BOISE – A bipartisan group of Afghanistan and Iraq war era veterans praised State Sen. Nathan Dahm for introducing legislation requiring that Oklahoma’s National Guard units cannot be deployed for foreign combat or combat support duties unless Congress has formally adopted a declaration of war as provided by the U.S. Constitution. “As veterans, we strongly…
State Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, was named assistant majority floor leader for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. “Representative Fetgatter has proven to be a spokesman that others in the House look to for leadership and advice,” said House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “I know he will be a valuable member of the…
Senate Republicans have elected Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, caucus chair and Senator Greg McCortney caucus vice chair, the President Pro Tempore’s Office announced. The elections were necessary due to the resignation of Senator Jason Smalley, who previously served as caucus chair. Rader previously served as caucus vice chair. McCortney, R-Ada, recently was appointed chair of…
Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has filed a bill to reform the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act. Thompson, R-Okemah, said the legislation will create government efficiencies while modernizing state agency spending. The Central Purchasing Act sets limitations on agency spending. Although this section of the statutes has been amended in fragments over the past 20 years,…
“Beloved Paw Paw,” reads one brick. “Stay Gold,” says another. Alumni and other friends are donating engraved commemorative bricks to the new athletic stadium that is being built on the Will Rogers High School campus. Donors are creating a permanent addition to Rogers Ropers history with the dedications and memories in their bricks. “We have…
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is actively monitoring the outbreak of a 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which originated in Wuhan, China, and has resulted in cases detected in several countries, including laboratory-confirmed cases in the United States. Public health officials at the OSDH remain in contact with local, state and federal partners including…
Oklahoma native Travis Kirkpatrick is the new director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Kirkpatrick has served as interim director for the last 90 days. Health Commissioner Gary Cox said he made the decision based on Kirkpatrick’s leadership at the authority over the last few months. “During his three months, Kirkpatrick has reopened the call…
Construction is underway on the new Hardesty Student Success Center at the Tulsa Community College West Campus. The new facility is inside the Information Commons Building. The new Student Success Center was funded with a $1 million gift from the Hardesty Family Foundation as part of the $20 million Clearing the Pathway: The Campaign for…
The Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) have discussed timelines for new programs to promote health and wellness among Oklahoma youth. “Our daily habits are the single biggest influence on our long-term health and when you learn about healthy habits and choices when you are young, it’s much easier to…
The Oklahoma travel and tourism industry generated a record $9.6 billion in direct spending by an estimated 21.5 million visitors in 2018, according to new research released by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department. Travel spending in Oklahoma increased by 7.3 percent since 2017 and has seen a 29 percent increase, equaling $2.2 billion, since…