El Dorado News-Times (VCID - Camden News)
NASA’s newest space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s newest crown jewel blasted off Sunday to hunt for planets around other stars, explore secret dark energy and survey the cosmos like never before. SpaceX launched the $4.3 billion Roman Space Telescope shortly after...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Intermediate School project is progressing toward ’27 completion
Construction on the new El Dorado Intermediate School is transitioning from major projects to interior finishes, according to the school district. The facility being constructed where the former high school once stood is slated to host classes for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Cotton visits fire crews, tours Union County wildfire site
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton visited Union County following the Pine Tree Road Fire, where he recognized first responders and other agencies for their work during the wildfire and toured the burned area. Cotton, R-Little Rock, presented certificates of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
US officials: Missile stocks in Europe ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is experiencing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe largely driven by President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, a U.S. defense official in Europe and a NATO official told The Associated...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Bond market may be resetting expectations about the U.S.A.
WASHINGTON — U.S. debt hasn’t been further downgraded, breakeven rates on inflation-protected bonds haven’t spiked, and the cost of insuring against a federal default hasn’t skyrocketed, signs that most investors still see U.S. bonds as a largely...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Dolly Parton, music star, actor and beloved figure who spanned generations, has died at 80
Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, has died. She was 80 years old. Known for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Youth entrepreneur camp deemed a success
More than a dozen budding entrepreneurs delved into the various aspects of business ownership and met with local business leaders in the community during the first-ever youth entrepreneurship camp to be hosted by the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Wildfire near El Dorado reported 80% contained as of Saturday afternoon
The wildfire that burned more than 2,300 acres near El Dorado was about 80% contained on Saturday afternoon as the last of about 150 people who were evacuated in response to the fire were allowed to return home, authorities said. By Saturday morning,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
FIREFIGHTERS GAIN GROUND ON UNION COUNTY BLAZE
A wildfire that burned more than 2,300 acres in Union County was 80% contained Saturday afternoon, with fire lines established around the entire blaze and crews continuing to watch for flare-ups, officials said. The fire had burned 2,328 acres as of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Union County wildfire burns more than 2,100 acres
Wildfires in Union County near El Dorado were being contained Friday morning after more than 2,100 acres burned, and a wildfire spanning 100 acres was contained in Ashley County, officials said. No injuries had been reported, Fire Chief Chad Mosby of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East, relieving long-deployed USS Lincoln
WASHINGTON — The Asia-based USS George Washington aircraft carrier is now operating in the Middle East, the U.S. military said Thursday, relieving a long-deployed carrier following reports of mental health challenges and supply shortages aboard while...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Governors’ races being increasingly buffeted by the politics of data centers
More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths tech giants are building to fuel artificial intelligence products and cloud...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Florida carries out 13th execution of the year on a man convicted of killing estranged wife
STARKE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man convicted of fatally shooting his estranged wife and wounding his mother-in-law was executed Tuesday, continuing the state’s aggressive use of the death penalty in Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ final term. William...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Study weighs economic impact of AI data centers in rural Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK — Across the country, the explosive growth of massive data centers, many of them meant to power the growth of artificial intelligence, has drawn both criticism and support from communities in both rural and urban areas. As more land is...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Arts Center announces Fall Arts Academy Classes
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) is welcoming a new season of creativity with registration now open for its 2026 Fall Arts Academy. In addition to the always-loved class offerings, this semester brings an expanded selection of classes in visual...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Little basking in success of UAM’s trap shooting team’s debut season
El Dorado native Brody Little has long had a passion for the outdoors and hunting. However, it wasn’t until last year that he found an outlet to put all that he has learned on display. Little, who recently finished his freshman year at...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Pentagon pressures expanding defense industry in South Arkansas
South Arkansas defense industry heavyweights Lockheed Martin and L3 Harris were working to expand weapons production well before the Pentagon ordered industry leaders to detail plans to speed up their assembly lines. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SAAC presents Four Seasons at Richland Creek Farm
Artist Maria Botti Villegas is hosting a “Harvest Season” Mixed Media Drawing & Painting Workshop for the third installment in her ‘Four Seasons at Richland Creek Farm’ series on September 19 from 9:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.. The workshop starts at Richland...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Potentially historic heatwave’ could expose Arkansans to more widespread heat illnesses
