El Dorado News-Times
Union County Cooperative Extension Service and Main Street El Dorado give updates to Quorum Court
Union County Quorum Court was visited by Terry Moore, executive director of Main Street El Dorado, and Jason Hillman, staff chair of the Union County Cooperative Extension Service, for updates on their programs from 2026. Moore, who became the...
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Reality TV star Jase Robertson to appear at local event
Last fall, more than 800 attendees packed into the First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District for a Meet and Eat with pro bass fisherman Hank Parker. The evening, presented by South Arkansas Fishers of Men and largely coordinated by laymen...
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FBI led crime sweep results in 9 indictments
An FBI-led initiative resulted in nine Arkansans being indicted on multiple federal gun- and drug-related charges, a U.S. attorney’s office news conference on Tuesday revealed. Coined “Operation VIPER,” which stands for violence intervention proactive...
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Legislative panel advances rules to restrict school choice program spending on athletics, limit fund rollovers
An Arkansas legislative panel advanced proposed changes to the Educational Freedom Account program for the 2026-27 school year on Monday. The Arkansas Department of Education’s proposed rule changes seek to prevent misuse of the hundreds of millions...
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South Arkansas Junteenth Festival adds more activities to the event
More activities have been added to the 2026 South Arkansas Juneteenth Festival, stretching the event across three days. Originally scheduled to begin Friday, activities for SAJF will kick off Wednesday with a community cleanup, organizers...
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Baptist Health officially takes over local hospital
The papers have been signed, sealed and delivered and Baptist Medical Health Center-El Dorado will begin serving the area's medical needs. A monthslong effort by Baptist Health hospital to acquire the former South Arkansas Regional Hospital campus...
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States move to curb pricing tactics
A growing number of states are introducing bans on dynamic pricing or surveillance pricing as consumer concerns grow about the possible misuse of retail technology. But a retail expert describes these new laws as “purely preemptive...
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Official: U.S., Iran have agreed to wording of a deal
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal. Prime Minister Shehbaz...
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Arkansas Black Hall of Fame announces 2026 inductees
The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame announced seven inductees for the 2026 class on Wednesday, honoring representatives of Black excellence in government, sports, medicine and more. The six inductees include Joe Marcus Johnson, Frank A. James, Shirley N....
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El Do City Council to consider ordinance, lease for hospital acquistion
With an acquisition deal between South Arkansas Regional Hospital and Baptist Health Hospital expected to go into effect Sunday, the El Dorado City Council will consider two related actions during a regular monthly meeting at 5:15 p.m. today. The...
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Trump dismisses idea Iran betrays his ‘no new wars’ message
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — President Donald Trump is dismissing the idea that launching the war with Iran this year betrayed his refrain of “No new wars” that he made repeatedly as he campaigned again for the White House. Trump, in an interview that aired...
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Crash of vehicle carrying kids during pursuit near Camden prompts ASP warning to parents
Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar called Friday for parents not to flee police with children aboard after a May pursuit in Ouachita County ended in a crash that left four young children shaken but unhurt. The trooper pursuing Tyrice Fletcher, 28,...
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Asbestos abatement project nearing completion at former Warner Brown Hospital
A public meeting to give an update on the progress of asbestos removal from the West Wing of the Former Warner Brown Hospital was held on May 21 at the Union County Courthouse. Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District (SWAPDD) Special...
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Drum battle set for Juneteenth in El Dorado
Drummers in the area will have the opportunity to go head-to-head for prizes and bragging rights during the Juneteenth-themed Battle of the Drummers, which is set for 5 - 9 p.m. on June 19 at the TAC House, 1101 N. West Ave. Presented by the Literacy...
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Local man taken into custody following stand-off with SWAT
Mount Holly Road was shut down following reports of an aggravated assault on Wednesday morning, which led to an El Dorado man being taken into custody following SWAT intervention, according to a news release from the El Dorado Police Department...
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No formal plans for summer jobs program
The city of El Dorado is not formally offering its summer youth work program for 2026. El Dorado City Council Member Willie McGhee inquired about the program in mid-May, saying that he had received several calls from area youth who were looking for...
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Construction expected to begin soon for expo center
The last of the construction materials have arrived for the South Arkansas Expo Center, and crews are expected to begin erecting the pre-engineered metal building soon. Deliveries began May 4 for components of the building kit that will make up 40,000...
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Israeli army captures strategic castle in Lebanon
BEIRUT — Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in the deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter-century, the military said Sunday. The taking of Beaufort castle, near...
