Governor Mike Beebe says that a package of tax cuts approved yesterday by the Arkansas Senate is acceptable, though he worries about the cuts' impact in the years to come after he leaves office. A proposed constitutional amendment that would move ethics reform forward in the state moves closer to the ballot after receiving final approval by the legislature. The latest on cleanup efforts on the Mayflower oil spill, in spite of the potential for severe weather. Plans for the Sebastian County aquatics park move forward, and a group at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville plans to take back the night with an annual event aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence.
Ozarks At Large



The Arkansas Senate followed the House's lead in passing a federally backed expansion of the state's Medicaid system, and all that remains is final approval from Washington. The Arkansas Governor's race gets a little more crowded with an official announcement by former Congressman Mike Ross. Arkansas' two Senators give their thoughts on the Gang of Eight proposed immigration reform package. A hearing is held today in Nebraska regarding the Keystone XL pipeline, and a Bentonville group wants to turn Fridays into bike days.



The Arkansas Legislature was a flurry of activity yesterday, with passage not only of Medicaid expansion, but the House also advanced bills regarding cuts to the state's income, capital gains and utility taxes. The House also passed the Senate bill that will provide financial support for construction of the Big River Steel superproject ion Osceola. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel rejects the latest proposed ballot initiative regarding medical marijuana, and Northwest Arkansas' two baseball teams have a disappointing Tuesday.
The Arkansas legislature passed a long-sought-for bill to protect the interests of land owners on a large natural gas play in north central Arkansas, where more than 4,000 unconventional gas wells have been drilled. The measure was pushed by Arkansans for Responsible Gas Development.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Ahead on Weekend Ozarks, a conversation with Arkansas photographer Tim Ernst. Also, singer/songwriter Joe Pug pays a visit to the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio.
Sunday liquor sales begin in Springdale, the Fayetteville Farmers Market continues its push to expand one of its markets through the winter, and Governor Mike Beebe urges Arkansans to get a flu shot.
"Confirmation" by Charlie Parker
Leading up to Black Friday, organizers for a union-backed Walmart employee strike boasted a mass demonstration across 46 states in protest of unfair labor conditions. By late Friday no such strike materialized. Still, as Jacqueline Froelich reports, dozens of protests did occur—as Walmart corporate kept its guard up.
Thanksgiving week means a short work week for many, but as Roby brock from Talk Business explains, the business news for the week is plentiful.
"Farewell to Cheyenne" by Ennio Morricone
The University of Arkansas Community Design Center has received a grant as part of the Decade of Design Program of the American Institue of Architects. The project addresses what Fayetteville will look like in the year 2030 if 80% of new development united the urban and agricultural landscapes. OAL’s CT tells us more.
Hope 2012, a one-day health and service event, was held this fall. One of the chief organizers, Kevin Fitzpatrick, tells us what this fourth edition of the event tells us about northwest Arkansas.
"You Don't Have To Be Afraid" by Kaki King