Arkansas could face what forecasters are calling a “potentially historic heat wave,” bringing sustained dangerous heat. Temperatures in the Little Rock area will reach 100 degrees on Thursday, with triple digit temperatures expected for at least 10...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mayflower joins other Arkansas cities in stopping use of Flock devices
Mayflower has become the second Central Arkansas city in the last week to ditch its Flock Safety license plate readers. Interim Police Chief Brittany Byrd announced Monday that after “evaluating the capabilities” of the cameras, Mayflower will...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Silver Screen Series returns to El Dorado
The South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society (SAHPS) has announced the return of its Silver Screen Series in a news release this week. The Silver Screen Series is dedicated to “showcasing timeless Hollywood classics from the remarkable film...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Houthis claim attacks on Saudi oil facility and Yemeni port, and other Mideast news
Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday struck a government-held port on the country’s Red Sea coast, killing several people and deepening fears over threats to strategic Middle East shipping routes and a potential return to civil war. They also...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SouthArk welcomes students to Howard Hall
In June 2024, Murphy Oil Corporation announced a $10 million charitable gift to South Arkansas College to help start funding for a residence hall and a baseball stadium. Just over two years later, the first of the new facilities was officially...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Firm says sites in Camden, region could support new nuclear reactors
Locations in southwest and Central Arkansas are best suited for new nuclear reactors, according to a study presented Thursday to the legislature’s Joint Energy Committee. Brian Meadors, an attorney with Maryland-based EXCEL Services Corp., told the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Governor launches process to replace McCollum as legislator, but county judge candidacy still stands
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will ask Republicans and Democrats to choose candidates for a special election to fill former state Rep. Austin McCollum’s unexpired term in the state House, which ends Jan. 11. McCollum resigned Wednesday following his...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PCI celebrates 45-year anniversary
Polyethylene Containers, Inc. (PCI) held an anniversary celebration for the company’s 45th anniversary on Wednesday. The celebration included remarks from the current CEO, Walter Tyson, COO Stephen D. Kelley, Vice President Mark Childs, as well as...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New World Screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico
New World screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in 42 domestic animal cases across Texas and New Mexico as of mid-July and Arkansas sheep and goat producers are being asked to treat this as an active and evolving threat. According to a news release from...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Boozman joins bipartisan push to expand access to paid leave
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., has joined a bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill to expand access to paid leave. Boozman, of Rogers, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act last month,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ex-superintendent appeals suspension
A former superintendent of the Fouke School District is appealing a three-year suspension of his teaching license that cited ethics violations including personal relationships with students. In a suit filed Wednesday in Pulaski County Circuit Court,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Winning with Lillian
There is no such thing as taking it easy for Lillian Geurin. In June, Geurin was elected National Beta Club Vice President, which came on the heels of her election to Arkansas State Vice President in January. “I enjoy it,” Geurin said. “I feel like...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ballet camp performs ‘The Spirit of the Tides’
The South Arkansas Arts Center held the Ballet Camp production of The Spirit of the Tides at 5:30 pm on Friday evening. The ballet featured music and characters from Moana, telling this well-loved story through dance. The production was directed by...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Camden named in nuclear feasibility study
The Camden area has been identified as one of six locations in Arkansas that could potentially support a nuclear power plant, according to a feasibility study authorized by the Arkansas Legislature. The study found that an area near Camden has an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Candidate filing underway for municipal races in Union County
The filing period for municipal elections opened at noon Wednesday, and three Union County residents were at the head of the line to file as candidates for city government offices in the November election. Nathan Rainey, running for El Dorado City...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Swamp Angel Ministries to host Retired Ministers Day
More than a quarter-century ago, David Bush went to a prayer meeting and, throughout the night, kept meeting retired ministers and pastors. “I knew I was supposed to do something for them,” he said. Thus were born Swamp Angel Ministries and Arkansas...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Work requirement expected to cause 10% increase in average cost of coverage under Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion program
The work requirement that will take effect for Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion program on Jan. 1 will not only decrease enrollment in the program but increase the average cost of providing coverage to those who remain, the state Department of Human...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
As Trump boosts nuclear power, regulators seek to eliminate a longstanding radiation safety rule
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to eliminate a foundational safety principle that has for 50 years minimized the radiation people in the United States are exposed to and that has been adopted around the world. Currently, facilities such...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Local state Civics Bee winner launches community book campaign
