Arkansas is one of 45 states to enact Common Core State Standards. A new office on the University of Arkansas campus has been established to find new ways bring those standards into the state's schools. We learn more about the Office of Innovation in Education from the office's director.
Ozarks At Large

Senator John Boozman says he would like to see the National Security Agency use more focused efforts to curb terrorism rather than relying on programs that use mass collections of data. The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners approves a draft of rules for implementing the state's new voter ID law. Work is expected to begin soon on clearing the Cache River, a tributary of the White River. And the special collections department at the UA's Mullins Library unveils a new exhibit to celebrate National LGBT Pride month.


The Genesis Technology Incubator has been in the same place in some form for nearly three decades. But much has changed in and around that facility, as the Arkansas Research and Technology Park has coagulated on the acreage surrounding the facility.
Becca says the Fort Smith Museum of History is presenting a recreation of the Boston Store's tea room at noon Thursday.

Execution dates for inmates on death row in Arkansas have been put on hold. State lawmakers rally in Little Rock, urging the state's supreme court to uphold a judgement against drugmaker Johnson and Johnson. Also in the state capitol, close attention is being paid to how the state's parole monitoring system is being managed. Mercy Health Northwest in Rogers opens a new center to serve geriatrics in the area. And more trees are on the way for one parking lot in downtown Fayetteville.


Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Ahead on this edition of Ozarks, we talk to local officials about an increase in the DWI violations. Also, we attend a tasting at 28 Springs in Siloam Springs.
Here are the eleven elements of today's Christmas tree montage:
Miles Davis' version of "O Christmas Tree"
Mr. Wilson volunteers to cut down a tree in a 1961 episode of "Dennis the Menace"
The Griswald Family goes a long way for the perfect tree in "Christmas Vacation"
Brenda Lee's classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Charlie Brown selects a tiny, sad tree in the "CHarlie Brown Christmas Special"
Tchaikovsky's "Christmas Tree" from "The Nutcracker Suite"
Cindy Lou Who questions the Grinch
Zuzu explains that bell ornament on the tree at the end of "It's A Wonderful Life"
Elvis and "Blue Christmas"
Festivus revealed on a classic episode of "Seinfeld"
Wynton Marsalis gives "O Christmas Tree" a bit of New Orleans bounce
Becca Martin Brown gives us a hurried list of holiday happenings for this afternoon in the region.
The Arkansas Supreme Court rules in favor of two school districts in their suit against the state Department of Education and the state treasurer. Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel files suit against two Washington County companies. And, Governor Mike Beebe's office weighs in on yesterday's jobs announcement in Fort Smith.
"It's Almost December" by The Real Pills
A deal for the Whirlpool plant falls through, a new manufacturer announces an arrival and unemployment numbers are released. Michael Tilley with the City Wire provides the details.
"A Great Adventure" by Carter Burwell
Jay Jennings has collected the short fiction, reporting and essays of Charles Portis in a new book, Escape Velocity: A Charles Portis Miscellany. He’ll discuss the book at Nightbird Books tomorrow night.