
Ozarks At Large


(Photo: Walmart 2011 Diversity and Inclusion Report)
The Arkansas Board of Education rolls out a new progress assessment system for school across the state, waypoints in Northwest Arkansas may soon be easier to locate, and Rogers school district officials are looking at changing the way early-achieving students receive credit for courses.
No matter how hard some may try, money is inescapable. We use it to buy stuff, and most often we pay taxes with it. Ozarks at Large's Timothy Dennis takes a look at news stories related to citiesí tax revenue from the past week.

The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission waits for more input before deciding whether to give $1 million to the U of A, but the commission gives out more than $145,000 to a number of other groups. State officials work to close a funding gap in Arkansas' Medicaid system, and the city of Fort Smith takes another look at zoning for sexually oriented businesses.
David Shipler, author of the book “The Working Poor” spent time in northwest Arkansas last month for the annual One Book, One Community event. During his visit he participated in a public discussion at the Fayetteville Public Library.

Crystal Bridges of American Art in Bentonville is one year (and one day) old today. We take a look back at the museum's last twelve months.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, a conversation with the director of special education for the U.S. Department of Education; she says many with disabilities are capable of learning anything and everything that those without disabilities can. Plus, as strawberries begin to pop up in gardens and farmers' markets in the area, a group of national leaders in the industry meet in Fayetteville to discuss sustainable growing practices.
Governor Mike Beebe says that while a special legislative session will likely be necessary to solve the problems with the state's public school employee insurance program, no session will be called until consensus can be reached. The two candidates for governor have differing opinions on how and when the state's minimum wage should be increased, and the Fayetteville Animal Shelter warns dog owners that hot cars are particularly dangerous for pets.
New (and widely varied) businesses are coming to Fort Smith. Michael Tilley from The City Wire explains what it means for the city.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Protective Services operates a Child Maltreatment Central Registry. This year the registry is undergoing revision. Jacqueline Froelich reports.
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, says the solstice will be celebrated in many ways this weekend...most of the opportunities are free.
Tonight is opening night for another season featuring some of the country's brightest young opera talent.