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.
Ozarks At Large



In her latest book Cached: Decoding the Internet in Global Popular Culture, Stephanie Schulte says that examples of pop culture like the movie War Games played prominently into how the world perceived the Internet in its earliest days.
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
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, how education and employment are more connected than ever in Arkansas. We have a report on yesterday's Career and Technology Education summit in northwest Arkansas. Plus, our technology ambassador Tyrel Denison breaks down some of the new technology that was on display at South-by-Southwest. And, a new report looks at children's healthcare issues in Arkansas.
Here is the list we'll call the "Congratulations Christina and Sam" montage:
The Marvelettes sing Going to the Chapel.
Luke and Laura get married on All My Children and live happily ever after. Just kidding, it was a soap opera.
Billy Idol pumps his fist to White Wedding.
Miss Piggy and Kermit come *this close* to marrying.
The Fifth Dimension and Wedding Bell Blues.
Steve Martin panics in the remake of the Father of the Bride.
Fred Astaire dances on the ceiling in Royal Wedding.
The ending of Four Weddings and a Funeral with Andie McDowell and Hugh Grant.
Sarah Harmer sings Open Window (the Wedding Song). Best song with wedding in the title, by the way.
Apologies to: Peter, Paul and Mary, Sex and the City (first movie), Wedding Crashers, Buddy Holly, and about one million other movies and songs. Maybe next time.
Members of the Arkansas Bar Association gathered in the state capitol yesterday to protest the influx of dark money, or out-of-state contributions from unknown sources and agendas, in the state's judicial elections. Plus, the USDA says that global climate change is having, and likely will continue to have an effect on agriculture in the country and in Arkansas.
"Bring Me Your Cup" by UB40
Our final conversation with a candidate in next week's primary election is with Bruce Westerman. He's seeking the GOP nomination for the 4th Congressional District.
The final tour for the Trey McIntyre Project stops in Fayetteville tonight.
"Quidditch World Cup" by Patrick Doyle
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Media, says the weekend is full of activities designed for the youngest among us.