News

Tax break proposal for the disabled

January 16, 2020

State Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, has filed legislation to give a tax deduction to individuals and families contributing to an Oklahoma STABLE account, which is made possible by the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program. Oklahoma STABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities. They have similar features to normal…

Criminal Justice courses at SNU

January 16, 2020

Students across the state will now be able to study Criminal Justice in a program designed for busy adults, beginning March 2020 with Southern Nazarene University’s unique format. “We are pleased to offer the criminal justice degree online so adults can access the program from a location that is convenient for them,” said SNU President…

Dr. Matt Brooks hired by First Baptist BA

January 9, 2020

On December 8, the congregation of First Baptist Church Broken Arrow voted to extend a call to Dr. Matt Brooks as the church’s new Senior Pastor. Dr. Brooks comes to FBCBA from Prestonwood Baptist Church, a 53,000-member SBC church in North Dallas. Dr. Matt Brooks served on the Pastoral and Preaching Team at Prestonwood Baptist…

New USS Oklahoma announced

January 9, 2020

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, (R-Okla., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) announced that the Navy’s newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine will be named the USS Oklahoma: “Acting Secretary Modly called today to tell me that the Navy has chosen to name the next Virginia-class fast attack submarine after the great state…

2020-21 state budget will be increased to $8,300,000,000

January 9, 2020

The Oklahoma Board of Equalization has certified the Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt will have a discretionary budge of $8.3 billion for the fiscal year that starts July 1. That was a $9.3 million (0.1 percent) increase from Fiscal Year 2020. “Oklahoma’s state revenues are beginning to plateau after losing more than 60% of oil…

Bills written to aid teacher shortage

January 9, 2020

In an effort to help encourage and retain Oklahoma’s top educators, Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed legislation creating a process for teachers who complete their National Board Certification and meet other additional requirements to receive annual bonuses of $1,500 beginning in the 2020-21 school year. Under the legislation, depending on available revenue, that amount…

Lawmaker joins Prison Fellowship

January 9, 2020

State Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, has been invited to be a member of Faith & Justice Fellowship, a part of Prison Fellowship, which serves prisoners, former prisoners, their families and others affected by crime and incarceration throughout the nation. Prison Fellowship was founded by the late Chuck Colson, a former top aide to President…

Flu and cold seasons are underway

January 9, 2020

State health officials say winter brings a higher chance of catching a cold, the flu or even viruses. According to Gitanjali Pai, M.D., AAHIVS, is a physician based in Stilwell, one of the most important ways to stop the spread of disease is also the simplest: Handwashing. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC),…

No Tulsa Beacon January 2

December 26, 2019

The Tulsa Beacon publishes 51 weeks a year and skips a week between Christmas and New Year’s. There is no paper on January 2. The December 26th issue has a double portion of standard features (comics, puzzles, columns, etc.). The next edition will be on January 9. The Tulsa Beacon office will be closed from…

Partisan impeachment

December 26, 2019

Rep. Horn, D-Okla. votes to impeach the President After a partisan impeachment of President Trump by the Democrat majority in the U.S. House, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blasted a scheme by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to delay sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate. In fact, Pelosi, who couldn’t even get every Democrat in…