Governor Mike Beebe says that a package of tax cuts approved yesterday by the Arkansas Senate is acceptable, though he worries about the cuts' impact in the years to come after he leaves office. A proposed constitutional amendment that would move ethics reform forward in the state moves closer to the ballot after receiving final approval by the legislature. The latest on cleanup efforts on the Mayflower oil spill, in spite of the potential for severe weather. Plans for the Sebastian County aquatics park move forward, and a group at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville plans to take back the night with an annual event aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence.
Ozarks At Large

The Arkansas Senate followed the House's lead in passing a federally backed expansion of the state's Medicaid system, and all that remains is final approval from Washington. The Arkansas Governor's race gets a little more crowded with an official announcement by former Congressman Mike Ross. Arkansas' two Senators give their thoughts on the Gang of Eight proposed immigration reform package. A hearing is held today in Nebraska regarding the Keystone XL pipeline, and a Bentonville group wants to turn Fridays into bike days.



Becca Martin Brown from Nortwest Arkansas Media ponders the definition of a jam rocker while reminding us that Umphrey's McGee will perform at George's Majestic Lounge tonight.
The Arkansas Legislature was a flurry of activity yesterday, with passage not only of Medicaid expansion, but the House also advanced bills regarding cuts to the state's income, capital gains and utility taxes. The House also passed the Senate bill that will provide financial support for construction of the Big River Steel superproject ion Osceola. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel rejects the latest proposed ballot initiative regarding medical marijuana, and Northwest Arkansas' two baseball teams have a disappointing Tuesday.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Weekend Ozarks, we visit the kitchen of Jen Lewis, take a spin in a state-run clinic that aids veterans in rural communities, and we meet a recovering opiate addict who has found hope with methadone.
Dave Baer made the drive from near Ponca to the Carver Center for Public Radio for his first visit to Ozarks at Large. He talks about writing songs and plays a couple as well.
Still no House vote on the Private Option, though a House committee forwarded a Senate bill to leave the Lt. Governor's office vacant until November, and Axciom made it's third and potentially final round of layoffs, expected to save the company between 20 and 30 million dollars.
"Hope Springs Eternal" by Capecaillie
More than 200 Arkansas public schools this winter received a piece of a $7 million dollar cream pie, under the Arkansas School Recognition and Reward Program. As Jacqueline Froelich reports, two of the schools are in Huntsville’s District.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (www.agfc.com) is looking at buying a 42-acre plot of land north of Jasper to expand operations.
The Butterfield Trail Elementary Archery Team came in first place in a recent regional tournament. We meet the 24 member team during an after school practice as they prepare to head to the state tournament.