Ozarks At Large
Exxon-Mobil officials meet with state lawmakers to give reassurances about the safety of the Pegasus pipeline. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture releases a report that claims manufacturing jobs in rural Arkansas towns may never return because of long-term changes to the state's economic landscape. And, state economic development incentives recieve more scrutiny after recent layoffs by companies who accepted them.


As classes begin at the University of Arkansas, Raymond Walters enters doctoral programs in physics and mathematics, all before his 20th birthday.

The Rogers School District already plans to expand its newest high school. Bentonville city officials move forward with an ordinance to promote increasing the city's tree canopy. And several Arkansas airports get grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Becca Martin Brown tells us about the new "This Land" exhibit, opening this week at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
In our series on the start up of the Affordable Healthcare Act in Arkansas, we look at how small businesses will be affected.If you are a small business owner and want to know how the Affordable Care Act will affect you, visit http://sba.gov/healthcare
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, January 13, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, Springdale claims the lead in job creation for Arkansas, plus a story of moving from small-town Arkansas to post-punk fame: this week’s edition of Arkansongs highlights the career of Beth Ditto…and in about six minutes, an update on the rollout of the Affordable Care Act in Arkansas now that the calendar has turned.
Another ballot initiative group is moving forwarrd with petitions after the state's attorney general approved the wording of its measure, which would raise the minimum wage in Arkansas to $8.50. Booneville Community Hospital starts the new year with a new name and new management. Fayetteville is set to be recognized as a compassionate city. Thirteen Arkansas counties are declared disaster areas after the early December ice and snow storm. And with a budget set, the Sebastian County Quorum Court and Fort Smith Board of Directors agree on amenities to be placed in the future Ben Geren Aquatics Park.
"Nicolas Cage" by The Great Wild
Millions of newly insured Americans will be seeking medical care, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act starting this month. And with a projected shortage of primary care physicians to serve them, new research indicates that nurse practitioners may help fill the gap. We hear from a national association board member as well as Dr. Anna Jarrett, an acute care nurse practitioner and professor of nursing at UA-Fayetteville.
Roby Brock, from Talk Business Arkansas, examines a recent poll of some of Arkansas top business officials.
If the weather allows, the second weekend of 2014 will be full of indoor and outdoor events.
"Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider, Go" by Trentmoeller
The inaugural Ozark Mountain Music Festival is all indoors in Eureka Springs. And it has a fun nickname, too.
Schedule Includes:
Friday, 1/24
6 p.m. Barefoot Ballroom -- HonkySuckle
8 p.m. Ozark Room -- Wink
10 p.m. Barefoot Ballroom -- 3 Penny Acre
Saturday, 1/25
Balcony -- Hogscalders
2 p.m. Ozark Room -- Pearl Brick
4 p.m. Ozark Room -- Tyrannosaurus Chicken
6 p.m. Barefoot Ballroom -- SxRex
8 p.m. Ozark Room -- Ben Miller Band
10 p.m. Ballroom -- National Park Radio
MIDNIGHT JAM -- Ron Landis and Chuck
Sunday, 1/26
NOON- Bloody Mary Morning Show Ozark Rooms -- Handmade Moments
"Dream of the Future" by Carter Burwell