News

Free lunches for Oklahoma students

April 9, 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY– Oklahoma students statewide will soon be able to access two free meals a day following a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) waiver, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister announced. The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) applied for the waiver March 11 and March 25 to remove the requirement that school feeding…

No garnishment of SS payments

April 9, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC, — The Trump Administration has put a timely halt on the ability of the government to garnish Social Security benefits to pay for defaulted student loans for an indefinite period during the COVID crisis, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the population with outstanding…

Tulsa Animal Shelter updates

April 9, 2020

Tulsa Animal Welfare (TAW) is not taking walk-in visitations during the COVID-19 threat. Instead, adoptions are now by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 918-596-8001. For intakes, residents are asked to call TAW’s Pet Diversion Specialist at 918-596-7387 to schedule an appointment. If an animal is found that is injured or in medical…

Smoking and coronavirus issues

April 9, 2020

Smokers that are diagnosed with the coronavirus could expect a more severe infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to washing your hands thoroughly, staying home and maintaining social distancing, the American Lung Association urges smokers to quit which will immediately improve overall health and may help avoid the most…

Private labs must report their cases

April 9, 2020

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Commissioner of Health Gary Cox sent a letter to remind Oklahoma’s private labs that the state earlier this month designated COVID-19 as a disease that is immediately reportable to OSDH. In his letter, Cox urged private labs to comply with state statute by reporting both positive COVID-19 test…

Most U.S. churches won’t be meeting on Easter Sunday

April 9, 2020 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE — The coronavirus outbreak has had ripple effects across the country, including in churches, according to a new study of pastors. Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors how the pandemic has impacted their congregations and what their plans are for the near future. While nearly all pastors say their church held in-person worship services…

With no students, ‘Hard Work U’ staff rolls up their sleeves at College of the Ozarks

April 9, 2020

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. —While the College of the Ozarks campus has trimmed to essential operations, remaining staff and faculty are helping out in new ways as they cross-train to perform vital functions. Because Hard Work U. is a work college, and students are involved in every operation, their absence is felt greatly and affects every…

Stitt, Bynum issue ‘safer at home’ orders

April 2, 2020

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued a Safer at Home Order that extends to all 77 counties for vulnerable populations (those 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions) to stay at home through April 30. Mayor G.T. Bynum issued a Safer at Home order for all Tulsans that began March 28 through April…

No surgical abortions in Oklahoma

April 2, 2020

Stitt has clarified his amended executive order about postponing elective surgeries which are not defined as a “medical emergency” under state law. That means no elective abortions unless “to prevent serious health risks to the unborn child’s mother.” That order lasts through April 7. The order includes routine dermatological, ophthalmological, and dental procedures, as well…

No out-of-state travel for state workers

April 2, 2020

Stitt has issued an order to place a moratorium on all out-of-state travel paid for by the State of Oklahoma and temporarily relaxes peace officer and CLEET certification requirements. This moratorium is on all out-of-state travel for employees and officers of agencies that is paid for, in whole or in part, by the State of…