Ozarks at Large

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 creati...

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 t...

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.

At the top of our midweek show, nearly 800 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in the state in the last 24 hours, there will be a runoff for the GOP nomination for State Senate seat seven, and two teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are to begin assessing damage today in northeast Arkansas from last weekend’s devastating tornadoes.

One third of people report a spike in mental health problems around the holidays, says Sacha McBain with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. McBain, a clinical psychologist, explains what triggers people should be on the look out for, resources and ways to cope with mental illness and stress during this season.

The finale of the first season of Undsiciplined airs today, and we catch up with host Caree Banton to hear about her experience as host and what excited her the most.

Our final look at live music for 2021 includes opportunities to see metal, classical, bluegrass, punk, country, and plenty of holiday cheer.

As we consider the last 150 years of the University of Arkansas, Charlie Allison takes us back to the very first commencement.

On today's show, more book suggestions for the holiday gift giving season. Plus, how the lingering pandemic and other 2021 matters will—or won’t—affect transportation this season, new music from John Charles, and much more.

At the top of today's show, The Arkansas Department of Health is reporting an increase of 24 patients in the last 24 hours and adding another 17 deaths from the disease to the state total, a vacant state senate seat leads to primary races in a small slice of northwest Arkansas, and a Rogers native and former University of Arkansas golfer is joining the LPGA Tour.

More than 109 million Americans are expected to travel between Decmber 23 and January 2, according to estimates from AAA. Despite COVID-19 concerns and uncertainty around the new Omicron variant, travelers in Arkansas are gearing up to see nearly pre-pandemic volume of traffic on the road and in the airport.