
Ozarks At Large

Governor Mike Beebe yesterday released the results of an investigation into the Arkansas Department of Community Correction, and that systemic problems exist within the department. Excess state revenue in October may be needed later this year, according to a state economist. Work gets underway at Fayetteville's Wilson Park, as renovations begin to the buildings at the park's pool. A longtime lobbyist for the U of A announces his retirement. And the Walton College of Business gets another favorable ranking.

We speak with Marcos Villatoro, the director of "Tamale Road," a documentary about his quest to find out more about his heritage.

Housing sales numbers for September show positive improvement in the housing market across Arkansas. Governor Beebe warns state lawmakers about the implications of defunding the state's Private Option expansion of Medicaid during the fiscal session in a few months. And Rogers-based Ozark Mountain Poultry opens a second facility in Batesville.


Becca Martin Brown tells us that the U.S. Marshals' Museum in Fort Smith will soon have a cornerstone ceremony for its hall of honor.
Here is the list for our montage on the 100th anniversary of the income tax in the United States:
1. The Beatles, of course, with Taxman.
2. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, as the Blues Brothers, beat the tax deadline.
3. Johnny Cash sings After Taxes.
4. Robert De Niro's Al Capone thinks he can beat the tax rap in the (historically inaccurate) movie The Untouchables.
5. The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon.
6. Andy makes a reluctant partner in The Shawshank Redemption.
7. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings wonder What if We All Stopped Paying Taxes.
8. Errol Flynn challenges Claude Rains in Robin Hood.
9. A can't-miss plan is hatched by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder in the original version of The Producers.
10. Danny Kaye uses Irving Berlin's lyrics to proclaim I Paid My Income Tax Today.
Apologies to: Willie Nelson, James Brown, Billy Bragg, Johnny Paycheck and the makers of The Joe Louis Story. Maybe next time.
1. The Beatles, of course, with Taxman.
2. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, as the Blues Brothers, beat the tax deadline.
3. Johnny Cash sings After Taxes.
4. Robert De Niro's Al Capone thinks he can beat the tax rap in the (historically inaccurate) movie The Untouchables.
5. The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon.
6. Andy makes a reluctant partner in The Shawshank Redemption.
7. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings wonder What if We All Stopped Paying Taxes.
8. Errol Flynn challenges Claude Rains in Robin Hood.
9. A can't-miss plan is hatched by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder in the original version of The Producers.
10. Danny Kaye uses Irving Berlin's lyrics to proclaim I Paid My Income Tax Today.
Apologies to: Willie Nelson, James Brown, Billy Bragg, Johnny Paycheck and the makers of The Joe Louis Story. Maybe next time.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, February 24, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks at Large, the types of food establishments--restaurants, convenience stores, grocers, fast food businesses--that surround a school have an impact on childhood obesity. We speak to two U of A System Division of Agriculture researchers who make that claim. Plus, Habitat for Humanity Washington County completes its 50th home, Roby Brock has his Talk Business Arkansas update, Becca Martin Brown tells us What's Up, and more.
The Arkansas Highway Transportation Department received much criticism of how it handled cleanup of the recent winter storm. Karen Tricot Steward from our Content partner KUAR checked in with AHTD' in this report.
We visit a Knit Night and visit with local knitters about the ways to knit both old and new.
A Pulaski County judge dismisses a lawsuit against Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin. A New York based food company looks to acquire Siloam Springs-based Allens Canning Company. Tyson Foods is cited by OSHA for a June incident at a Kansas processing facility. The dean of the UA Honors College announces retirement, while the UA Full Circle Campus Food Pantry wins an award. And the vice chancellor of advancement at UAFS gets a new job.
"Little Drummer Boy" by Pentatonix
The Springdale School District yesterday was awarded several million dollars in Race to the Top federal grant funding. It was only one of five school districts in the U.S. to be awarded one of the grants.
Last Thursday, a preliminary hearing was held before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza on a lawsuit filed last summer to strike down an Arkansas constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, approved by seventy-four percent of voters ten years ago. Jacqueline Froelich spoke with attorneys on both sides of the case, as well as a plaintiff and brings us the story.
(Photo credit: John Rankine)