Friday in Arkansas

The state Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs is going to consider all the testimony presented in the 2006 election dispute it heard earlier this week over the weekend. They'll reconvene next week to discuss a recommendation, which will be sent to the full Senate. There are no legislative meetings today, and the governor has no official events scheduled. A reception honoring "Champions of Rural Arkansas" will be held at 6:00 p.m. with Mike Ross this evening at the Arkansas Activities Association building in North Little Rock. Here locally, we'll cut the ribbon at the new Waste Management facility at 10:00 a.m. on West Seventh. Lawmakers are preparing to spend most of next week in special session.

New York Times: Parties Differ on Whom Economic Aid Should Help
Wall Street Journal: Spending Weak; Inflation Muted
Washington Post: Obama Rewriting Rules for Raising Campaign Money Online
Los Angeles Times: Three candidates, three approaches to the economy
Houston Chronicle: Consumer spending hits lowest point in 17 months
Chicago Tribune: US Jets Drop Bombs in Basra
Reuters: U.S. forces drawn deeper into Iraq crackdown

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: UA campuses seek increase in tuition, fees
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: 35 counties declared U.S. disaster areas
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Panel deliberates vote-contest case
Ark. News Bureau: Senators recess deliberations in election dispute case
Ark. News Bureau: IRS to hold workshops on economic stimulus payments
Ark. News Bureau: Special session to include Beebe address
Associated Press: Trustees consider 5% tuition hike for UA
Associated Press: Hearings over disputed election could spur law changes
Associated Press: Magistrate grants 45-day extension to AG in poultry case
Associated Press: Potlatch closes Prescott mill

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Some reformer
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Closing time (McDaniel/payday lenders)
Texarkana Gazette: Sending a Message
Arkansas Leader: We’re bullish on natural gas
Arkansas Leader: Hanky-panky at the polls
Jeff Hankins: Severance Tax Debate
Brenda Blagg: Many Mourn Loss
Meredith Oakley: Cycle still unbroken
Vic Harville cartoon