News

The feds are sending unaccompanied minors to Ft. Sill

June 20, 2019

Unlike 2014, the federal government’s plan to house illegal aliens at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, will be better organized, according to U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma. The Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services have a temporary plan to house unaccompanied minors at military installations, including Fort Sill. “Decades of immigration failures,…

Monarch butterfly habitat is needed

June 20, 2019

STILLWATER – With a June 24 deadline approaching, Pheasants and Quail Forever is encouraging farmers and ranchers to consider using a federal program that provides financial and technical assistance to establish habitat that benefits monarch butterflies, pollinators and other wildlife. Dustin Lamoreaux, State Coordinator with Pheasants and Quail Forever, said the Regional Conservation Partnership Program…

Help for small business insurance

June 20, 2019

Attorneys for the Oklahoma Insurance Department filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals in support of giving Oklahomans more health insurance options. The amicus brief is in response to a U.S. Department of Labor rule that was overturned by a Circuit Court judge. “This rule, coupled with Oklahoma’s new AHP bill, gives small…

OCPA offers a fellowship program

June 20, 2019

To develop the next generation of state leaders, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs has launched the J. Rufus Fears Fellowship program, which will equip participants to advocate for free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility and individual initiative. OCPA President Jonathan Small said the program is designed to preserve the best aspects of the United…

Smitty’s Garage is now open in BA

June 20, 2019

Smitty’s Garage has opened their twentieth location at 801 E. Hillside Drive in Broken Arrow. Smitty’s Garage menu includes bison, turkey, Angus beef burgers, fork and knife hotdogs, taco, and fresh cut fries. Each location offers plenty of arcade games and TV’s. “We think this location will be the prefect addition to this area,” said…

Heartland Flyer celebrates 20 years

June 20, 2019

In 1999, passenger rail made a return to the Sooner State as the Amtrak Heartland Flyer hit the rails between Oklahoma and Texas. The train celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 14. The daily service by Amtrak has carried more than 1.4 million passengers between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth during the past two decades….

Vice President Mike Pence visits flooded areas in Tulsa

June 13, 2019

In a visit to Tulsa last week, Vice President Mike Pence praised local recovery efforts and promised help for restoration following a series of tornadoes and flooding. President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster area in Oklahoma, paving the way for federal assistance from FEMA. Acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Pete…

Gov. Stitt names Justin Brown as new director of DHS

June 13, 2019

Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Justin Brown Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). “Justin is a fellow Oklahoman who has a strong record of helping healthcare and human-service oriented businesses become great success stories in their delivery of compassionate care,” said Stitt. “His time working at the Villagio Senior Living is just…

Bill reforms long-term care

June 13, 2019

SB 888 will allow seniors to take advantage of options counseling to ensure they are fully informed of their options prior to admission to a long-term care program, including less costly choices like home health and adult day services. One option provided under SB 888 is the PACE program, which is a Medicare and Medicaid…

Workers Comp reform bill passes

June 13, 2019

The Oklahoma Senate approved legislation that preserves and strengthens landmark workers’ compensation reforms adopted in 2013. House Bill 2367 passed unanimously and now goes to the governor’s desk for consideration. Senator Julie Daniels, Senate Judiciary Committee chair, is the Senate author of the bill and said HB 2367 clarifies and secures the reforms while addressing…