News

Sen. Scott: Don’t hide public funds

February 7, 2019

Following the discovery of a $30 million slush fund at the state Department of Health last year, a multi-county grand jury made 7 recommendations to prevent financial deceit by state agencies. Sen. Paul Scott has authored legislation to implement one of those recommendations by punishing state employees who hide public funds under their control. Senate…

Cutting red tape for state farmers

February 7, 2019

Legislation has been filed to bring Oklahoma’s poultry laws in line with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, authored Senate Bill 995 to provide small farm exemptions from the Poultry Products Inspection Act, if the small farm abides by certain sanitary standards and only processes their own poultry. Sharp said if the…

Stitt picks Gower to run the OEM

February 7, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt has hired Mark Gower as the Director of the Department of Oklahoma Emergency Management (OEM). “Mark Gower has been dedicated to the safety and security of Oklahomans his entire career,” said Gov. Stitt. “His expertise is well suited to guide the Department of Emergency Management, and I look forward to working with…

GOP leaders lay out 2019 agenda

February 7, 2019

Senate Republicans will attempt to increase accountability in state government by creating a legislative budget office and will protect the state’s $2.9 billion investment in education as part of their 2019 legislative session, according to a press release by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and members of the GOP Caucus. “Our agenda is simple…

Public schools show a slight increase

February 7, 2019

Statewide enrollment is up a bit; Tulsa enrollment keeps dropping Oklahoma’s public schools have a slightly increasing student population, according to numbers released by the State Department of Education. Tulsa Public Schools are losing students – 2,059 in the past five years with 540 in the past year. Broken Arrow stayed virtually the same (11…

City councilors raise the hotel tax by another 3 percent

February 7, 2019

Tulsa’s City Council has raised another tax – this time a 3 percent hike on room stays at the city’s largest hotels. Described as a “Tourism Improvement District,” the tax increase only applies to hotels with more than 110 rooms. City officials predict it will raise more than $2,400,000.00 in new revenues. The extra money…

Voter registration being encouraged

February 7, 2019

The Oklahoma State Election Board is encouraging Oklahomans everywhere to make a resolution to get registered and vote. “Whether you just turned 18 or have been eligible to vote for years, now is the time to take an active role in electing our government representatives,” said Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board. “2020…

Winter event is Feb 13 in Branson

February 7, 2019

The 25th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show in Branson, Missouri, will be at 7 p.m. February 13 at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater. Confirmed shows on stage include Shoji Tabuchi, Grand Jubilee, the Hughes Music Show, the SIX show, Comedy Jamboree, The Petersens, Doug Gabriel, Legends In Concert, CJ Newsom’s Classic Country & Comedy…

New program battles opioid abuse

February 7, 2019

Pawnee County is one of Oklahoma’s top five counties for opioid overdoses. But a new program is battling that. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States and Oklahoma is no exception. More than 770 Oklahoma residents died from drug overdoses in 2017. Opioids, including prescriptions, are a particular problem —…

Winter is a good time for cleaning

February 7, 2019 Trisha Gedon

STILLWATER – When the weather is cold and limiting outdoor activities, it is a good time to tackle some house cleaning projects you may have been putting on the back burner. Cleaning out your pantry is a good way to ensure you have only the freshest foods available for your family, said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma…