Since 2018, per-student revenue in Oklahoma public schools has surged by 51 percent, yet academic outcomes have gone in the opposite direction, declining even as spending increased. One possible explanation for that disturbing trend: Much of the money provided to schools is not reaching the classroom. Data recently released by state Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid,…
Legislation that would gradually phase out Oklahoma’s tax on work and investment—the personal income tax—continues to move ahead, clearing its first Oklahoma Senate hurdle this week. House Bill 1539, by state Rep. Mark Lepak and state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, would cut Oklahoma’s 4.75-percent personal income-tax rate by a quarter point each time that net state…
The April 1st Special Election primaries for House Districts 71 and 74 resulted in two Republican runoff elections and one Democrat primary decided. Amanda Swope resigned from House District 71 and the Republican primary for that district sported three Republican candidates. Attorney Beverly A. Atteberry garnered almost enough votes to win out with 48.56 percent…
Legislation that would require initiative-petition efforts to gather signatures from Oklahomans across the state has cleared another legislative hurdle, easily winning approval in a state House committee. “The integrity of our election system is essential for our democracy to survive and thrive, and that’s what this legislation is about,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow….
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ announced the state’s tax revenue for March topped $1.31 billion, marking an 11.4% increase over the previous month. The report reflects widespread month-over-month growth across all major tax sources, a sign of resilience as the state’s economy adjusts to shifting national conditions. “All tax sources for the…
The 54th Annual National Right to Life Convention will take place June 20–21 in Overland Park, Kansas. This two-day gathering is National Right to Life’s premier training and networking event. The conference has powerful opportunities to learn, connect, and be inspired through 16 all-new breakout sessions and 5 general sessions. The agenda is designed to…
Tulsa, Oklahoma (1 April, 2025) In recognition of “Elks National Youth Week” observed May 1st-7th, the Tulsa Elks Lodge No.946 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America received an Official Proclamation from Tulsa Mayor, Monroe Nichols, IV. The Members of the Tulsa Elks Lodge, No.946 work year round…
STILLWATER, Okla. – Organizing financial documents and safely storing them before a fire or tornado can prevent additional stress and confusion following the disaster. Oklahomans affected by wildfires know firsthand how it feels to watch their home, apartment or property burn and then ask, “What do I do now?” “Don’t make any major decisions during…
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs, which have been associated with fostering antisemitism and other forms of racism, would no longer receive state funding under legislation advanced by the Oklahoma Senate. Senate Bill 796, by state Sen. Adam Pugh, states that no Oklahoma college or university “shall utilize state funds, property, or resources to grant…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, on Tuesday passed legislation in the House that would outlaw the trafficking of chemical abortion pills. House Bill 1168 would create a felony trafficking offense for anyone who knows or has reason to know that another person intends to use an abortion-inducing drug and knowingly delivers such…
[Looking at history and our area’s unique political and religious attitudes.] Water. This is one of the critical ingredients to support life. Unfortunately, it is often in a form that is not particularly usable. With the massive amounts of rain this week, we could easily relate to Samuel Coleridge from his 1798 poem, “The Rime…
Tomorrow you are leaving on an extended dream vacation – plan or not plan? What if you decided to go on an extended vacation but did not go to the effort to plan for the trip. That would lead to entertaining and chaotic scenarios! Here are funny examples of what might happen if you went…
How has the Chinese coronavirus affected life in Tulsa? A friend said that even when this is over, we may never want to shake hands again. If the virus dies down, it may reappear in the fall, just the like the flu. For the first time in my life, I haven’t been to church in…
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to co-produce a full-length family film called Treasure Blind. To get recognized at film festivals, we produced a trailer that would grab the attention of the hosts. We were invited to show the film at five different festivals. In the movie industry, a trailer can be your…
Susan and I took our first ocean cruise in 1997. Growing up, I thought only rich people could afford to take cruises. I was pleasantly surprised when my travel agent told me we could take a four-night cruise out of Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Carnival Cruise Lines for about a thousand dollars. It just so…
Generally speaking, conservative individuals base their lives off a standard of rules which stay the same and don’t change. Where as Liberals tend to base their lives off the concept known as “Situational Ethics,” which are subject to change at any time for Any Reason. Even more Bizarre is the Fact that the everchanging laws…
In 2022, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022 which prohibits state entities from using investment firms who boycott the oil and gas industry. After litigation concerning the law, legislation is being considered that would result in revising the law in ways that would make it less effective. These proposed changes…
A key plank of Obamacare (the federal “Affordable Care Act”) allowed states to expand Medicaid programs to include able-bodied adults and not just the medically needy. When expansion was narrowly approved by a public vote in Oklahoma in 2020, everyone knew it would require the diversion of millions of dollars annually in state tax money….
TPS District 3 School Board No endorsement However, of the two Dorie Simmons is the more moderate candidate. Tulsa Tech School Board Office No. 2 Both candidates are Republicans – Kibbe has the educational background, but Blackburn has a business background. The Tulsa Beacon would suggest Blackburn just to bring some common sense into education. OK…
OSU SWEEPS KANSAS STATE OSU won the first game of the three-game series with Kansas State on Friday, 4-3. Game two on Saturday was postponed and moved to Sunday as part of a double-header. Sean Youngerman, in only his second start of the season, pitched a gem of a game in the first game of…
NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department announced it will debut a new fan-centric football event at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to replace OU’s traditional spring game. “Crimson Combine” will be held Saturday, April 12, beginning at 1 p.m. and will provide Sooners fans with a unique opportunity to engage with players…
Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. That refrain is from a popular English nursery rhyme that has been sung for centuries. There are many variations of the song, and it is often used to express a desire for rain to stop, especially when children want to go outside to play. You’ve probably sung…
SOONERS LOSE TWO OF THREE AT ALABAMA No. 12 Alabama took an 8-1 lead in the fourth inning and hung on to beat the No. 9-ranked Oklahoma Sooners 8-6 in game three of the weekend series on Sunday, in Tuscaloosa. Oklahoma (22-5, 5-4 SEC) scored five unanswered runs but a scoreless ninth inning doomed the…
BRANSON, Missouri – It would be difficult for a stage play to have more impact than the production of Jesus here at Sight & Sound Theatre. The public ministry of Jesus Christ, His miracles, His relationships, His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection are dramatically portrayed as only Sight & Sound can. Even though…
Vacation plans are on hold and Tulsans’ best options for entertainment due to the coronavirus outbreak are in their own living rooms. Movie theaters closed All the movie theaters in Tulsa – even the Admiral Twin Drive-in – are closed due to the pandemic. Entertainment venues, which tend to draw big crowds, are deemed “non-essential”…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nineties country-music hitmaker Joe Diffie died March 29th due to complications related to COVID-19. In all, Diffie charted 18 Top 10 singles, with the majority reaching the top five, including 1993 radio essentials Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die) and iconic song, John Deere Green. Diffie’s popular hits also…