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Young at Heart
If there is anyone that can be described as being young at heart, Ashley Johnson is it. An eighth-grade science teacher at Barton Junior High School, Johnson was selected as the El Dorado School District Teacher of the Year, as well as the El Dorado...
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Chairman, co-chairman to head up El Do Finance Committee
The El Dorado City Council Finance Committee did not take long to conduct its business during a meeting that was held earlier this week. In less than an hour Tuesday, the committee, which is made up of members of the city council, held a robust...
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South Arkansas Arts Center and South Arkansas Symphony announce unification ahead of SASO’s 70th season
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) and the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (SASO) are pleased to announce that the Symphony will officially become part of SAAC beginning in July 2026, coinciding with the launch of the orchestra’s landmark 70th...
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One hurt in explosions at local recycling facility
Multiple explosions were reported at Wildcat Recycling just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The El Dorado Fire Department responded along with the Union County Sheriff's Office to the emergency. According to employees who were at the scene, they were...
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Cause undetermined in fire at Oakhurst apartments
The cause of a fire that destroyed several units at a local apartment complex in late March has been deemed undetermined, according to the El Dorado Fire Department. El Dorado Fire Marshal Jason Evans said the investigation into the incident is...
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City Council Finance Committee to meet today
The El Dorado City Council Finance Committee has a lot to discuss when they meet at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber of City Hall. The committee is expected to elect a new chairman weeks after Vance Williamson, former city council...
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South Arkansas defense industry expands amid rising global demand
Though South Arkansas has been the site of munitions manufacturing since the 1940s, world events such as the conflict with Iran have ushered in a new era and shined a spotlight on the defense industry in south Arkansas. Coupled with demand from the...
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Election commissioner tells JPs to ‘get your house in order’
Union County Election Commissioner Horace R. Charles spoke to the Quorum Court about the state of county elections during the May meeting on Thursday and told the Justices it is time to get their house in order. Charles told the court that Arkansas...
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Union County reclassifies dispatchers as first responders
Union County Quorum Court passed a resolution recognizing public safety telecommunicators as first responders during the May meeting on Thursday. County dispatchers were in attendance at the meeting on Thursday as they were recognized by the Quorum...
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Obsession with mass shootings was ‘divine intervention’ for former Fordyce officer
FORDYCE — During his first two months as a Fordyce police officer, even before he responded to a mass shooting that left four people dead, Neil Brasse was “obsessing” over active shooters. “I don’t know why, it just became a subject I was into all of...
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Hospital CEO warns state’s hospital system is unsustainable, rural medical centers at risk
Arkansas’ current hospital system is not sustainable because roughly 40% of the state’s hospitals operate at a net income loss, the president and chief executive officer of Conway Regional Health System warned state lawmakers on Tuesday. Matt Troup,...
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ACA enrollment projected to drop 5 million as costs rise
Nationwide enrollment in the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace could plummet by nearly 5 million people this year, shrinking the number of participants in the program by more than 20%, according to a new analysis from the healthcare...
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Smackover Lithium clears NEPA review for SW Arkansas Project
Smackover Lithium said the U.S. Department of Energy has completed its environmental review of the South West Arkansas Project under the National Environmental Policy Act, issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI. The decision concludes...
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Stevie Jo’s Ribbon Cutting
The Union County El Dorado Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Stevie Jo's, a female clothing store.
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Where softball and community come together
As the sun descends over the El Dorado Recreation Complex, the gentle clatter of bats echoes through the air. The atmosphere is filled with the enticing aroma of freshly cut grass and hot dogs and nachos from the concession stand. The parking lot...
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AI-generated bills are misinforming residents on social media
False reports of new laws being enacted are the latest trend in AI-generated fake news. Currently, one such bill that can be found on Facebook, labeled House Bill 1742, says, “Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially signed House Bill 1742 into...
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Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as a ship is seized and another is sunk
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iran and another — a cargo ship near Oman — sank after being attacked, authorities said Thursday, as tensions escalated near the Strait of...
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Senators again pitch area as future hub for U.S. lithium production
Three Republican senators are pressing the Defense Department to back lithium development in South Arkansas and East Texas, arguing the region could become a critical domestic source for minerals used in U.S. weapons systems and military...
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Bones found in cemetery suspected to be animal remains
El Dorado police were notified of the discovery of bones in Morningstar Cemetery on Friday evening. The cemetery groundskeeper told local law enforcement he was mowing the cemetery at approximately 6:40 p.m. when he discovered unidentified bones near...
