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.
Little Rock-based non-profit Heifer International gets $8.5 million to continue an east African farming project; two people trying to legalize casinos in several Arkansas counties turned in signatures last week; and more – on today’s Segment A.
“Big Big Love (Fig. #1)” by Foals
Last summer, the Obama administration proposed strengthening federal child labor laws regarding farm workers under the age of 18. This past spring, officials dropped the proposal, after farmers and politicians rose up in protest. We visit the Hamms, an Ozarks farm family, to illustrate the critical economic role young farmers fill and the unique work ethic they cultivate.
Roby Brock from our content partner www.talkbusiness.net gives us the latest business and political headlines from last week.
Life Styles Carwash will host its grand re-opening July 12-14. For more information: www.lifestylesinc.org.
“Working at the Carwash” by The Coasters
Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers tells us about a movie screening, a crafts event and a performance at Opera in the Ozarks.