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.
A partnership between Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Special Collections department of the University of Arkansas Libraries has resulted in a new digital collection featuring one of Arkansas’ most tasty products.
Last week the band 3 Penny Acre was on The Pickin' Post with Mike Shirkey. Before we closed the work week, we wanted to bring you one of the songs they recorded for Mike. It will be included on their next CD.
A bill to repeal the ban on firearms in churches advances to the state Senate today. U.S. Senator Mark Pryor announces the beginning of his reelection campaign, though its not starting quite yet. U.S. Senator John Boozman speaks out in favor of a plan to temporarily suspend the nation's debt limit on borrowing. And J.B. Hunt Transport Services announces a record fiscal quarter as it releases its fourth quarter 2012 financials.
"Gold Rush" by the Tony Rice Unit
The Old Fort Homeless Coalition in Fort Smith conducted its annual point in time count of homeless individuals in the city. Coalition president Ken Pyle says the data will help the city in planning a campus for the homeless.
Roby Brock, from Talk Business Arkansas, talks to the House Minority Leader, Greg Leding, about the Democrats' plan for the 89th General Asssembly.
"Pine Away" by Apples in Stereo