Ozarks at Large

The first part of today's show includes new numbers regarding COVID-19 in Arkansas and Oklahoma, an effort to challenge recently-passed new congressional districts in Arkansas, and an overwhelming support for a sales tax extension in Tontitown.

The global pandemic has put a strain on global supply chains, especially for semiconductors. Dr. Alan Mantooth is leading a group of engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas to build and operate a research and fabrication laboratory to work on a new and improved type of semiconductor, hopefully providing domestic innovation and development. The $17.87 million grant comes from the National Science Foundation.

A University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Translational Research Institute team are investigating why certain patients diagnosed with COVID-19 continue to have debilitating symptoms after the acute phase of the illness, now identified as Post-Covid Syndrome.

For almost the entire 150 years of the University of Arkansas, there have been efforts to inform the campus community about what is happening on campus. Our latest tour of UA history from Charlie Alison tells us more.

The new movie Hard Luck Love Song is based on a song. Courtney Lanning, a film critic with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, says that makes for a "what you see, is what you get" movie.

On today's show, connecting athletes with disabilities to sports in the region. Plus, the process and importance of legislative redistricting in Arkansas, and much more.

Last week's annual Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas conference included a discussion about legislative redistricting. Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston and Kymara Seals, the policy director for Arkansas Public Policy panel, had a conversation about the reasons for, and importance for, the every-ten-year process.

In the chaos and busyness of life, it's good to get away. Here is a short soundscape from Airship Coffee at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve.

The Arkansas Legislature last week approved a redrawing of Arkansas' congressional map and further discussed COVID-19 policies. Now, a special session might be called by the governor. John Brummett, a political columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Roby Brock, with our partner Talk Business and Politics, discuss.

Southern feminist, queer, and anti-racist organizer and writer, Suzanne Pharr has chronicled her life’s work in a new book, titled Transformation: Towards A People’s Democracy (Virginia Tech Publishing). The book is available for purchase, or free download through Creative Commons. Pharr is former director of the Women's Project in Little Rock which held a free virtual 40th Anniversary Reunion Oct 9th.