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Oklahoma Voice
Juneteenth is now just another holiday – you can tell by the merch
Juneteenth has been unable to escape the inevitable – commercialization. An online search for Juneteenth products brings up everything from T-shirts to temporary tattoos, flags to jewelry, wreaths to doormats. The dedicated Juneteenth shopper can find socks, golf balls, sunglasses, makeup bags, party favors and more. For Baltimore community organizer and advocate Brian Sessions, that […] The post Juneteenth is now just another holiday – you can tell by the merch appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
A proposed settlement on mental health is a win for all Oklahomans. But Kevin Stitt can’t see that
It’s become clear that our governor can’t recognize a good settlement offer if it bites him in the behind. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and lawyers representing indigent people who are mentally ill announced the two sides had reached a landmark settlement agreement that — if implemented properly — has a chance to reform how […] The post A proposed settlement on mental health is a win for all Oklahomans. But Kevin Stitt can’t see that appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Cherokee Nation voters reject constitutional convention
With an overwhelming margin of ‘no,’ Cherokee Nation citizens voted against a referendum calling for a constitutional convention. According to the Cherokee Nation Election Commission, the unofficial count stands at 1,769 objections and 777 yes votes between all 51 precincts, including early and absentee voters. If the referendum had passed, a special council would haveve […] The post Cherokee Nation voters reject constitutional convention appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Child care worker Marci Then, 32, looked over at two 4-year-olds in her care who were tussling over a toy plate in a model kitchen set. “Are we sharing?” she gently asked them. They both let go. Then works at Little Learners Academy child care center near Providence, Rhode Island. Her daughter, […] The post For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’ appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before U.S. Senate panel
WASHINGTON — Scientists debated the origins of COVID-19 on Tuesday, trading barbs over whether the bulk of evidence available points to a natural spillover event from a wild animal or a virus designed in a lab and then let loose through an inadvertent leak. The hearing in front of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and […] The post Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before U.S. Senate panel appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Voters sent some Oklahoma lawmakers packing while others wound up in runoffs
OKLAHOMA CITY – Races for the statehouse on Tuesday saw some surprises. Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, lost to Republican challenger Jonathan Wingard, of Ada. McCortney, considered to be more moderate than some of his GOP colleagues, was the Senate Majority floor leader and was slated to become the next president pro tem. He did not […] The post Voters sent some Oklahoma lawmakers packing while others wound up in runoffs appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Brian Bingman wins Republican primary for Corporation Commissioner
OKLAHOMA CITY – Brian Bingman secured the Republican nomination for Corporation Commissioner with about 53% of the vote. With over 237,000 votes reported throughout Oklahoma, about 29% of Republicans voted for Justin Hornback while about 18% backed Russell Ray. Bingman will face the Democratic candidate Harold Spradling and Libertarian candidate Chad Williams in the Nov. 5 general election. Bingman […] The post Brian Bingman wins Republican primary for Corporation Commissioner appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Cole avoids runoff in race that flooded the airwaves with millions in commercials
MOORE — U.S. Rep. Tom Cole on Tuesday easily avoided a runoff for the 4th District despite heavy spending by one of his opponents. Cole, of Moore, defeated businessman Paul L. Bondar and three other Republicans to secure the nomination and avoid an Aug. 27 runoff. He faces a Democrat and independent in the Nov. […] The post Cole avoids runoff in race that flooded the airwaves with millions in commercials appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma’s governor rejects landmark mental health competency restoration settlement
OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt and the state’s commissioner of mental health oppose a proposed settlement that would settle a federal lawsuit. The settlement would guarantee timely and legally-mandated competency restoration to jail inmates. Stitt and mental health commissioner Allie Friesen said in a statement that the settlement is not in the best interest […] The post Oklahoma’s governor rejects landmark mental health competency restoration settlement appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Gov. Stitt completes action on Oklahoma bills
OKLAHOMA CITY – By the time the dust had settled on the legislative session, Gov. Stitt had signed 488 bills and doled out 32 vetoes, some of which were overridden, according to his office. The veto figures do not include line-item vetoes, where Stitt only objected to certain sections of a bill but approved the […] The post Gov. Stitt completes action on Oklahoma bills appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Biden to unveil protections for some undocumented spouses, easier DACA work visas
