Arkansas's new state treasurer is reshaping policies of the office based on input from employees of the division. The 2014 fiscal year begins today with a new budget for the state, which includes increased spending for Medicaid and higher education. Today is the deadline for public input on the state's new voter ID law. Political commentators ruminate on Tom Cotton's chances for running a successful Senate campaign against Mark Pryor. And, Benton County starts looking at building a new courts building to replace the current one, built in 1928.
Ozarks At Large
Former state treasurer Martha Shoffner talks to reporters on her way into the courtroom in Little Rock. Some state lawmakers wonder if Arkansas can cover the cost of the so-called private option when the state has to pick up part of the cost in a few years. And UAFS gets a sizable gift to help expand the college's nursing program.
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks: what does yesterday's Supreme Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act mean for Arkansas? And Jim Fairbanks talks about his new memoir about getting stronger after being diagnosed with diabetes. We'll also take a spin around Siloam Springs' new outdoor gym and say a farewell to our regular Thursday guest, Jodi Beznoska.
A Rally is held today in Little Rock to call on Senator Mark Pryor to support gun control legislation. The City of Fayetteville will likely take over management of paid parking at the U of A's West Annex parking lot. Three countries stop importing Arkansas chicken after an outbreak of avian flu in Scott county. And a Siloam Springs chicken magnate gets named the new head of the NWA Council.
Home BancShares, owner of Centennial Bank, announces its acquisition of Liberty BancShares of Jonesboro, nearly doubling the bank's reach in the state. Head Start of Washington County will close two classrooms as a result of federal sequestration of part of the organization's budget. A strain of bird flu found in Scott County has been isolated and contained. And some state campgrounds closed because of flooding have reopened.
On this edition of Ozarks, two legislators discuss the role of Planned Parenthood in Arkansas' health care future and upcoming examinations of the state's parole and probation process. We also hear why a possible national designation for the White River has some people concerned. We'll also spend an afternoon at Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point, where musicians, singers and an entire community combines to create summer entertainment.
The Amazeum won't open until 2015, but Sam Dean, the director of the new science and learning museum, says that museum officials already have some idea of what the exhibits, and the building itself, will look like.
A group protesting construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in Oklahoma, including members from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and California, chain themselves to equipment at a construction site on the pipeline to prevent construction from moving forward. Officials in Central Arkansas lament a lack of access to documents related to the Mayflower Oil spill, leading to what they view as a lack of oversight. Rogers aldermen look to spend just more than $1 million on a trails project. And state officials draft a waiver that would allow the state to use federal Medicaid dollars for the state's so-called "private option" Medicaid expansion plan.
Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point's season runs through July 19 and will feature Madama Butterfly, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Elixir of Love.For more about other drama events happening in the area, visit the following links:
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Weekend Ozarks, a conversation with author Joyce Carol Oates prior to her lecture in Fayetteville. Plus, a bit of tinkering before the Amazeum opens to children and the community next fall.
Carroll County’s Quorum Court failed to secure an ordinance to establish public rural water system several years ago, after voters repealed it, claiming the project was being pushed and controlled by a minority of developers. But now the QC’s water committee is looking to convince a majority of residents to support a more transparent public water facilities board-facilitated project.
"Eye Can't See" by Nightmares on Wax
The just-published Encyclopedia of Arkansas Music has entries about the most famous Arkansas musicians like Johnny Cash and Louis Jordan. It also has lesser known, but still very important, figures like the musician known as Moondog and Bob Burns.
The UA Center for Advanced Spatial Technology starts a study to try to get a more accurate attendance count during Bikes, Blues and BBQ. UA Chancellor David Gearhart answers questions by state legislators regarding a recent audit of the University's Advancement Division. Walmart gives a sizable grant to the NWA Council to help improve the quality of life in northwest Arkansas. And, the American Cancer Society is starting a new long-range cancer study this week across the nation, with survey sites as follows.
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 17 at Hope Cancer Resources in Springdale
2 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 18 at the Fayetteville Public Library
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 19 at the Mercy Family YMCA in Rogers
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday Sept 20 at the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary's in Rogers.
"Boy With A Coin" by Iron & Wine
Roby Brock from Talk Business Arkansas discusses Governor Beebe weighing in on the teacher insurance crisis and more in his weekly business and political news recap.
"Let Her Go" by Passenger
A new study by UA Department of Education Reform on how students are effected by a field trip to Crystal Bridges is being published in the journal Education Next.