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Sudie Garner celebrates 100th birthday
Sudie Vernessa Calloway Garner, known also as “Mamma Sudie” turned 100 on May 7. Family and friends of Garner gathered at First Baptist Church in El Dorado on Sunday to celebrate the milestone event. Garner, born in Laran, Louisiana in 1926, the...
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More than $76M worth of building permits issued in ’25
Eleven building permits, totaling $4.75 million, were issued in the city during the first quarter of 2026, according to Robert Edmonds, director of public works. While the total estimated value of the permits far exceeded the total from the same...
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Local Standard Lithium manager is honored among rising leaders
A few years ago, Will Smith took a gamble. He left a steady engineering job for a company people in Arkansas maybe had not heard of at the time — Standard Lithium — and stepped into a developing industry built around the promise of extracting lithium...
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Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission renews almost all of state’s licenses, delays 5 others over paperwork issues
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission renewed all but five of the licenses for the state’s cannabis dispensaries, cultivators and processors at its meeting Thursday. In total, 34 out of the state’s 37 medical marijuana dispensaries, and six out of...
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Pregnant women, new mothers the focus of Arkansas ad campaign promoting local health units
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas health officials debuted a new campaign Wednesday to promote the availability of prenatal and postpartum care at the state Department of Health’s local health units. The campaign, launched with the tagline...
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Don Miller appointed to vacancy on El Dorado City Council
Residents of Ward 2 have a new representative on the El Dorado City Council. Don Miller has been appointed to fill the unexpired term of former Council Member Vance Williamson. During a special called meeting Tuesday, Miller was plucked from a pool...
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Keep El Dorado Beautiful staying busy
The past two weeks have been busy for Keep El Dorado Beautiful. In April, the group conducted its annual, community Litter Index Survey and teamed up with Hugh Goodwin elementary school for Plant the Town Purple 2026. KEB also set up a booth that...
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Town halls set in May, June on Arkansas’ forthcoming Medicaid work requirement
The Arkansas Department of Human Services announced Friday it will host a series of five town halls this month and in June about the work requirement that will take effect Jan. 1 for enrollees in the state’s Medicaid expansion program. Department...
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Coalition forms to oppose state constitutional amendment on private schools
Three groups favoring school choice have come together to again oppose a proposed constitutional amendment they said is an attack on educational freedom in Arkansas. The conservative think tank Opportunity Arkansas and the nonprofits Reform Alliance...
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Two Standard Lithium employees are honored with Patriot Award
Two Standard Lithium employees recently received the Patriot Award after being nominated by co-worker Jackson Gray, who serves in the National Guard. Terrie James, a volunteer with Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented...
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Gay Bechtelheimer's exhibition 'Outermost' to open at SAAC
Artist Gay Bechtelheimer is preparing to install an exhibition of her new works, entitled “Outermost,” in SAAC’s Merkle Gallery. The new exhibition, which includes watercolor, pastel, and collage created by Bechtelheimer, will be on display May 7-28....
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Spring Book Sale at Barton Library this weekend
the Barton Library is underway. From April 30- May 2, books will be on sale for $1 per book or fill a bag for $5 in the Barton Library parking lot. Thursday and Friday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce awarded $9,025 from AEDC
Governor Sarah Sanders joined the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) to award 22 communities with $25 million through the Arkansas Site Development Program. The communities receiving Arkansas Site Development Program funds include Bradley...
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Trump, King Charles tout alliance
WASHINGTON — King Charles III marked the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain with gratitude that the two countries united to build “one of the most consequential alliances in human history” while urging “that we ignore the clarion...
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Cotton raises Arkansas lithium project in Senate hearing
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Tuesday pointed to a lithium deposit in South Arkansas as an important piece of the nation’s effort to build up its own supply of critical minerals, pressing Energy Secretary Chris Wright on how quickly projects can...
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City continuing discussions about tax oversight to support SARH
Time is drawing near for an acquisition deal to go into effect for South Arkansas Regional Hospital and Baptist Health system. SARH reached a definitive agreement last month for Baptist to add the El Dorado to its health system and assume operation...
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No injuries reported in Parkers Chapel structure fire
Parkers Chapel and El Dorado fire departments responded to a structure fire reported on Red Oak Drive in Parkers Chapel on Saturday morning. The fire was called into dispatch by the Fire Marshall who lived in the neighborhood and was talking a walk...
