News

Gun bill is signed, SB13 gets blocked

March 7, 2019

Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which establishes “Constitutional Carry” in the state of Oklahoma. “Oklahomans are strong supporters of the Second Amendment, and they made their voice known as I traveled across all 77 counties last year,” said Stitt. HB 2597 establishes “Constitutional Carry,” allowing the concealed or unconcealed carry of firearms by…

Habitual crimes targeted by bill

March 7, 2019

Individuals in Oklahoma serve, on average, nearly 70 percent longer for property crimes and 80 percent longer for drug crimes than the national average. This is mainly due to the state’s “habitual offender” statute that can double and triple sentence lengths, and often increases the maximum term to life, according to Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca…

Professional help for state teachers

March 7, 2019

A bill authored by House Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, that will add professional development training for teachers to help them better recognize students with dyslexia passed unanimously in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1228 requires school districts to offer teachers a professional development program about dyslexia once per year, beginning with the 2020-2021…

Accountability for state agencies

March 7, 2019

Senate Bill 177, by Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, requires state agencies to provide on their website, or on a general website, certain financial information as prescribed by the State Auditor and Inspector and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). The legislation was one of seven recommendations made by the multi-county grand jury last…

More clarity for custody hearings

March 7, 2019

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation to help parents better understand judges’ rulings on child custody and visitation. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, authored Senate 65 after hearing from numerous constituents who are frustrated with their custody or visitation arrangements and have gotten no clear explanation about the court’s findings. “To judges, these individuals may just…

Online approval for state notaries

March 7, 2019

The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation to allow notary publics to certify electronic documents. Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, is the author of Senate Bill 915 which would create a Remote Online Notarization (RON) process in Oklahoma allowing notaries to perform their services online over secure audio video calls rather than in person. Under…

Law enforcement grant helps catch drug dealers in Tulsa

March 7, 2019

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has filed drug trafficking and other related charges on two Tulsans after officers with the Tulsa Police Department searched a southeast Tulsa residence. Officers found James Mitchell and Tynisa Williams in possession of nearly two pounds of methamphetamine, three pounds of ecstasy and 10 guns, including assault-style weapons, during the…

Assistance for motorcycle enthusiasts

March 7, 2019

Whether motorcycle riders want to cruise the Mother Road, see stunning fall foliage or learn more about Oklahoma’s history, a new Oklahoma Motorcycle Guide has the rides to help them plan their journey. Produced by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, the 40-page guide features 12 rides throughout the state that showcase Oklahoma’s diverse terrain….

Spring enrollment dips at NOSU

March 7, 2019

Northwestern Oklahoma State University followed the trend of most of the state’s colleges and universities with a slightly smaller enrollment for the spring semester. A total of 1,818 students enrolled in spring classes, which is 39 students or 2.1 percent fewer than last year. Most public community colleges and universities in the state system are…

TCC fundraising keeps on growing

March 7, 2019

Plans for a Student Success Center on TCC’s West Campus advanced as the Hardesty Family Foundation announced a $1 million gift to TCC’s largest fundraising campaign, Clearing the Pathway: The Campaign for Completion. The college also announced the new facility will be named after Roger Hardesty and his wife, Donna Hardesty. The multi-year campaign wants…