
Ozarks At Large


In her new book, Cached: Decoding the Internet in Global Popular Culture, Stephanie Ricker Schulte examines how the Internet and the World Wide Web have interacted with popular culture.
Web Exclusive: Internet's Past, Future Discussed
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.
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.



Bear hunts, mermaids and dinner, Becca Martin Brown offers plenty to occupy your Mother's Day afternoon. Plus, the upcoming season at the Arts Center of the Ozarks.
Charles Banks Wilson, an American artist, was laid to rest on Tuesday in his hometown of Miami, Oklahoma. He was born and passed in Arkansas. Wilson is best known for his works of the American Indian. Wilson's works are housed in some of the most renowned museums and art galleries in the world, including New York's Metropolitan Museum, Washington's Library of Congress, the Corcoran Gallery, the Oklahoma State Capitol where four 13 feet tall and 27 feet wide murals line the rotunda, and the Gilcrease Museum, which owns more than 300 pieces of the artist's work.
The head of the Hatcher Agency, the state's largest independent insurer, says that many of his clients are providing insurance to employees rather than paying penalties associated with the Affordable Care Act. Senator Mark Pryor talks about his push for answers from the Air Force regarding the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith while Senator Boozman says he is concerned about a backlog in disability claims for veterans. And Elton John is coming to Fayetteville in just a few weeks.


Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, digital ambassadors for northwest Arkansas explained, and how one furry Huntsville resident contributes to recycling efforts in the city.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the third annual “Community Block Party” at the First United Methodist Church campus in downtown Springdale this weekend.
For more information, visit the church's website here.
Supporters of alcohol sales in Madison County turn in petitions for a ballot measure, the drought in Arkansas worsens, Benton County government may have to begin paying for rural ambulance service and more.
“You Run Marathons” by Colossal
Michael Tilley from thecitywire.com keeps us up to date on a petition drive in Fort Smith dealing with automated trash collection and more.
You can access TheCityWire here.
If you’ve traveled winding Highway 112 through Cave Springs in Benton County, you’ve passed by a pretty little forested lake. It’s a private place, with tons of history, natural features and a secret trove of unique creatures. That’s why members of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership hope to purchase it—and install a public sanctuary.
"Gold and Silver" by Toots and the Maytals
A behemoth of a roller coaster is being constructed at Silver Dollar City. Becca Martin Brown, Features Editor at Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, gives us the specifics of the monster ride as well as a checklist of activities this weekend in the region.