News

Black Caucus complains

January 14, 2021

The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus strongly opposed objections to the certification of the Electoral College count by at least 13 Republican senators, including Oklahoma Senator James Lankford, 140 Republican members of the US Congress, including Oklahoma’s Reps. Kevin Hern and Markwayne Mullin. “Democracy should not be destroyed. President-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Harris won,” said State…

House Leaders appointed

January 14, 2021

House of Representatives committee leadership and Republican majority leadership appointments have been made for the 58th Oklahoma Legislature. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, was formally elected by the full House to his third two-year term as speaker, making him the longest-serving Republican speaker in state history. Speaker Pro Tempore Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, was formally elected…

Enrollment in Oklahoma public schools declined this year

January 14, 2021

In the wake of the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, Oklahoma’s annual student count shows its first decrease in overall public school enrollment in 19 years. The Oklahoma State Department of Education reports that 694,113 students are enrolled in pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade for the 2020-21 school year – a decline of 9,537, which is about…

Osage Co. GOP Convention Jan. 23

January 14, 2021

The Osage County Republican Party will hold precinct meetings and the county convention on January 23 at Ascension Church, 741 W. Rogers, in Skiatook. Registration will be from 9-9:30 a.m. followed by precinct meetings and the County Convention. All Republicans registered to vote in Osage County are welcome. Bring a Voter ID Card and Driver’s…

Half of Kickapoo Turnpike is open

January 14, 2021

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has opened traffic to the southern half of the new Kickapoo Turnpike that connects two major interstates, I-40 to I-44 (Turner Turnpike) and provides a reliever route to help with congestion in the Oklahoma City area. The roadway is single lane in both directions from NE 23rd Street south to…

Summer food sponsors are needed

January 14, 2021

Sponsoring organizations for the 2021 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) are now being sought by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) Child Nutrition programs. Eligible sponsors include public or governmental agencies, private, nonprofit residential summer camps and private, nonprofit organizations. The program provides nutritious meals at no charge to children during the summer, when…

Stitt hires Jason Reese as counsel

January 14, 2021

Governor Kevin Stitt has selected Jason Reese as his new general counsel following current general counsel Mark Burget’s decision to return to Search Ministries after fulfilling a two-year commitment to the governor. “Over the past two years, Mark Burget’s wise counsel and legal expertise has helped guide our office through historic challenges facing the State,…

Bike program at St. Pius X School

January 14, 2021

Kindergarteners at St. Pius X Catholic School may soon be riding bikes in their PE classes. All Kids Bike is a national program on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike. They are working with St. Pius X Catholic School to bring the school the All Kids Bike Kindergarten…

Vaccination exemptions are rising

January 14, 2021

Oklahoma State Department of Health wants to change administrative rule Title 310, Chapter 535, which would remove an educational requirement for parents who want to refuse vaccines for their children, even if the children are enrolled in Oklahoma schools or childcare centers. The education requirement was put in place in 2020, but implementation was delayed…

Registration deadline for Feb. 9 vote

January 14, 2021

January 15 is the last day to apply for voter registration to be eligible to vote in the February 9 election, which includes school district board votes, a primary for Tulsa County Treasurer and a city election in Owasso, Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman said. There are school board races February 9 for…