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.
Ozarks At Large
Michael Vinson Williams’ book Medgar Evers: Mississippi Martyr studies the civil rights leader and the civil rights movement. The book was published by the University of Arkansas Press.
You can read more from Meredith Martin Moats at her blog
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
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
On this edition of Ozarks, Roby Brock talks to Senator Jane English about the deal she made to switch her vote for the private option. Plus, we have a report on last night's public input forum that was organized by Ozark Regional Transit
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.