Arkansas receives recognition for its work to combat human trafficking in the state, and several new laws go into effect today.
Ozarks At Large


Amina Figarova has 12 recordings and has performed with her quintet on the main stage of the Newport Jazz Festival. Friday night she closes the KUAF Summer Jazz Concert Series at Walton Arts Center.
A water trail along the Arkansas River in Fort Smith allows canoeists and kayakers a chance to experience some wilderness inside the Fort Smith city limits.
An area school district that intended to arm teachers and other staff can no longer do so, after the board that issued a private security firm license to the Clarksville School District has revoked that license. The Arkansas State Police rolls out a fleet of new, more discreet cruisers. One of Springdale's farmers' markets closes, but could potentially reopen in the future. A non-profit aimed at serving women from disadvantaged situations gets ready to open in Rogers. And a new state law taking effect tomorrow means drivers will have to move over for more than just emergency personnel.

Zeek Taylor discusses preparing for an art show in Bentonville, why he likes animals in his work and the difficulty involved with painting a black dog or white cat.
The plans for the Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery in Centerton began in the middle of the Great Depression, long before large man-made lakes were part of the landscape in northern Arkansas. The hatchery has been a part of Benton County for years, but in coming ones a replacement could be built near Highfill.
A spokesman for Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin says that the office should be able to use outside counsel that questions the office's compliance with the state's Freedom of Information Act. Benton County officials continue to assess damage done by recent floods, with the cost of said damage estimated at $5 million and rising. The same rains that caused damage in Benton County has given a rare opportunity to floaters of the Buffalo River. And while yesterday's elections resulted in a runoff next month in Springdale, voters in Paris and Huntsville approved more taxes in their own cities.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Weekend Ozarks at Large, we visit Baum Stadium during the opening weekend of Razorback baseball; not for the game but rather to see how the stadium came to be. Plus, three things to keep in mind when taking in a theatrical show, and a history of Cubans in Fort Smith.
The United States Supreme Court decision regarding the Voting Rights Act means changes for Arkansas.
"In Between Days" by The Cure
Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers takes time out from vacation to tell us about the earliest fireworks shows for the holiday week.
This month's music review shines a spotlight on Bronze Radio Return's new album Up, On & Over.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, spoke recently at the Clinton School of Public Service. While in Arkansas he talked with Roby Brock of Talk Business Arkansas.
"Middle of the Hill" by Josh Pyle
Arkansas's new state treasurer is reshaping policies of the office based on input from employees of the division. The 2014 fiscal year begins today with a new budget for the state, which includes increased spending for Medicaid and higher education. Today is the deadline for public input on the state's new voter ID law. Political commentators ruminate on Tom Cotton's chances for running a successful Senate campaign against Mark Pryor. And, Benton County starts looking at building a new courts building to replace the current one, built in 1928.
"July Flame" by Laura Viers