Shows / Ozarks at Large
Ozarks at Large
A daily news magazine highlighting the people, places and events of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas River Valley.
Episodes
Ozarks at LargeTraining public servants at the Clinton School — Community health
The Clinton School for Public Service is extending its work beyond the classroom. On today's show, we hear how the school works with public service groups and…
Ozarks at LargeCrystal Bridges embraces blind, deaf students — Economic mobility
On today's show, we hear how Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is partnering with the Arkansas Schools for the Blind & Visually Impaired and the Deaf to…
Ozarks at LargeVisiting the new Heartland Whole Health Institute — The Lost Bayou Ramblers
The goal of improving health and healthcare in the middle of the country leads to the grand opening of the Heartland Whole Health Institute. On today's show…
Ozarks at LargeMicroplastics contaminating natural waterways — Artosphere returns
A new study shows that microplastics are harming freshwater streams. On today's show, we'll hear more about that study and what individuals can do to help…
Ozarks at LargeExploring possible additions to the Arkansas Constitution — The history of conception
At least three constitutional amendments will appear on the 2026 ballot for Arkansas voters. On today's show, we dig into some of the research on those…
Ozarks at LargeOne teacher's remarkable summer plans — Fayetteville celebrates an Amazing Tree
Matt Holden’s “what I did this summer” essay for 2025 should be interesting. On today's show, we hear that the Fayetteville teacher’s summer will include trips…
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Honoring 50 years of Vietnamese culture, experiences in Fort Smith
This week marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon. On today's show, we'll hear about refugees from the Vietnam War who made their way to the U.S. through Fort…
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Planning for regional growth — 3D-printed food
On today's show, we hear about the Northwest Arkansas Council's strategy for regional growth. We also learn more about 3D-printed food in a new segment of…
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The UofA's new research institute's grand opening — Arkansans get Real (IDs)
A new research institute has opened on the University of Arkansas campus. On today's show, a tour of the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research…
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Increasing requirements for voter registration — Perfecting ads with AI
A new piece of federal legislation may require paper documentation of a voter’s citizenship. On today's show, we learn how this impacts Arkansans. Also, as the…
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Reviewing failed bills from the 2025 General Assembly — The news of April 1975
You can’t win ‘em all in sports or the Arkansas Legislature. On today's show, Josie Lenora from Little Rock Public Radio talks us through some bills that…
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The end of INTERFORM — Blazing trails in 'Western Swing'
Fashion designers in northwest Arkansas are forging a new path after a supporting organization folds. Also, Matt McGowan explains that his new novel, “Western…
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A growing film scene — Gaming in NWA
Advocates of boosting Arkansas’ film industry say offering incentives for filmmakers could begin to make the state a player in that field. On today's show…
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Getting kids to school safely — A posthumous work from writer Charles Portis
The city of Fayetteville and the Fayetteville School District are teaming up to provide safe routes to school. On today's show, we hear how the city is seeking…
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Potentially ending the four-day school week - taking flight at John Brown University
About one in five public schools in Arkansas are using a four-day school week. A bill in the legislature could put a halt to that.Plus, a new major at John…
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Arkansas Legislature is back from spring break - life, death and grace through music
Bills about social transitioning for transgender minors, ivermectin, and mandatory posting of the ten commandments make their way through the Arkansas…
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A Celtic Conference at the UofA — Biking photography through Hightag
This week, a conference on the University of Arkansas campus focuses on Celtic language and culture and how the past can help inform the present. On today's…
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Arkansas' economic impact — Protecting poultry workers
A recent report shows that Arkansas is ranked the best in the nation in one financial growth area. However, another indicator is nearly the worst. On today's…
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A pop-up healthcare clinic — SongRider puts writers on wheels
On today's show, we learn about a free healthcare clinic happening this weekend in Fort Smith. Also, we have more about the second iteration of SongRider…
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Washington County's Black settlers — Diaper vending machines at XNA
Historians are working to learn—and share—more about Black settlers in Washington County. On today's show, a conversation about the updated Annotated…
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The future of The Fulbright Program — Oliver Miller
For decades, the Fulbright Program has fostered international exchange, creating recognition for Arkansas in the process. On today's show, we consider the…
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'Alternate Realities,' Walmart weather, NWA Pinball
On today's show, we take another trip to the Ozarks at Large archives.
