Skip to content

The Tulsa Beacon

 

News

More than 2 dozen OK inmates graduate from first-ever prison divinity program

Tulsa Beacon

SHAWNEE, Okla. – Commencement ceremonies are taking place across the state, but this one marks a historic first. Four years ago, Oklahoma Baptist University partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to launch the Prison Divinity Program at Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. Recently, more than two dozen incarcerated men earned their Bachelor of Arts…

SBA Drought Relief still available for small business and private nonprofits

Tulsa Beacon

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oklahoma of the June 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought beginning Oct. 1, 2024. The disaster declaration covers the Oklahoma counties of Atoka,…

OSU senior completes legislative internship at the OK Capitol

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma State University senior Gus Ward has spent the spring semester gaining firsthand experience in state government while interning for Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, and Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan. Ward, a senior studying agribusiness, will graduate Saturday, May 10. As an intern at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Ward assisted with daily office…

Special elections runoff Tuesday

Tulsa Beacon

The Tuesday, May 13, 2025 election will decide which Republican will face the Democrat candidate in two special elections to fill Oklahoma House seats. In House District 71, Amanda Swope (D) who was re-elected in November decided to work in Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols office and resign from her House position.  In House District 74,…

Early Voting Begins Thursday, May 8

Tulsa Beacon

Early voting begins for the Special Republican Runoff Primary Elections for State Representatives Districts 71 and 74, May 8 for voters in Tulsa County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, have the option of voting early at their County Election Board. Tulsa County Election Board Secretary,…

Elder abuse bill passes Senate

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, received unanimous Senate approval for House Bill 1566 Monday, which creates the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act. The measure, known as Neil’s Law, establishes a civil action for incapacitated and vulnerable adults, allowing them to pursue claims against individuals who have abused, neglected, or exploited them. The…

Legislation banning Obscene Adult Performances in Public goes to the Governor

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, successfully secured final passage of a bill that bans obscene adult performances on public property or anywhere children may be present. On Thursday, the full Senate passed House Bill 1217, prohibiting individuals from performing sexually explicit or obscene acts in public places or areas where minors are present….

Food Labeling bill moves to Governor

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today commented on a bill that will move to the governor that would require food manufacturers to correctly label products that come from plants or insect proteins instead of identifying them as meat. House Bill 1126 passed the Senate this morning on a vote of 40-7. It previously…

House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Bills

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed two measures aimed at combating antisemitism in public schools and universities. Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, carried both Senate Bill 942 and Senate Bill 991 on the House floor. “These pieces of legislation intentionally focus on clarifying what antisemitism looks like, because for too long, this…

Lauria and Ashley’s Law Moves Closer to Final Passage

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, today welcomed Senate passage of a bill that would add accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes that would require an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. Those convicted also would not…