Four insurance companies have stated their intentions to participate in Arkansas' insurance marketplace that will be created through the federal health care law. Members of OUR Walmart are in Northwest Arkansas as thousands of Walmart shareholders and associates are in town for this week's shareholders' convention. Flags are being flown at half-staff today to honor the public servants killed in last week's flooding in Scott County. And a new postage stamp released today pays tribute to an Arkansas native.
Ozarks At Large
The 10th anniversary of Wakarusa was full of live performances and rain. Check out our photos of the festival here.
"True collaboration is that willingness to extend yourself to a new place but in a way that does not feel like anything has been given up," says singer-songwriter Tift Merritt. While collaboration between musicians of different genres is nothing new, it's difficult to do well. The album "Night," a collaboration between Merritt and classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein, does just that. Reviewer Katy Henriksen explores the collaboration in which classical composers like Schubert and Purcell connect seamlessly to Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain," the folk traditional "Wayfaring Stranger," a Leonard Cohen inspired instrumental and much more to create a singular song cycle that could only come from these two musicians.That's the question that Fabio Mendez, an economics professor at the University of Arkansas, sought to answer with his latest paper.
The Arkansas Secretary of State released a draft of rules for implementing the state's new voter ID law. Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel isn't overly concerned about discrepancies in Exxon-Mobile's reported timeline of the Mayflower oil spill. U.S. Geological Survey officials say that the flooding of the Fourche LaFave River last week was a flood of historic proportions, or at least the largest since record-keeping began on the river. And Fayetteville is ranked as one of the cheaper places to live in the country.
Ahead on Ozarks, a manufacturer expands in Central Arkansas, reflections on notorious outlaws' time in the region, and sounds from a sun box soul circle.
Though the Arkansas Music Pavilion won't move to Rogers for about another year, Becca Martin Brown of NWA Newspapers says that there will be plenty of opportunities to hear live music at Pinnacle Hills Promenade with the Music on the Lawn series.
Leo G. Mazow, an Associate Professor of American Art History at the University of Arkansas, recently was awarded the Eldridge Prize from the Smithsonian American Art Museum for his book Thomas Hart Benton and the American Sound.
In his weekly look back at the past seven days of business and political news, Roby Brock of our content partner Talk Business Arkansas looks at the Dassault Falcon expansion in Central Arkansas, and the replacement that will take Martha Shoffner's place as state treasurer.Judge Leon Holmes rejects former state treasurer Martha Shoffner's guilty plea after being unsatisfied with her testimony regarding activities that led to her indictment. Senator Mark Pryor lashes out with his own ad against negative publicity regarding his voting record on gun control. Governor Mike Beebe lauds the state's Unemployment Insurance Program for bouncing back after running out of money a few years ago. Ozark Regional Transit offers free rides throughout the summer to children aged 17 and under. And Tyson Foods acquires a California-based ethnic food operation.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, March 24, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks at Large, upgrades to a nearly decade-old program are designed to more effectively connect consumers with local farmers. Plus, the deadline to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is on the horizon. We learn about the consequences of failing to enroll in coverage.
We continue our week-long series on summer camps by finding out more about the five weeks of art classes at Arts Center of the Ozarks.
PLUS: here are some links to some art camps in the region:
To learn more about the ACO camps, click here.
The Community Creative Center in Fayetteville has no shortage of camps this summer
The University of Arkansas Fort Smith Academy of the Arts isn't just song, dance and music…there are summer art camps beginning in June as well.
This is the second summer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and there are camps there, too. Click through to their website, then click on the Summer Camps button on the home page.
Carter Sampson pulled her RV into the parking lot at the Carver Center for Public Radio yesterday. She played two songs…here's one of them. Another song and our conversation with her can be heard on Friday’s edition of Ozarks at Large.
You can see her at 8 o'clock tomorrow night at Frisco Club in Rogers and at 9 o'clock Wednesday night at Smoke and Barrel in Fayetteville.
Bob Clinard, Benton County Judge, declared the county a disaster zone Friday, after the county saw more than 6 inches of rain in the latter half of the week. A recent report shows meaningful long-term benefits for children taking part in the state's "Better Chance Pre-K" program. Rahm Emanuel, mayor of Chicago, spoke at the graduation for the Clinton School of Public Service over the weekend. Governor Mike Beebe likens the recently passed Arkansas Private Option to the successful ARKids First program, though he says that the children's insurance program has room to improve.
"A Heart's a Mess" by Gotye
Dr. Megan Witonski says that she is thrilled to take her new post with the Arkansas Department of Education as assistant commissioner with the Division of Learning Services. Among the many responsibilities of the new job is the state's transition to the set of common language arts and math standards being implemented by 45 states.
