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Committee will suggest how to spend the ARPA windfall

Tulsa Beacon

A legislative committee with representatives and senators will make suggestions on how the state should spend $1.9 billion of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Oklahoma’s share of ARPA funds includes $1.9 billion for state government and $1.3 billion for local, city and county governments. Under federal law, ARPA funds for state…

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Jenks’ reading skills drop? Only 44 percent are reading proficient

Tulsa Beacon

The Jenks Public Schools district has been identified as the best school in Oklahoma in a national review, despite that same evaluation finding less than half of students at the district read at grade level. In no other state were less than half of students proficient in reading at a state’s “best” school. The website…

Heatstroke can be deadly to children in the summertime

Tulsa Beacon

Outside of crashes, heatstroke is the number one vehicle-related killer of children in the United States.  As temperatures heat up, TFI is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to raise awareness. Nearly 900 children have died of heatstroke since 1998 because they were left or became trapped in a hot car. Children…

Tulsa recovering from ransomware

Tulsa Beacon

Tulsa is continuing its restoration of systems and services following a ransomware attack discovered in May. Various electronic payment functions are back in service, and most city locations are now accepting debit and credit cards. For citizen reporting and general questions, or questions about a water bill, residents should continue to call 311, and press…

$53 million grant for coronavirus

Tulsa Beacon

The Centers for Disease  Control have has awarded the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma (City) County Health Department and the Tulsa County Health Department $53,451,913 to address COVID-19-related health disparities. The Oklahoma State Department of Health will get $43,768,887. The funding, part of a $2.25 billion federal fund, seeks to expand state, local,…

Coping with the mosquito season

Tulsa Beacon

Mosquito season has arrived, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health is offering tips to help avoid ailments spread by the insects. West Nile Virus is the most common disease spread by mosquitoes in Oklahoma. “As much rain as we are having, mosquitoes are going to be abundant this season,” Public Health Veterinarian LeMac’ Morris…

Teacher of the year candidate news

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is expanding the eligibility for the state’s next teacher of the year recognition. Applications are now open for the 2022 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, and one teacher of the year winner from every school site will be allowed to apply for the award. Previously, the Oklahoma Teacher of…

Problems with American Airlines

Tulsa Beacon

American Airlines canceled hundreds of flights last weekend due to a lack of staff, maintenance issues and other problems as the demand for air travels surges back to levels from 2019 – before the Chinese coronavirus. On Sunday, 190 flights – about 6% of the schedule – were canceled according to reports. That was about…

Brighter Day celebrates longevity

Tulsa Beacon

Brighter Day Inc (BDI) has been “Making the World a Brighter Place to Live” for over thirty years by providing essential residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. Cherokee tribal member Roy Payton is BDI’s founder and CEO of its 100+ employees who care for Oklahoma clients. As a residential provider, BDI provides staff to…

Help in combatting homelessness

Tulsa Beacon

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced the awarding of the first part of American Rescue Plan funds for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. HUD is awarding Oklahoma $5,116,668 – 478 vouchers – for 9 public housing…