Ozarks At Large

Arkansas ends its fiscal year with a surplus of several million dollars, but lawmakers have no firm plans yet of how to spend the money. Ongoing highway improvements mean some road closures and delays over the holiday weekend. And, students at UALR react to the interest rate hike that went into effect this week on Stafford student loans for low income students.




The United States Supreme Court decision regarding the Voting Rights Act means changes for Arkansas.
The popular resort town of Eureka Springs is a prime Ozarks vacation spot filled with pretty B&Bs, cottages and cabins for overnight guests. But as Jacqueline Froelich reports, some say a glut of tourist accommodations and vacation rentals are dislocating residents, forcing them to live out of town.
Arkansas home sales are up by 10 percent according to the Arkansas Realtors Association. The half-cent highway sales tax kicks in this month and will continue for the next ten years. The Fort Smith Fire Department honors one of its own who rescued a child from a 30-foot utility shaft. And a familiar term to Fayetteville residents: construction zone.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
On this edition of Ozarks, a conversation with photographer and author Tim Ernst. Also, giving the gift of a free family portrait to those in need.
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against a Kansas-based debt collection agency, the Fort Smith Board of Directors is now conducting business without paper, and more.
“Lions and Tigers and Bears” by: TW Walsh
Much of Arkansas is under extreme drought, with portions of the Arkansas River Valley listed as exceptional. Ponds and creeks are drying up. Lake and river levels are dropping. But what about your water well? We talk with the experts about our drought-threatened water supplies.
As of July 3, 91 animals throughout Arkansas have tested positive for rabies. Boone and Newton counties currently have the highest number of cases of animals tested positive for rabies. Richard Murphree, the environmental manager for the Arkansas Department of Health's northwest regional office, helps us interpret these numbers. More information is available at www.healthy.arkansas.gov.
Today, Becca Martin Brown from NWA Newspapers sends us to an art exhibit and a concert.
Sesame Street Theme Song
A new smart phone application will allow users to track University of Arkansas transit buses in real time. Chris Nixon is one of the developers who worked on the app. More information is available here.