Governor Mike Beebe says that a package of tax cuts approved yesterday by the Arkansas Senate is acceptable, though he worries about the cuts' impact in the years to come after he leaves office. A proposed constitutional amendment that would move ethics reform forward in the state moves closer to the ballot after receiving final approval by the legislature. The latest on cleanup efforts on the Mayflower oil spill, in spite of the potential for severe weather. Plans for the Sebastian County aquatics park move forward, and a group at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville plans to take back the night with an annual event aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence.
Ozarks At Large
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The Arkansas Senate followed the House's lead in passing a federally backed expansion of the state's Medicaid system, and all that remains is final approval from Washington. The Arkansas Governor's race gets a little more crowded with an official announcement by former Congressman Mike Ross. Arkansas' two Senators give their thoughts on the Gang of Eight proposed immigration reform package. A hearing is held today in Nebraska regarding the Keystone XL pipeline, and a Bentonville group wants to turn Fridays into bike days.
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Becca Martin Brown from Nortwest Arkansas Media ponders the definition of a jam rocker while reminding us that Umphrey's McGee will perform at George's Majestic Lounge tonight.
The Arkansas Legislature was a flurry of activity yesterday, with passage not only of Medicaid expansion, but the House also advanced bills regarding cuts to the state's income, capital gains and utility taxes. The House also passed the Senate bill that will provide financial support for construction of the Big River Steel superproject ion Osceola. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel rejects the latest proposed ballot initiative regarding medical marijuana, and Northwest Arkansas' two baseball teams have a disappointing Tuesday.
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Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Weekend Ozarks, we visit the kitchen of Jen Lewis, take a spin in a state-run clinic that aids veterans in rural communities, and we meet a recovering opiate addict who has found hope with methadone.
Legislators may be getting closer to a compromise on the state's private option, and former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner appears in court for mail fraud charges.
"February" by Film School
Michael Tilley from The City Wire talks about an increase in home sales in January and the approaching deadline for filing for political office.
Arkansas Marshall Islanders and dignitaries are gathering at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock this evening to commemorate the 60th anniversary of “Castle Bravo”— a hydrogen bomb test conducted March 1st 1954 on Bikini Atoll. It was the largest nuclear weapon ever tested by the United States. Jacqueline Froelich talks with an event organizer as well as Marshall Island’s Rongelap Senator Kenneth Kedi about the history--and consequences.
Arkansas has had high rates of teen pregnancy for decades, but there is reason for some optimism for the future.
"February Air" by Lights
Becca Martin Brown, with Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, has the plans for Mardi Gras in northwest Arkansas all mapped out.