News

AUDIO: Westerman Pleased With Trump’s State Of The Union

Published

3 months ago

February 25, 2026

Grant Merrill

Grant Merrill · Congressman Bruce Westerman Visits With South Arkansas Now

WASHINGTON — Congressman Bruce Westerman said President Donald Trump clearly fulfilled the constitutional purpose of the State of the Union address during Tuesday night’s speech to Congress, which became the longest State of the Union in U.S. history, lasting one hour and 48 minutes.

The annual address is required by the U.S. Constitution and serves as the president’s opportunity to report to Congress and the American people on the condition of the nation, while also outlining policy priorities and accomplishments. President Trump’s address covered a wide range of topics, including the economy, energy costs, inflation, border security, health care, and bipartisan cooperation, while also recognizing several special guests.

Westerman said the historic length of the address reflects how the event has evolved over time.

“But these State of the Union addresses have gotten to be lots and lots of applause,” Westerman said. “And much of it is very much due, especially when the President introduces a special guest.”

One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when President Trump awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to a 100-year-old Navy veteran, a moment Westerman said stood out from the rest of the night.

“I mean, that was something else to see that guy out there thinking he fought in World War II, Korean War. I think he even said the Vietnam War,” Westerman said. “And there he was at 100 years old getting the Medal of Honor.”

Westerman said moments like that underscored the broader significance of the address, which combined policy discussion with personal stories meant to highlight service and sacrifice.

According to Westerman, the president successfully carried out the core purpose of the address by outlining the current condition of the nation and highlighting accomplishments made during his administration, including work done with Congress.

“But the purpose of the State of the Union is for the President to report to the Congress the State of the Union,” Westerman said. “And I think the President did a good job of laying out his accomplishments and the accomplishments that were done in conjunction with Congress and the tax reform bills that we passed.”

Westerman pointed to the president’s remarks on energy costs as a key economic theme of the address.

“He talked about the cost of energy a year ago and the cost of energy today,” Westerman said. “And there’s been a significant decrease there. We know energy is the kind of the foundational part of the economy. So if it’s high, your other costs are going to be high. And if you can get it low, it’s going to start helping bring other costs down, which we’re seeing as well.”

Westerman said the president also highlighted broader economic indicators.

“We’re seeing inflation decreasing,” he said. “People are going to be getting a larger tax return than they’ve got in the past. So I think there’s some very good indicators of the economy. The President did a good job of pointing those things out.”

In addition to economic issues, Westerman said the president addressed border security and contrasted current conditions with previous policies.

“He also, I think, did a good job of talking about border security and the contrast of where that was before and where it is now,” Westerman said.

One of the most visually striking moments of the night came when President Trump asked members of the audience to stand if they believed Americans should come first over illegal aliens. Nearly all Republicans stood, while most Democrats remained seated.

Westerman said that moment highlighted partisan divisions but does not reflect the full reality of how Congress functions.

“There’s still a lot of people here that work together on issues,” Westerman said. “I think the problem is, is you’ve got really on both sides of the aisle, you’ve got the outliers. And that’s what the media gravitates to.”

Westerman said Congress continues to pass bipartisan legislation, even if moments like those during the address suggest otherwise.

“We still pass a lot of bipartisan bills in the House,” he said. “But then you see a visualization last night of the president saying, if you think America comes first, then stand up. You don’t sit down and they wouldn’t stand up.”

Westerman added that political pressure plays a role in how lawmakers respond publicly.

“And I know there’s some people on the other side of the aisle that I believe they think America comes first, but also think they’re concerned about the far left and what that’s going to do to them if they stand up when President Trump’s making a statement like that,” he said.

He said bipartisan cooperation remains necessary for long-term progress.

“But if we want the country to continue to do well and to be better in the future, we’ve got to work together to get some of these laws changed that have got us in a tough place right now,” Westerman said.

Westerman also addressed health care policy, criticizing the Affordable Care Act and calling for bipartisan reform.

