News

OK bill requiring 50% of school budgets for classroom learning moves forward amid opposition from school lobby group

March 13, 2025 Ray Carter

Legislation that would require schools to devote at least half their budget to classroom learning is headed to a vote of the full Oklahoma House of Representatives, but the bill continues to receive opposition from education entities that argue even less money should be spent on direct student learning. As originally filed, House Bill 1280,…

SB1027 would give OK voters a clearer picture of ballot-measure costs

March 13, 2025 Curtis Shelton

Oklahoma SB1027, authored by state Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant), aims at reforming the state’s initiative petition process. The bill makes a variety of reforms to the process, one of which is a requirement to reveal if a proposed measure will have a fiscal impact (and if so, where that funding would come from). This additional…

America-First Investment Policy aligns with Oklahoma’s

March 13, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 5, 2025) – Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ today emphasized that the America First Investment Policy, issued by President Trump, aligns with Oklahoma’s longstanding efforts to prioritize American and state-based investments. For years, Treasurer Russ and Governor Stitt have worked to strengthen the financial future of Oklahoma by reducing exposure to adversarial…

Mustang Car Show at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum

March 13, 2025

A classic Mustang car show will be held at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum on Saturday, March 18, 2023. This is the 5th Annual STANG THANG, with a planned appearance by a P-51 Mustang warbird (weather permitting). This event is a collaboration with the Green Country Classic Mustang club. http://gccmustangs.com/ A nonprofit regional group…

TCC announces new Scholarship Program

March 13, 2025

For qualifying students from Broken Arrow, Charles Page, Jenks, and Sapulpa high schools TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa Community College is launching the TCC Advantage scholarship program, a new scholarship for eligible students at Broken Arrow, Charles Page, Jenks, and Sapulpa high schools. Beginning Fall 2025, this scholarship will cover tuition and mandatory fees for one…

House Oversight Committee Passes Bill Removing Chronic Absenteeism from State School Report Cards

March 13, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Education Oversight Committee today passed legislation that would remove chronic absenteeism from the state school accountability system and add an incentive for schools that are going above the state minimum in instructional time with students. House Bill 1412, by Rep. Ronny Johns, removes chronic absenteeism from being a measure on…

Monarch population doubles in 2024

March 13, 2025

Just days from an Endangered Species Act public comment deadline, monarch butterfly conservation groups are celebrating a report that the population doubled last season. News of the doubling comes from 2024-2025 overwintering population counts released this week by the World Wildlife Fund-Telmex Telcel Foundation Alliance and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas in Mexico….

TPS audit finds fraud and systemic failure

March 6, 2025

The TPS audit by State Auditor Cindy Byrd was released last week. The report had been requested by Gov. Kevin Stitt. He was concerned about COVID funds spending, vendor contracts and complaints about the district violating the banned teaching of critical race theory in schools. The audit covered the span of time under Superintendent Deborah…

Deadline to request Absentee Ballot for April 1 Election

March 6, 2025

Voters in Tulsa County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the April 1, Board of Education General Elections for ISD-1 Tulsa Public Schools District 3, Tulsa Technology Center Office 2, ISD-3 Broken Arrow Public Schools Office 5 and Municipal General Elections for the City of Glenpool Council Member Ward 2, City of Jenks…

House bill on parental rights advances in House

March 6, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week secured unanimous passage of two bills in final House committees making them eligible for consideration on the House floor. House Bill 2696 would require schools to release student records to the student’s parents or guardians, or if requested, to the students themselves if they are…