On Tuesday, May 13th the slates for the two June 10th Special House elections were decided. The Republican sides of the ballot were down to two candidates each in this runoff. These special House elections were caused by the resignation of two House members after they won the November election. They resigned to take County…
Floral Haven’s 53rd Annual Memorial Day Weekend honors our nation’s veterans and celebrates the 53rd anniversary of the Avenue of Flags. This meaningful weekend is a time to remember, pay tribute, and come together in shared gratitude. Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM Volunteers from American Legion Post #308 place small flags on…
OKLAHOMA CITY, May 20, 2025 — More alarm bells are ringing regarding the Department of Mental Health after a coalition of 12 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment providers notified legislative leaders Monday they are collectively owed more than $8 million by ODMHSAS amid the agency’s chaotic budget crisis. The dozen providers—which comprise more than 81%…
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill protecting the privacy rights of incarcerated women has been signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 418 requires the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to designate restrooms, changing areas and sleeping quarters exclusively for either female or male inmates. This legislation was authored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Children at risk of being taken or concealed during custody disputes will now have stronger legal protections under House Bill 2081, authored by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore, and recently signed into law. HB2081 creates the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, allowing courts to step in with preventative measures when there is credible…
By a margin of nearly four to one, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have voted to make permanent a ban on mandatory “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs at Oklahoma colleges. “Individually, we don’t have a problem with each word: ‘diversity,’ ‘equity,’ ‘inclusion,’” said state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont (pictured above). “But…
Christian couples could not be barred from serving as foster or adoptive parents based on their religious beliefs under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Senate Bill 658, by state Sen. Julie Daniels and state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, says that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) cannot require any current or…
By an overwhelming majority, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have approved a range of reforms that will increase transparency and public participation in the state’s initiative-petition process. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said the overriding goal of the bill is simple: “This is a voter-empowerment bill.” Senate Bill 1027, by state Sen. David…
OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure reorganizing when certain elections are held in Oklahoma passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives floor this week. Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, presented Senate Bill 652, which streamlines the election process by establishing five election days annually, scheduled in February, April, June, August and November. There are currently 12 possible election…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Two bills aimed at modernizing Oklahoma’s unemployment tax system—one reducing costs for employers and the other cracking down on fraud—have passed the House floor and now head to the governor’s desk. Carried in the House by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, Senate Bill 911 reduces the top unemployment tax rate from 9.2% to…