
Ozarks At Large

Governor Mike Beebe yesterday released the results of an investigation into the Arkansas Department of Community Correction, and that systemic problems exist within the department. Excess state revenue in October may be needed later this year, according to a state economist. Work gets underway at Fayetteville's Wilson Park, as renovations begin to the buildings at the park's pool. A longtime lobbyist for the U of A announces his retirement. And the Walton College of Business gets another favorable ranking.

We speak with Marcos Villatoro, the director of "Tamale Road," a documentary about his quest to find out more about his heritage.

Housing sales numbers for September show positive improvement in the housing market across Arkansas. Governor Beebe warns state lawmakers about the implications of defunding the state's Private Option expansion of Medicaid during the fiscal session in a few months. And Rogers-based Ozark Mountain Poultry opens a second facility in Batesville.


Becca Martin Brown tells us that the U.S. Marshals' Museum in Fort Smith will soon have a cornerstone ceremony for its hall of honor.
Here is the list for our montage on the 100th anniversary of the income tax in the United States:
1. The Beatles, of course, with Taxman.
2. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, as the Blues Brothers, beat the tax deadline.
3. Johnny Cash sings After Taxes.
4. Robert De Niro's Al Capone thinks he can beat the tax rap in the (historically inaccurate) movie The Untouchables.
5. The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon.
6. Andy makes a reluctant partner in The Shawshank Redemption.
7. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings wonder What if We All Stopped Paying Taxes.
8. Errol Flynn challenges Claude Rains in Robin Hood.
9. A can't-miss plan is hatched by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder in the original version of The Producers.
10. Danny Kaye uses Irving Berlin's lyrics to proclaim I Paid My Income Tax Today.
Apologies to: Willie Nelson, James Brown, Billy Bragg, Johnny Paycheck and the makers of The Joe Louis Story. Maybe next time.
1. The Beatles, of course, with Taxman.
2. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, as the Blues Brothers, beat the tax deadline.
3. Johnny Cash sings After Taxes.
4. Robert De Niro's Al Capone thinks he can beat the tax rap in the (historically inaccurate) movie The Untouchables.
5. The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon.
6. Andy makes a reluctant partner in The Shawshank Redemption.
7. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings wonder What if We All Stopped Paying Taxes.
8. Errol Flynn challenges Claude Rains in Robin Hood.
9. A can't-miss plan is hatched by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder in the original version of The Producers.
10. Danny Kaye uses Irving Berlin's lyrics to proclaim I Paid My Income Tax Today.
Apologies to: Willie Nelson, James Brown, Billy Bragg, Johnny Paycheck and the makers of The Joe Louis Story. Maybe next time.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, February 24, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks at Large, the types of food establishments--restaurants, convenience stores, grocers, fast food businesses--that surround a school have an impact on childhood obesity. We speak to two U of A System Division of Agriculture researchers who make that claim. Plus, Habitat for Humanity Washington County completes its 50th home, Roby Brock has his Talk Business Arkansas update, Becca Martin Brown tells us What's Up, and more.
The band Speck Mountain creates a sound all its own, and our reviewer says that’s a great thing.
Republican leaders of Arkansas' legislature met with the media yesterday to discuss their plans to shore up the state's Medicaid system during the upcoming legislative session. Fort Smith looks to purchase property for a new recreational facility, the first of its kind in the city. And Fayetteville is recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the nation.
"Bumblebee Blues" by Tampa Red
An Ozark native who grew up exploring urban woodlands as a boy, left the Natural State for New York, where he now works as Principle Urban Designer for the City of New York Parks & Recreation. We amble with Charles McKinney, during a holiday visit, along the Fayetteville Trail to learn more about his big life in the Big Apple.
Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers says the rush of the holidays is over, but there is already a packed scheduled of events…even for a January Tuesday.
Catch Me if You Can, a Tony Award-winning musical, opens tonight at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. We caught up with a cast member to ask about the ambitious stage production based on a true story of forgery and deceit.