Friday in Arkansas

Legislature: No meetings scheduled.
Governor Beebe: 9:00 a.m.: Monthly KARN “Ask the Governor” radio show.
Lt. Gov. Halter: No official events scheduled today.
Atty. Gen. McDaniel: 6:30 p.m.: Quarterly state DPA meeting (W. Memphis)

Looking for something to do today?
Decatur: 54th Annual BBQ w/ 5K, concert.
Hot Springs: Historic downtown gallery walk

10:00 a.m.: Ribbon cutting: Blue Haven pools (5483 Summerhill Rd.)

Washington Post: Hill, White House draw battle lines
New York Times: Rare languages a challenge for courts
New York Times: In east Texas, residents take on a lake eating-monster
Associated Press: Arkansans in Senate both vote for ethics bill
New York Times: Senate roll call: S-CHIP (passed 68-31)
Associated Press: Arkansans split 3-1 on guaranteed time at home for soldiers (Boozman 'no')

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Income tax collections up, but grocery cut felt
Ark. News Bureau: Bridge collapse unlikely in Arkansas, officials say
Arkansas News Bureau: State revenue declines in first month since tax cuts
Ark. Democrat-Gazette: Judge says county employee's e-mails should be public
Associated Press: Arkansas bridges judged structurally deficient
Associated Press: Six bridges in Ark. share design with collapsed span
Associated Press: Deficient bridges, by county, in Arkansas
Ark. Democrat-Gazette: State’s span scrutiny to stay as is
Arkansas Times: Judging the judge

The deadly collapse of a bridge in Minneapolis comes more than five years after Oklahoma went through a similar experience with the Interstate 40 span near Webbers Falls. [40/29 News NWA]

It's a girl -- again -- for the Duggars. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 17th child, and seventh daughter, into the world Thursday, and they're likely not done. [NWA Morning News]

Ray Woodruff, district engineer for District 1, which includes Phillips County, reports that the Helena Bridge, constructed in 1961, is structurally sound and will be inspected again in November. All bridges in Phillips County are inspected yearly. [Helena Daily World]

Pope County Treasurer Donna Wall reported that the county recently benefited from a one-time $114,000 county-aid turnback from the state Administration of Justice Fund. [Russellville Courier]

Act 388 of 2007 legalizes licensed charitable groups to conduct bingo or raffles. The bingo game in Prairie Grove is one of more than 140 charitable groups licensed by the state to run bingo games and sell raffle tickets to raise money for their causes. [NWA Morning News]

Arkansas began allowing 70 organizations to legally offer charitable bingo games and raffles on Tuesday, and the Saline County Moose Family Center on U.S. 67 was the first group in Saline County to take advantage of the new law. A packed house of between 100 to 150 gamers included visitors from Arkadelphia, Hot Springs, Malvern, Little Rock and Pine Bluff. [Benton Courier]

Local YWCA closes; CASA takes over Kids Exchange: A Texarkana institution that has benefited women and girls for almost 90 years has closed its doors. [Texarkana Gazette]

Natural gas exploration and development continues to impact the Searcy economy as another facility is under construction. Nomac Drilling Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK), has announced the acquisition of 50 acres of land southeast of Searcy for the construction of a permanent training and temporary residential facility. Up to $5 million could be invested over the next year. [Searcy Daily Citizen]

Arkansas Times: For a stronger mayor
Ernie Dumas: A mighty Acorn
Dana Kelley: State's services poor
Meredith Oakley: Cycle seems to be unbroken
Texarkana Gazette: Fairness Doctrine allows govt to meddle with free speech
Bob Lancaster: A new leaf
Brenda Blagg: Strive for equality

Benton Courier political cartoon