Arkansas is one of 45 states to enact Common Core State Standards. A new office on the University of Arkansas campus has been established to find new ways bring those standards into the state's schools. We learn more about the Office of Innovation in Education from the office's director.
Ozarks At Large

Senator John Boozman says he would like to see the National Security Agency use more focused efforts to curb terrorism rather than relying on programs that use mass collections of data. The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners approves a draft of rules for implementing the state's new voter ID law. Work is expected to begin soon on clearing the Cache River, a tributary of the White River. And the special collections department at the UA's Mullins Library unveils a new exhibit to celebrate National LGBT Pride month.


The Genesis Technology Incubator has been in the same place in some form for nearly three decades. But much has changed in and around that facility, as the Arkansas Research and Technology Park has coagulated on the acreage surrounding the facility.
Becca says the Fort Smith Museum of History is presenting a recreation of the Boston Store's tea room at noon Thursday.

Execution dates for inmates on death row in Arkansas have been put on hold. State lawmakers rally in Little Rock, urging the state's supreme court to uphold a judgement against drugmaker Johnson and Johnson. Also in the state capitol, close attention is being paid to how the state's parole monitoring system is being managed. Mercy Health Northwest in Rogers opens a new center to serve geriatrics in the area. And more trees are on the way for one parking lot in downtown Fayetteville.


Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, we talk to local officials about an increase in the DWI violations. Also, we attend a tasting at 28 Springs in Siloam Springs.
Poet Gerry Sloan reads and signs copies of his poetry book “Paper Lanterns” tonight at Nightbird Books, “Tigers Be Still” continues its run at Nadine Baum Studios, and “Hairspray” is tonight at 8 p.m. at Rogers Little Theatre. Becca Bacon Martin from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers has the details.
“Baltimore Gas & Electric” by Raymond Scott
University of Arkansas genocide scholar Dr. Samuel Totten’s book “We Cannot Forget,” which he co-authored with Rafiki Ubaldo, is a compilation of interviews with survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He discusses his experiences with Ozarks at Large’s Kyle Kellams.
To listen to more of this conversation, click here.
“Poison Oak” by Bright Eyes
Jodi Beznoska from Walton Arts Center entertains our request to offer suggestions for entertainment purposes.
Yesterday, an updated plan for the expansion of Walton Arts Center venues was released. The report highlights the need for a new University of Arkansas campus venue that has close to 600 seats.
To hear more about Walton Arts Center’s expansion, click here.
“Close to Champagne” by Los Straitjackets
Last week, business and civic leaders from northwest as well as central Arkansas came together to discuss potential partnerships to enhance the economic development of the two regions.