Government & Politics
House speaker to hold study on tribal compacts
Lawmakers plan to probe the state’s compacts with Native American tribes later this year after the House’s top Republican lawmaker called for a deep dive on the issue. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, has said he requested the interim study to better understand the history of the compacts, how they were formed and the importance […]
Rural Arkansas hospitals weigh trading inpatient care for new federal funds
Northeast Arkansas on Friday became home to the state’s first federally designated “rural emergency hospital,” and now, small hospitals across the state must decide if they should reduce or give up inpatient care to follow suit. St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, part of the St. Bernards Healthcare system based in Jonesboro, is […]
Nursing home industry concerned about new staffing rules proposed by Biden administration
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahomans are divided over new nursing home rules that the Biden administration says will bolster safety for residents by increasing the amount of direct care patients receive each day. Opponents argue that the rules would punish long-term care facilities and exacerbate an already existing health care worker shortage, while supporters contend nursing […]
Oklahoma among worst states for workers, report found
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma is one of the worst states for employees, according to an annual analysis from a global group that focuses on ending inequality and poverty. Oxfam ranked Oklahoma 44th in its Best States to Work Index. The organization considered wages, employee protections and right to organize in compiling its rankings. California, Oregon […]
PragerU ‘pro-America’ lessons encouraged in Oklahoma schools
The Oklahoma State Department of Education now offers “pro-America kids content” on its website through a partnership with PragerU Kids, the agency announced Tuesday. Oklahoma follows Florida as one of the first states to encourage use of the content in public school classrooms. A self-described “conservative nonprofit,” PragerU bills itself as a “free alternative to […]
Seeing ‘Red’ after Taylor Swift debacle, lawmakers weigh concert ticket rules
There’s no question what motivated state Rep. Kelly Moller to push for changes in Minnesota law on concert ticket sales. “Really, it was the Taylor Swift debacle for me,” she said. A self-professed Swiftie, the Democrat found herself among millions of other Americans unable to buy tickets last year to Swift’s Eras Tour. She preregistered […]
New gunsmithing degree program meant to attract firearm businesses to Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY — State officials could have a new weapon in their arsenal as they try to lure gun and ammunition manufacturers to Oklahoma. Murray State College leaders say the school’s gunsmithing program could become a huge economic development driver thanks to a $10 million legislative investment that will allow the college to offer the […]
Oklahoma officials waiting for word about billion dollar hydrogen hub plan
OKLAHOMA CITY — The state continues to bet that it can be a national leader in the growing hydrogen sector, but officials are still waiting to find out whether Oklahoma will get a coveted federal designation and access to billions in federal funding. At stake is a federal “hydrogen hub” designation from the U.S. Department […]
School choice tax credits take effect, but no rules yet for Oklahoma
A law offering tax breaks for private school and homeschool families is now in effect, but details for the program’s rollout are still in the works. House Bill 1934, known as the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act, offers refundable tax credits to offset the cost of private school tuition and related fees, including the […]
Gun law raises funding concerns for school hunting programs
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers are concerned that the Biden administration is interpreting last year’s bipartisan gun safety law to cut funding for school archery and hunting programs, though programs themselves say they haven’t been affected. A provision in the law – a bipartisan effort to curb gun violence that established new criminal offenses, and expanded background […]
Commentary: Workers are key part of Oklahoma’s past and future
The annual celebration of Labor Day in Oklahoma is coming again. The summer heat is about to come to an end, and the State Fair is not far away. Most kids are either back in school, or will be, and most folks look forward to a three-day holiday at the end of a grueling summer […]
Oklahoma DHS plans 80 new offices. Some rural counties won’t benefit.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Department of Human Services will move much of its staff out of large, dilapidated office buildings into smaller, more centrally located facilities. Once the transition is complete within the next year, many DHS offices will feel less like government buildings and more like Apple stores, one agency official said. But […]