
Ozarks At Large

Governor Mike Beebe yesterday released the results of an investigation into the Arkansas Department of Community Correction, and that systemic problems exist within the department. Excess state revenue in October may be needed later this year, according to a state economist. Work gets underway at Fayetteville's Wilson Park, as renovations begin to the buildings at the park's pool. A longtime lobbyist for the U of A announces his retirement. And the Walton College of Business gets another favorable ranking.

We speak with Marcos Villatoro, the director of "Tamale Road," a documentary about his quest to find out more about his heritage.

Housing sales numbers for September show positive improvement in the housing market across Arkansas. Governor Beebe warns state lawmakers about the implications of defunding the state's Private Option expansion of Medicaid during the fiscal session in a few months. And Rogers-based Ozark Mountain Poultry opens a second facility in Batesville.


Becca Martin Brown tells us that the U.S. Marshals' Museum in Fort Smith will soon have a cornerstone ceremony for its hall of honor.
Here is the list for our montage on the 100th anniversary of the income tax in the United States:
1. The Beatles, of course, with Taxman.
2. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, as the Blues Brothers, beat the tax deadline.
3. Johnny Cash sings After Taxes.
4. Robert De Niro's Al Capone thinks he can beat the tax rap in the (historically inaccurate) movie The Untouchables.
5. The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon.
6. Andy makes a reluctant partner in The Shawshank Redemption.
7. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings wonder What if We All Stopped Paying Taxes.
8. Errol Flynn challenges Claude Rains in Robin Hood.
9. A can't-miss plan is hatched by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder in the original version of The Producers.
10. Danny Kaye uses Irving Berlin's lyrics to proclaim I Paid My Income Tax Today.
Apologies to: Willie Nelson, James Brown, Billy Bragg, Johnny Paycheck and the makers of The Joe Louis Story. Maybe next time.
1. The Beatles, of course, with Taxman.
2. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, as the Blues Brothers, beat the tax deadline.
3. Johnny Cash sings After Taxes.
4. Robert De Niro's Al Capone thinks he can beat the tax rap in the (historically inaccurate) movie The Untouchables.
5. The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon.
6. Andy makes a reluctant partner in The Shawshank Redemption.
7. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings wonder What if We All Stopped Paying Taxes.
8. Errol Flynn challenges Claude Rains in Robin Hood.
9. A can't-miss plan is hatched by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder in the original version of The Producers.
10. Danny Kaye uses Irving Berlin's lyrics to proclaim I Paid My Income Tax Today.
Apologies to: Willie Nelson, James Brown, Billy Bragg, Johnny Paycheck and the makers of The Joe Louis Story. Maybe next time.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, February 24, 2014
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.
We continue our week-long series on summer camps by finding out more about the five weeks of art classes at Arts Center of the Ozarks.
PLUS: here are some links to some art camps in the region:
To learn more about the ACO camps, click here.
The Community Creative Center in Fayetteville has no shortage of camps this summer
The University of Arkansas Fort Smith Academy of the Arts isn't just song, dance and music…there are summer art camps beginning in June as well.
This is the second summer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and there are camps there, too. Click through to their website, then click on the Summer Camps button on the home page.
Carter Sampson pulled her RV into the parking lot at the Carver Center for Public Radio yesterday. She played two songs…here's one of them. Another song and our conversation with her can be heard on Friday’s edition of Ozarks at Large.
You can see her at 8 o'clock tomorrow night at Frisco Club in Rogers and at 9 o'clock Wednesday night at Smoke and Barrel in Fayetteville.
Bob Clinard, Benton County Judge, declared the county a disaster zone Friday, after the county saw more than 6 inches of rain in the latter half of the week. A recent report shows meaningful long-term benefits for children taking part in the state's "Better Chance Pre-K" program. Rahm Emanuel, mayor of Chicago, spoke at the graduation for the Clinton School of Public Service over the weekend. Governor Mike Beebe likens the recently passed Arkansas Private Option to the successful ARKids First program, though he says that the children's insurance program has room to improve.
"A Heart's a Mess" by Gotye
Dr. Megan Witonski says that she is thrilled to take her new post with the Arkansas Department of Education as assistant commissioner with the Division of Learning Services. Among the many responsibilities of the new job is the state's transition to the set of common language arts and math standards being implemented by 45 states.