The Fort Smith Police Department is naming the first two officers that will be part of its new Crisis Intervention and Mental Health Unit. The goal of the initiative is to be a bridge between people with mental illness and mental health resources in the community. The new unit will have four officers by the end of the year.

In a media conference this morning, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced a patient in Pine Bluff is the state's first presumptive case of coronavirus, or COVID-19. Yesterday morning, Arkansas Secretary of Health Nathaniel Smith went before lawmakers to answer questions about the Department of Health's budget and testing capacity for the virus.

Ian Ayres is a behavioral economist who studies numbers related to all kinds of topics. His books include how numbers relate to diet, gun violence and more. He recently spoke on the University of Arkansas campus and stopped by Ozarks at Large to speak with us.

The Carroll County Circuit Court has ruled a temporary tax collection assessed on property owners is an illegal exaction, as well as unconstitutional. Matt Bishop of Bishop Law Firm in Fayetteville filed a lawsuit in 2018 challenging the tax, levied in five other north Arkansas counties. The money is being collected under court order, to reimburse bondholders who invested over $12 million dollars in a failed Baxter County landfill purchased by Ozark Mountain Solid Waste District in 2005.

Born in Metropolis, Ill. on Aug. 9, 1869 to former slaves, Annie Turnbo never finished high school, but she found her niche in cosmetology. By age 20, Turnbo was already marketing her first line of hair care products. After moving to St. Louis, Mo., she trademarked her brand PORO. Turnbo would become one of the wealthiest women in the nation and eventually opened a factory and beauty school. Her company grew to employ and house 175 people. Turnbo spent her final days in Chicago where she died in

Though some events may be cancelled this week as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, there are still plenty of chances to see live music in the next seven days. Wednesday, Mar. 11 Karly Driftwood, Dylan Earl at Backspace (Fayetteville) - $5, 9 p.m. Ben Harris at Six-Twelve Coffeehouse (Fayetteville) - 6 p.m. Brick Fields at Morano's (Fayetteville) - 6 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 12 The Roads Below, Bree Ogden at George's Majestic Lounge (Fayetteville) - $10 adv, $12 day of, 9 p.m. Block

Anastasia , the musical based on the animated film, is at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville through Sunday. We spoke with Lila Coogan, who plays the lead character.

On today's show, we find out why the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and Feed Communities are consolidating their operations in the region. Plus, we head to the Ozark Literacy Council to find out more about their new career training program. And, last, but certainly not least, we celebrate Ozarks at Large News Director Kyle Kellams, who on this day 30 years ago, took over as host of this very program.

Officials with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and Feed Communities announced the consolidation of their operations last September. The nonprofits recently had their first combined board meeting and representatives from the organizations say the merger will help them better address food insecurity in the region.

The Ozark Literacy Council in Fayetteville has instituted an career training pilot program that enables students to put their new English skills to work. We meet Program Director Mina Phebus, two students enrolled in emergency medical responder training courses sponsored by Northwest Arkansas Community College, as well as their tutor Sam Gaston, a Springdale firefighter.