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.
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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
The ending sports seasons, art with a new permanent home, and a new effort to collect diapers are all part the Tuesday notes.
After Sunday's tornado devastated Vilonia, Mayflower and the surrounding areas, several businesses began offering a slew of options to provide additional support to relief efforts, some traditional and others more novel.
For a list of some of the ways to help relief efforts, click here.
A half-mile wide tornado killed at least 16 last night when it rolled across the central part of the state, hitting the cities of Mayflower and Villonia especially hard. Meanwhile, the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross begins coordinating its response teams to help in the recovery efforts.
"Bizness" by tUnE-YaRdS
The Human Rights Campaign based in Washington, D.C. has announced plans to aggressively expand operations in Arkansas and two other southern states. And as Jacqueline Froelich reports, the group has committed $8.5 million dollars to make it happen. (Photo: Chad Griffin, HRC President and Arkansas native)
Plus, Wal-Mart pays large sums in legal fees. Roby Brock has more in this week’s Talk Business and Politics Update.
“In/Out” by Dan Croll