. Some in the state are speaking out against proposed federal cuts to the Fulbright Scholars Program. And the U.S. Forest Service is asking for public comment on a proposal that would promote forest health in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.
“Boy in the Bubble” by Paul Simon
We speak with one of two Republican candidates in the 4th Congressional Race, Tommy Moll. His opponent, Bruce Westerman, will be on tomorrow.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission recently launched a new website, ArkansasFavorsTheBold.com, to help spread the story of the state's business successes, and to hopefully attract future successes to the state. We speak with Grant Tennille, executive director of the AEDC, to find out more.Web Exclusive: Talking Education With Grant Tennille
“Love Will Keep Us Together” by The James Taylor Quartet
Planting and cultivating home vegetable gardens takes hard work and certain investment—in seeds, starts and soil amendments. And protecting that investment from varmints can also be expensive. One no-cost solution? The pallet.