9/28: Arkansas finally sells a scratch-off

SPR: Tom Baxter: Arkansas finally sells a scratch-off

"They've waited longer than four of their neighbors, voted on it and argued over how it will be administered. But at 12:01 a.m. Monday at the Murphy USA gas station in West Little Rock, the first scratch-off ticket was purchased a ceremony to begin the Arkansas lottery.

"Arkansas gamblers won't get Powerball until Oct. 31, but as of today they will be able to purchase instant games at 1,500 locations around the state. Arkansas is playing catch-up with four of its neighboring states, but lottery director Ernie Passailaigue -- a former South Carolina state senator who ran that state's lottery before being hired away by Arkansas -- has predicted the state will raise $400,000 million a year for college scholarships."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's GOP, Democratic congressmen cautious about health care reforms

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe plans trade mission to Europe

FLORIDA: Weekend crash total at 131 vehicles

GEORGIA: Homeless sex offenders directed to woods as last resort in Marietta

KENTUCKY: EPA sets up plan for surface coal mining study

LOUISIANA: Population shift could alter congressional districts

MISSISSIPPI: Too early to tell if state will raise tuition for universities

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue's administration has fewer women in Cabinet than any other governor

SOUTH CAROLINA: State comptroller says stimulus is growing government, not economy

TENNESSEE: State Rep. Kelsey resigns to run for state senate seat

VIRGINIA: Candidates for governor debate tactics for state's economic stimulus

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