Governor Mike Beebe urges Republican state legislators to look at all possible solutions to shore up the shortfall in the state's Medicaid system, though he stated he is against using one-time budget surplus funds to close the gap. The city of Fayetteville looks into selling a bit of land in an effort to clear an eyesore in the name of new commerce.
Ozarks At Large
Republican leaders of Arkansas' legislature met with the media yesterday to discuss their plans to shore up the state's Medicaid system during the upcoming legislative session. Fort Smith looks to purchase property for a new recreational facility, the first of its kind in the city. And Fayetteville is recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the nation.
Kevin Jones is a professor of english and rhetoric at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, but his new book uncovers parts of the city's history, using pictures from postcard to tell the story. Ozarks at Large's Timothy Dennis spoke with Dr. Jones about the book.
Mitchell Communications Group announced late last week that it had been acquired by Dentsu, a 111-year-old firm founded in Japan with headquarters in Tokyo and New York City. Just a few hours after the announcement Ozarks at Large’s Kyle Kellams talked to Elise Mitchell, the founder and CEO of Mitchell Communications.

Becca Martin Brown is excited about a new book club, which will look at some interesting art artifacts at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Timothy Dennis takes a look at the Arkansas Entertainers' Walk of Fame, set to be unveiled in Fayetteville in the coming months.
A triptych, coming from the Greek word for three fold, is a work of art, usually a panel painting that is divided into three panels. A new book takes a closer look at the antique artform. Ozarks at Large’s Kyle Kellams spoke with University of Arkansas art historian and assistant professor Lynn Jacobs about her new book, which attempts to reinterpret the early Netherelandish triptych.
Tax revenue for the state was up in December, though officials don't expect the same gains this month. Governor Beebe is in favor of state legislators resolving the Medicaid debate in the upcoming regular session rather than during a special session later. Fayetteville-based Mitchell Communications Group announces it has been acquired by a Japanese communications conglomerate. And a new program by the NWA Children's Shelter to give children a brighter look ahead.

Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, a conversation with Arkansas Living Treasure Robert Runyan. Also, the president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands pays a visit to Springdale.
One Arkansas senator is pressing election officials to resolve issues with the state's voter ID law. Other legislators are pushing to prevent the state lottery commission from implementing video gambling games throughout the state. The FASTER Arkansas committee continues its push for changes in state law to allow public schools to connect to an existing, state-funded fiber optic network. And one Eureka Springs alderman is trying to move forward a decades-long debate on what to do about parking in that city's downtown area.
More than twenty Northwest Arkansas specialty shops sell electronic cigarettes, both disposable and rechargeable. The popular devices deliver a smooth warm nicotine-laced white vapor in variety strengths and flavors. We visit the Velvet Vapor in Rogers and also talk to an Arkansas Department of Health tobacco specialist about pending regulations and potential risks associated with “vaping.”
Our history doctor, Bill Smith, explains the relationship between politics and money is an American tradition.
Becca Martin Brown, from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, directs us to performance art and fireworks this weekend.
Jonathan Story sits down at the Mary Baker Rumsey Steinway.