News
Kansas Supreme Court strikes down state law banning second-trimester abortion procedure
The Kansas Supreme Court affirmed Friday the fundamental constitutional right of women to terminate a pregnancy and struck down a state law banning a second-trimester abortion method. In a separate decision issued simultaneously by the state Supreme Court, the majority declared unconstitutional a state law imposing a wide range of regulations on abortion providers and […]
Plans to fix Oklahoma state parks scaled back
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation received 10% of what it asked from the legislature to fix state parks. HB 3972 was introduced during the 2024 legislative session, proposing an eight-year plan where $350 million would be put into state parks to fix and beautify their assets. Instead, the plan was […]
‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills?
The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division — a contrast from the legislation’s history of bipartisanship. Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm bill. The […]
Louisiana makes it clear: Nondisclosure agreements can’t hide sexual misconduct at work
A new Louisiana law makes explicit that nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) signed as a condition of employment cannot be used to cover up sexual harassment and hostile acts in the workplace. It takes effect Aug. 1. House Bill 161, sponsored by Rep. Michael Bayham, R-Chalmette, mirrors a federal law already in place to prevent employee harassment, […]
Oklahoma food donation law making small impact
OKLAHOMA CITY– Watching students throw leftover cafeteria food away each day, a Clinton woman’s heart broke. Sally James, 70, who used to work in a public school cafeteria, said the amount of food she saw tossed every day was hard to watch. It was especially difficult as a senior citizen who has to pick between […]
Mishandled bodies, mixed-up remains prompt tougher funeral home regulations
The headlines were the stuff of nightmares. One Colorado funeral home owner let the body of a woman decompose for two years in a hearse parked outside a house he rented, while hoarding the cremated remains of dozens of others inside. Last year, authorities discovered nearly 200 improperly stored bodies at another Colorado funeral home […]
Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail financed, awaiting action from governor
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s 13 original Black towns will soon be connected on the Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail. The trail will link towns that are significant to civil rights history through a grant program with the Oklahoma Historical Society. Because the towns cover a vast geography, the trail will allow visitors to pick and choose […]
Artificial intelligence degree programs to be available at Oklahoma universities
OKLAHOMA CITY – Students at some of Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities will soon be able to pursue undergraduate degrees in artificial intelligence. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved artificial intelligence degree programs at Rose State College, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma on June 4. While some universities have […]
Oklahomans to have access to financing for hail-resistant roofs
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans will soon have access to financing to upgrade their homes with severe weather-averse roofs. In May, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act was signed into law. It allows Oklahomans to apply to a grant program that would provide severe hail-resistant roofs, impact-resistant shingles and rain-resistant attic vents. The law will go into […]
Oklahoma Veterans Commission appoints new executive director
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs has a new executive director. Retired Rear Admiral James Bynum was announced Monday as the agency’s new executive director. He begins Aug. 1. Brett Martin, Veterans Commission chairman, said Bynum is a qualified candidate. “He’s dealt with Capitol Hill in D.C., … working with our legislation […]
Oklahoma County killer set to die Sept. 26
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday set a Sept. 26 execution date for Oklahoma County killer Emmanuel Littlejohn. In 1992, Littlejohn and Glenn Bethany robbed an Oklahoma City convenience store. During the robbery, convenience store owner Kenneth Meers was shot in the face and killed. Bethany is serving a life […]
Oklahoma judge creates new large poultry farm requirements for Agriculture Department
OKLAHOMA CITY – A district judge in Delaware County ruled that the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry must give greater public notice, consider public input and pollution issues prior to authorizing the construction of large poultry farms. Judge David Crutchfield issued the order in a case against the Agriculture Department. Owners of the […]