Hi there, and welcome to Local Eyes NWA, an independent website and newsletter showing how current events, national politics and other news affect the communities and people of Northwest Arkansas. Here you’ll find accuracy and facts as well as the moral clarity that’s missing from a lot of mainstream journalism these days. Local Eyes NWA stands for freedom, not kings, and for government that does good, not evil.

My name’s Dan Holtmeyer, and I’ve been a journalist for about 15 years in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota and here in Arkansas, including five years with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. I’ve lived in Northwest Arkansas for 10 of the last 12 years. I know about this place and its issues, I know about government at the local and national level, and I know journalism. Throughout that career, I’ve heard and shared all kinds of people’s perspectives while keeping my own voice quiet. I’m still here to listen and learn from others. But now I’m also speaking up for those who need it.

Everything on Local Eyes NWA follows the two principles mentioned above:

Freedom, not kings

Despite our country’s complicated, contradictory and often painful history, the founding principles in our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and its amendments are essential and clear. I’m talking about our freedom of speech, of religion, of assembly; our freedom to vote as we choose and hold our leaders accountable; our rights to due process, equal protection, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These protections are precious and are under attack, and I’m here to defend them.

Government for good, not evil

I believe government should take care of those who need it, including our elders, veterans, the sick and disabled, poor families, refugees and allies in need. It should be based on compassion, knowledge and truth instead of idiocy, blindness and hate. It should stand up for science and for our common, shared humanity. Those things are good. When government doesn’t do that, the result is chaos, cruelty and corruption. Those things are evil. I know which side I’m on.

Thanks for reading, and for your support.