Ozarks At Large
Another ballot initiative group is moving forwarrd with petitions after the state's attorney general approved the wording of its measure, which would raise the minimum wage in Arkansas to $8.50. Booneville Community Hospital starts the new year with a new name and new management. Fayetteville is set to be recognized as a compassionate city. Thirteen Arkansas counties are declared disaster areas after the early December ice and snow storm. And with a budget set, the Sebastian County Quorum Court and Fort Smith Board of Directors agree on amenities to be placed in the future Ben Geren Aquatics Park.


Here are out ten clips relating to Buffalo, New York and the War of 1812.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.
1) Ten Thousand Maniacs (from the Buffalo area) sing Because the Night,
2) Robert Redford and Wilford Brimley in The Natural (filmed in Buffalo).
3) Bruce Springsteen sings about Buffalo's Erie Canal.
4) A trailer, featuring Marilyn Monroe, for the movie Niagara…set in nearby Niagara Falls. 5) Buffalo native Rick James ponders a Super Freak.
6) A BBC documentary about the assassination of President McKinley. The shooting happened in Buffalo. (as did the subsequent swearing-n ceremony of Theodore Roosevelt).
7) The only electronic song we know of about Buffalo native Grover Cleveland.
8) Judy Garland sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow…written by Buffalo native Harold Arlen.
9) Amanda Blake, another Buffalo native, as Miss Kitty on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
10) Johnny Horton sings The Battle of New Orleans, about the final battle of the War of 1812. Arkansas connection: written by Jimmy Driftwood.


Our insect expert Dr. Donald Steinkraus suggests a few gifts to encourage children's interest in insects and nature.


Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Monday, June 2, 2014
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, finding balance between nature and technology; we speak with author Richard Louv about nature deficit disorder and possible ways to cure it. Plus, autism spectrum disorder is on the rise in Arkansas. We learn more about the Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center.
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against a Kansas-based debt collection agency, the Fort Smith Board of Directors is now conducting business without paper, and more.
“Lions and Tigers and Bears” by: TW Walsh
Much of Arkansas is under extreme drought, with portions of the Arkansas River Valley listed as exceptional. Ponds and creeks are drying up. Lake and river levels are dropping. But what about your water well? We talk with the experts about our drought-threatened water supplies.
As of July 3, 91 animals throughout Arkansas have tested positive for rabies. Boone and Newton counties currently have the highest number of cases of animals tested positive for rabies. Richard Murphree, the environmental manager for the Arkansas Department of Health's northwest regional office, helps us interpret these numbers. More information is available at www.healthy.arkansas.gov.
Today, Becca Martin Brown from NWA Newspapers sends us to an art exhibit and a concert.
Sesame Street Theme Song
A new smart phone application will allow users to track University of Arkansas transit buses in real time. Chris Nixon is one of the developers who worked on the app. More information is available here.