Wednesday in Arkansas

Legislature: No scheduled meetings today.
Governor Beebe:

10:00 a.m.: Beebe makes an announcement regarding the NW Ark. Conservation Authority (Bentonville Public Library) (see local news below);
11:00 a.m.: Beebe meets with Bentonville Chamber of Commerce members (River Grille);
1:00 p.m.: Beebe addresses the Arkansas Association of Counties 2007 Annual Conference (Hot Springs Convention Center)

6:30 a.m.: Bi-partisan 5K (St. Charles River);
8:15 a.m.: General session and business meeting -- perspective on critical times. Speakers:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff
Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu

11:30 a.m.: Building a workforce for the 21st century;
1:00 p.m.: S-CHIP and the state of children's health;
2:45 p.m.: Encroachment on the separation of powers doctrine;
4:00 p.m.: The budget and the public (or preemption by federal legislation);
5:30 p.m.: The next big one: Are consumers and the insurance industry ready?;
7:00 p.m.: High level radioactive waste materials, transport, and disposal.

Salt Lake Tribune: At least 3 days to reach miners
Washington Post: States angered by disaster plan
New York Times: Government set for a crackdown on illegal hiring
New York Times: More generics slow the surge in drug prices
San Francisco Chronicle: The new king of swing
Boston Globe: Pentagon to fly armored vehicles to Iraq

Ark. Democrat Gazette: Finance board votes to seek 4.75% CD rate
Associated Press: State asks for dismissal of suit
Associated Press: Soybean rust found in Lafayette, Miller counties
Ark. News Bureau: Clinton: Biggest problems of century relate to identity
Ark. News Bureau: Panel: Nanotechnology could bring U.S. billions
Ark. Democrat Gazette: UALR nanotech center draws three companies
Associated Press: New survey shows only LR matches nat'l wages

Gov. Mike Beebe will respond to a $33 million request for a regional wastewater facility today, his office confirmed Tuesday. U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., will also attend the governor's announcement on the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority request at 10 a.m. at the Bentonville Public Library. [NWA Morning News]

The Texarkana Ark., School District presented a seminar Monday night on the International Baccalaureate Programme. [Texarkana Gazette]

In an effort to highlight the success and bring attention to the hardships of the local farming community, U. S. Rep. John Boozman toured farms in Washington County on Tuesday. [Northwest Arkansas Times]

Dr. Sarah Robertson has joined AHEC-Southwest in Texarkana as a faculty physician. [Texarkana Gazette]

On Tuesday, the Bentonville Planning Commission found itself discussing the condition of a bridge in the southwest corner of the city on Shell Road. [Benton County Daily Record]

Texarkana will host Arkansas’s first-ever Dixie World Series in 2009 and plans are already under way to make it one to remember. [Texarkana Gazette]

The Washington County Sheriff's Office sought permission Tuesday from the county's Finance Committee to participate in a state program whereby those sentenced to community service clean litter from state highways. The sheriff's office will be paid $2 per participant per hour by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, up to a maximum of $50,000 per year, said Helder. [NWA Morning News]

Texarkana Gazette: Shattered trust
Paul Greenberg: The shops are gone now
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: The confusion continues
Gene Lyons: Health care is a human need, too
David Sanders: Traction? Or grapsing at straws?
Benton County Daily Record: Opening eyes
Meredith Oakley: More questions
Brenda Blagg: Huckabee builds momentum