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The Tulsa Beacon turns 25

Tulsa Beacon

The Tulsa Beacon celebrates 25 years in publication with this issue.   The first issue of the Tulsa Beacon was published on April 25, 2001 and this issue April 23, 2026 marks the end of its 25th year in publication.  The first year of publication was marked by the September 11th attack on our nation by…

Stitt signs sweeping literacy law

Tulsa Beacon

Sitting before a class of students at John Rex Charter School in Oklahoma City, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a bill to dramatically strengthen reading instruction in Oklahoma’s public schools. “We all know that reading paves the way for bright futures, and if a child can read, they can learn,” Stitt said. “And if…

Exercise Lightning Strike Showcases OKNG, OEM Domestic Response

Tulsa Beacon

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, hosted Exercise Lightning Strike, a domestic exercise scenario of an EF5 tornado, at Camp Gruber Training Center, April 14 and 15, 2026. At the center of the exercise is the integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) across various scenarios, enabling…

Republican Candidate Forum for U.S. House District 1

Tulsa Beacon

(Tulsa, OK) –Oklahoma GOP Congressional Dist. 1 is hosting a Candidate Forum for the U.S. House seat, which has been held by Rep. Kevin Hern. Hern is running for Mark Wayne Mullin’s former Senate seat, which was vacated after Mullin was appointed to Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. There are eleven Republican candidates…

Oklahoma House overwhelmingly passes reading reform to tackle literacy crisis

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma state lawmakers have voted in overwhelming numbers to require focused intervention for grade-school students who are struggling in reading, with third-grade retention mandated as a last resort. The legislation largely duplicates a highly successful program used in Mississippi that has achieved national acclaim, and it also reinstates many provisions used successfully in Oklahoma prior…

House leaders comment on passage of Budget bill

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today approved the general appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2027, delivering the largest investment in education in state history while also strengthening funding for mental health services, health care and other core state priorities. The general appropriations bill serves as the foundation of the state budget, establishing…

Bill that Strengthens Oklahoma’s Emergency Response Infrastructure moves on

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, is advancing House Bill 3831, a measure to formally establish Oklahoma Task Force 1 as the state’s official urban search and rescue team, ensuring long-term support and readiness as the legislation now moves to the next stage of the legislative process. House Bill 3831 places Oklahoma Task…

Abandoned Marijuana Grow Sites Bill Passes Committee

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senate Bill 640 by Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has passed the House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee, which aims at addressing abandoned and improperly maintained medical marijuana grow operations. The measure would require licensed medical marijuana businesses to properly remove and dispose of surface trash, debris and waste tied to their operations….

Oklahoma Route 66 Association Centennial Events

Tulsa Beacon

Big Band Hangar Dance will be held on April 25, 2026 at the Stafford Air & Space Museum. The Event will cost $50 per person ($45 for Oklahoma Route 66 Association members) The Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Stafford Air & Space Museum, and the City of Weatherford invite you to celebrate the early years of…