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.
Last week Tyson Foods and Dillard’s released their latest earning figures, while a new project designed to help small business in Arkansas online was launched. Roby Brock from talkbusiness.net has his weekly review.
Becca Martin Brown, features editor for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, gives us advanced notice of the annual Elvis Week in Memphis and a show tonight closer to home featuring the Ten Foot Polecats.
"Birds" by Kate Nash
The third annual Fayetteville Roots Festival adds another day to the schedule this year and brings John Prine to the Walton Arts Center stage. Bryan Hembree and Jerrmy Gawthrop, two co-founders of the festival list some of this year’s events and musicians.
Inside the interview we heard “Please Don’t Bury Me” by John Prine and “Stepping Stones” performed by MilkDrive.
For more information, visit the Fayetteville Roots Festival website at fayettevilleroots.com
Web extra: Workshops, Bicycle Rides and Other Rootsy Activities
John Jeter, the music director for the Fort Smith Symphony, explains the upcoming season includes Holst, Beethoven, Mozart and a first-ever concert across the border in Poteau.
The Fort Smith Symphony Concert season includes:
Sounds of the Universe, September 29th
A Swingsational Classical Makeover, October 20th
A Simply Sinatra Christmas, December 1st
Evening Serenade, January 26th
The Musical Magic of John Williams, April 20th
Sonic Boom!, May 4th.
All concerts are at the Arkansas Best Corporation Performing Arts Center and begin at 7:30.
Visit the symphony’s website here.
Colonel William Pogue is one of very few Americans who have flown, lived and walked in space. OAL’s Christina Thomas spoke with him at his home in Bella Vista.
For more information, visit Colonel Pogue's website here.