Becca Martin Brown, with Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, says free talks this week will cover Ozark living, the Spiro Mounds and give you a chance to hear Newbery-Medal winning author Christopher Paul Curtis.
Ozarks At Large
Members of industry, government and education gathered yesterday for a career and technical education Summit in northwest Arkansas. The goal of the event was to determine how to meet the needs of the area's growing economy.
Music, cell phones and fishing are all being used to help raise money, food and awareness for area nonprofits.
The 2014 Natural Wonders: The State of Children's Health in Arkansas report examines a number of children's healthcare issues like oral care and immunizations. 
American public colleges and universities seek to contain wage and benefit costs by hiring contingent faculty—those without permanent status. But as Jacqueline Froelich reports, such faculty on certain campuses face an "ivory ceiling."Governor Mike Beebe yesterday issued a line-item veto on a tax exemption for sand used in oil and natural gas drilling. The state's top economist says that the latest unemployment numbers show positive growth in the state's economy. And the Siloam Springs board of directors is set to consider a liquor-by-the-drink ordinance.
Becca says a trash pop group and an Italian soprano are some musicians you can hear in northwest Arkansas this week.
Roby Brock, from our content partner Talk Business Arkansas recently talked with Tyson Foods President and Chief Executive Officer Donnie Smith.
Tyson Foods responds to issues raised in the new book The Meat Racket.
Christopher Leonard follows the rise of Tyson Foods in his new book The Meat Racket.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, May 23, 2014
On this edition of Ozarks, we take a look at a new study that analyzes high school graduation rates in Arkansas. Also Dick Johnson stops by the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio.
On game days, Tusk IV, the live mascot for the University of Arkansas, travels from his home near Dardanelle to Fayetteville to help cheer on the Razorbacks.
Becca Martin Brown says some folks like to get out of town during homecoming at the University of Arkansas...and there are plenty of things to do away from the game.
"Dream a Little Dream" by Chicago/Jade/Paul Shaffer
Rosco Bandana hails from Gulfport, Mississippi and is back in our neck of the woods for the Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Music Festival.
The city of Fayetteville ponders sharing the cost of adding a railroad crossing gate at Dickson Street in exchange for some needed easements for trails construction. The City of Bentonville aims to add more than a thousand trees to the landscape during October. And results from this year's Secchi Day at Beaver lake are helping officials with the Beaver Water District better understand the effects of drought and flood years on water quality.
"Working Woman Blues" by Valerie June
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a quarter of a million residents are eligible to enroll in free private health insurance made possible by the new Arkansas Healthcare Independence Program. Arkansas is the only state to expand Medicaid coverage via this "private option."