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Renee Montagne, patients training doctors, 'Tornado Town'
On today's show, we take a trip to the Ozarks at Large archives.
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World Doula Week — Hunger vs. Appetite
As the Arkansas Legislature considers a community-based doula certification act, the Doula Alliance of Arkansas takes note of World Doula Week. That story is…
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Connecting new mothers with health services — 'Night Watch'
Arkansas ranks very low in maternal health categories, and a new, free app is trying to help expecting and new mothers get connected to services. On today's…
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Looking back at recessions — Women's History Month
There is talk of a possible recession, talk that has happened before. On today's show, the Pryor Center archives help us look back at past economic downturns…
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Fort Smith Metro drops OK county from jobs report — National Parks brace for record travel amid staff shortage
On Today's show we hear the week's latest Fort Smith headlines from Talk Business and Politics' Michael Tilley. Plus the National Park Service prepares for…
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Nursing students prep for disaster — 20 years of NWACC honors program
In today's episode, Daniel Caruth reports on a disaster simulation conducted on the John Brown University campus in Siloam Springs. Northwest Arkansas…
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Spring wildfires - a summer camp for students interested in healthcare
On today's Ozarks at Large, wildfire risk is high across Arkansas this Spring - we hear from the Arkansas Forestry Division about the causes of and how to…
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Fentanyl deaths in Arkansas decrease — Peanuts combat food insecurity
In today's episode, reports of fentanyl overdoses drop dramatically across the United States, Arkansas included. A new report from Heartland Forward examines…
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Supporters rally for VA employees - Maxine's Taproom turns 75
We hear voices from a rally in support of local VA employees who have lost their jobs under new federal staffing cuts. Plus we help celebrate an icon of…
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SHE Festival at the UofA — A new Arkansas climber's guidebook
Today's show features more updates from the Arkansas Legislature. How the latest version of what we’re calling bird flu can have an effect on animals, people…
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Proposed legislation supports citizen-led initiatives — Why Mars is red
On today's show, we discover more about the planet Mars with University of Arkansas researchers. We also consider legislative proposals designed to invest more…
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Climbing's presence grows — Marimba at I3R
Arkansas is fully embracing mountain biking, but climbing is also becoming a big draw. On today's show, we consider the work to give climbers unique places to…
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Lawmkers continue in Little Rock — Living on the New Madrid Fault
The General Assembly is several weeks into its regular session. On today's show, we hear a review of the past week with Josie Lenora, a politics and government…
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Utilizing math — Honoring Eugene Sargent's art, life
We use math every day, even if we don't know it. Many of us could probably benefit from increasing our math literacy. On today's show, we hear how the U of A…
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Federal terminations — NPR hosts talk new, combined shows
As conversations continue in Washington, D.C., about the size of federal agencies’ workforces, sudden terminations are having an effect. On today's show…
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Tracking a family member through the rabbit hole — Dunia Elvir
A new podcast highlights a family member’s immersion into conspiracy rabbit holes. On today's show, we hear what lessons can be learned from watching such…
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Tontitown residents oppose landfill permit — The continuing debate over science, religion
Tontitown residents are keeping their attention focused on a proposed permit regarding air quality. On today's show, we hear from Ozarks at Large’s Daniel…
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Emotional testimony at the Arkansas legislature - listening back to Arkansas headlines of 1970
On today's Ozarks at Large, we get a round up of the latest from the Arkansas legislature in Little Rock, hear archives from some of the biggest news stories…
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Teaching the next generation of butchers - Connecting cyclists to camp sites
On today's Ozarks at Large, we get a look at Northwest Arkansas Community College's new student-operated butcher shop, learn about a tool for cyclists to find…
