News

CDC moratorium on evictions expired on June 30th

July 1, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Eviction Moratorium expired June 30, with a higher number of eviction cases expected to be heard in Tulsa County courts starting in July. Tulsa and its community partners are working to prevent evictions and increase knowledge of landlord/tenant rights and funding options through various programs, such as…

Sen. Nathan Dahm’s bill allows flags over the Capitol

July 1, 2021

In honor of Flag Day, Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed Senate Bill 1092 to allow the people of Oklahoma to fly flags over the Oklahoma Capitol Building. “Our building belongs to the people,” Dahm said. “The US Capitol building already has a program similar to this.” Under the measure, flags would be flown over…

Tulsa gas prices rise before July 4th

July 1, 2021

Tulsa gas prices have risen 15.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.78/gallon as of Monday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 321 stations in Tulsa. Gas prices in Tulsa are 6.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 94.9 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. According to…

State Medicaid roll are increasing

July 1, 2021

On June 30, 2020, the Oklahoma Medicaid Expansion Initiative, State Question 802, passed by a majority vote to expand Medicaid eligibility to adults ages 19-64 whose income is 138% (133% with a 5% disregard) of the federal poverty level or lower. As of June 11, there were 101,001 people approved for benefits because of the…

Democrats elect statewide officers

July 1, 2021

Oklahoma State Democrat delegates elected new leadership and re-elected Alicia Andrews of Tulsa as the 2021-2023 Oklahoma Democrat Party Chairman with 65% of the vote. In 2019 Andrews, a local Realtor and former Tulsa County Democrat Party Secretary, was elected as the first African American and first African American Women in Oklahoma history to chair…

Hern’s bill would reform budgeting

July 1, 2021

U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Oklahoma, introduced the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act to the House of Representatives in June. Rep. Hern first introduced this legislation in the 116th Congress. The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to produce a macroeconomic impact analysis, or dynamic score, on major legislation in Congress. Dynamic scoring gives a…

Strawberries can affect your health

July 1, 2021

As little as 130 calories per day could make a significant impact on cardiovascular health. That’s approximately how many calories are in about 2.5 cups of strawberries. And it’s the amount a new study led by Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation physician-scientist Hal Scofield, M.D., found is needed to lessen our risk of heart disease, stroke…

Councilors approve new city budget

July 1, 2021

The Tulsa City Council unanimously approved Mayor G.T. Bynum’s 2022 fiscal year budget that totals almost $800 million. The budget is $799,400,000.00, which is about 5% lower than the previous budget. It is almost identical to the budget Bynum proposed in April. Sewer and water utility rates will increase by 3%. Some employees will get…

OKcollegestart.com helps families/students plan for college

July 1, 2021

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently launched the updated OKcollegestart.org, Oklahoma’s student information portal that provides students, parents, high school counselors and adult learners with comprehensive college planning and preparation information. OKcollegestart.org, the state’s official college planning website, has been redesigned with a wider content display, simpler navigation, updated tools, and new resources…

Nationwide blood shortage

July 1, 2021

A nationwide blood shortage has reached Oklahoma, as blood donations have reached emergency low levels. The shortage has been worsened by consistently high hospital usage, leaving blood centers around the nation short of all blood types heading into the upcoming July 4th holiday period. The local blood supply last week was at a 1-2 day supply,…