Labor

Reese Roberts of Leverett Lounge and Sidecar Cocktail Lounge speaks with Ozarks at Large's Matthew Moore and reflects on the launch of the Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance during COVID-19, its ongoing Hero Fund for restaurant workers in need, and how the community continues to show up.

The Lake Wedington National Recreation Area has been closed since 2019 due to staffing shortages and the need for facility upgrades. Earlier in May, boots were on the ground in the temporarily shuttered area. Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis visited the work site and offers this report.

On today's show, the Lake Wedington National Recreation Area is finally being upgraded thanks to the help of HistoriCorps and Job Corps. Additionally, a University of Arkansas professor shares her story of moving to northwest Arkansas from India. Plus, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals are hosting a free youth baseball clinic later this month.

Arkansas Medicaid recipients and advocates are concerned about the state’s plan to reinstate work reporting requirements. The state has asked the federal government for permission to require some Arkansans to work a certain number of hours or meet exemptions to stay enrolled in the state’s Medicaid expansion program.

Gov. Sarah Sanders is promoting a program designed to help high school students in Arkansas develop plans for their futures. The governor says the rootEd Arkansas program is an example of the state’s education investment.

Tyson Foods is facing increased scrutiny around alleged workers rights violations both from activists and some of their own investors.

A recent report shows that Arkansas is ranked the best in the nation in one financial growth area. However, another indicator is nearly the worst. On today's show, we'll hear more about the state's economic status. We'll also learn about a significant gift to UAFS that endows a Center for Nonprofits. Plus, Ozarks at Large's Daniel Caruth reports how America's largest meat producer faces external and internal scrutiny for its workplace policies.

Arkansas’ unemployment rate continues to hold steady. Little Rock Public Radio’s Daniel Breen explains.

On Saturday, nearly 500 people attended a rally across the street from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fayetteville to oppose cuts to the federal workforce.

Last month, over 20,000 federal employees were abruptly terminated in a restructuring effort by the Trump administration, leaving agencies understaffed and scientific processes stalled. Among those affected are Stacy Ramsey, a former Buffalo National River ranger, and Seth Price, a former USGS geographer, whose stories highlight the impact of these layoffs. Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis has more.