Ozarks At Large
The head of the Hatcher Agency, the state's largest independent insurer, says that many of his clients are providing insurance to employees rather than paying penalties associated with the Affordable Care Act. Senator Mark Pryor talks about his push for answers from the Air Force regarding the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith while Senator Boozman says he is concerned about a backlog in disability claims for veterans. And Elton John is coming to Fayetteville in just a few weeks.




Two public meetings were held late yesterday in Jasper to address concerns about the large CAFO in Newton County. Picasolar took home several thousand dollars from an MIT competition earlier this week. Fort Smith has finished automating trash collection, but now the city's sanitation department is turning its eye to automating recyclable collection. And speaking of Fort Smith, Senator Mark Pryor demands answers from the U.S. Air Force regarding the future of the 188th Fighter Wing.

Ozarks at Large's Meredith Martin Moats recently sat in on a conversation with Bud Rector, who will turn 99 later this year and has lived almost all his life in Yell County. We conclude her two-part report on his recollections of an Arkansas that has nearly vanished.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Remembering Some of the People We Lost in 2013
On this special edition of Ozarks we hear again some of the voices we lost during 2013, including Bill Harrison, Curley Miller, Ivan Denton and Dick Renko.
Arkansas treasurer Martha Shoffner officially tenders her resignation, we get a few tips on staying up to date on severe weather, even when away from the television or radio. And, Walmart announces a plan to sell more goods produced right here in Arkansas.
"Hot Venom" by Miniature Tigers
Roby Brock from our content partner Talk Business Arkansas talks to gubernatorial candidate Bill Halter about his Arkansas Promise Scholarship Plan and more.
The June Arts and Culinary Festival next month in Bentonville isn’t just visual arts and food. Music is packed into downtown Bentonville throughout the month.
Songs heard inside this story:
"Too Cool for School" by RJ Mischo
"Well You Needn't" by The Claudia Burson Trio
"Scrapple From the Apple" by Charlie Parker
Becca Martin Brown from NWA Newspapers talks about the Airing of the Quilts and more.
Co-producers and the director of Gordon Family Tree are in town this week for two screenings of their movie. Tickets for tomorrow's screening are available here.