Ozarks at Large

There are things to do this weekend. Becca Martin Brown, the features editor with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, gives us highlights. She also says with a chance of snow and the continued spread of the virus, we should check on the status of any event before going to it.

One Penny Shy is scheduled to play at the Fayetteville Public Library Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00. We talked with Becky and Jacob last night about the show and their EP, Grown.

On today’s show, interest in land in Newton County. Plus, efforts to get more COVID-19 tests in Arkansans’ hands, another edition of young musical all stars, and much more.

Arkansas recorded nearly 11,000 new cases of COVID-19, a new single-day record. Also in the news: Arkansas' senior US Senator defends the filibuster and the Razorback men's basketball team gets a big victory.

The first shipment of at-home COVID-19 tests are being given away across the state at local libraries and other community partners. Dr. Jennifer Dillaha says that the high positivity rate is an indication that more testing is needed.

So much property in Newton County has sold during the pandemic, that once-affordable land prices have soared. Buyers include couples and familes relocating from crowded urban centers and climate catastrophe zones to carve out new lives on the Ozarks. But others are investors buying up land to develop or market as short-term vacation rentals. We query officials, businesses, locals and newcomers about what the changes portend.

Ozark Compost & Swap, a new residential compost pick-up service, aims to make composting more accessible for people in northwest Arkansas. The company offers weekly and bi-weekly options and also partners with local producers to deliver sustainable goods like coffee and household cleaners.

Governor Asa Hutchinson sat down with Roby Brock to discuss the record surge of COVID-19 in Arkansas. The governor says there are continued challenges Arkansans must confront.

The new anime film Belle places the familiar Beauty and the Beast directly into 2022. Courtney Lanning says the movie delivers an unexpected, and welcome, emotional edge.

For the sixth year some of the area's best young musicians will team up with jazz professionals.

On today’s show, trying to better understand COVID-19 testing in Oklahoma. Plus, the challenge of keeping track of a building’s history on a university campus, and much more.

Today's news includes a familiar refrain: increases in new and active cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas. Plus a special election field is set and the final AP football poll is released.

The most recent data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health indicates that there are 64,806 active cases of COVID-19. However, important data like the amount of tests being administered and clear reporting of hospitalizations is lacking. Mobile testing units are being dispersed across the state and testing sites can be found here.

A new project is a community collaboration to help northwest Arkansas residents live healthier lives.

Davis Hall began as women's residence on the University of Arkansas campus. In the decades since opening it has transformed more than once.

On today's show, the business of collecting blood donations during a pandemic. Plus, a conversation about creativity, connection and community, and much more.

The top news across Arkansas continues to be the latest surge of COVID-19 cases. Hospitals have more patients and more school districts are in higher infection zones.

Maintaining a sufficient blood supply is a never-ending challenge. A pandemic doesn't make the challenge any easier. The Arkansas Blood Institute continues to seek donors and is offering antibody test results for all donors through the end of the month.

Arkansas' climbing virus numbers have the attention of John Brummett, political columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Roby Brock, with our partner Talk Business and Politics, for their weekly discussion. They also consider the changing face of the Arkansas Senate.

The Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society is starting their monthly jazz jam again this week. Musicians will gather at the Roots HQ Thursday night for the first installment.

KUAF's latest podcast, The Lunch Hour, is about art, food, creativity, cooperation and community. The first episode focuses on the music of Baang and the community-inspired food of Jerrmy Gawthrop of Woodstone Pizza.

On today's show, a call for art to help reflect the Black experience. Plus, plans for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Buffalo National River, remembering the legendary career of Bud Campbell, and much more.

A new week begins with virus cases rising in Arkansas, a proposed state budget from Governor Asa Hutchinson and an Arkansas women's basketball win over Missouri.

An exhibition at three downtown Rogers locations will feature art inspired by the Black experience. Kinya Christian, the curator and owner of INTO+VIEW Gallery, says the exhibition is inspired by the 1619 Project. Submissions can be made at artonthebricks.com

This year, the National Park Service is marking the 50th anniversary of the Buffalo National River – America’s first national river established March 1, 1972. Buffalo River park service staff, headquartered in Harrison, have scheduled a seasonal array of celebratory events. Cassie Branstetter, Public Information Officer for the Buffalo National River, provides highlights.

For 20 years Bud Campbell was one of the most familiar figures in Arkansas. This week's offering of archives from the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History reminds us of his versatility.

