Senator John Boozman says he would like to see the National Security Agency use more focused efforts to curb terrorism rather than relying on programs that use mass collections of data. The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners approves a draft of rules for implementing the state's new voter ID law. Work is expected to begin soon on clearing the Cache River, a tributary of the White River. And the special collections department at the UA's Mullins Library unveils a new exhibit to celebrate National LGBT Pride month.
Ozarks At Large


Becca says the Fort Smith Museum of History is presenting a recreation of the Boston Store's tea room at noon Thursday.
Execution dates for inmates on death row in Arkansas have been put on hold. State lawmakers rally in Little Rock, urging the state's supreme court to uphold a judgement against drugmaker Johnson and Johnson. Also in the state capitol, close attention is being paid to how the state's parole monitoring system is being managed. Mercy Health Northwest in Rogers opens a new center to serve geriatrics in the area. And more trees are on the way for one parking lot in downtown Fayetteville.



The state Department of Corrections is looking for a vendor for pharmaceuticals used in lethal injections. Several hundred-thousand-dollars will be given out in reparations to victims of crimes during the month of May. The Bentonville School District continues its push toward a millage election in September, and the city of Fayetteville considers an ordinance that would place restrictions on door-to-door solicitation.


Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, Spring is officially here, and warmer weather will soon bring with it insects like mayflies and damsel flies out and about. But before those bugs mature, they spend their young lives as nymphs in local waterways. We visit a local creek to see what is swimming and crawling beneath the surface. Plus, a conversation with another one of this year's gubernatorial candidates, Mike Ross. The Democrat has aspirations that stretch beyond this November. And back-handsprings and lateral bars: what it takes to be one of the best gymnastics programs in the country. We spend some time with the Arkansas Razorback Gymbacks, who will host this year's national championship regionals this week.
We continue our week-long series on summer camps by finding out more about the five weeks of art classes at Arts Center of the Ozarks.
PLUS: here are some links to some art camps in the region:
To learn more about the ACO camps, click here.
The Community Creative Center in Fayetteville has no shortage of camps this summer
The University of Arkansas Fort Smith Academy of the Arts isn't just song, dance and music…there are summer art camps beginning in June as well.
This is the second summer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and there are camps there, too. Click through to their website, then click on the Summer Camps button on the home page.
Carter Sampson pulled her RV into the parking lot at the Carver Center for Public Radio yesterday. She played two songs…here's one of them. Another song and our conversation with her can be heard on Friday’s edition of Ozarks at Large.
You can see her at 8 o'clock tomorrow night at Frisco Club in Rogers and at 9 o'clock Wednesday night at Smoke and Barrel in Fayetteville.
Bob Clinard, Benton County Judge, declared the county a disaster zone Friday, after the county saw more than 6 inches of rain in the latter half of the week. A recent report shows meaningful long-term benefits for children taking part in the state's "Better Chance Pre-K" program. Rahm Emanuel, mayor of Chicago, spoke at the graduation for the Clinton School of Public Service over the weekend. Governor Mike Beebe likens the recently passed Arkansas Private Option to the successful ARKids First program, though he says that the children's insurance program has room to improve.
"A Heart's a Mess" by Gotye
Dr. Megan Witonski says that she is thrilled to take her new post with the Arkansas Department of Education as assistant commissioner with the Division of Learning Services. Among the many responsibilities of the new job is the state's transition to the set of common language arts and math standards being implemented by 45 states.