In 2011, Northwest Arkansas Community College received a one-million-dollar federal grant to offer certifications and other classes to the unemployed in Northwest Arkansas. Now in its third year, the ARK Grant program has already helped 275 area residents further develop their skills in order to more easily find a job
Ozarks At Large
The Fort Smith Board of Directors last night held its first quarterly open-forum meeting. The sessions are designed to discuss any "What" and "Why" questions the directors might have.
The six-county Ozark Mountain Solid Waste District filed for bankruptcy in January on a landfill and hauling franchise it purchased nearly ten years ago in north Baxter County as a money-making venture. As Jacqueline Froelich reports, a state legislator has stepped forward to allocate special funding to safely seal the site. 
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.
Michael Thomsen and Rudy Nayga, researchers with the UA Division of Agriculture, look at how restaurants and stores that surround schools affect the weight of students.
This month's Stigler Lecture will be delivered by Jennifer Harty and Kade Ferris of Cardno ENTRIX of Bismarck, N.D.. Last year, the two helped identify stone features at a Chippewa site that had been impacted by oil and natural gas well construction.University of Arkansas Theatre presents the rock musical Spring Awakening during this spring semester. Becca Martin Brown says the play has a tie to Fayetteville.
Habitat for Humanity Washington County has constructed its 50th home, which is also the first Habitat home in the state to seek LEED certification.
The Arkansas House on Friday again failed to give enough votes in favor of the appropriation for the state's Private Option Medicaid expansion, Governor Beebe touts the results of the Arkansas Payment Improvement Initiative, the Libertarian Party of Arkansas holds its nominating convention, and the Bentonville airport will soon see improvements to the airports runway safety areas.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, golf is a sport, but it's also a vehicle for life lessons about honesty and perseverance. We visit the green as First Tee of Northwest Arkansas spends an afternoon teaching values to area youth. Plus, a look at the senate race in Arkansas.
Becca Martin Brown of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers reminds us that the Washtington Elementary PTO will host the 10th annual Tour of Homes Saturday.
Ozarks at Large's Meredith Martin Moats recently sat in on a conversation with Bud Rector, who will turn 99 later this year and has lived almost all his life in Yell County. We conclude her two-part report on his recollections of an Arkansas that has nearly vanished.
Daniel Hintz from Downtown Bentonville explains why dogs will rule an upcoming farmers' market and why art will be all over the city in June.
Arkansas Auditor of State Charlie Daniels announces he will not run for reelection and that he will retire from politics after nearly 30 years as a state constitutional officer. Benton County finishes an assessment regarding storm damage done to county roads last month. Early voting begins today to renew Sebastian County's 1 percent sales tax. And the state's largest non-government food aid charity gets a new chief executive.
"Dynomite" by March Fourth Marching Band
We tour Arkansas's first swine breeding CAFO (confined feeding animal operation) permitted to house 6,500 sows and piglets. Opponents claim it will impair the Buffalo National River Watershed and seek to shut it down.
Web Exclusive: Images From the C & H Hog Farm
