News

Gov.Stitt forms a regional hydrogen hub with Arkansas and Louisiana

March 24, 2022

On the heels of the governor’s announcement that Oklahoma is forming a partnership with Arkansas and Louisiana to create a regional hydrogen hub, the state Senate has passed two bills that would give tax credits to businesses and individuals utilizing and producing the clean and affordable energy source. Authored by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton,…

Suicide rates rising

March 24, 2022

Given that suicide is the second leading cause of death among Oklahoma children, adolescents, and young adults ages 10–24, Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, wants to ensure students have help at their fingertips in moments of crisis. The Senate approved his Senate Bill 1307 to provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number on student…

Certified meat bill

March 24, 2022

Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, won unanimous House passage of a bill that would expand the list of meats on the “Oklahoma Certified” list. Currently beef (bovine) is the only meat on the list. Under House Bill 2368, swine, goat, lamb, poultry and fish would be added. “Getting meat locally from a safe and trusted source…

Military widow help

March 24, 2022

The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation to honor Oklahoma’s fallen military by helping their surviving spouses. Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, is the author of Senate Bill 1670, which would extend the sales tax exemption granted to the unremarried surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans to the spouses of those killed in the line of…

Legal notice changes

March 24, 2022

Legislation concering legal notices and transparency and accountability in state and local government unanimously passed the House. House Bill 3062, authored by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, creates a duplication that asks municipalities to post legal notices online in addition to printing in a newspaper. As we transition into a digital world, this change allows newspapers…

District court funding

March 24, 2022

Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has won full Senate approval his bill aimed at moving district court funding from fees to appropriated funding through the Legislature. Senate Bill 1458 would eliminate a slate of fines and fees currently charged upon conviction. Thompson, R-Okemah, said the objective of the bill is to take the weight of…

Trans bathrooms in Stillwater schools?

March 24, 2022 Ray Carter

Parents in the Stillwater school district report that students have been allowed to select bathroom facilities based not on their biological gender, but on the identity the student professes that day—even though the district has single-occupant bathrooms for gender-nonconforming students. That has left parents feeling frustrated and powerless in the face of what they view…

Hern will not run for Senate in a growing candidate field

March 24, 2022

U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, will not run for the U.S. Senate being vacated by the retiring U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe but instead will seek another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Herm was first elected in a special election to fill the First District spot left by former U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine. Hern…

Working on Yale between 81st-91st

March 24, 2022

Phase 2 of widening South Yale Avenue between East 81st Street and East 91st Street is scheduled to begin March 28, with the road closing to through traffic. The closure is expected to last about 120 days, weather permitting. Message boards were posted Monday at both ends of the project to notify motorists of this…

Don’t close Muskogee VA Hospital

March 24, 2022

Some members of Congress are upset with a plan by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to “modernize and realign” the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee. Sens. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma; Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, and U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, issued this joint statement about the plan: “It’s appropriate for the VA…