
Ozarks At Large


Governor Beebe used his state of the state address today to talk briefly about his plans to further cut the state grocery tax. Meanwhile, a state grant is set to help Fayetteville residents recycle unwanted electronics waste. And, Walmart makes a pair of announcements today; one involving the hiring of veterans and the other centered on purchasing more domestically produced goods.

Richard Sander is a law professor at UCLA and the author of the book Mismatch: How Affirmative Action Hurts Students It’s Intended to Help, and Why Universities Won’t Admit It. He recently visited the University of Arkansas.

Fourth Congressional District Representative Tom Cotton weighed in on several prescient national issues over the weekend during a stop in Texarkana. Congressman Tim Griffin urges President Obama to disclose more to the American public about the nation's financial situation. State House Speaker Davy Carter says that the issue of a Medicaid funding shortfall is the biggest issue facing the upcoming legislative session in Little Rock. And the Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History has a new director.

Here is the list of pop culture references included in today's montage honoring food service workers:
- Billy Joel sings "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
- Kermit, Miss Piggy and Steve Martin confer in The Muppet Movie.
- Jennifer Aniston complains (understandably) about her flair in Office Space.
- The very underrated band The Bus Boys and the song "Minimum Wage."
- Meg Ryan defines high maintenance as a customer in When Harry Meets Sally.
- The Austin-based Asleep at the Wheel sings "House of Blue Lights."
- Judge Reinhold gets a raw deal in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
- Homer is disappointed with the slow service at Moe's Family Feedbag in a classic Simpsons episode.
- Arlo Guthrie and the most famous restaurant song ever, "Alice's Restaurant."
- Linda Lavin, Vic Tayback and Polly Holiday inside Mel's Diner on the situation comedy Alice.
- Cab Calloway sings "Everybody Eats at My House." The best rhyme in the song: Want a pancake, Mandrake?
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks at Large, Roby Brock from Talk Business Arkansas speaks with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Plus, area CEOs helping other area CEOs, and our tech ambassador Tyrel Denison is back to tell us what has been introduced in the past few weeks, and what the tech companies hope you find under a Christmas tree in a few months.
Wayne Bell says theaters in the area already have a few strong movies on their screens, but several more are headed this way,
Northwest Arkansas' unemployment rate dropped in the month of September, and a state economist says that the area is the strongest-performing in the state. Also, a kickball tournament to be held later this week has already raised thousands for the NWA Children's Shelter, even before the first ball is rolled. And, AARP plans to offer defensive driving courses to veterans next month.
"Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield
At least eleven public school districts in Arkansas now offer single-gender elementary classes, including Siloam Springs School District. We observe several of the classes and talk with educators and a scholar about the benefits as well as criticism regarding this school choice.
Prior to his move to the west coast, actor Jim Goza discusses the web series Zombie Go Boom and his plans for the future.
Becca Martin Brown has a list of plenty of Halloween events.
"Musica Ricercata" by Gyorgy Ligeti