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.
Becca Martin Brown reminds us that W. Stuart Towns, author of “Enduring Legacy: Rhetoric and Ritual of the Lost Cause,” will have a reading and book signing today at Fort Smith Museum of History.
The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in Arkansas. The Civil War Sesquicentennial will be celebrated between 2011 and 2015.
Later this summer, a dozen bronze plaques will be placed on the sidewalk outside the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock to honor the service and sacrifice of Civil Rights’ era icons. Recently Malcom Glover of our partner station KUAR attended ceremonies surrounding the unveiling of the historic markers etched with the names of the Little Rock Nine, NAACP activists L.C. and Daisy Bates, and civil rights attorney Christopher Mercer, Jr.
Governor Mike Beebe is encouraging state legislators to move cautiously with the state’s financial surplus, a member of the UA faculty is receiving a distinguished award from the National Science Foundation, and more.
Music: “Stratosphere Boogie” by: Speedy West
The U.S. Veterans Health Administration is increasing psychiatric staff and support services across the country to help meet veterans' needs. For more information, visit VA.gov.
“Helping Hand” by: Yo Yo Ma