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Gov. Kevin Stitt fills two vacancies on Oklahoma State Board of Education
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday appointed two men to fill the remaining vacancies on the state’s top school board. Stitt announced he’s appointing local school board member Zach Archer and Alex Gray, a former Trump administration official, to the seven-member Oklahoma State Board of Education. Both appointees will ultimately need to be […]
Opinion: Historic partnership between VA and Cherokee Nation will be boon for veterans
It’s exciting that the Cherokee Nation and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have entered into a historic partnership to increase access to veteran care in rural Oklahoma. The two entities recently announced they formed a unique partnership that officials said could serve as a “roadmap” for how rural America can work with tribal nations […]
Biden nominates first Indigenous woman to serve as Oklahoma federal judge
President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced the historic nomination of a Cherokee Nation attorney to serve as a federal judge in Oklahoma. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Sara Hill would become the first Native American woman to be appointed as a federal district judge in Oklahoma, according to the Leadership Conference on Civil and […]
State’s high court punts case challenging Oklahoma lawmakers’ tribal compact extensions
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers’ decision to extend tribal compacts without the governor’s blessing withstood its first legal challenge after the state’s highest court refused to hear the case. In a 6-3 decision, the Oklahoma Supreme Court announced Monday that it would not hear a case brought by a conservative nonprofit against House Speaker Charles […]
‘Historic agreement’ reached between VA, Cherokee Nation to expand veterans care in Oklahoma
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Cherokee Nation have entered into a “historic agreement” that officials said could serve as a “roadmap” for how rural America can work with tribes to increase care for veterans. Through the partnership, the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System plans to open a new 1,300-square-foot clinic inside […]
Ethics Commission reopens executive director search after Oklahoma AG’s criticism
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted Friday to extend the search for its next executive director through the end of the month just weeks after the state’s attorney general claimed the search “process has been irreparably flawed and must be started anew.” When the board voted to extend the application period through Oct. […]
Opinion: Prisons and jails shouldn’t be built anywhere near public schools
Some leaders across the Oklahoma City area have raised the alarm recently about an odd provision of state law that allows correctional facilities to be built uncomfortably close to public schools. A debate over relocating the Oklahoma County jail has highlighted an obscure provision in state law that allows correctional facilities to be built about […]
Oklahoma high court weighs in on state’s $27 inmate reimbursement rate
OKLAHOMA CITY — County jail officials can charge above the state minimum for housing Department of Corrections inmates, but any costs must be directly related to incarcerating the prisoners, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The ruling caps off a yearslong dispute between county leaders, state Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd and the Department of […]
Opinion: Stitt’s call for sunshine in Oklahoma spending could light way for public participation
Three cheers to Oklahoma’s governor for his calls to make the Legislature’s budget process more transparent. For years now, the state’s multi-billion dollar budget has largely been built behind closed doors over four months. The process evokes images of dimly lit back rooms where only a handful of select legislators — and likely influential lobbyists […]
Republican women choose Trump as top presidential pick in OKC convention poll
OKLAHOMA CITY — Donald Trump was the most popular choice to become the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee, according to the results of a straw poll of GOP women released Monday. Over half of the National Federation of Republican Women convention-goers polled said Trump had their support. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was endorsed by […]
Opinion: More questions than answers as lawmakers probe new transportation tax
Lawmakers stand at a crossroads as they wrestle with how to fund the state’s future transportation needs. Cars are becoming more fuel efficient, and there’s a federal effort to push more consumers toward electric vehicles. Despite those shifts, Oklahoma leaders continue to rely heavily on the revenue generated from the state’s 20-cent gas tax to […]
Governor remains confident in Native American liaison despite tribal opposition
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s governor continues to have confidence in his newly appointed Native American liaison and will continue to rely on him to build tribal relations, his spokeswoman said Monday. Despite opposition from five of the state’s most powerful tribes, Gov. Kevin Stitt will retain Wes Nofire as his liaison, said gubernatorial spokeswoman Abegail Cave. […]