Monday in Arkansas

Legislature: There is one legislative meeting at the Capitol today:

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
10:00 a.m.	State Agencies & Govt.'l Affairs	151	Click here

Governor Beebe: No official events scheduled today.
Lt. Gov. Halter: No official events scheduled today.

Looking for something to do today?
There's a spanish hike at Pinnacle Mountain State Park (meet at the Kingfisher trailhead at 8:30 a.m.).

All Day: Opportunities, Inc. Golf Tournament (Texarkana C.C.)
5:30 p.m.: Hosting Leadership Texas (Harrelson Law Firm, 300 State Line)

Washington Post: Tommy Thompson leaves race after poor Iowa showing
New York Times: Rove to quit White House
Boston Globe: Many use handicap permits illegally
Salt Lake Tribune: 3rd time a charm?
Houston Chronicle: China toy company chief commits suicide over lead scandal
Associated Press: Huckabee: 2nd good as 1st in Republican poll

Ark. News Bureau: Would-be candidates following spouses into state politics
Associated Press: Ark. legislative committee considering illegal immigration
Ark. Democrat-Gazette: New tax rate benefits winners, tracks
Associated Press: Ark. officials hope federal funds increased for health-care
Associated Press: Ark. guard officials still considering backup for 39th
Associated Press: Magazine names Hot Springs an Arkansas site for adventure
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Sun.): Club permit in spotlight for Conway

Texarkana retailers have spent the past few days gearing up for the three-day, sales tax-free shopping weekend. [Texarkana Gazette]

Veterans’ groups consider forming combined honor guard in northwest Arkansas. [Benton County Daily Record]

It’s an innovative educational movement across the nation, and Arkansas is one of the leaders. The state-funded Arkansas Better Chance Schools for Success program provides families whose incomes are between the federal poverty line and 200 percent above it a chance to give their children high-quality prekindergarten education, and the program has found its way into Washington County. [Northwest Arkansas Times]

Students’ arrival at UA marks start of new retention program. [Northwest Arkansas Times]

In the special A&P Commission meeting Thursday, Aldermen Steve Lee and Bill Donnor raised other concerns about the A&P tax, including a generalized complaint that residents find it objectionable because they did not have the opportunity to vote on it. [Benton Courier]

On the fourth night of legalized bingo in Beebe over 100 people participated, listening intently for each call. [Searcy Daily Citizen]

Lower city sales tax revenue has derailed a plan to expand city offices in Springdale. [NWA Morning News]

John Brummett: Gospel of Bill Clinton and Rodney King
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: History? Who needs it?
Pat Lynch: Arrows of August
Northwest Arkansas Times: Hike, hike
Harrison Daily Times: Legislature should consider a summer sales tax holiday
Benton County Daily Record: Bentonville is host city for Babe Ruth World Series