A rally was held yesterday afternoon by the NWA Center for Equality, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court issued two rulings regarding same-sex marriage. We go on the scene to get a pulse on how members of the local LGBT community feel about the rulings, and we speak with a legal expert with the ACLU of Arkansas to find out what the rulings mean for same-sex couples in the Natural State.Ozarks At Large
A rally was held yesterday afternoon by the NWA Center for Equality, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court issued two rulings regarding same-sex marriage. We go on the scene to get a pulse on how members of the local LGBT community feel about the rulings, and we speak with a legal expert with the ACLU of Arkansas to find out what the rulings mean for same-sex couples in the Natural State.A Rally is held today in Little Rock to call on Senator Mark Pryor to support gun control legislation. The City of Fayetteville will likely take over management of paid parking at the U of A's West Annex parking lot. Three countries stop importing Arkansas chicken after an outbreak of avian flu in Scott county. And a Siloam Springs chicken magnate gets named the new head of the NWA Council.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, an update on an agreement between Arkansas and Oklahoma to improve the Illinois River Watershed. Plus, trap shooting. Also, a tour of the second phase of construction at Fayetteville High School, a forum focused on the possibility of a growing green economy in the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta Regions.
This weekend’s Cancer Challenge in Bella Vista features tennis tournaments, a golf tournament, competitive races and a trapshooting contest. The president of the Arkansas State Trapshooting Federation about the sport and find out it is growing in Arkansas.More information about the Cancer Challenge may be found at http://www.cancerchallenge.com More information about trapshooting in Arkansas: http://www.arkansanstrapshooting.org
On this edition of Ozarks, two legislators discuss the role of Planned Parenthood in Arkansas' health care future and upcoming examinations of the state's parole and probation process. We also hear why a possible national designation for the White River has some people concerned. We'll also spend an afternoon at Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point, where musicians, singers and an entire community combines to create summer entertainment.
A group protesting construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in Oklahoma, including members from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and California, chain themselves to equipment at a construction site on the pipeline to prevent construction from moving forward. Officials in Central Arkansas lament a lack of access to documents related to the Mayflower Oil spill, leading to what they view as a lack of oversight. Rogers aldermen look to spend just more than $1 million on a trails project. And state officials draft a waiver that would allow the state to use federal Medicaid dollars for the state's so-called "private option" Medicaid expansion plan.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, details on Mercy Northwest's Senior Behavioral Health Program. Plus, the creation of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in high schools, and a conversation with writer Michael Heffernan. Also, the latest installment of Arkansongs and more.
Nine out of ten gay youth report verbal, sexual, or physical harassment at school. But now gay high school students are taking a stand by organizing, with their straight allies, Gay-Straight Alliances. Nearly 40 GSA clubs have been sanctioned by school districts across Arkansas but not without some resistance. We talk with students, as well as state, and national advocates.The state's Department of Corrections has announced it will make changes to the state's parole system following calls by Governor Beebe and others to strengthen the supervision and control of parolees in the state. While new unemployment numbers show a decline in the state's business sector, other areas have experienced growth. Opposition is mounting against the White River's designation as a National Blueway. And non-profit organizations looking to Rogers to host baseball tournaments will soon have to pay more to play.
Ahead on Weekend Ozarks, an update on bringing the play "B-Side: Myself" to stage, and a look at how one local farm is training veterans to become farmers themselves. Plus, we talk bitcoins with our tech ambassador, and we celebrate the beginning of summer.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, Mexico's history is long, rich and often misunderstood. We talk with a historian who has written eleven books on the subject. Plus, a conversation with a gubernatorial candidate who cites his business background as sufficient experience to serve in higher office in the state. And, a preview of the inaugural Homegrown Festival, debuting next week in Siloam Springs
One Arkansas senator is pressing election officials to resolve issues with the state's voter ID law. Other legislators are pushing to prevent the state lottery commission from implementing video gambling games throughout the state. The FASTER Arkansas committee continues its push for changes in state law to allow public schools to connect to an existing, state-funded fiber optic network. And one Eureka Springs alderman is trying to move forward a decades-long debate on what to do about parking in that city's downtown area.
More than twenty Northwest Arkansas specialty shops sell electronic cigarettes, both disposable and rechargeable. The popular devices deliver a smooth warm nicotine-laced white vapor in variety strengths and flavors. We visit the Velvet Vapor in Rogers and also talk to an Arkansas Department of Health tobacco specialist about pending regulations and potential risks associated with “vaping.”
Our history doctor, Bill Smith, explains the relationship between politics and money is an American tradition.
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, directs us to performance art and fireworks this weekend.
Jonathan Story sits down at the Mary Baker Rumsey Steinway.
