Wednesday in Arkansas

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

Time	Committee	Room	Agenda
1:00 p.m.	Agriculture, Forestry & Econ. Dev.	171	Click here

Governor Beebe: 9:15 a.m.: Beebe speaks at the health policy summit (LR Hilton).

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

At the Little Rock Hilton today: Health crisis: An unconscionable reality
A summit on health policy and legislation

Looking for something to do today?
The 109th Annual Tontitown Grape Festival is underway.
It's Old-Time String Band Week in Mountain Home.
The 79th Annual Montgomery County Fair continues today.
Author Norris Church Mailer will be at the New Delhi Cafe in Eureka Springs at 5:30 p.m. to sign copies of her new book Cheap Diamonds.

9:30 a.m.: Historic District Commission Meeting (Arkansas City Hall Board Room)
11:00 a.m.: Ribbon cutting at Chisholm Trail Steakhouse (2830 Richmond Rd.)
12:00 p.m.: Meet with area circuit clerks (Miller County Courthouse)
6:00 p.m.: Public hearing to discuss comm. dev. block grant (AHEC)
7:00 p.m.: Smokey & the Bandit Rolling Road Show (Fairgrounds)

Washington Post: Hastert rules out another run
New York Times: Mattel recalls 19 million toys sent from China
Los Angeles Times: Have consumers gone wobbly?
Houston Chronicle: Tropical storm issued for Texas coast
Associated Press: Hillary Clinton papers unlikely to be released before 2008
Stephens DC Bureau: Senators file bill commemorating Central anniversary

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Study alien laws in other states first, Beebe says
Ark. News Bureau: Beebe: More information needed on immigration issue
Ark. Democrat Gazette: Schedule shaping up for Sen. Clinton visit
Ark. News Bureau: Sen. Clinton to meet with Ark. legislators Monday
Associated Press: Ark. ACT results reach record in math and reading
Ark. Democrat Gazette: State still behind U.S. in preparing pupils for college
Ark. Democrat Gazette: Rate caps let lenders in Ark. avoid subprime struggles
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: New UA finance center opening
Associated Press: Little Rock voters OK strong-mayor measures
Associated Press: Ark. AG to chair state campaign for Clinton's presidential bid
Ark. Democrat Gazette: Youth lockup firm gets OK from state
Ark. Democrat Gazette: Power demand in state surging

Residents in the Iron Mountain addition of Texarkana, Ark., should soon be receiving visits from police officers armed with questions about problems in the neighborhood. [Texarkana Gazette]

Turnout was low at the polls on Tuesday, but all measures passed — including Bentonville’s 1-cent sales tax that could help provide for the city’s roads, parks and other municipal services over the next 25 years. [Benton County Daily Record]

State Rep. Marilyn Edwards announced Tuesday her intention to run as the Democratic candidate for Washington County judge next year. [Northwest Arkansas Times]

Some find fees on utility bills confusing (by Jodi Sheridan). [Texarkana Gazette]

A local charter school organization can save money on payments for two campuses with a bond issue that has lower interest rates. The Benton County School of the Arts board on Monday heard about a refinancing plan from Mechel Wall, founder of the Benton County Charter School Organization. [NWA Morning News]

Arkansas-side Dixie Youth officials land second national tournament. [Texarkana Gazette]

Residents interested in call center work can check out a job fair being held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Texarkana College’s Truman Arnold Student Center, 2500 N. Robison Road. [Texarkana Gazette]

The Texarkana, Ark., Planning Commission recommended rezoning property at the northwest corner of East Broad Street and Sugar Hill Road from rural residential to open display commercial Tuesday night. [Texarkana Gazette]

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has selected the route for the railroad overpass project slated for Prescott. A map of the route and information regarding the project has also been released by the AHTD. [Hope Star]

In need of positives following a devastating Feb. 24 tornado, Dumas received a healthy charge on Monday morning when Entergy Arkansas dedicated a new $10.8 million electrical substation to replace one wrecked by the storm. [Pine Bluff Commercial]

Even though Phillips County is in the South, it looks a lot like the Midwest section of the United States according to Robert Goodson, county extension agent with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Phillips County. This year corn has taken over cotton as the second largest crop in the county. [Helena Daily World]

The school year, which starts Monday, will include a change in the way the body mass index (BMI) of students is measured and reported. Mainly, there will be less of it, and parents can opt out if they choose. [Forrest City Times Herald]

Gov. Mike Beebe: Meeting the growing needs of an expanding population
Paul Greenberg: The Inarticulate Society
Texarkana Gazette: No big deal
David Sanders: Straw polls and wedding bells
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Down, set, hike
Meredith Oakley: Arkansas's heat beat
Gene Lyons: In Washington, it’s conservatism gone mad
NWA Morning News: Will success spoil Mike Huckabee?
Benton County Daily Record: Second place win
Brenda Blagg: Huckabee calls it a win
Vic Harville cartoon