A spokesman for Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin says that the office should be able to use outside counsel that questions the office's compliance with the state's Freedom of Information Act. Benton County officials continue to assess damage done by recent floods, with the cost of said damage estimated at $5 million and rising. The same rains that caused damage in Benton County has given a rare opportunity to floaters of the Buffalo River. And while yesterday's elections resulted in a runoff next month in Springdale, voters in Paris and Huntsville approved more taxes in their own cities.
Ozarks At Large
A Facebook group for artists becomes an organization. The works of members of the artists collective, Goop Troupe, will be on display this month at the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery at the University of ArkansasA half-dozen insurance companies are competing to be listed on Arkansas's new Health Insurance Marketplace, a top action item under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
A contender provides us their take on selling insurance products in the new era of health reform.
Governor Mike Beebe says that while four sites are currently under consideration for a new state veterans' home, that potential still exists for other options should they arise. And, the Seville Hotel in Harrison is back on the market, some seek denied school transfer requests to be overturned in Little rock, an awareness campaign aims to decrease drivers illegally passing school buses and Mark Darr sets off another waterfall of political candidacies with his announcement that he will run for Congressman Tom Cotton's seat in Washington next year.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks: the musical instruments that could only be made Ed Stilley. He created his guitars, mandolins and fiddles by hand…and used springs, saw blades and Dixie cups to construct them. We'll hear about a new exhibit of his instruments opening soon at Walton Arts Center and we'll hear a new song written about him, played on two of the instruments he made. Plus crystal Bridges Museum of American Art prepares for the one millionth visit and an update on an ambitious effort by the Old Fort Homeless Coalition.
After listening to speculation about Tom Cotton's political future for months, he finally, formally announced his intention to run for a Senate seat. This week's montage focuses on other cottons:
- Zooey Deschanel's Cotton commercial
- Michael Jordan's Hanes Lay Flat T-shirt commercial
- Golden Corral cotton candy commercial
- "Cotton Candy Land" by Elvis Presley
- :Peter Cottontail" by Gene Autry
- A clip from Francis Ford Coppola's movie The Cotton Club
- "Cotton Mouth Man" by James Cotton (featuring Joe Bonamassa)
- "Cotton Fields" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
- "Pickin' Time" by Johnny Cash
- "Cotton Eye Joe" by Rednex
William Lyle, the current executive chef at Ella's Restaurant has been hired as the new executive chef at Eleven.
Recently, the duo Air Loom stopped by the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio for a conversation and a live performance.Artists find inspiration in all kinds of places, including the produce section of the world's largest retailer.
From millage elections to sales tax votes and even a run for U.S. Senate, we've covered a lot of political ground in the past seven days.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Friday, April 11, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, Roby Brock discusses the latest poll results on Arkansas elections, and we explore a new educational standard that aims to bring about a revolution in science education.
Becca Martin Brown of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers reminds us that the Washtington Elementary PTO will host the 10th annual Tour of Homes Saturday.
Ozarks at Large's Meredith Martin Moats recently sat in on a conversation with Bud Rector, who will turn 99 later this year and has lived almost all his life in Yell County. We conclude her two-part report on his recollections of an Arkansas that has nearly vanished.
Daniel Hintz from Downtown Bentonville explains why dogs will rule an upcoming farmers' market and why art will be all over the city in June.
Arkansas Auditor of State Charlie Daniels announces he will not run for reelection and that he will retire from politics after nearly 30 years as a state constitutional officer. Benton County finishes an assessment regarding storm damage done to county roads last month. Early voting begins today to renew Sebastian County's 1 percent sales tax. And the state's largest non-government food aid charity gets a new chief executive.
"Dynomite" by March Fourth Marching Band
We tour Arkansas's first swine breeding CAFO (confined feeding animal operation) permitted to house 6,500 sows and piglets. Opponents claim it will impair the Buffalo National River Watershed and seek to shut it down.
Web Exclusive: Images From the C & H Hog Farm
