EL DORADO — Murphy USA has announced the pricing of a $500 million private offering of senior notes through its wholly owned subsidiary, Murphy Oil USA, Inc.

According to the company, the senior notes will mature on June 1, 2034, and will carry an interest rate of 5.875% annually. Interest payments will be made twice a year beginning Dec. 1, 2026. The notes were issued at 100% of their principal value and are expected to close on May 27, subject to customary closing conditions.

Murphy USA said the proceeds from the offering will primarily be used to strengthen the company’s financial position. Plans include redeeming $300 million of existing senior notes due in 2027, repaying a portion of outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility, and covering fees and expenses related to the transaction. Any remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

The notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Murphy USA and certain domestic subsidiaries. Because the offering is private, the notes will not be registered under federal or state securities laws and were offered only to qualified institutional buyers and certain non-U.S. investors.

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Murphy USA, headquartered in El Dorado, operates a nationwide network of retail fuel stations and convenience stores. The company regularly accesses debt markets to refinance existing obligations and support ongoing business operations.

Company officials noted that the announcement does not constitute an offer to sell securities and is not a notice of redemption for the company’s existing 2027 senior notes.

EL DORADO — The El Dorado School District has announced that registration is now open for new students planning to attend district schools during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Families can begin the enrollment process online by visiting the district’s website at eldoradopublicschools.org. Additional information is available by calling the district at 870-864-5006.

District officials encourage families seeking a challenging academic environment and opportunities for student success to consider El Dorado Public Schools. The district offers a variety of hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare students for college, careers and future success. Students also have access to the El Dorado Promise Scholarship program, which provides eligible graduates with financial assistance for higher education.

The registration process is completed entirely online. Parents and guardians must upload all required documents for enrollment to be finalized. District officials noted that elementary school placement will be determined based on campus availability once all registration requirements have been completed and documentation has been submitted.

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Families with students who are already enrolled in the El Dorado School District do not need to complete the registration process. Current students will automatically be enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year.

District officials encourage families planning to enroll new students to begin the process as soon as possible to ensure a smooth start to the upcoming school year.

ARKADELPHIA — Several students from El Dorado, Camden, Hope, Smackover and surrounding South Arkansas communities have been recognized for their academic achievements during the Spring 2026 semester at Ouachita Baptist University.

The university recently announced its Dean’s List and President’s List honorees. To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time as undergraduate students, complete at least 12 academic hours and finish the semester without any incomplete or failing grades. Students earning a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.9 are named to the Dean’s List, while students achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA earn a place on the President’s List.

Among local students named to the Dean’s List were Annagrace Crutchfield, Kameron Easttam and Greyson Webb of Camden; Marleigh Bonsall, Tiffanie Duke, Mario Ganter, Addrie Gray and Kimber Tucker of El Dorado; Abbi Brewer and Ava Purifoy of Hope; Georgie Crain of Prescott; and Izzy Davis of Smackover.

Students from the region earning President’s List recognition included Marissa Hearnsberger of Camden; Joseph Bolin, Abi Forbes, Caroline Meadows and Levi Shaffer of El Dorado; Isabella Lewallen, Olivia Tyree and Andrew Wylie of Hope; Hannah Hickman of Smackover; and Emma Collier of Stamps. Abby Harrington of Magnolia also earned President’s List honors.

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The academic recognition highlights the continued success of South Arkansas students pursuing higher education at Ouachita Baptist University. The university’s Dean’s List and President’s List are among its highest academic honors and recognize students for outstanding classroom performance and academic excellence throughout the semester.

EL DORADO, Ark. — A single-vehicle accident was reported on South Bradley Street in front of Everybody’s Antiques.

Sgt. Walker, who was on the scene, said the driver appeared to have tried to avoid another vehicle before sliding into a ditch.

According to Sgt. Walker, there was no suspicion of DUI in connection with the accident.

The driver said they were glad to be okay and noted they were on their way to see a bed-ridden family member.

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South Arkansas Now is not identifying the driver in order to protect their privacy.

EL DORADO, Ark. — As lithium continues to play a growing role in America’s energy future, South Arkansas is positioned to become an important part of the nation’s domestic supply chain.

Smackover Lithium is working to help meet the increasing demand for lithium through its South West Arkansas Project, located in the Smackover Formation. The formation is known for its rich lithium brine resources and has drawn growing attention as companies look for domestic sources of lithium used in batteries, technology, transportation and other modern industries.

The project recently received a Finding of No Significant Impact from the U.S. Department of Energy, a step connected to the federal environmental review process. The decision marks an important milestone for the South West Arkansas Project as development continues.

Lithium is used in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to drones, unmanned vehicles and advanced technology used in national defense.

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Jesse Edmondson, P.G., Director of Government Relations at Standard Lithium, noted the growing importance of lithium in modern technology, saying, “Drones and robots going forward, unmanned vehicles, and modern warfare — every single one of those has a lithium-ion battery.”

For South Arkansas, the project could mean more than mineral production. It also represents the potential for new jobs, workforce training, business growth and long-term economic development in the region.

Workforce training programs at South Arkansas College are already helping prepare students for careers connected to the emerging lithium industry. Through partnerships and training opportunities, local students and workers could gain the skills needed to take part in a growing field without having to leave the region.

Supporters say the development of lithium in South Arkansas could strengthen the area’s economy by creating opportunities in operations, technology, construction, transportation, maintenance and related industries.

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As demand for lithium continues to rise, South Arkansas could find itself at the center of an industry that connects local workers to national and global energy needs.