“You get things like the Affordable Care Act that has not been affordable and it’s not really been about health care,” he said. “We’ve seen nothing but increased costs in health care.”

He said meaningful reform cannot be achieved by one party alone.

“If we want to fix health care, we’ve got to work together to do that,” Westerman said. “Republicans can’t fix it by themselves and Democrats can’t fix it by themselves.”

Westerman said constituent feedback continues to focus heavily on the SAVE Act and voter identification requirements. He rejected claims circulating online that women would face greater burdens due to Real ID requirements.

“I think that’s another red herring,” Westerman said. “We have voter ID in Arkansas. I haven’t had anybody tell me they’ve had a hard time going to vote.”

Westerman pointed to the widespread use of identification in everyday life.

“We can think of everything you have to have an ID for,” he said. “You can’t have a checking account. You can’t buy alcohol or tobacco. There’s so many things that you can’t do without an ID.”

Drawing on his experience in the Arkansas legislature, Westerman said provisions were included to ensure access to free IDs.

“And we put funding in the bill so that every county clerk could have a machine that would make free IDs for anybody that didn’t have a machine,” he said.

Westerman said those machines have gone largely unused.

“They said they hardly ever used that machine,” he said. “There’s absolutely no demand for that.”

Westerman said criticism of voter ID laws is ongoing but believes the issue is settled.

“There’s enough voter ID requirements across the country right now that everybody knows it’s really not an issue,” he said.

Up Next

PHOTOS: Special Olympics Unified Teams Tip Off at Wildcat Arena

Don't Miss

SouthArk Releases Fall Honor Roll

News

Calling the Hogs Event Draws Strong Crowd in El Dorado

Published

1 hour ago

June 5, 2026

J.W. Misenheimer

EL DORADO, Ark. — Razorback fans and community supporters packed the First Financial Music Hall at the Murphy Arts District Thursday evening for Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth, an event that brought together Arkansas sports stories, dinner, fellowship and fundraising.

The evening featured Chuck Barrett, the well-known voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who shared stories from his years behind the microphone and offered guests an inside look at some of the most memorable moments in Arkansas sports. Longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson served as Master of Ceremonies, helping guide the evening with humor, insight and plenty of Hog spirit.

The catered event, with dinner provided by Madhouse 101, drew a strong turnout, with venue tables filled throughout the evening. In addition to the program, guests also took part in an auction, where every auction item was sold.

Organizers said the event was a great success, bringing together Razorback fans, local supporters and community members for an evening centered on storytelling, sports nostalgia and South Arkansas hospitality.

Watch a quick highlight from the event!

News

El Dorado Man Faces Charges After SWAT Standoff

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — A 39-year-old El Dorado man is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Union County District Court on Friday after being taken into custody following a lengthy police standoff earlier this week.

According to the El Dorado Police Department, Gary Lee Moore was arrested Tuesday morning after officers responded to a reported aggravated assault and spent more than an hour attempting to negotiate his surrender.

Authorities said officers were first called to South Arkansas Regional Hospital at approximately 6:45 a.m. Tuesday after receiving information about a suspected aggravated assault. Investigators reported that the victim told officers Moore had threatened her life and warned that he would kill any law enforcement officers who attempted to intervene.

Following the report, officers went to a residence in the 2700 block of Mount Holly Road to locate Moore.

Police secured the area around the residence, including shutting down a portion of Mount Holly Road, while ensuring no other individuals were inside the home. Crisis negotiators then began efforts to persuade Moore to surrender peacefully.

According to police, negotiators used verbal commands and communicated with Moore several times by telephone during the standoff. Despite those efforts, Moore repeatedly refused to leave the residence.

After negotiations proved unsuccessful, the El Dorado Police Department’s SWAT team implemented tactical measures that ultimately prompted Moore to exit the home.

Moore was taken into custody without further incident.

He has been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and several additional charges.

Moore remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Union County District Court on June 5.

The investigation remains ongoing.

News

Youth Festival Of The Arts Set For This Weekend

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, — Young artists from across South Arkansas will have an opportunity to display their creativity and connect with the community during the upcoming Youth Festival of the Arts on Saturday, June 6.

