Jimmy Moses of Moses Tucker Partners joins Rex on this week's episode to talk about the details of Little Rock's recently released Master Plan, which calls for increasing the residential population in the heart of the city, adding trails and greenways near the riverfront, more transit options for visitors and area workers and strategic development of new businesses.

Moses, who Rex refers to as "the godfather of the River Market" on Little Rock's President Clinton Ave., has been integral in the city's urban planning and real estate efforts, and the two discuss specific neighborhoods and sections of the city in relation to the Master Plan. Of particular importance to Moses is the development of more residential opportunities in the downtown area, the elimination of parking lots in favor of adding new transportation opportunities, and a desire to create urban parks and green spaces that will assist in making downtown Little Rock more vibrant and welcoming. 

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On this week's episode, Randy Zook, the president and chief executive officer of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, joins Rex to discuss the status of the state's economy, just as the state's revenue surplus was announced and reported in the Democrat-Gazette. 

The pair begin by discussing recent developments and the growth of industries in Northwest Arkansas, including excitement surrounding new research and development at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the new Walmart campus in Bentonville, and the expansion of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

The strength of the economy and industry in Central Arkansas is the next topic of discussion, as Randy and Rex highlight the significance of the new Tractor Supply Company Distribution Center in Maumelle and the Amazon fulfillment center in Little Rock. 

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Skip Rutherford, former Dean of the University of Arkansas' Clinton School of Public Service and friend of the program, stops by this week to remember beloved Arkansas politician David Pryor, who passed away on April 20, 2024. 

Skip and Rex discuss the importance of Pryor's career and the significance of his ability to transcend political party lines in an effort to best serve the residents of The Natural State. The two also chat about the ways in which state and national politics has changed since Pryor's heyday, recent developments in the Arkansas state legislature, and why higher education matters at both the local and state levels. 

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Restauranteur and area civic leader Capi Peck joins Rex on this week’s episode to discuss, most notably, the litter, trash and graffiti problems that plague the Little Rock metro. 

Peck, a Ward 4 resident who serves as Executive Chef and owner of Trio’s restaurant in Little Rock, speaks with Rex about her deep and longstanding concern for efforts to keep the city growing and beautiful, namely by removing littler, waste and debris from downtown streets as well as area parks and wetlands. 

The longtime Little Rock resident and member of the city’s Board of Directors also talks with Rex about specific conservation efforts residents can take part in and how local environmental concerns are directly connected to economic growth and revival. 

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Former professional whitewater raft guide in Colorado and native Arkansan Samuel Ellis joins Rex on this week’s podcast to discuss a variety of outdoor recreational activities available in Central Arkansas and the Little Rock metro. Ellis, the owner and founder of Rock Town River Outfitters, talks with Rex about the importance of the Arkansas River and the potential the river has for outdoors enthusiasts and increasing tourism. 

Ellis and Rex also discuss how outdoor activities in the state – including kayaking, fishing, mountain biking and hiking – help promote quality of life for Arkansas residents and how these types of activities assist in bringing newcomers into The Natural State. 

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Leland Couch, the Director of Little Rock Parks and Recreation, and architect Mason Ellis, board member and past president of Preserve Arkansas, join Rex this week to discuss the current state of the more than 60 parks and related facilities located in the Little Rock metro. 

Couch, who was appointed parks director two years ago, talks with Rex about the growth of Little Rock's park system over the years as well as his vision for the integration and continued development of the city's parks, including one of the area's most noteworthy urban parks, War Memorial Park. During the conversation, Couch and Ellis also speak about the importance of park preservation, trail development and pedestrian use, which are vital to the growth and maintenance of the metro area's park system. 

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This week, Rex sits down with one of The Natural State's leading authorities on the timber industry, Ray Dillon, who formerly served as President and CEO of the Deltic Timber Corporation. 

A Mississippi native who worked in Chicago where he also obtained a master's degree, Ray talks with Rex about his decades-long career in paper mills, paper industries, and related aspects of the timber industry. The two discuss the size and scope of the timber industry in South Arkansas, which Ray calls "the best place for timber growth in the U.S."

Rex and Ray also chat about recent events in the housing market that have shaped the timber industry, as well as new avenues for economic growth and development in timber, such as the cross-laminated timber process. 

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On this week’s episode, Rex speaks with Mason Ellis of WER Architects, an Arkansas firm that specializes in historic preservation and restoration. Not only do Rex and Mason converse about Mason’s and WER’s work on the renovation and preservation of historic residences and buildings in the state, but the two also discuss Mason’s efforts on the Rose Creek Initiative, a group involved in completing Little Rock’s Rose Creek Park and helping preserve Rose Creek Trail.

Rex and Mason also chat about the future of pedestrian trails in Central Arkansas, including development of the Southwest Trail that will run from Little Rock to Hot Springs. The two then discuss Mason’s involvement with conservation efforts in the region and his thoughts on how The Natural State can attract younger people.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.  

On this week’s episode, Rex sits down with Suzanne Hirrel and Norm Berner of Keep Little Rock Beautiful to “talk about trash.” The primary topic of discussion in this episode is Hirrel and Berner's work on litter prevention, recycling, and beautification projects in the Little Rock metro region.

During the conversation, Suzanne and Norm discuss their organization’s efforts to address the litter problem in Little Rock and also touch on the negative environmental and economic impacts of litter and polution in the city and its waterways. In effect, the two Keep Little Rock Beautiful board members address how the public can become involved in volunteer opportunities that address litter and pollution, such as the organization's annual Great American City Wide Cleanup on March 9, 2024.

Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.  

On this week's episode, Rex sits down and chats with Janet Harris, Executive Director and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, to discuss how her organization helps Arkansans engage with relevant political and civil issues. 

As part of their conversation, Rex and Janet discuss the CEO's history with the Rockefeller Institute as well as her lengthy career in political engagement and public service. They also address different ways the Rockefeller Institute collaborates with other civic-minded groups in the area – including the Clinton School of Public Service – and how Arkansans can become more involved in local politics and with the Rockefeller Institute. 

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