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Severe weather continued in May

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma continued to suffer from severe weather in May, marking an exceptionally active spring storm season. The state recorded four more storm-related fatalities in May, bringing the total to eight in 2024, along with hundreds of injuries. At least 43 tornadoes touched down in May, following a record-breaking 55 tornadoes in April, surpassing the previous…

OSU Student Farm doubles acreage to serve Oklahoma food banks

Tulsa Beacon

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State University Student Farm is in its second year of operation and has harvested over 7,000 pounds of cool-season crops in 2024. The idea was sparked by First Cowboy Darren Shrum, husband of OSU President Kayse Shrum, and is facilitated by the OSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Department…

Women’s Bill of Rights Signed into Law

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation codifying the Women’s Bill of Rights, which preserves biological sex as a distinct legal category, has been signed into law. Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, authored House Bill 1449, which defines “sex” as a person’s biological sex at birth and clarifies how people of both biological sexes are treated under state law….

Bill to Protect Oklahomans’ Freedoms Passes

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Recently, Senate Bill 426 successfully passed through the Senate and House. The bill, authored by Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, aims to safeguard the liberties and rights of Oklahomans by prohibiting the state from enforcing any mandates or recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), or the World…

‘Alyssa’s Law’ to Enhance School Security

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislature has taken a significant step toward ensuring the safety and security of students and staff in schools across the state with the passage of House Bill 4073, also known as “Alyssa’s Law.” This landmark legislation, authored by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, and Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, implements a mobile…

Unregistered Tribal Tags Endanger Police Stitt Warns

Tulsa Beacon

When police pull a car over for even a minor infraction, it can quickly escalate into a life-or-death situation for the officer. In those situations, knowing to whom a car is registered—and if the owner or the car has been associated with serious crimes—is crucial to police. But in Oklahoma, police do not have that…

Legislative Leaders Comment on Budget Agreement

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – State leaders released the following statements Wednesday, May 22,  after an agreement was reached on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Senate Majority Leader Greg McCortney, R-Ada: “I’m appreciative of everyone who has provided input on this year’s budget as our cooperative efforts ensured the needs of Oklahomans have remained at the forefront…

House Approves $50 Million Funding to Repair Arkansas River Levees

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure dedicating $50 million toward modifications and upgrades along the Arkansas River passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives Tuesday. House Bill 2890 appropriates $50 million from the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) Fund to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The monies would be used for upgrades to the levees…

Bill to Combat Squatting Passes Senate

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Thursday, Senate Bill 1994, authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, was passed by the Senate. The measure seeks to strengthen laws against squatting. “In my district over the last year we have seen a home owner arrive home only to find a stranger in their shower, unwilling to leave until they…

Larsen announced as new Tulsa Police chief

Tulsa Beacon

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum announced Friday that Dennis Larsen will become the 41st Police Chief for the Tulsa Police Department. Chief Larsen will serve concurrently with Chief Wendell Franklin until Franklin’s retirement on July 31, 2024. “I am excited to announce that Dennis Larsen will serve as the next Chief of the Tulsa Police Department,”…