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Carbon removal firm says Arkansas has most forest restoration projects in the southeastern U.S. states
Carbon removal project developer Chestnut Carbon Arkansas said Thursday that Arkansas led six southeastern U.S. states with the highest number of forest restoration projects, highest state-level economic impact and highest job creation, with 31...
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SACC raises awareness about child abuse for Child Abuse Awareness Month
The South Arkansas Children’s Coalition (SACC) is raising awareness about child abuse in Union County during Child Abuse Awareness Month. SACC is an organization that provides services aimed at supporting children affected by abuse. Their efforts...
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Federal judge halts state law affecting minors’ internet access
A federal judge has halted enforcement of an Arkansas law that would have restricted access by minors to the internet and prohibited social media platforms from engaging in “addictive practices.” The preliminary injunction means Act 900 of 2025, which...
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Cotton raises lithium project in Senate hearing
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton on Tuesday pointed to a lithium deposit in South Arkansas as an important piece of the nation’s effort to build up its own supply of critical minerals, pressing Energy Secretary Chris Wright on how quickly projects can move...
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EHS hosts 19th Academic Signing Day for seniors
El Dorado High School held its 19th annual Academic Signing Day on Monday. Three hundred and four seniors gathered in the stadium to sign for the El Dorado Promise, a scholarship program that provides funding for college and tuition fees. The event...
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Trump says U.S. negotiators will go to Pakistan on Monday for more talks with Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will head to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks with Iran, raising hopes of extending a fragile ceasefire set to expire by Wednesday, even as Washington and Tehran remain in a...
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Preparations are ongoing for 34th Mayhaw Festival
The 34th Mayhaw Festival will have a little something for everyone. The festival is scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society Executive Director Jimmie Lunsford, preparations are...
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Soul Fest rescheduled to May 1 in anticipation of inclement weather
Blues and Southern soul fans are going to have to wait a little longer to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Soul Fest. The annual concert that features the biggest names in blues, southern soul and R&B has been rescheduled to May 1 due to inclement...
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Local youth showcase photography project at Murphy USA
Students from the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado showcased a photography project at Murphy USA on Wednesday. Lisa Tarver, an Artist in Education instructor, worked with the youth on capturing the angles of colored to pattern marbles with...
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Arkansas ‘DoorDash grandma’ delivers burgers to White House
Sharon Simmons, the “DoorDash grandma” from Arkansas who delivered McDonald’s take-out to President Donald Trump at the Oval Office on Monday, was chosen by DoorDash for the role because she had testified in July before a congressional hearing in Las...
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El Dorado native is confirmed to federal bench
John Thomas Shepherd was confirmed as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas on Tuesday. Shepherd was introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee in February by Senator John Boozman and endorsed by President Donald...
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Sprintastic Line Dance weekend brings vistors to Camden from across the south
The 870 Free Style Dancers hosted the Springtastic Line Dance Weekend Friday and Saturday at the Events Center at Fairview Park in Camden. Dance groups from around South Arkansas and as far away at Shreveport and Little Rock attended the event in...
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City OKs construction contract for expo
The El Dorado City Council has formally approved a construction contract and a pair of change orders for the phase-one build out of the South Arkansas Expo Center. On April 9, city council members approved two resolutions, one, authorizing Mayor Paul...
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Youth of the Year: Boys & Girls Club’s Richmond makes most of hectic schedule
To say that Jeanaisa Richmond has a hectic schedule would be a vast understatement. A senior at El Dorado, Richmond has her studies along with a job at Andy’s Restaurant. Then there is her work at the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado. Richmond, who...
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Back-The-Kids Campaign 2026
The Boys and Girls Club of Union County is holding their annual Back-The-Kids Campaign to better support the youth of Union County. The Boys and Girls Club serves 4,358 children across Union County, and this campaign helps fund programs and services...
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Filing period begins in July for independents seeking city offices
The filing period is more than three months away for independent candidates who plan to run without party affiliation for city offices in Union County for the General Election in November. The filing period begins at noon July 20 and will end at noon...
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Standard Lithium employees receive Patriot Award
Two workers at Standard Lithium received the Patriot Award on Wednesday after being nominated by their employee Jackson Gray, who serves in the National Guard. Terrie James, a volunteer with Arkansas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, pinned...
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Oil prices plunge, stock futures jump amid ceasefire deal
NEW YORK — Oil prices plunged and U.S. stock futures jumped after President Donald Trump held off on his threat of devastating attacks on Iran. U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 15%. Futures for the S&P 500 were up 2.2% as of 8:05 p.m. ET, while...
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