News

Surprise medical billing

January 23, 2020

State Reps. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, Chris Sneed, R-Muskogee, and Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, commented on the ongoing discussions to eliminate surprise medical billing in Oklahoma. A surprise medical bill is a bill an out-of-network health provider issues to a covered insured person for health care services in an amount greater than the patient’s cost-sharing obligation that…

Medical assault problem

January 23, 2020

Oklahoma needs to be proactive in addressing assaults against medical professionals. That’s according to Sen. Darrell Weaver, author of Senate Bill 1290, the Medical Care Provider Protection Act. Last October, Weaver held an interim study on healthcare professionals and workplace violence. Weaver, R-Moore, said despite a career in law enforcement, he was stunned by the…

Raise tobacco age to 21

January 23, 2020

State Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, has filed legislation to reflect recent changes in federal law raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21. Last month, Congress passed legislation prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. The Tobacco-Free Youth Act was signed into…

School counselors’ bill

January 23, 2020

Due to unfunded mandates of public education testing, many Oklahoma schools are using their school counselors as building test coordinators and test administrators, a practice Sen. Mary Boren says needs to stop. The Norman democrat and certified school counselor filed Senate Bill 1381 to protect school counselors from being pulled away from their official duties…

Fergusons give $50 million to OSU

January 23, 2020

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State University and alumni Kayleen and Larry Ferguson announced a $50 million gift from the Ferguson Family Foundation that will transform the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in a variety of ways, including a new name. Pending approval from the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, the college will be renamed…

Oklahoma National Guard is deployed to the Middle East

January 23, 2020 Spec. Brianna Rhodes

LAWTON – Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 158th Artillery Regiment, said farewell to family, friends, and loved ones during a deployment ceremony at the Lawton High School gymnasium here January 12. The unit is preparing for their deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield. “The Guard…

Help for feeding children program

January 23, 2020

The 2020 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for new and returning sponsors. SFSP, a U.S. Department of Agriculture program administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), provides meals at no charge to children during the summer, when school is not in session. Eligible sponsors include: public or governmental agencies private, nonprofit…

Help for horses who need assistance

January 23, 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY — The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) announced the ASPCA Regional Support Center, a pilot program to provide fully-subsidized services to horse owners in need in the Oklahoma City area. In collaboration with a local veterinary clinic and several re-homing partners, the open-admission center provides a safe…

City workers checking water valves

January 23, 2020

The City of Tulsa is testing the water valves throughout the city to see what needs to be repaired or replaced. “It’s more being good stewards of the money that we replace the valves that are in poor condition and not be taking out good assets,” said Eric Parker, the city’s Water Distribution Division Manager….

Extended hours for animal welfare

January 23, 2020

Tulsa Animal Welfare (TAW) is continuing to make changes to its operations and expand its service hours. TAW extended its open selection and field service hours to seven days a week. Under open selection, a citizen can request to adopt an animal during the three-day waiting period when the animal’s owner can pick their animal…