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.
Patrice Gros produces organic vegetables year-round on Foundation Farm located in northern Carroll County. He doesn’t own a tractor, tiller or plow. Instead he practices a system called “no-till farming,” established in the mid-twentieth century.
“Poor Old Dirt Farmer” by Levon Helm
Students of the University of Arkansas system may face tuition increases; a new poll shows President Barack Obama is not gaining popularity in Arkansas; and more – on today’s Ozarks at Large Half-Time.
Becca Bacon Martin from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers has a variety of things on her to-do list today.
“Hurricane Season” by Trombone Shorty
Teresa Maurer with the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market discusses the preparations and produce that’ll be available when the market returns next week.
For a recipe involving chard, click here.
Relevant Links:
Fayetteville Forward Celebration and Local Food Discussion:
http://accesscommunitylink.org/2012/03/12/fayetteville-forward-community-engagement-fair/
Fayetteville Farmers Market (including signing up for customer newsletter):
http://www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org/
NWA Local Food Guide info and submissions
http://www.nwalocalfoodguide.org/
Ozark Slow Food Event:
www.ozarkslowfood.org
Columnist Wayne Bell from www.fayettevilleflyer.com discusses the charm (or not) of a movie franchise.
“Not Their Fight” by David Holmes