Ahead on Ozarks: Michael Tilley from The City Wire helps us keep with the moving pieces in the puzzle that is the 2014 Arkansas election. Plus last-minute Valentine’s Day plans courtesy of Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers and Shannon Wurst explains one inspiration for writing love songs.
Ozarks At Large
The state legislature yesterday continued considering changes to the Private Option in order for the Medicaid expansion to continue, at least for the remainder of the year, changes that Governor Mike Beebe doesn't necessarily agree with, though he does concede the amendments make the bill more pallatable to some politicians. And Crystal Bridges gets a new installation just in time for Valentine's Day.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, a movement in Fayetteville is encouraging residents to be kind to others, not just on Valentine's Day, but all year long. Plus, extremely cold temperatures and out of the ordinary snow storms have some wondering about climate change. We speak with one U of A researcher about global warming's effects on vegetation. And, two R&B divas perform in the region, Becca Martin Brown tells us what's up and more.
February is a month of compassion in Fayetteville. We hear this story of compassion from Kristina Andazola.
One researcher at the University of Arkansas has been taking a look at what would happen to the planet's surface vegetation if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate through the end of the century.
Charles Baum was both a philanthropist and a baseball lover. We learn more about the man behind the Arkansas Razorback's baseball stadium.
State legislators yesterday suggested several amendments that would allow the state's private option expansion of Medicaid to continue, and one of the state's circuit judges calls for a moratorium on building new prison facilities in Arkansas.
When the Federal Communications Commission opened up licensing opportunities for thousands of new independent low-power non-commercial FM radio stations in 2010, several dozen Arkansas groups applied. In northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville Community Radio appears to have made the cut. We meet Joe Newman, station manager, and volunteers Olivia Hines and Moshe Newmark.
The fiscal session of the Arkansas legislature continued yesterday, with talk about the Private Option and NOT talk of dealying Common Core implementation. The Washington county Sheriff's Office moves its enforcement and investigation divisions into the same space after remodeling 10,000 square feet of the department's east annex. The search for a missing Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot ended sadly yesterday. And Walmart is the latest in a string of multi-million dollar donors to the new Arkansas Music Pavilion under construction in Rogers.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks: In 1980, thousands left Castro's Cuba on a boatlift to the United States. Many of them were given housing at Fort Chaffee. Jacqueline Froelich examines what happened then, what's happened since…and why historians are spending time getting the facts correct. Plus, a new adult education library for Northwest Arkansas Community College.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families releases a new report on children's health coverage. Also, a project looks at the idea of community, we hear an interview with gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross, and more.
Here are the eleven elements of today's Christmas tree montage:
Miles Davis' version of "O Christmas Tree"
Mr. Wilson volunteers to cut down a tree in a 1961 episode of "Dennis the Menace"
The Griswald Family goes a long way for the perfect tree in "Christmas Vacation"
Brenda Lee's classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Charlie Brown selects a tiny, sad tree in the "CHarlie Brown Christmas Special"
Tchaikovsky's "Christmas Tree" from "The Nutcracker Suite"
Cindy Lou Who questions the Grinch
Zuzu explains that bell ornament on the tree at the end of "It's A Wonderful Life"
Elvis and "Blue Christmas"
Festivus revealed on a classic episode of "Seinfeld"
Wynton Marsalis gives "O Christmas Tree" a bit of New Orleans bounce
Becca Martin Brown gives us a hurried list of holiday happenings for this afternoon in the region.
The Arkansas Supreme Court rules in favor of two school districts in their suit against the state Department of Education and the state treasurer. Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel files suit against two Washington County companies. And, Governor Mike Beebe's office weighs in on yesterday's jobs announcement in Fort Smith.
"It's Almost December" by The Real Pills
A deal for the Whirlpool plant falls through, a new manufacturer announces an arrival and unemployment numbers are released. Michael Tilley with the City Wire provides the details.
"A Great Adventure" by Carter Burwell
Jay Jennings has collected the short fiction, reporting and essays of Charles Portis in a new book, Escape Velocity: A Charles Portis Miscellany. He’ll discuss the book at Nightbird Books tomorrow night.