Wednesday in Arkansas

Wednesday's Calendar:
7:00 a.m. | Governor Beebe will address the Girl’s State Inauguration (Harding University, Searcy)

9:00 a.m. | Legislative Council -- PEER (Rm. 171, Capitol) Agenda

1:00 p.m. | Legislative Council -- Review (Rm. 171, Capitol) Agenda

6:00 p.m. | Texarkana, TX City Council Meeting (Texas Muni. Bldg.) Agenda

Arkansas roundup:
State News:
Leathers: Ark. better off than some states w/ increased revenue [Ark. NB]
Beebe not sure state should apologize for slavery [AP]
Beebe appoints Broadway, others to boards [ADG]
Arkansas taking college prep lead [Arkansas Business]
Suit over merger of Helena dismissed [ADG]
U.S. House bill recognizes Ouachita forest [Ark. News Bureau, ADG]
Arkansas board poised to weaken state's anti-obesity programs [AP]
Arkansas's gas prices continue slow descent [AP]
Split of Ark. Health and Human Services '80 percent' complete [AP]
Beebe announces appointments to state panels [Ark. News Bureau]
Beebe exhorts teachers at Delta conference [Ark. News Bureau]
Arkansans could lose access under proposed Medicare cuts [Ark. News Bureau]
Firms involved in Ark. buyouts team up for another [Ark. News Bureau]

Local News:
Lear Siegler to hire nearly 240 [Texarkana Gazette]
Lawmakers push to improve security in Arkansas courts [Texarkana Gazette]
Lawmakers happy court says state in compliance [Jacksonville Leader]
Food-tax reduction takes effect July 1 [Jacksonville Leader]
First lady learns system can be vexing [Baxter Bulletin]
New AG's ruling on A&P mirrors old [Forrest City Times Herald]
Harrelson elected to Pioneer Washington board [Texarkana Gazette]
Halter sees lingering [Ft. Smith SW Times Record]
City looks at financing water facilities [Malvfern Daily Record]
Council ponders insurance and raises [Pine Bluff Commercial]
Laptops assist firemen [Searcy Daily Citizen]
Property not zoned properly [Searcy Daily Citizen]
No end in sight for county budget debate [Helena Daily World]
Deannex allowed [Northwest Arkansas Times]

Today's Arkansas Columns/Editorials:
Russellville Courier: Look at the Law: Make it 50
Russellville Courier: Another distraction we don't need
Arkansas Leader: Will legislators still do right?
David Sanders: Bush's right flank in revolt
Meredith Oakley: Two wrongs, etc.
Ft. Smith SW Times Record: State Must Make Most Of Resolution
Ashley County Ledger: The Delta and the Technology Revolution