Governor Mike Beebe says that a package of tax cuts approved yesterday by the Arkansas Senate is acceptable, though he worries about the cuts' impact in the years to come after he leaves office. A proposed constitutional amendment that would move ethics reform forward in the state moves closer to the ballot after receiving final approval by the legislature. The latest on cleanup efforts on the Mayflower oil spill, in spite of the potential for severe weather. Plans for the Sebastian County aquatics park move forward, and a group at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville plans to take back the night with an annual event aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence.
Ozarks At Large

The Arkansas Senate followed the House's lead in passing a federally backed expansion of the state's Medicaid system, and all that remains is final approval from Washington. The Arkansas Governor's race gets a little more crowded with an official announcement by former Congressman Mike Ross. Arkansas' two Senators give their thoughts on the Gang of Eight proposed immigration reform package. A hearing is held today in Nebraska regarding the Keystone XL pipeline, and a Bentonville group wants to turn Fridays into bike days.



Becca Martin Brown from Nortwest Arkansas Media ponders the definition of a jam rocker while reminding us that Umphrey's McGee will perform at George's Majestic Lounge tonight.
The Arkansas Legislature was a flurry of activity yesterday, with passage not only of Medicaid expansion, but the House also advanced bills regarding cuts to the state's income, capital gains and utility taxes. The House also passed the Senate bill that will provide financial support for construction of the Big River Steel superproject ion Osceola. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel rejects the latest proposed ballot initiative regarding medical marijuana, and Northwest Arkansas' two baseball teams have a disappointing Tuesday.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Weekend Ozarks, we visit the kitchen of Jen Lewis, take a spin in a state-run clinic that aids veterans in rural communities, and we meet a recovering opiate addict who has found hope with methadone.
Medically underserved individuals can secure care at twelve federally qualified community health centers in Arkansas. Some patients pay cash, on a sliding scale based on income. Others are enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. But under Arkansas’s new Health Care Reform private option, these health centers may see their Medicaid income slashed.
Another incubator for entrepreneurs is hatching in North Little Rock. Roby Brock from our content partner Talk Business Arkansas has more.
"Girl/Boy Song" by Aphex Twin
Jacob Hatley sepnt three years working on his film I Ain’' in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm. He explains why he ended up living in Levon's barn during part of the process.
When Joe Neal is not out in the field counting and taking audio recording of birds, he’s at home—counting and taking audio recording of birds, including some new “folks” in the neighborhood. Joe Neal is coauthor of “Arkansas Birds,” published by the University of Arkansas Press. His latest book “In the Province of Birds, a Western Arkansas Memoir,” is published by Half-Acre Press.
"In The Deep Shade" by The Frames
Winners in all kinds of competitions have area connections.