Every other week, Broken Arrow students get a visit from Tiger Tails, Broken Arrow High School’s therapy dog program. “Therapy dogs are here to make us feel good, help us to be less stressed, have a peaceful moment,” said Karen Holman, Tiger Tails founder and Broken Arrow High School teacher. “They are great at helping…
The fees for the Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan are getting lower, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel said. Effective since February, the management fee for Oklahoma¹s official college saving plan is being reduced by more than 16 percent. The new management fee will be 0.25 percent on account balances, down from 0.3 percent. The fee reduction…
Dr. Jerry Griffin is calling for Tulsa Public Schools to prepare a contingency plan for the coronavirus should it appear in Tulsa. Griffin, a candidate for the Tulsa School Board, citing a recent announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention in which Dr. Nancy Messonnier said, “It’s not so much a question of…
March 3 is “Super Tuesday” and Oklahoma voters will cast their ballots for the respective presidential candidates for the Republican and Democrat parties. Also on March 3, voters will vote on a proposal to allow liquor stores in Tulsa County to open on Sundays. Six Republicans – including President Donald Trump – will be on…
The House Public Safety Committee last week voted 12-1 to kill House Bill 3357, authored by Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami, which sought to repeal Constitutional Carry. The bill would have removed references to open carry of firearms and return Oklahoma statutes relating to the carrying of firearms to their status prior to passage of House…
The Senate passed legislation to provide more local control for school districts to decide how to protect their students. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is author of House Bill 2336. The measure would allow a local board of education to voluntarily adopt a policy to authorize the carrying of a handgun onto school property by school…
A measure providing for the display of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” in the Oklahoma State Capitol visitor center has been passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 1118, authored by Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove, aligns the state with the tradition established by the display of the national motto in the Tourist Information Center…
The Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee voted in favor of legislation increasing the age to buy or use tobacco products from 18 to 21. Senator Greg McCortney, chair of the committee, is the author of Senate Bill 1423. In December, President Donald Trump signed the Tobacco-Free Youth Act into law, prohibiting the sale of…
A bill to encourage and retain Oklahoma’s educators has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Bill 1127, the Teacher Retention Act of 2020. The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee. The measure creates a process for teachers who complete their National Board Certification and meet…
The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved two bills to help the children of military families easily transition into the Oklahoma education system when their parents are transferred to the state. Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, said the bills were necessary to help lessen the stress of military families regarding their children’s education when they’re preparing to…