Jai Durvasula is preparing to travel to Washington, D.C., this October to represent Arkansas in the National Civics Bee following his win at the state Civics Bee in June. Durvasula, a rising eighth grader at Barton Junior High School in El Dorado,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Paradox CTO promises no increase to cost of electricity with data center buildout
Jeffery Harris, Chief Technology Officer of Paradox Infrastructure and Z Squared, spoke to the Quorum Court last week and assured them their planned data center would not raise electricity rates, but help in building the infrastructure in the area for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trump expands a voluntary pledge to protect consumers from high utility bills from AI data centers
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday had governors and electricity companies join a voluntary pledge to shield U.S. consumers from higher utility bills from data centers — a sign of how the artificial intelligence build-out has become a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Touch-A-Truck this Saturday
United Way of Union County is joining forces with The Salvation Army and Walmart to host the free 2026 Touch-A-Truck event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday at the El Dorado Walmart, 2730 N. West Ave., on the Garden Center side. Families are invited...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SAAC announces Annie KIDS cast for Penguin Project Production
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) announces the cast for this year’s Penguin Project Summer Camp production of Annie, KIDS. Camp will take place July 20–24, culminating in a performance at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24. Directed by Lynn Gunter,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Arkansas’ 8.81% food stamp error rate has state facing multimillion-dollar federal penalty
There is good and bad news for Arkansas when it comes to how it runs the program for federal food assistance. The good news is that a recent report from the federal government shows Arkansas’ error rate for payments made under the Supplemental...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
U.S. strikes Iran over troop deaths
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States launched more airstrikes at Iran on Sunday in response to the killing of U.S. troops, and Iran fired missiles toward Jordan that risked widening the conflict into neighboring Israel. Step by step, the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Number of children served by state program falls 32% after cuts
A Cabot daycare center on Friday joined the dozens of Arkansas childcare facilities that have closed down since the Arkansas Department of Education cut payments last fall for a program serving low-income families. Beth Flippo, the executive director...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Final presentation of Boomtown Days 2026 set for Saturday
The third and final installment of Boomtown Days 2026 is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. today in Downtown El Dorado. Admission is free, and the event will include festival food, live music and plenty of family-friendly activities, organizers said. Terry...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Gov. Sanders, experts comment on regional lithium industry at Texarkana conference
TEXARKANA, Texas — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday said Arkansas is positioned to become a national leader in the lithium industry, telling business leaders the state’s deposits could transform its economy while reducing U.S. dependence on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
US reimposes blockade and steps up strikes as Iran threatens to halt energy exports
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and intensified its airstrike campaign Wednesday in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks on ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The American strikes hit an...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trump backs away from plan to charge fees in the Strait of Hormuz
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday backtracked on plans to charge ships for using the Strait of Hormuz, saying Gulf countries would instead invest in the United States. Another wave of U.S. strikes on Iran, and Iranian...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Arkansas' ban on food stamps for candy, sodas goes well for retailers, but customers voice irritation
More than a week after the rollout of Arkansas' ban on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to purchase candy and soft drinks, retailers had reported few hiccups. The reviews from at least some shoppers were less positive,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally and foreign policy hawk, dies after a brief illness
WASHINGTON — Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress who traveled the globe to advocate for a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy, has died after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said. He was 71. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rockin’ For Vickers:
Local bands and friends of Chris Vickers came together July 11 at Hills Pool Hall to celebrate the life of the local musician while raising community awareness about suicide prevention and the need for more local mental health resources. The benefit...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Winner of the State Civics Bee given Key to the City
Jai Durvasula was presented with the Key to the City at the El Dorado City Council meeting on Thursday. Durvssula was recognized for his academic achievement and first place win in the state Civics Bee. While being presented with the key to the city...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ElDo city clerk receives leadership award, master designation
El Dorado City Clerk Heather McVay walked away from 92nd annual Arkansas Municipal League Convention last month with more than ongoing education and knowledge on topics about how to improve local government. For her 13 years of service to the city and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Proposed data center brings permitting history into focus
The recent announcement by Z Squared of their plans to merge with Paradox Data and build a 150 MW data center in Union County has led to community members asking why residents were unaware of the project. The June announcement by Z Squared was the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Hail, wind damage reported in parts of Arkansas after Monday storms
