Among the news of the day: expecting Omicron's arrival in Arkansas...new cases of the virus increase in Oklahoma...the Arkansas Legislature's special session starts.

A growing number of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives are charging extra fees for residential solar installation and net metering, fees not sanctioned by the Arkansas Public Service Commission — which holds oversight so is investigating the matter. Patrick Villines, proprietor of New Farm Solar says the additonal fees are deterring solar adoption in at least one rural electric cooperative district.

A special session of the Arkansas Legislature begins today. The governor wants it mostly to be about taxes. Some lawmakers want to discuss more.

Our Militant Grammarian says we all use words that aren't words. She explains why overwhelmed isn't needed. And she has a quiz as well.

In American Waters: The Sea in American Painting is at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville through January 31st. The works show more than ships and masts. And the exploration of the sea goes beyond sailing. We take a tour.

On today's show, examining another month of a pandemic’s effects on Arkansas. Plus, The ancient history of the osage orange, and much more.

We check in, one last time, with journalists at Arkansas COVID to explore how the virus affected Arkansas in November.

Remnant Osage Orange trees which were once plentiful across the eastern U.S. continue to grow on the Ozark Highlands as well as in a few other southern states. The unusual trees produce a highly valued decay-resistant wood, as well as large strange-looking green fruit – that only extinct megafauna relished. Noted author, Steven Foster, meets us under an elder Osage Orange on Mt. Sequoyah Center to share stories about the remarkable and little-understood tree.

This week's archives from the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History take us back to December, 1968. We hear Arkansas' Democrats consider what the new president, Republican Richard Nixon, might do and learn how we could send telegrams faster.

“Seven Lucky Bunnies and the Magic Muffin Dance,” is a delightul new children's book authored by long-time Eureka Springs resident, Cheri White. The story is inspired by a whimsical illustration of rabbits created by Fayetteville artist, Christina Smith. The book also contains a recipe for magic muffins as well as several magical songs performed by the late Christy Simpson. Proceeds from all sales will be donated to the Berryville Public Library construction fund. White will sign copies of “Seven Lucky Bunnies and the Magic Muffin Dance” this Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the "Story Maker Book Fair" hosted by Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow, staged in Highlander Hall at the Eureka Springs Community Center.