A legislative task force is ironing out its recommendations for a new state veterans' home to be built in one of four potential cities. And, early voting begins today on a zoning issue in Russellville that could determine whether a Walmart Neighborhood Market will be built in that city.
Ozarks At Large

Becca Martin Brown gives us the details on an exhibit at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, as well as music happening in the region in the coming week.
While it may not be an award you'd be thrilled about if informed ahead of time, the award bestowed upon the University of Arkansas last week would likely please any entity after the fact.
Meredith Martin Moats continues her summer series on books about Arkansas with a review of a biography about Harvey Couch.
You can read more from Meredith at theboileddownjuice.com.

A small, but consistent, effort is underway in Fort Smith to connect firms with job openings to people seeking work.
In the first month of the fiscal year, Arkansas state revenue shows signs of growth. The Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce is supporting the millage proposal to be decided by voters next month. The Illinois River Watershed Partnership gets more than $1 million in grant funding for green infrastructure. And a former Razorback wins the British Open.


Here are our ten clips dedicated to leather-wearing cool guys and gals everywhere:
1. Staying Cool in West Side Story
2. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
3. The theme from Sons of Anarchy, performed by Curtis Stigers and The Forest.
4. The Fonz.
5. Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone sing I Wanna Be Sedated.
6. Marlon Brando in The Wild One.
7. Billy Idol sings Dancing With Myself.
8. Trinity looks for an escape in The Matrix.
9. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
10. A transformed Olivia Newton John goes for John Travolta at the end of Grease.
Apologies to Uncle Jessie from Full House, James Dean from that iconic poster (was his red jacket in Rebel Without A Cause leather?) and Born to Run-era Bruce Springsteen.
1. Staying Cool in West Side Story
2. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
3. The theme from Sons of Anarchy, performed by Curtis Stigers and The Forest.
4. The Fonz.
5. Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone sing I Wanna Be Sedated.
6. Marlon Brando in The Wild One.
7. Billy Idol sings Dancing With Myself.
8. Trinity looks for an escape in The Matrix.
9. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
10. A transformed Olivia Newton John goes for John Travolta at the end of Grease.
Apologies to Uncle Jessie from Full House, James Dean from that iconic poster (was his red jacket in Rebel Without A Cause leather?) and Born to Run-era Bruce Springsteen.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
On this special edition of Ozarks at Large we listen again to some of our favorite stories from 2013, including: skydiving for charity, an odd windy phenomenon that is at home in the Ozarks, Dave Barry on writing and everything you wanted to know about the Wiener Mobile.
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.