Ozarks at Large

We start our show with Governor Asa Hutchinson's call for prison expansion, a citizenship session at Fayetteville Public Library, and the latest COVID-19 information for Arkansas.

Tourism spending and air travel in Arkansas have picked up, but are not back to pre-pandemic levels. Michael Tilley, with our partner Talk Business and Politics, covers these matters and more.

After the all-time high of 46 COVID-19 patients last month, nearly double that of the previous peak last June, Arkansas Children's Hospital's Executive Vice President Dr. Rick Barr recounts how staff navigated the high and the trends they observed in pediatric cases.

The northeastern Oklahoma conservation group Save the Illinois River claims inadequate wastewater treatment in northwest Arkansas threatens downstream water quality in the river shared by both states. We hear from STIR cofounder Ed Brocksmith about the group's concerns and solutions, and Heath Ward, executive director of Springdale Water Utilties and a vice chair on the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority.

Every year Becca Martin Brown, the features editor at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reminds us that Valentine's Day is approaching. She does so this year with ideas for outings around the holiday.

There is continued discussion about the possibility of new testing regarding evidence related to the West Memphis 3 case. Brandon Tabor, with our partner KASU, and George Jared, with Talk Business and Politics, get us up to date.

On today's show, the growth of the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas means more opportunities for young people to further their education. Plus, Mitch Walking Elk offers a preview of his virtual visit with the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville and much more.

Oklahoma's total case count of COVID-19 now exceeds 1,000,000. Both Oklahoma and Arkansas report another significant increase in fatal cases of the virus.

The Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas has announced they are increasing their 2022 scholarship for students who plan to continue their education after high school.

Laura Merling, the former Chief Transformation Officer for Google is the new Chief Transformation and Operations Officer for Arvest Bank. She is the featured guest on this week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

Mitch Walking Elk, an Oklahoma native, is an educator, singer, songwriter and activist. He'll be the next guest for the Hear Our Voices series at the Museum of Native American History via Facebook Live.

This week, University of Arkansas music professor Lia Uribe explores the tabla, the main percussive instrument used in Northern Indian classical music. Featuring music and performances by Nilan Chaudhuri, Dinuk Wijeratne the Boston Conservatory Orchestra, Sandeep Das, Bjork and Talvin Singh.

On today's show, hearing more about early African-Americans in this region. Plus, paths to Black entrepreneurship in northwest Arkansas, a hip hop show at George's Majestic Lounge tonight, and much more.

While reported new cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas are slowing, reported deaths from the disease are not.

Dr. Caree Banton, host of Undisciplined, gathered a panel of Black business owners from across northwest Arkansas to discuss their experiences. In an excerpt from the live recording, we hear what inspired them to start their own business. Find more information about upcoming Undisciplined Live recordings here.

The Washington County Historical Society's Diverse Settlers Committee — originally named Black Settlers — has produced a virtual Black History Month program for 2022. Founding member, Margaret Clark, explains the origins and mission of the committee.

This week's examination of University of Arkansas history concentrates on Silas Hunt and others who figured in the long journey of integration at the school.

Jasper Logan and Baang bring hip hop to George's Majestic Lounge tonight. We talked with them about music, promotion and friendship in advance of the concert.

On today's show, a change at Heifer International. Plus, our Militant Grammarian tracks down idiom origins, looking at the RNC censure, and much more.

Our show begins with the Monday report from the Arkansas Department of Health about COVID-19. Known new cases appear to be slowing, but deaths from the virus continue to be reported at high numbers.

Washington County Quorum Court Jail/Law Enforcement/Courts Committee members Monday night approved a non-binding resolution expressing appreciation for Dr. Robert Karas, operator of Karas Correctional Health in Fayetteville. Karas is under contract to medically treat county jail detainees. Karas prescribes off-label use of ivermectin, not approved by FDA, to prevent or treat Covid-19 in the jail. ACLU-Arkansas last month filed a federal lawsuit against Karas and the county claiming medical maltreatment of hundreds of county jail detainees.

Early voting is underway ahead of today's special City Council election in Fayetteville. Late last week during a major winter storm that paralyzed the region, we encountered a couple hiking in deepening snow to early vote at the county courthouse, the only county facility open during that day — proving that Democracy works even during a blizzard.

John Brummett from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and Roby Brock from our partner Talk Business and Politics discuss GOP censure and more in their weekly conversation.

Dr. Caree Banton, Director of the African and African-American Studies program at the University of Arkansas and host of the podcast Undisciplined, along with KUAF public radio, presents a series of four live podcast recordings in celebration of Black History Month. The first event is tonight at 5pm at Into+View Art Gallery and Studio in Rogers.