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Combatting loneliness — Orchids galore
Loneliness can affect any of us in multiple ways. On today's show, we hear from former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, documentarian Nicholas Ma and musician Yo…
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Acting sick to help train doctors — Ozark Folkways
You can have a vital role in preparing the next generation of doctors. On today's show, we hear how the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is seeking people to…
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How immigration policy affects international adoption — A rare bird in Berryville
Recent shifts in immigration policy are creating some concern for parents of adopted children. On today's show, Ozarks at Large’s Daniel Caruth talks with…
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Another week at the 95th Arkansas General Assembly — Jim Guy Tucker
Lawmakers at the State Capitol are gathering momentum. On today's show, Josie Lenora, the politics and government reporter for Little Rock Public Radio, helps…
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Spring Creek Food Hub offers produce all year — Standing vigil at an emergency shelter
We’re still feeling winter, but Ozark-grown fresh produce is very much part of this time of year. On today's show, we take a trip to Spring Creek Hub in…
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How Trump is affecting LGBTQ+ rights — The man behind 'Murdle'
On today's show, we hear how local organizations are reckoning with the Trump Administration’s approach to LGBTQ+ civil rights. Plus, Fort Smith native and…
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A new tool for mental health — Walmart's meteorological prowess
A new tool is designed to give health providers and insurers a deeper look at mental health in Arkansas. On today's show, we hear that the Arkansas Center for…
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Helping immigrants navigate a hostile landscape — Growing small businesses
A newly formed organization in northwest Arkansas wants to keep immigrants in the region informed. On today’s Ozarks at Large, Sophia Nourani talks with…
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Updates from the legislature — Billy Bob Thornton
The Arkansas Legislature is hitting high gear. On today's show, Josie Lenora, politics and government reporter for Little Rock Public Radio, gives us the…
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Heart health — NWA Pinball
Happy Valentine’s Day! It is National Heart Month, and on today's show, we hear there are efforts to make sure rural residents have more opportunities to take…
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Fayetteville continues to welcome all — Tommy Terrific's magical lessons
The City of Fayetteville is reaffirming its status as a welcoming city. On today's show, we hear why the city council took the move and what it means. Also…
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UAMS unveils a new PhD program — Thoughtfully introducing AI to classrooms
There isn’t a PhD program in environmental health sciences in Arkansas right now, but there will be one soon. On today's show, we hear about UAMS' plans to…
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Using technology to mitigate crises — Crossing (intellectual) borders
The Arkansas Crisis Center is now offering a text-to-chat helpline. On today's show, reporter Daniel Caruth provides more details about the new initiative…
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Updates from Little Rock — Alzheimer's and Dementia Awareness Day
The Arkansas Legislature moves into a fifth week of the 95th General Assembly today. On today's show, we review last week at the Capitol with Josie Lenora from…
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Fitting work to your health — Sonia De Los Santos
Work shouldn’t be unhealthy, but how can we make sure our job doesn’t hurt us? On today's show, our series about health, nutrition and a balanced life examines…
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Marshallese immigrants — Earthquake safety
Legally present citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in northwest Arkansas are paying close attention to the Trump Administration’s executive…
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Considerations for unhoused residents, federal VA workers — Send It South
One of Arkansas’ largest cities is considering the livelihood of unhoused residents. On today's show, Ozarks at Large's Jack Travis reports on an ordinance…
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Investigating fluoride — Enjoy weekly bites at 'Wabbit Wednesdays'
Fluoride has been in Arkansas’ drinking water for decades, but there is legislation in Little Rock that could change that. On today's show, our reporter, Jack…
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Legislatures return to Little Rock — NPR's Renee Montagne retires
Legislators are returning to the Arkansas State Capitol for the fourth week. On today's show, we look back at the 95th Arkansas General Assembly the previous…