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration Tuesday will announce deportation protections for long-term undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, along with quicker approval of work permits for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. President Joe Biden will formally make the announcement during an afternoon White House event to celebrate the 12th anniversary of […] The post Biden to unveil protections for some undocumented spouses, easier DACA work visas appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Mental health settlement to ensure faster competency restoration treatment: Oklahoma officials
OKLAHOMA CITY – The state has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit alleging it failed to provide timely and legally-mandated competency restoration treatment to jail inmates. The agreement, unveiled Monday, imposes deadlines for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to reduce the waiting period for defendants requiring mental health competency treatment […] The post Mental health settlement to ensure faster competency restoration treatment: Oklahoma officials appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma senator’s failure to report expenditures draws attention
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s attorney general in an unusual move publicly warned a state senator to correct his campaign expenditure report or face possible consequences. A spokesperson for Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Monday said that the move — less than a week before the Republican primary election — was not an attempt to bolster […] The post Oklahoma senator’s failure to report expenditures draws attention appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma Ethics Commission settles with Make Oklahoma Great Again PAC
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Make Oklahoma Great Again Political Action Committee will pay the state $25,000 to settle an Oklahoma Ethics Commission complaint. According to the settlement made public Friday, MOGA failed to register as a political action committee and to file contribution and expenditure reports. As a result, Jonathan Krems will pay $25,000 in […] The post Oklahoma Ethics Commission settles with Make Oklahoma Great Again PAC appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Officials unsure how federal ruling will affect Oklahoma law banning race, gender discussions
OKLAHOMA CITY — Officials on Monday said they were exploring how a federal judge’s decision to temporarily block enforcement of parts of a controversial law that forbids the teaching of some gender and race concepts would impact Oklahoma school districts and universities. U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin late Friday afternoon issued his temporary injunction against […] The post Officials unsure how federal ruling will affect Oklahoma law banning race, gender discussions appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure
WASHINGTON — The federal government has sought to bolster election security for years through a popular grant program, but the wildly fluctuating funding levels have made it difficult for state officials to plan their budgets and their projects. Rising misinformation and disinformation about elections, often fueled by conspiracy theories, as well as threats against election […] The post States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denies clemency to convicted killer
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied a convicted killer clemency in a 5-0 vote Monday. Richard Norman Rojem, Jr., 66, is on death row for the 1984 kidnapping, rape and murder of his former stepdaughter Layla Cummings, 7. He is scheduled to be executed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester […] The post Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denies clemency to convicted killer appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma voters head to the polls Tuesday
OKLAHOMA CITY – Voters head to the polls Tuesday to select candidates for the statehouse, Congress and Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Fount Holland, a Republican political strategist, said Republican primaries bring out some of the most conservative voters who are normally older, such as 55 and older. Oklahomans are more conservative than they have been in […] The post Oklahoma voters head to the polls Tuesday appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Oklahoma needs increased investment to tackle growing problem of chronic absenteeism
About 25 years ago, the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) combined the poorest half of John Marshall High School with the poorest half of Hoover Middle School, creating a school with staggeringly intense concentrations of extreme poverty, trauma, and, eventually, chronic absenteeism. Too many non-educators assumed that families, such as those we served in the […] The post Oklahoma needs increased investment to tackle growing problem of chronic absenteeism appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Stitt bans no-bid PR contracts. But it won’t impact Oklahoma education agreement, spokesman says.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday issued an executive order prohibiting state agencies from spending money on outside public relations firms by using sole source contracts. But the executive order does not impact any existing contracts the Oklahoma State Department of Education has entered, a spokesman said. Sole source contracts are issued without […] The post Stitt bans no-bid PR contracts. But it won’t impact Oklahoma education agreement, spokesman says. 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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