Community News
Thursday, May 14, 2026 · El Dorado
When to Plant in Arkansas: A Frost Date Guide for Spring Gardeners
Arkansas gardeners should wait until their area's documented last frost date before planting heat-loving crops. Last frost dates vary across the state, ranging from April 6 in Texarkana to April 25 in Fayetteville.
Arkansas Senate Blocks $750 Million Franklin County Prison Bill
Arkansas Senate killed the governor's $750 million prison plan for Franklin County after repeated votes. Opponents cited runaway costs and the lack of local consultation.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Fayetteville tackles housing crisis with $10M affordable housing push
Fayetteville's City Council has approved a major initiative to address a nearly two-year housing shortage by identifying and renovating vacant properties while building the region's construction workforce. The $10 million investment reflects the city's recognition that affordable housing stock has dramatically lagged behind rapid population growth in Northwest Arkansas.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Sanders Orders Water Plan Update Amid Delta Drought Fears
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has directed a sweeping update to Arkansas' water strategy, targeting depletion in the critical Delta region where farms and households face growing scarcity. The executive order mandates modeling of water availability and demands, with Phase I due within a year. As droughts intensify, stakeholders from agriculture to local governments are urged to collaborate on solutions.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump Says U.S. and Iran Will Sign Agreement on June 14
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States and Iran plan to sign an agreement on June 14. The deal is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and include provisions governing Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Southern Lebanon village counts 14 dead from Israeli airstrike
An airstrike in a southern Lebanese village killed 14 people last month. The strike marks one incident in an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that has claimed more than 3,700 lives.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Surveillance Program Set to Lapse as Congress Leaves Town Without Extension
A major U.S. intelligence program that enables surveillance of foreigners abroad through collection of domestic communications will terminate at the end of Friday unless Congress acts. Lawmakers departed Washington without scheduling a vote on extending the authority.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
U.S. and Iran near deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, officials say
President Donald Trump and Iranian officials say a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be finalized within days. Pakistan has served as a key mediator in the talks.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
U.S. and Iran Report Progress Toward Deal to End Four-Month-Old Conflict
U.S. and Iranian officials say they are moving closer to a deal that would end a conflict now in its fourth month. Specifics about when an agreement might take effect or how it would work remain unclear.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Israel launches air strikes on Lebanon as Iran signals progress toward US deal
Israel carried out air strikes against targets in Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media. Iran's foreign minister said negotiators were nearing a deal with the United States.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Police Launch Investigation Into Officer's Use of AI to Generate Evidence
A police department has launched a criminal investigation into an officer accused of using artificial intelligence to create evidence. The department removed the officer from frontline duties.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump Administration Orders Census Bureau to Eliminate Statistical Privacy Methods
The Trump administration has directed the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis to stop using statistical noise—techniques that obscure individual data to protect privacy—when publishing survey results. Officials say the methods introduce inaccuracies; critics warn the change could limit available public data.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Pakistan says U.S. and Iran reach agreement on peace deal text
Pakistan's prime minister announced that the United States and Iran have agreed on final text for a peace deal. Iran's foreign minister said the two countries have moved closer to resolution than at any previous point in negotiations.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
U.S. and Israeli strikes degrade Iran's military; administration claims strategic goals met
Joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes have significantly weakened Iran's armed forces and resulted in deaths of senior commanders. The Trump administration said Friday it has met its stated objectives, though details on specific goals have not been disclosed.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump Cancels Iran Strikes, Says Diplomatic Resolution Possible
President Trump announced he has canceled planned military strikes against Iran, stating that diplomatic negotiations could resolve current tensions. The decision represents a shift in his approach to the ongoing conflict.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Iran and Pakistan Say Deal With US Is Nearing Completion
Iran and Pakistan have stated that negotiations to end fighting with the United States have reached their closest point yet, mirroring comments made by President Donald Trump this week.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump Names Jay Clayton as Intelligence Director Nominee
President Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead the intelligence community. Clayton served in Trump's first administration and represents a more traditional choice for the position.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump Cancels Iran Strikes, Says Deal Nearing Completion
President Donald Trump called off planned military strikes on Iran, announcing that negotiations over ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz would soon reach a final agreement.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
U.S. and Iran move toward interim agreement on nuclear dispute
The United States and Iran have progressed toward an interim nuclear agreement, with U.S. officials preparing for a signing ceremony. The deal would reportedly lift oil sanctions and reopen shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, pending Iranian approval.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Abuse Survivors Burdened by Criminal Records Amid Ongoing System Failures
A researcher who authored a report on child grooming cases says the criminal justice system continues to fail survivors who were prosecuted as minors while being abused. Many carry criminal records that limit employment and housing prospects.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump Sets Sights on Iran Nuclear Deal as Weekend Approaches
President Donald Trump has indicated this weekend could mark a turning point in his administration's efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran. The president has long sought to broker a deal aimed at de-escalating regional conflict.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Coons Discusses Trump's Intelligence Director Nominee
Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware discussed President Trump's nominee to head the nation's intelligence agencies in an interview with NPR. The conversation touched on the nominee's qualifications and potential role overseeing the intelligence community.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Key U.S. Surveillance Authority Set to Expire Friday Amid Congressional Stalemate
A critical surveillance tool that the government relies on for more than 60% of the president's daily intelligence briefing is scheduled to expire Friday. Congress has failed to renew the authority before lawmakers left Washington for a scheduled recess.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Judge to Rule on Contempt Charges Against Prosecutors in Kirk Case
A judge will decide Friday whether to hold prosecutors in contempt for comments made about the case on Fox News, as the trial of Tyler Robinson continues.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
U.S. and Iran Reach Deal to Halt Military Tensions and Reopen Strait of Hormuz
The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to end their military conflict and restore shipping through a critical global waterway. The agreement makes no mention of Iran's nuclear program, a central concern in previous diplomatic efforts.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump announces U.S.-Iran deal signing for Sunday
President Trump said the United States and Iran will sign a deal to end their conflict on Sunday, with both sides expected to execute the agreement electronically. Iran has contested the proposed timeline for signing.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Surveillance Tool Lapses as Congress Fails to Renew Authority
A major U.S. surveillance authority expired after Congress did not renew it before lawmakers left Washington. The government relies on the tool for more than 60% of the President's daily intelligence briefing.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Tornadoes sweep through Midwest, leaving at least one dead
Multiple tornadoes struck the Midwest, destroying structures across Illinois and Indiana. At least one person died in the storms, which also knocked out power for thousands of residents.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump Nominates Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton as Intelligence Director
President Trump nominated Jay Clayton, who led the Securities and Exchange Commission during his first term, to serve as director of national intelligence. The move comes after Trump's selection of an acting director sparked significant pushback from lawmakers.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
U.S., Iran and Pakistan say cease-fire agreement nears completion
The United States, Iran and mediator Pakistan say they are close to finalizing an agreement to end hostilities. Iran said the deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.
Thursday, May 14, 2026