You know what it means if you "let the cat of the bag" or "butter up" somebody. But why, exactly, do we say these things? Our Militant Grammarian, Katherine Shurlds, offers origins of some common idioms.

Over the weekend Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation released a barred owl back into the wild, four months after being taken in for severe head trauma and a broken leg. The owl was cheered on by a crowd of nearly 100 people at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville.

On today's show, saving the Buffalo River, again. Plus, the Scott Family Amazeum seeks creative minds to come be a part of the crew, and much more.

The latest report from the Arkansas Department of Health indicates fewer new cases of COVID-19 from a testing day when much of the state was still thawing out from a winter storm.

“Save the Buffalo River … Again” authored by Brian Thompson details the seven-year long battle to shutter an industrial swine breeding facility situated a few miles upstream of our nation's first declared national river. Sourcing news accounts, scientific studies, stakeholders, as well as lead opposition group, Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, Thompson reveals how corporate pork producers attempted but failed to stake a major claim on the ecologically sensitive watershed.

The Scott Family Amazeum is seeking creative minds to help with collaboration.

We present an archive edition of our Pryor Center Profiles. In 2020 Randy Dixon explained the story of the musical ensemble The Group and their history in Arkansas.

Research at Arkansas State University is looking into connections between financial literacy and health literacy. Johnathan Reaves, with our partner station KASU, talked with one of the researchers.

On today's show, stories of the University of Arkansas' past. Plus, an interview with a future Rhodes scholar, and much more.

The Arkansas Department of Health recorded more than 40 deaths from COVID-19 in Thursday's report.

For this week's look back at the news, Michael Tilley from Talk Business and Politics examines ArcBest revenue, a developing legislative primary in the Arkansas River Valley and good news for dogs (and the people they hang out with).

A snowstorm is pushing some weekend events later into 2022. Becca Martin Brown, the features editor with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, gives us the rundown on what might still be happening. She also gives us a welcome glimpse toward the summer.

A new documentary, If This Walk Could Talk, uses the words of University of Arkansas students, faculty, staff and supporters to reflect on the first 150 years of the institution. Larry Foley, the film's producer, says he used the tradition of Senior Walk on campus as a launching point.

On today's show, concerns about the high positivity rate of COVID-19 tests in Arkansas. Plus, the continuing strain on healthcare systems exasperated by COVID, a new edition of Sound Perimeter, and much more.

We start today with snow all over, a week-to-week reduction in new cases of COVID-19, and a record low for Arkansas foreclosures in 2021.

The data provided by Pat Walker Health Center at the University of Arkansas shows that the positivity rate on campus is at 24% for the month of January. While masking is mandated inside buildings and classrooms, the university cannot mandate regular COVID-19 testing on campus. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in a capacity outside of the Pat Walker Health Center, officials request that you self-report your diagnosis.

The panemic is nearly 23 months old in Arkansas and whenever it ends, effects for people and the state will last. Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the state epidemilogist, talks with us about the virus, Omicron, long COVID and more.

Mervin Jebaraj, the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Univeristy of Arkansas, discusses the state of the labor force and more as part of this week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report.

Courtney Lanning says a new, independent movie is silly...but there are cute animals. The Wolf and the Lion is coming to theaters this week.

This week, University of Arkansas music professor Lia Uribe brings us a soundtrack for the snow with music by Einojuhani Rautavaara, Astor Piazzolla and Irving Berlin, featuring performances by Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, Astor Piazzolla’s Quintet and Billie Holiday.

On today's show, a conversation with the youngest participant in the Selma March. Plus, weather updates from the National Weather Service, the imagination involved in set design, and much more.

At the top of today's show, we prepare for winter weather across the listening area and an update on COVID-19 data across the state.

Lynda Blackmon Lowery was the youngest participant in the Voting Rights March from Selma to Montgomery, marking her 15th birthday during the event. Her story inspires the musical Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom. Even though the national tour was canceled, patrons of the Walton Arts Center can view a production virtually. We talked with Lynda Blackmon Lowery about telling her story.

Severe winter storm conditions are approaching our region this week. The National Weather Service in Tulsa predicts significant amounts of snow, ice and sleet through Friday morning.

On the most recent episode of Undisciplined, host Caree Banton talks to Jacquelyn Wiersma-Mosley about cultural competency, how to categorize it, and how to help understand it.

Creating the right set for a theater production takes imagination, cooperation, art, carpentry, and science. We talked with two set designers...Tanya Orellana and Kimberly V. Powers...who have created multiple sets for TheatreSquared.