Ozarks At Large

Self-employed Arkansans approved for CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance are starting to receive cash benefits following weeks of technical delays. According to Arkansas Secretery of Commerce Mike Preston, out of 33,000 applicants, over 19,000 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance applicants have received interim approval.

As of May 11, dental clinics across Arkansas are treating patients again, under strict state COVID-19 directive requirements to protect both patients and practitioners. Dr. Pierce Osborne, president of the Arkansas State Dental Association, says compliance with the challenging new directive raised concerns among certain stakeholders, which are being resolved. 

As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Bentonville School District will open its virtual learning program to all students come August when schools are expecting to resume in-person instruction. The district already offered virtual learning to students grades five through 12 for a couple of years, but it will expand the program to students in grades K through four.

For many musicians, the COVID-19 pandemic brought their concert schedules to a screeching halt. Some have adapted by hosting virtual performances. Emmy-nominated composer and installation artist Amos Cochran is adapting by setting a goal to produce seven new works by the end of the year. Niente is the first of those and it's being released digitally May 22.