Ozarks At Large
Simultaneous tax cuts and hikes, charter schools and the latest on Medicaid expansion from the state legislature; jockeys prepare for this weekend's Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn; more sidewalks in Fayetteville and the population continues to grow in Northwest Arkansas; all in today's Segment A.
The Arkansas General Assembly moves forward with a controversial voter ID bill, education and education supporters rally against a proposal that would shift money from the state's general fund into highway construction, and Arkansas' U.S. Senate contingent speaks out about efforts to pass a federal budget.


State lawmakers continue to weigh the issue of Medicaid expansion two weeks after receiving word from Washington that federal Medicaid expansion funds could be used for a privatized expansion of the system. A pair of lawmakers also weigh in on how recent anti-abortion legislation has affected Arkansas' reputation in the rest of the country. And a controlled burn is set for tomorrow in one local city.
Late last week, the Northwest Arkansas Council released the results of a study on the area's Business Retention and Expansion Efforts. The study was compiled from interviews by area chambers of commerce with 459 area companies. We speak with Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the council about the survey and what the results mean for the area moving forward.
Another area city plans to speak out against a bill in the Arkansas Legislature that could mean a rollback of city development regulations. Governor Mike Beebe touts the state's efforts to make sure fewer children in Arkansas go hungry, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art again gets national recognition, not for its paintings but for the construction of the museum itsself.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, distance education will have a strong presence in a program on the University of Arkansas campus next fall, plus Rogers Little Theatre brings a comedy classic to the stage. We go behind the scenes with The Man Who Came To Dinner.
This weekend Fayetteville shoppers will be able to shop at local businesses and have an easy way to adopt a dog. More information is available at www.facebook.com/faydogdaysofsummer.
“The Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine
New cell phone devices and other portable electronics are providing new ways for people to communicate with each other even if they have trouble seeing the keys. Hali Phillips from our content partner KUAR has this report on the benefits of assisted technology.
Governor Mike Beebe says he continues to look into the benefits and fiscal feasibility of Arkansas opting into the expansion of Medicaid coverage that is part of the Affordable Care Act; the Arkansas Forestry Commission says despite some recent rains in parts of the state, much of Arkansas’ fire danger remains high; and more.
“Blue in Green” by: Mods Tolling
A notable part of Ramadan is prayer so the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville has allocated its lecture hall as a place where Muslims can go to pray during certain times of the day. In this interview, Hameed Naseem, faculty adviser for the Al-Islam Student Association, explains more about the holy month of Ramadan. For more information, visit Multicultural.uark.edu.
Roby Brock from www.TalkBusiness.net talks with Arkansas’ Surgeon General, Joe Thompson, and Micheal Stock, the CEO of QualChoice, one of the state’s largest health insurance companies, about what to expect now that the Affordable Health Care Act has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court. Roby began the conversation by asking Michael Stock what the new law means for Arkansans.
“Chelsea Bridge” by:Vince Guaraldi Trio