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.
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 Ozark Natural Science Center in Madison County announced a campaign today designed to keep it open.
"Equal Mind" by Beach
Wildlife biologist and nature recordist, Joe Neal, provides a lesson in upside down birding. 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.
"Upside Down" by Jack Johnson
John Two-Hawks' latest CD has just been released and includes a wider range of instruments and stylings..
The Arkansas House voted in favor of a federally backed expansion to Medicaid this morning, and the issue now moves on to the Senate for approval. The ruptured section of oil pipeline in Mayflower is removed. Fayetteville aldermen will issue a contract for the big parking deck project, and Bentonville elementary and middle school students put their pedals to the road.
"Vicksburg is My Home" by Hans Theesink