The third Downtown Rogers Restaurant Week includes chefs swapping kitchens and bartenders inventing drinks.
Ozarks At Large
The world’s largest retailer is testing a new convenient store format near the home office. And as Jacqueline Froelich reports, the company aims to corner a burgeoning quick check market, offering fresher faster, but at supply chain prices. 
We speak with a visitor communications specialist with the caverns to find out what precautions are being undertaken to insure the safety of the caves bats, other caves, and visitors. A new fellowship program in Arkansas aims to stem the flow of highly skilled college graduates from the state to other areas. And, two of the longer-operating hospital systems in the state announce a merger.
The latest revenue collections by the state came in again above what was originally forecast, while one gubernatorial candidate issues his plan to put mroe funding into Pre-K programs.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, those amphibious harbingers of spring--frogs and toads--are being counted all over Arkansas. We'll find out how the frog watch works, and if the number of frogs in the state is diminishing. And, the AMP is being prepared for its first show. The seats aren't in yet, but work is going on almost around-the-clock to meet a June 1 completion date.
This month, visitors to a bustling Bentonville square can step inside the Visitor's Bureau to take in the serene landscapes of pastel artist Judy Howard.
We meet Tom Krohn, Arkansas Regional Coordinator for FrogWatch USA. Krohn hosts free workshops across the state, training citizen scientists to become certified frog listeners. He will be in Northwest Arkansasa April 8 & 15th at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale. To learn more visit Arkansasfrogsandtoads.org.There have been spies and spying in American history since before the formation of the country. Our history doctor, Bill Smith, reminds us of a few historic episodes.
In January, the Old Fort Homeless Coalition held its annual Point-in-Time Count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in the community. Overall, the number of homeless in Fort Smith decreased from last year, though the need for a homeless campus is still apparent.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, May 30, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, Michael Tilley talks about a potential multi-billion dollar acquisition by Tyson Foods and a less-than-expected participation rate for upcoming elections in the City of Fort Smith. And, a preview of two very different ways to spend tomorrow night: the rumble of monster trucks will be in Springdale, and music from the Artosphere Festival Orchestra will be in Fayetteville.
One Arkansas senator is pressing election officials to resolve issues with the state's voter ID law. Other legislators are pushing to prevent the state lottery commission from implementing video gambling games throughout the state. The FASTER Arkansas committee continues its push for changes in state law to allow public schools to connect to an existing, state-funded fiber optic network. And one Eureka Springs alderman is trying to move forward a decades-long debate on what to do about parking in that city's downtown area.
More than twenty Northwest Arkansas specialty shops sell electronic cigarettes, both disposable and rechargeable. The popular devices deliver a smooth warm nicotine-laced white vapor in variety strengths and flavors. We visit the Velvet Vapor in Rogers and also talk to an Arkansas Department of Health tobacco specialist about pending regulations and potential risks associated with “vaping.”
Our history doctor, Bill Smith, explains the relationship between politics and money is an American tradition.
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, directs us to performance art and fireworks this weekend.
Jonathan Story sits down at the Mary Baker Rumsey Steinway.