The event, presented through a partnership between the South Arkansas Arts Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the Boys & Girls Club, located at 1201 N. West Ave. in El Dorado.

Organizers describe the event as a one-of-a-kind children’s art marketplace designed to celebrate and support young artists while encouraging creativity and artistic expression.

The festival will transform the indoor Lanxess Gym at the Boys & Girls Club into an art fair featuring artwork created by children and youth from throughout the region. Community members will have the opportunity to view the artwork, meet young artists and show their support for the next generation of creative talent.

The event is part of an ongoing effort by both organizations to provide artistic opportunities for local youth and help foster an appreciation for the arts in South Arkansas.

SAAC and the Boys & Girls Club have partnered on numerous programs focused on arts education, and organizers say the Youth Festival of the Arts is designed to give young creators a platform to share their work while building confidence and developing their artistic skills.

Community members are encouraged to attend and help support the area’s emerging artists.

Event Details

What: Youth Festival of the Arts
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Boys & Girls Club of Union County, 1201 N. West Ave., El Dorado
Hosted By: South Arkansas Arts Center and Boys & Girls Club of Union County
Admission: Open to the public

The event offers families a chance to celebrate creativity, encourage young artists and enjoy a morning dedicated to the arts in El Dorado.

News

Juneteenth Celebration Set For June 19th

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Families from across South Arkansas are invited to gather for a day of celebration, education and community as the Justice League hosts its annual Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day on June 19 at the Murphy Arts District Amphitheater.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MAD Amphitheater and will feature food, entertainment, activities for children and community engagement opportunities designed to bring residents together while promoting peace and unity.

Organizers say attendees can enjoy free food, frozen treats, community vendors, a bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, live entertainment and free T-shirts while supplies last.

The event is presented by the Justice League and made possible through support from title sponsor Clean Harbors.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although Lincoln’s proclamation officially declared enslaved people in Confederate states free on Jan. 1, 1863, enforcement depended on the presence of Union troops. In many parts of the South, slavery continued until federal troops arrived and enforced the order.

The announcement in Texas marked one of the final acts of emancipation in the United States and became a day of celebration among formerly enslaved people and their descendants.

Over the decades, Juneteenth grew from local community gatherings into a nationally recognized observance. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.

Today, communities across the country celebrate the holiday with festivals, educational programs, cultural events, parades and family gatherings that honor freedom, resilience and African American history.

Bringing the Community Together

Organizers of the El Dorado event say the Family Fun Day is designed not only to celebrate Juneteenth but also to encourage positive community engagement and promote efforts to reduce violence through education, fellowship and outreach.

Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and take part in the festivities.

Event Information

What: Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day
When: June 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Murphy Arts District Amphitheater, El Dorado
Admission: Free
Activities: Food, frozen treats, vendors, bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, entertainment and more

The event is open to the public and welcomes families throughout the region to celebrate Juneteenth and the spirit of community together.

News

“Calling The Hogs” Event With Chuck Barrett Set For Tonight

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Razorback fans will have a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most recognizable voices in Arkansas sports tonight as “Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth” comes to the Murphy Arts District.

The special event, scheduled for June 4 inside the First Financial Music Hall, will feature legendary Arkansas Razorbacks play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Barrett, whose voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Razorback athletics.

Barrett will share stories from his years behind the microphone, offering fans a unique look at the people, moments and memories that have shaped Arkansas sports. The evening is expected to include tales from the broadcast booth, locker room stories and insights into some of the biggest games in Razorback history.

Serving as master of ceremonies will be longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson, who will help guide the conversation and add his own blend of humor and perspective throughout the program.

Guests will also enjoy a catered dinner provided by Madhouse 101. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m. before the evening’s program gets underway.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring together sports fans, community members and supporters of Arkansas athletics for an entertaining night of storytelling and fellowship.

Tickets are $50 per person, plus applicable fees and taxes. Seating is limited.

The event will be held tonight at the First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District in downtown El Dorado.