On today's show, we hear about the impact the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on food insecurity in the Arkansas River Valley and the state's tourism industry. Plus, we find out why the Fayetteville Housing Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the employment of the agency's executive director. And, we speak with local singer-songwriter Ashtyn Barbaree about an upcoming performance and making new music during the pandemic.

Ozarks at Large

Ozarks at Large for Friday, March 12, 2021

On today's show, we head to Fayetteville's industrial park where a group of residents is concerned an unmarked cemetery is being covered up by a development. Plus, we find out what the new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mean for Arkansans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. And, we celebrate the many identities of women in this week's edition of Sound Perimeter with University of Arkansas Music Professor Lia Uribe.

Ozarks at Large for Thursday, March 11, 2021

On today's show, we have a discussion about the complexities of the state's latest proposed Medicaid expansion program called ARHOME. And, we find out about Arkansas's two new varieties of wine grapes that were developed by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture following decades of breeding and research. Plus, we learn about proposed legislation that would allow schools to create bilingual and dual immersion programs that supporters say benefit both English learners and native English speakers.

Ozarks at Large for Tuesday, March 9, 2021

On today's show, we find out about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on local criminal justice systems after nearly a year of jury trial suspension. Plus, we speak with Michael Tilley of Talk Business and Politics about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the ranks of the Fort Smith Fire Department. And, we have details on a new medical school that will be going up in Bentonville thanks to a Walmart heiress.

Ozarks at Large for Friday, March 5, 2021

On today's show, we head to the Community Clinic of Northwest Arkansas, which will the first center in the state selected for participation in a COVID-19 vaccine equity initiative. Plus, we find out about a new accelerated nursing degree program at UAMS Northwest that aims to address a nursing shortage in Arkansas. And, we head into the archives at the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History to understand the lasting legacy of the Little Rock Nine.

Ozarks at Large for Monday, March 1, 2021

On today's show, we learn about a bill that expands scholarship eligibility to certain students and why it had to get rushed through the Arkansas Legislature. Plus, we have information about the state's "stand your ground" bill, which also passed this week after failing to make it through committee on the first go round. And, we have highlights from the governor's second coronavirus response briefing this week during which he made three major announcements.

Ozarks at Large for Friday, February 26, 2021

On today's show, we hear about the latest findings in the 2021 Rural Profile of Arkansas Report from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Plus, we speak with attorneys from Legal Aid of Arkansas about the lawsuit the organization filed against the Division of Workforce Services as problems with the state's unemployment benefits system persist. And, we head to the Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre as dancers get ready for their first live performance since the start of the pandemic.

Ozarks at Large for Thursday, February 25, 2021

On today's show, we have highlights from the governor's weekly coronavirus response briefing, which include information about vaccine eligibility for people 65 and older. Plus, we find out how people and animals are fairing in Texas following two winter storms and what organizations on the ground need to help with recovery. And, we have information about a book drive that's being held by the Benton County Sheriff's Office to restock the jail library.

Ozarks at Large for Wednesday, February 24, 2021

On today's show, we head deep into the hollows of Eureka Springs to track down a remote long-lost spring that played a role in the creation of the Ozarka Natural Spring Water company. Plus, we learn about a new initiative that aims to help vulnerable Arkansans with their medical debt. And, we speak with the coordinators of Slow Streets NWA as they get ready to launch this year's program.

Ozarks at Large for Monday, February 22, 2021

On today's show, we speak with several local small business owners who were some of the 30 people who received a fully-funded Kiva loan after applying through the micro-lending platform with the help of the NWA Kiva Hub. Plus, we hear from Arkansas Sen. Jim Hendren who announced this morning that he is leaving the GOP to become an Independent. And, we head to Huntsville where one family had to open up their kitchen to their calves to keep them warm during this week's snow storms and low temperatures.

Ozarks at Large for Thursday, February 18, 2021

On today's show, we hear from local county emergency managers as the state gets hammered by two winter storms and temperatures in the negatives. Plus, we have highlights from the governor's weekly coronavirus response briefing where he announced changes to restrictions on indoor gatherings. And, we speak with peace activists about why they're asking the University of Arkansas to end its collaboration with Honeywell International.

Ozarks at Large for Wednesday, February 17, 2021

On today's show, retired nurses are stepping up to help with care during the pandemic. Also, members of the Citizens First Congress are pressing for better compliance with mandated COVID-19 protective practices during the 2021 Arkansas Legislative Session. Plus, representatives with the Arkansas Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock discuss upcoming public events, previously available only to those who could attend in person, now virutally open to all.

Ozarks at Large for Tuesday, February 16, 2021

On today’s show, the world of conspiracy theories, featuring a preview of a lecture and Honors College Seminar to be delivered tomorrow evening by Ryan Neville-Shepard, an assistant professor of communications at the University of Arkansas. Plus from the Pryor Center Vault, the life of a war hero and humble Arkansas politician, Nathan Gordon. And Zuzanna Sitek speaks with "Facing South" reporter Olivia Paschal about her recent investigative report examining the poultry industry's response to the pandemic. And a warning from Arkansas electric utilities during a worsening winter storm: businesses and residents must conserve energy or face possible power losses over the coming week.

Ozark at Large for Monday, February 15, 2021

On today's show end another not-quite-normal week spending much of tonight’s show in the past. We feature archives segments with elephant themes: the first on a rescued herd of elephants residing in an Arkansas sanctuary, which first aired in 2002, and the band "Elephant Revival" which performed in the Firmin-Garner Performance Studio circa 2014. Plus we have a fresh visit with Becca Martin Brown, the features editor at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Ozarks at Large for Friday, February 12, 2021

On today's show, we find out how the Walton Family Foundation plans to approach its support for organizations and nonprofits over the next five years. Plus, we hear from the Greenwood Bulldogs football team janitor about what it was like to find out the players and coaches had gotten him a state championship ring. And, we hear from the head of a California-based fintech company that's coming to Bentonville and bringing a hundred new jobs with it.

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Ozarks at Large

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