The U.S Senate has unanimously confirmed Arkansas Appeals Court Judge Brain Miller for a seat on the federal bench.

…The title of the first reading was called “Advancing in Adversity.” To most, that is foreign to the way we think. After all adversity is defined as “difficulty” or “hardship,” and advancing means to “ move forward.” How do you move forward…

The relocation and expansion of the library was the topic of guest speakers Kick Hendrix and Linda Bennett at Wednesday’s meeting of the local Rotary Club, Hendrix and Bennett are members of the Phillips County Library Association. The purpose of the program was to encourage the community to donate to the fund to move the library to a new location.

Rayne Gordon, president of the Sonny Boy Blues Society, approached the Helena-West Helena Advertising & Promotions Commission Thursday for help funding the 23rd annual Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival. The application filed with the commission reflected a request for a one-time lump sum of $15,000 and $2,500 monthly but commissioners only funded the $15,000 request citing issues with festival finances.

An application filed for funding through the A&P commission shows a request of $100,000. The library began its literary efforts in 1891 by the Helena Women’s Association and in 1920, changed its name to the Helena Public Library.

LITTLE ROCK – Payday lenders throughout Arkansas must shut down immediately or face the likelihood of lawsuits, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Tuesday.

McDaniel said he sent letters to about 60 companies that run 156 payday lending outlets in Arkansas, telling them to cease and desist their practices.

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel moved Tuesday to shut down payday lending companies in the state, saying the fees they charge harmed the working poor and violated the state constitution’s ban on high-interest loans.

Southern Good Faith Fund’s Policy Team has been leading the Arkansans Against Payday Lending coalition.

Good news out of Arkansas: after a hard-fought legal and political battle, the state should soon be rid of predatory payday lending.

Southern’s Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) sites have processed more than $1 million in 2007 tax year refunds; all sites open through April 15, 2008

LITTLE ROCK—Southern Good Faith Fund and its parent company, Southern Bancorp Inc. (“Southern”), held a news conference today to highlight the availability of free income tax preparation services to Arkansans with annual incomes of $40,000 or less-a threshold that covers more than half of Arkansas households.