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Oklahoma higher education chief announces retirement
OKLAHOMA CITY — The chief of Oklahoma’s higher education system announced on Tuesday she will retire from the position after three years in office. Higher Education Chancellor Allison Garrett said her retirement will be effective in January. She was hired to the role in November 2021, succeeding 14-year Chancellor Glen Johnson. In the months ahead, […] The post Oklahoma higher education chief announces retirement appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma Senate to tackle youth vaping, cellphones at school
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma senators during the interim are expected to take a deep dive into cellphones in schools, voucher costs and other topics. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, approved 39 interim study requests. The requests have been assigned to committees. The committee chairperson will determine whether or not the study will […] The post Oklahoma Senate to tackle youth vaping, cellphones at school appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma attorney general to accept airline customers’ complaints
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office said Tuesday that it launched an online form to submit complaints about airline carriers and ticket agents to his office. Drummond has the authority to review and resolve complaints from airline consumers that are Oklahoma residents after signing a “memorandum of understanding” with the U.S. Department of […] The post Oklahoma attorney general to accept airline customers’ complaints appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma governor names new chief of staff
OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday named Grayson Walker as his next chief of staff. Walker will replace Brandon Tatum who is stepping into the role of executive director for the Regional University System of Oklahoma. Walker has worked in Stitt’s administration as counselor to Secretary of State Josh Cockroft and as deputy […] The post Oklahoma governor names new chief of staff appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
State senator says she intends to take Walters, education officials to court
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state senator says she intends to take the state’s top school board, the state superintendent and the Oklahoma State Department of Education to court after she was denied entry to a closed-door meeting last week. Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said she’s deciding whether to pursue legal action through the Attorney General’s […] The post State senator says she intends to take Walters, education officials to court appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Kansas launches campaign to catch ‘boomerang’ residents to match job opportunities
MANHATTAN — Melissa McCoy grew up in southwest Kansas, graduated from Kansas State University and spent nearly a decade as a educator in Mexico City. In 2006, she decided to return to Kansas with her husband to get away from the hurlyburly of a rapidly growing megacity of more than 18 million. She now serves […] The post Kansas launches campaign to catch ‘boomerang’ residents to match job opportunities appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
More states consider voter ID laws amid conflicting research on their impact
Nevada voters may decide in November whether they should join three dozen other states in requiring voters to present valid identification before casting a ballot. And Maine may not be far behind, as the push for voter ID requirements grows nationwide despite conflicting studies over their effects. Conservative organizers in Nevada say they have gathered […] The post More states consider voter ID laws amid conflicting research on their impact appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Dozens of new laws take effect July 1
OKLAHOMA CITY – More than 80 laws signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt went into effect on Monday. A law that targets undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma was intended to go into effect on Monday, but has been blocked by a federal court. The law creates a new crime called “impermissible occupation” for willfully entering Oklahoma without […] The post Dozens of new laws take effect July 1 appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Former board alternate sues Oklahoma State Election Board
OKLAHOMA CITY – A former Oklahoma County Election Board alternate is suing the Oklahoma State Election Board after it alleged she made false claims. Jenni White was fired from her alternate position on the Oklahoma County Election Board in February after questioning the absentee ballot counting process. Former member Cheryl Williams was also removed. In […] The post Former board alternate sues Oklahoma State Election Board appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma’s 2 largest school districts now both led by Black women, a first in state history
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma reached a new milestone on Monday with a new superintendent taking office in Oklahoma City Public Schools. For the first time, Black women are simultaneously leading the state’s two largest school districts, OKCPS and Tulsa Public Schools. Jamie Polk stepped into the OKCPS superintendent role on Monday, succeeding Sean McDaniel. Ebony […] The post Oklahoma’s 2 largest school districts now both led by Black women, a first in state history appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the president’s handling of classified documents. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks to […] The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case
U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trump’s case back to the lower courts. The justices left open the question of how far official acts can reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the […] The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
White House seeks emergency funds for Midwest disaster relief, Key Bridge in Maryland
The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve billions in emergency funding for domestic priorities it says are essential, including border security, emergency preparedness and child care. The $4 billion in new emergency spending requested Friday calls on lawmakers to approve more funding than was included in the dozen annual government funding bills passed earlier […] The post White House seeks emergency funds for Midwest disaster relief, Key Bridge in Maryland appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Democrats reel from ‘terrible’ Biden debate performance as he defends candidacy
President Joe Biden touched on a flood of criticism of his debate performance during a rally on Friday, while Democrats interviewed on Capitol Hill said the party must figure out a way to reassure voters after what they described as a “terrible” showing and a “bad night.” Biden, speaking from Raleigh, North Carolina, acknowledged some […] The post Democrats reel from ‘terrible’ Biden debate performance as he defends candidacy appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
U.S. Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday sided with a local ordinance in Oregon that bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, and local governments will be allowed to enforce those laws. In a 6-3 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion that the enforcement of those local laws that regulate camping on public property does not […] The post U.S. Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Thank you for your generous support to bolster our legislative coverage
Dear Readers, We did it! Our first legislative fundraising campaign was a success, and we have you to thank. Your generosity will continue to allow us to grow and offer even more relentless reporting and insightful commentary. We believe every Oklahoman deserves free access to high-quality, nonpartisan reporting on critical issues. Thank you, thank you, […] The post Thank you for your generous support to bolster our legislative coverage appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Federal judge puts temporary hold on Oklahoma immigration law
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked Oklahoma’s controversial immigration law targeting people in the U.S. without documentation. While Oklahoma may have frustrations with problems caused by illegal immigration, the state may not pursue policies that undermine federal law, the opinion by U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones said. The order prohibited […] The post Federal judge puts temporary hold on Oklahoma immigration law appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Kansas’ Medicaid program adding coverage of doula services for women, newborns
TOPEKA — The Medicaid program in Kansas will be amended July 1 to enable coverage of doula services useful in guiding and supporting women before giving birth and during postpartum months. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Medicaid beneficiaries would have access to these non-physician providers within the KanCare program. Doulas would […] The post Kansas’ Medicaid program adding coverage of doula services for women, newborns appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma Catholic charter school pledges to ‘fight’ Court ruling. State fails to void its contract.
BROKEN ARROW — Leaders of an Oklahoma Catholic charter school said they will “continue to fight” to open the school after the Oklahoma Supreme Court rejected their attempt to operate as a state-funded entity. Meanwhile, a state board in Oklahoma City failed to comply with the state Supreme Court’s order to rescind the founding contract […] The post Oklahoma Catholic charter school pledges to ‘fight’ Court ruling. State fails to void its contract. appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
13 states with Republican governors opt out of summer food program for kids
A new, permanent summer grocery program will help nearly 21 million kids across 37 states get enough to eat this year while school’s out. But 13 states with Republican governors have opted out of the federal program, citing their opposition to what they deride as “welfare” and their unwillingness to cover administrative costs. Under the […] The post 13 states with Republican governors opt out of summer food program for kids appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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Oklahoma Voice provides original, objective reporting examining the intersection of policy, impact and power. We deliver unflinching, nonpartisan coverage of how Oklahomans are affected by the decisions made in our state capital and beyond. A nonprofit, independent news outlet, our content will always be free. Our name is a nod to the state’s robust history of oral storytelling and our mission to elevate the voices of Oklahomans too often sidelined by the political process. You’ll never hit a paywall on our site, and you won’t find advertisements either. Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations. The Voice retains full editorial independence.
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