Veterans

Today on The Outline: Arkansas Treasurer Mark Lowery passes away at 66. Plus, a deadline looms for Arkansas veterans seeking damages under the PACTS Act. Also, Lana Del Rey plans a visit to Rogers.

Operation Homefront—a national organization that provides support services to military veterans and their families—is launching a new transitional housing program for veterans in Bentonville. Ozarks at Large's Daniel Caruth spoke with Gracie Broll, vice president of the housing program, about who is eligible and some of the challenges the housing market poses to veterans.

On today's show, the U.S. Marshals Museum is scheduled to open in Fort Smith tomorrow. Also, the Arkansas National Guard deploys to the Texas-Mexico border and Ozark Regional Transit will change routes in Rogers. Plus, July Fourth events, a report shows the state's urban areas have biggest job gains and more.

Ozark Regional Transit will integrate a fixed routes system into its Rogers service beginning Monday. Local businesses Sunrise Guitars and Powerhouse Seafood set to close, transgender and non-binary advocates gather after Arkansas' ban on gender-affirming care for minors was struck down and more.

A legislative package addressing criminal sentencing is progressing at the Arkansas Capitol, and continued tornado relief efforts are taking place in Central Arkansas.

On today's episode, two town halls about the PACT Act, a law providing medical care and benefits to veterans exposed to toxic substances, are this week. Retired Justice Robert L. Brown reflects on his life and career in his memoir, "All Rise: How Race, Religion, and Politics Shaped My Career on the Arkansas Supreme Court." Plus, Roby Brock, editor-in-chief of Talk Business & Politics, and John Brummett, a columnist at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, discuss what is next for Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

A new bipartisan law known as the “Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics” or PACT Act is rolling out across the country, including in Arkansas. The PACT Act provides medical care and benefits to generations of Veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving in the military. Experts with Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, who are also hosting a town hall this week, provide guidance.

The Compassionate Contact Corps, a new "social prescription" program deployed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, matches Veterans experiencing loneliness or social isolation with volunteers trained to ease such conditions. We attend a national media roundtable hosted by USDVA to learn more.

Local Veterans are gathering this month for a two-week-long culinary arts kitchen skills and writing residency at Mt. Sequoyah. The grant-funded "Cafe Novice" course is being taught by professional chefs, food writers and digital artists, who will gather this Sunday evening, November 20th for a communal feast prepared by Veterans for Veterans. The public is also invited.