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.
Michael Tilley from The City Wire discusses how the construction sector in Northwest Arkansas has continued to rebound, Erin Brockovich, the U.S. Marshals Museum, and more.
Maxine's Tap Room has been around for decades, but with new management comes a fresh appearance and fresh approach.
Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Media has an extensive list of Easter egg hunts happening this weekend.
The non-profit Merlin Foundation established in 1993 has helped thousands of children victimized by physical and sexual abuse across a six-county north Arkansas region. A benefit gala will take place April 2 to help the foundation.
With the arrival of spring, we know the opening of the Saturday Fayetteville Farmers Market is not far behind.