Arkansas-based Heifer International - a non-profit addressing poverty and hunger through agriculture - recently became a Savory Gloabal Network hub. The project from the Savory Institute aims to train more people on regenerative agriculture and holistic management as a way to combat climate change. Donna Kilpatrick, Heifer Ranch Manager and Land Steward, says the partnerships will make the 1,200-acre ranch in Perryville a leader in teaching restorative farming in the state.

On today's show, we hear from an emergency room travel nurse who lives in Eureka Springs. Plus, Michael Tilley with Talk Business and Politics looks back on the recent past of news, and much more.

The show starts with another Arkansas record for virus cases, more schools adopting mask mandates, early voting in a special election and an addition to the 2022 AMP season.

For our first conversation of 2022, Michael Tilley discusses a record-breaking home sales year for the Fort Smith Metro and some of the biggest stories covered by Talk Business and Politics last year.

Eureka Springs resident Donna Foster is a licensed emergency room travel registered nurse, fulfilling assignments across the country. Over the past 21 months she's dealt with surges of critically ill patients, from elders, immune compromised and children, showing up at her ERs infected with SARS-CoV-2. She's gone public with her arduous journey, to educate and warn the public to get vaccinated. In Arkansas this winter, nearly 90 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations involve people who are unvaccinated.

The first non-holiday weekend of the year offers a musical at Walton Arts Center, a multi-band metal show and more. Becca Martin Brown, the features editor at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, gives us a road map for entertainment.

Courtney Lanning says the latest Bruce Willis film, American Siege, doesn't provide anything new, but does provide what you might expect.

This week XNA launched a new look that will be rolled out over the year.

Welcome to 2022! On today's first show of the year, the latest surge in COVID cases and how area hospitals are dealing with Omicron. Plus, the consequences of increased foreign-owned forest, An Officer and a Gentleman rings in the new year on the Walton Arts Center stage, and much more.

Our first show back after a holiday break includes another single-day rise in COVID-19 in Arkansas, Dr. Joe Thompson's plea for schools to take virus precautions, and a new look for the XNA brand.

January marks 22 months Arkansans have been dealing with COVID-19, and record high numbers of cases have left hospital leaders concerned. You can find a vaccination clinic near your today at our website.

This week's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal includes a conversation with Jackie Hancock, the president and CEO of United Way NWA about an internship program matching nonprofits with students. He says there is more interest than spots available.

The first musical of 2022 at Walton Arts Center embraces the 1980s. We talk with David Wayne Britton about his portrayal of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Emil Foley in the national touring production of An Officer and a Gentleman.

Forestland comprises nearly half of foreign-owned agricultural lands in the U.S., and purchases are increasing. Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center at the University of Arkansas, discusses the regulatory and market implications. Pittman’s webinar on foreign ownership of U.S. forestlands can be found here.

On today's show, the second half of the latest episode of the RefleXions podcast, discussing about the social impact of the arts in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing. Plus, plenty of opportunites for holiday hijinks, and much more.

Today we hear part two of the latest episode of the RefleXions podcast. In November, the RefleXions Music Series facilitated a conversation with three distinguished guests about the social impact of the arts in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing. The third episode of the RefleXions podcast is a continuation of that conversation. We hear from three international artists who have been creating art as a response to and as a way to confront violence happening in their native countries and across the globe.

There is still time—and plenty of opportunities—for holiday hijinks. Becca Martin Brown, the features editor with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette fills us in on what's up.

George Clooney directs a quiet new movie (with Ben Affleck and Christopher Lloyd) that critic Courtney Lanning says emerges in blockbuster season and lands on her Best of 2021 list.

On today's show, pushback about sales taxes in Fort Smith with Michael Tilley. Plus, a conversation with three distinguished guests about the social impact of the arts in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing, and much more.

Michael Tilley of Talk Business and Politics joins us a day early to discuss taxes in Fort Smith, Haas Hall's newest location, and more.

In November, the RefleXions Music Series facilitated a conversation with three distinguished guests about the social impact of the arts in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and healing. The third episode of the RefleXions podcast is a continuation of that conversation. We hear from three international artists who have been creating art as a response to and as a way to confront violence happening in their native countries and across the globe.

In today's Northwest Arkansas Business Journal we hear from Lou McAllister, CEO of Broadband Development Group, who has been tasked with helping to create a master plan for expanding broadband internet for Arkansans.

Tina Fey's musical, based on the movie of the same name, makes Mean Girls fun. The show is at Walton Arts Center through Sunday.

On today's show, coping with mental health during the holiday season. Plus, Dr. Caree Banton talks about her first season hosting the podcast Undisciplined and what she learned while recording the first eight episodes, a look at live music coming up this weekend, and much more.