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.
Horizontal slickwater natural gas drilling flowback fluids not reused or recycled are pressure injected into the earth. Several such wells were shuttered last year in Faulkner County, linked to seismic activity. Industry is now looking toward Johnson County--pocked with empty underground gas reservoirs--to safely contain frack waste. But some Johnson County residents say not in their backyard.
“An Organ, A Guitar and Chicken Wing” by Ray Manzarek
Roby Brock from our content partner www.talkbusiness.net speaks with the CEO of Alliance Rubber in Hot Springs. The company is the nation’s largest rubber band manufacturer.
“Rubber Band Man” by The Spinners
Little Rock Airport being renamed “Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport;” the Arkansas Razorback baseball team hosts Nevada tonight at Baum Stadium; and more – on today’s edition of Ozarks at Large Half-Time.
“Puss in Boots” to be screened at the Fayetteville and Springdale Public Libraries; the Goddess Festival continues; and much is to be learned about the history of Eureka Springs. Becca Bacon Martin from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers tells us more.
The University of Arkansas is one of few campuses that employs a glass-blower to work closely with researchers. Ozarks at Large’s Christina Thomas visited the glass shop and has this story.
“Floe” by Philip Glass