Ozarks At Large

The Arkansas Public Policy Panel, a statewide organization dedicated to achieving social, economic and environmental justice through citizen group action, is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary June 15th in Little Rock. We take a look back with current executive director Bill Kopsky.

Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, we talk to an economics professor about corruption and the role it plays in regulatory compliance. Plus, Arkansas sees an increase in adult immunizations.

"True collaboration is that willingness to extend yourself to a new place but in a way that does not feel like anything has been given up," says singer-songwriter Tift Merritt. While collaboration between musicians of different genres is nothing new, it's difficult to do well. The album "Night," a collaboration between Merritt and classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein, does just that. Reviewer Katy Henriksen explores the collaboration in which classical composers like Schubert and Purcell connect seamlessly to Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain," the folk traditional "Wayfaring Stranger," a Leonard Cohen inspired instrumental and much more to create a singular song cycle that could only come from these two musicians.

The Arkansas General Assembly this past session, enacted several new controversial gun rights laws in Arkansas, most notably “Professor Carry” and “Church Carry.” But some say, another new and rather discreet state law, to go into effect August 16th, aims to decriminalize the open carry of handguns in Arkansas.