Parts of Arkansas had reports of wind damage and hail after a series of storms Monday, the National Weather Service said. Much of the state experienced scattered thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening. A combination of several elements created a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Alligator hunting permits available
Applications for the 2026 Arkansas alligator hunting season are available at www.agfc.com until midnight July 31. Anyone interested in pursuing alligators on public land in Arkansas must apply for one of the nine hunting locations within Arkansas’s...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Do Wins to hear funding requests totaling $12.1M
Members of the El Dorado Wins Board are expected to consider three funding requests totaling more than $12.1 million when they convene for a regular meeting at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber of City Hall. The largest ask pertains to highway...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
UNION COUNTY MARKS CENTURIES OF CHANGE, FROM OIL BOOM TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of an ongoing America 250 series examining the people, places and events that helped shape South Arkansas and their connection to the nation’s history as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. Union...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado welcomes the Redbull Airforce and drone show
Larger crowds gathered in downtown El Dorado to watch the RedBull Airforce skydivers and the first-ever drone show at the MAD amphitheater on Thursday night. The show began at 8:45 pm with the Redbull Airforce skydivers leaping from a plane over...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
The Tucker-Parnell Feud: The showdown that shook South Arkansas
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of an ongoing America 250 series examining the people, places and events that helped shape South Arkansas and their connection to the nation’s history as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. A sidewalk,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Maud Crawford’s story in South Arkansas began long before her disappearance
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of an ongoing America 250 series examining the people, places and events that helped shape South Arkansas and their connection to the nation’s history as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. By the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado native Lamar Hunt gave the Super Bowl its name
Long before the Super Bowl became the biggest day on the American sports calendar, it was just a name one football owner tossed out during a conversation. That owner was Lamar Hunt, who was born in El Dorado and grew up in a family whose fortune was...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Florida-based firm details plans for local data center
An El Dorado facility identified as a data center is the acquisition target of a Florida-based digital infrastructure company that says it has plans to expand the operation there significantly. Publicly traded Z Squared Inc. said Thursday that it has...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Architect Fay Jones found his foundation in South Arkansas
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of an ongoing America 250 series examining the people, places and events that helped shape South Arkansas and their connection to the nation’s history as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. Long before...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
T.H. Barton helped shape town during South Arkansas’ oil boom
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of an ongoing America 250 series examining the people, places and events that helped shape South Arkansas and their connection to the nation’s history as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. Thomas H....
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado’s Reece ‘Goose’ Tatum became South Arkansas’ ambassador of laughter
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of an ongoing America 250 series examining the people, places and events that helped shape South Arkansas and their connection to the nation’s history as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. Reece...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado boy, 12, wins Arkansas civics bee, qualifies for nationals in D.C.
Jai Durvasula, 12, of El Dorado, is on his way to Washington, D.C., after taking home the top prize at the National Civics Bee Arkansas State Finals on Wednesday. For Jai, who attends Barton Junior High School, the event gave him a second chance to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Official says Issue 3 would give communities new development tool
Michele Simmons Allgood, a financial lawyer with the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, spoke with the Union County Quorum Court last Thursday about Issue 3 ahead of a town hall meeting to discuss the topic on June 29. According to Allgood, Issue...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SAAC hosts Awards Reception June 27 for 2026 Juried Art Competition Exhibition
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) invites the community to celebrate the artists featured in its 2026 Juried Art Competition during an Awards Reception from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, in the Merkle and Price Galleries. Nationally...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Boomtown Days brings music downtown
Main Street El Dorado hosted Boomtown Days on Saturday in downtown El Dorado, where attendees braved the heat and were treated to live performances, craft vendors, and food trucks. The June Boomtown Days featured the return of the Showdown at Sunset,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Vance meets top Iranian officials as U.S. looks to get negotiations back on track
OBBUERGEN, Switzerland (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Sunday there was an opportunity to “turn over a new leaf” with Iran as the sides launched talks aimed at building out the interim deal to end the war in Iran reached by the two sides last...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Restoration project planned for City Hall
City Hall will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year and months ahead the milestone moment, the city is expected to get the ball rolling on a restoration project on the municipal building. Michael Rogers of MR Designs, LLC, architectural firm —...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
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...
Read Full Story (Page 1)