News

At-home COVID tests are being paid for

January 20, 2022

The Oklahoma Insurance Department issued a special notice regarding coverage of at-home, over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests. Beginning January 15, group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage must cover OTC COVID-19 tests. Under the new guidelines, the tests may either be free or reimbursed by the insurer. Health plans…

How have public schools spent $2 billion to safely open?

January 20, 2022 Ray Carter

More than $2 billion in federal COVID-bailout funds have been provided to Oklahoma school districts since 2020 to cover the costs to safely open amidst the pandemic. But despite that lavish infusion of cash, numerous schools are now closing again amidst the rise of the Omicron variant. That has left many parents—and students—with an unsettling…

GOP businessman Bob Jack to run for County Commissioner

January 20, 2022

Tulsa businessman and former Tulsa County Republican Chairman Bob Jack announced he will run for Tulsa County Commission – Area 3 as a Republican. “We always say we need to run government like a business, but we rarely send a businessperson to do the job,” said Jack. “I’ve run prosperous businesses and managed organizations for…

RWCTC is offering scholarships

January 20, 2022

The Republican Women’s Club of Tulsa County is offering scholarships of up to $1,000 to high school senior girls graduating this spring. The scholarships may apply to accredited trade schools, career tech or an institution of higher education. Applicants must be a registered Tulsa County Republican or have a registered Republican parent or guardian residing…

Mailed absentee ballot deadlines

January 20, 2022

Voters who want ballots mailed to them for various February 8 votes should apply now, according to Gwen Freeman, secretary of the Tulsa County Election Board. There are races for Tulsa Public School Board, District 7; special propositions for Bixby and Jenks public schools; a municipal primary election for the City of San Springs City…

Child Welfare Services needs help

January 20, 2022

Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) announced a series of Child Welfare Services (CWS) recruitment and retention incentives intended to bolster hiring of positions for the safety and wellbeing of Oklahoma’s children and families. These incentives will benefit Oklahoma families by bringing back seasoned, well-trained employees who understand the needs of the agency’s customers while also reducing…

City officials set health guidelines

January 20, 2022

With the rise of COVID-19 case levels due to the Omicron variant, the City of Tulsa remains committed to following public health guidance to help slow spread of the virus in the Tulsa area. “Our COVID working group continues to meet regularly with local public health leadership to monitor the latest data and trends and…

Young People’s Creative Writing Contest

January 20, 2022

The annual Young People’s Creative Writing Contest from Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) gives young writers the opportunity to share their stories. With three age divisions in five different categories, TCCL encourages Tulsa County youths to tell their stories in their own words—or illustrations. From Feb. 1-28, students ages 10-18 can participate in the contest by…

Legislators file bills to help county sheriffs defend rights

January 13, 2022

In response to the growing concerns over federal violations of constitutionally-protected rights, Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed a trio of bills to strengthen the power of county sheriffs. Senate Bill 1199 would prohibit federal officers from carrying out any gun confiscation measures in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1200 would require federal agents to notify the…

New sheriff designation

January 13, 2022

Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, Chair of the Oklahoma House States Rights Committee, has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would identify county sheriffs as the constitutionally-recognized chief law enforcement officer of their respective counties. Currently, there is no statute in place that designates a chief law enforcement officer of a county, and Steagall says…