News

Public school textbook acquisition is reformed

June 11, 2020

State Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, commented on legislation that improves and revises the state textbook adoption process. West authored House Bill 3466, which was signed into law by the governor. Implementation of the changes begins in March 2021. “This law builds upon the team of experts providing detailed, expert analysis to state and local…

State tax revenues were down by $150 million in May

June 11, 2020

The coronavirus and energy prices continue to take a heavy toll on state revenues. State Treasurer Randy McDaniel showed a 14 percent drop in May revenue collections. Gross receipts for May total $923.1 million, down by $150.5 million from May of last year. “The Oklahoma economy, as reflected in state revenue collections, was significantly impacted…

Public schools can meet on Saturdays this next school year

June 11, 2020

Due to the coronavirus and budget problems, some public schools may be meeting on Saturdays during the next school year. The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted 5-2 to approve a flexibility waiver allowing schools to count any instruction offered on Saturdays toward the state’s minimum requirement of 180 days of instruction or the equivalent…

$23 million to fight the opioid crisis

June 11, 2020

Almost $23 million in opioid settlement funds will go to municipalities and counties throughout Oklahoma that have been impacted by the crisis of opioid addiction. The funds are from settlements reached by Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter with opioid manufacturers. They will be administered through grants established by legislation passed and signed into law this…

Bus company and city strike a deal

June 11, 2020

Despite a publicized battle over a lease, the City of Tulsa, Mayor G.T. Bynum and IC Bus have reached a new 20-year agreement to keep the IC Bus school bus manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport. “This agreement establishes a win-win partnership between the City of Tulsa and IC Bus for decades to come,” Bynum…

University of Tulsa adjusts classes

June 11, 2020

The University of Tulsa will empty the campus after Thanksgiving, when classes will go online. Most TU classes already have some aspect of online instruction. Some classes may have on campus finals but those will be before Thanksgiving. Classes will start earlier this year. TU will require masks for everyone on campus. The plan to…

Social Security concerns spur calls

June 11, 2020

LADY LAKE, Florida – Telephone and email traffic through our Social Security advisory service has markedly increased over the past several months since the outbreak of the COVID crisis, according to Gerry Hafer, Executive Director of the AMAC Foundation. “It hasn’t reached panic proportions by any means, but the uncertainty caused by the virus and…

Apply for June 30 absentee ballots

June 11, 2020

Tulsa County voters who want to vote absentee in the June 30 primary election should apply now, according to County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman. County officials can accept applications for absentee ballots as late as 5 p.m. on June 23. Forms are available at the County Election Board at 555 N. Denver Ave. or…

Voter registration ‘wizard’

June 11, 2020

The State Election Board’s new voter registration “wizard” makes it easier than ever to complete a Voter Registration Application. Applicants who use the “wizard” will also receive a transaction code they can use to check the status of the application with their County Election Board. “The new voter registration wizard allows you to complete your…

Coronavirus cases fall as Oklahoma continues to re-open

June 4, 2020

On Monday, Oklahoma started Phase 3 of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recovery plan to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, Oklahoma had only about 700 active COVID-19 cases out of nearly 4 million residents and more than 5,000 people have already recovered. Eighty percent of the deaths in Oklahoma were people who were age 65…