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Where exactly are all the AI jobs?
The desire for artificial intelligence skills in new hires has exploded over the last five years, and continues to be a priority for hiring managers across nearly every industry, data from Stanford University’s annual AI Index Report found. In 2023, 1.6% of all United States-based jobs required AI skills, a slight dip from the 2% […]
Elimination of Oklahoma grocery sales tax around the corner
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans will see a drop in their food bill with the upcoming elimination of the state sales tax on groceries. House Bill 1955 eliminates the state’s 4.5% tax on groceries effective Aug. 29. Local taxes will remain, such as those charged by cities. The law does not prohibit cities from increasing their […]
A look at how federal plans could make the costs of housing more affordable
As renters and would-be homeowners struggle with the high cost of housing, the Biden administration has announced policies to address this strain on household budgets. That includes $100 million in funding for a program to incentivize affordable housing production and streamlining loan application processes to expedite building more housing. Some of those proposals — such […]
It’s time to think differently about how we educate Oklahoma children. Community schools would help
Oklahoma’s dismal bottom 10 rank in education outcomes highlights a need to think differently about how we’re educating our children who continue to struggle with academic performance, chronic absenteeism and emotional and behavioral issues. It’s time for our education leaders to take a hard look at the evidence-based benefits that come from increased investments in […]
Oklahoma state superintendent confirms new student test results are ‘very different’
OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite calling media reports on the topic “fan fiction,” Oklahoma’s top education official acknowledged the state’s student assessment process changed significantly without any announcement informing the public. State Superintendent Ryan Walters said Thursday that Oklahoma’s scoring data and annual tests are now “very different.” He said there has been no public announcement […]
Former Norman High School teacher’s certificate revoked after two years of turmoil, Walters says
OKLAHOMA CITY — Two years after promising to ban a former Norman High School educator from ever teaching in Oklahoma again, state Superintendent Ryan Walters said that teacher’s certification is now revoked. The teacher, Summer Boismier, drew national attention in August 2022 for posting a QR code in her classroom that linked to a library […]
Women imperiled by abortion bans take center stage at the DNC
Most major party leaders who took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, mentioned that Vice President Kamala Harris would work to restore federal abortion rights if elected president. But the most poignant remarks about the issue on the DNC’s first day came from Southern women who had traumatic pregnancies and spoke […]
Swipe fee legislation crucial lifeline for Native American communities
While inflation has slowed, its grip hasn’t completely loosened on those most affected by its impact. Nearly 70 percent of Native Americans report significant financial struggles as a result of inflation, the highest of any other demographic. Prices have yet to come down, squeezing budgets for American businesses and consumers alike, especially among tribal communities. That’s […]
Oklahoma’s education department quietly made changes that will cause big jumps in state test scores
OKLAHOMA CITY — A change to Oklahoma’s method for scoring state tests will cause student proficiency rates to jump by as much as 33% even while internal state records indicate actual academic gains have been stagnant. School district leaders say the state Department of Education has not disclosed the upswing is due in large part […]
Oklahoma lawmakers allowed to attend executive sessions of entities they oversee, AG says
OKLAHOMA CITY – Lawmakers must be allowed to attend State Board of Education executive sessions, Oklahoma’s attorney general wrote in an opinion released Wednesday. Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s opinion was requested by Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, after he and two other lawmakers were denied access to a recent executive session. “It strains credibility and common […]
Oklahoma minimum wage hike proposal likely to miss the Nov. 5 general election ballot
OKLAHOMA CITY – It is highly unlikely a state question seeking to raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage will be on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, a campaign spokeswoman said Wednesday. “And while it appears it would be extremely difficult to make the 2024 ballot given the delay tactics orchestrated and led by the political insiders […]
Oklahoma research foundation looks to explain increased risk of MS in women
Obesity during female adolescence could lead to increased risk of multiple sclerosis, or MS, later in life according to a study from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The study, funded by grants from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases and the National Eye Institute, sought to explain why obesity seems to create increased […]
Director of Oklahoma Human Services department to leave agency
Deborah Shropshire will step down as director of the Oklahoma Human Services department, the agency announced Tuesday. Shropshire has served as director of the agency since January 2023 and has worked at the agency since 2014. Her last day will be Sept. 13 and she will be available to assist the incoming director during the […]
DHS seeks bilingual case managers to grow services provided to disabled Oklahomans
As the Developmental Disabilities Services division of the state Oklahoma Department of Human Services chips away at a 13-year wait list for its services, the agency is working to hire more case managers to help Oklahomans with disabilities connect with state support programs. Ryan Stewart coordinates marketing and communications for the Developmental Disabilities Services division. […]
Harris, DNC to face thousands of protesters ready to push their demands
CHICAGO — Visitors to Chicago this weekend were greeted with bright blue banners and smiling Democrats decked out in lanyards and wielding clipboards, welcoming them to the 2024 Democratic National Convention. But other welcome committees throughout the city bore different accouterments – Palestinian flags, keffiyeh scarves and signs castigating President Joe Biden and Vice President […]
New Kansas Planned Parenthood clinic expands abortion access for Oklahomans
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A new Planned Parenthood clinic opening Monday in southeast Kansas will be the closest abortion access point for many people in the South and expects to have patients from six states in its first five days — Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Kansas saw a 369% increase in abortions in […]
Partnerships between universities and hospitals aim to meet workforce needs
Oklahoma colleges and universities are working to bridge gaps in the state’s health care workforce, particularly in rural areas, by incentivizing students to pursue careers in various health care professions. Some students pursuing degrees in health professions will be eligible for tuition payments through a new partnership between Southwestern Oklahoma State University, or SWOSU, and […]
Oklahoma law doesn’t give voters the power to remove state and county officials. It should.
Most home rule charter municipalities in our state, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, have a recall procedure by which citizens may remove a city elected official. Nineteen states, including our neighbors in Kansas, Louisiana, and Colorado, have a method to recall a statewide elected official. But while some city charters give voters the power to […]
Early voting for Oklahoma Aug. 27 primary runoff begins Thursday
OKLAHOMA CITY – Early voting begins Thursday for the Aug. 27 primary runoff. Early voting at county election boards is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, it is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Voters will pick legislative candidates who failed to get 50% plus one vote in the June 18 primary. […]
For now, the Supreme Court won’t stop states from blocking Biden’s Title IX changes
States shunning new federal rules on discrimination in schools over sexual orientation and gender identity won’t be forced to follow them for the time being. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday to reject a Biden administration request for a partial stay that would allow some of the new regulations to take effect while lower courts […]
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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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