Ozarks At Large
Simultaneous tax cuts and hikes, charter schools and the latest on Medicaid expansion from the state legislature; jockeys prepare for this weekend's Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn; more sidewalks in Fayetteville and the population continues to grow in Northwest Arkansas; all in today's Segment A.
The Arkansas General Assembly moves forward with a controversial voter ID bill, education and education supporters rally against a proposal that would shift money from the state's general fund into highway construction, and Arkansas' U.S. Senate contingent speaks out about efforts to pass a federal budget.


State lawmakers continue to weigh the issue of Medicaid expansion two weeks after receiving word from Washington that federal Medicaid expansion funds could be used for a privatized expansion of the system. A pair of lawmakers also weigh in on how recent anti-abortion legislation has affected Arkansas' reputation in the rest of the country. And a controlled burn is set for tomorrow in one local city.
Late last week, the Northwest Arkansas Council released the results of a study on the area's Business Retention and Expansion Efforts. The study was compiled from interviews by area chambers of commerce with 459 area companies. We speak with Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the council about the survey and what the results mean for the area moving forward.
Another area city plans to speak out against a bill in the Arkansas Legislature that could mean a rollback of city development regulations. Governor Mike Beebe touts the state's efforts to make sure fewer children in Arkansas go hungry, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art again gets national recognition, not for its paintings but for the construction of the museum itsself.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, distance education will have a strong presence in a program on the University of Arkansas campus next fall, plus Rogers Little Theatre brings a comedy classic to the stage. We go behind the scenes with The Man Who Came To Dinner.
Jacob Kaufman from KUAR provides a recap of the state legislature's recently concluded special session.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is stepping up enforcement this weekend on the state's lakes and rivers in an effort to decrease incidents of boating while intoxicated. Plus, the Rogers Fire Department embraces new technology with a smartphone app that informs people in public of nearby incidents of cardiac arrest.
Earthquakes in Oklahoma have dramatically increased since last autumn, likely linked to gas and oil development the U.S. Geological Survey says. And as Jacqueline Froelich reports, larger quakes there could shake western Arkansas. We hear from both the director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey in Norman and an Arkansas seismologist.
The Legislature began discussing the items on the special session agenda yesterday in Little Rock.
The Beaver Watershed Alliance has been working on assessing ways to improve water quality of the West Fork of the White River. As part of the project, the group is holding public meetings to engage residents and landowners alike.