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Oklahoma Voice
New Oklahoma school board takes over charter oversight, Catholic school Court order
OKLAHOMA CITY — A newly formed state board that promises to be “the tip of the spear” in education innovation for Oklahoma met for the first time on Monday. The Statewide Charter School Board will oversee seven virtual charter schools and four brick-and-mortar charter schools in Oklahoma. It also takes on the mantle of carrying […] The post New Oklahoma school board takes over charter oversight, Catholic school Court order appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Interim executive director named for Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
OKLAHOMA CITY – A board that oversees the state’s cosmetology and barbering industries named an interim executive director at its meeting Monday. The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering announced Michelle McFarland will oversee the agency’s operations as it continues to search for a permanent leader. They’ve been searching for a permanent leader following […] The post Interim executive director named for Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation
President Joe Biden pledged Monday to stay in his race for reelection, even after a weekend in which a growing number of Democrats asked for him to withdraw and a key U.S. House Republican called for an investigation into the president’s doctor. In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden argued that the calls for him […] The post Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Arkansas racing commission issues state’s final casino permit to Cherokee Nation Entertainment
The Arkansas Racing Commission awarded the state’s final casino license to Cherokee Nation Entertainment following years of court challenges that have delayed the process. Although commissioners unanimously approved issuing the Pope County permit to the tribal business late last month, construction could again be halted if a ballot initiative to repeal casino gaming in the […] The post Arkansas racing commission issues state’s final casino permit to Cherokee Nation Entertainment appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows
Clinic closures in the wake of the Dobbs decision and questions about the legality of emergency contraceptives, including disinformation that some are abortion drugs, may have contributed to a sharp drop in the rate of prescriptions for contraceptives in states with the most restrictive abortion bans, according to a University of California Los Angeles study. […] The post Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Documentary film showcases restoration of Oklahoma’s Capitol building
OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma Historical Society documentary film released to the public June 28 showcases Oklahoma’s Capitol and the nearly decade-long restorations of the building. “The People’s House” was created as a “bookend” to the restoration process and to capture the history of the building. Trait Thompson, Oklahoma Historical Society executive director, worked as […] The post Documentary film showcases restoration of Oklahoma’s Capitol building appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Ryan Walters’ personal vanity campaign needs to end, but Oklahoma Republicans couldn’t stop it
Most PR campaigns are aimed at building a positive image. But from the looks of Oklahoma education Superintendent Ryan Walters’ national publicity push, he’s only breaking down his relationships here at home. And embarrassingly, our other elected officials are allowing it to happen. Walters is paying a Virginia-based communications company as much as $200 an […] The post Ryan Walters’ personal vanity campaign needs to end, but Oklahoma Republicans couldn’t stop it appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Kansas Supreme Court strikes down state law banning second-trimester abortion procedure appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Plans to fix Oklahoma state parks scaled back appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
‘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 […] The post ‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills? appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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, […] The post Louisiana makes it clear: Nondisclosure agreements can’t hide sexual misconduct at work appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Oklahoma food donation law making small impact appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Mishandled bodies, mixed-up remains prompt tougher funeral home regulations appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail financed, awaiting action from governor appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Artificial intelligence degree programs to be available at Oklahoma universities appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Oklahomans to have access to financing for hail-resistant roofs appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Oklahoma Veterans Commission appoints new executive director appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Oklahoma County killer set to die Sept. 26 appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
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 […] The post Oklahoma judge creates new large poultry farm requirements for Agriculture Department appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Libertarian party vice presidential candidate wants to be ‘disruptor’ in November election
OKLAHOMA CITY – Although the Libertarian vice presidential candidate is not banking on a win, he is looking to be a “disruptor” to November’s election. Mike ter Maat was picked to serve on the Libertarian presidential ticket in May, alongside Chase Oliver. They will face presumptive candidates former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and […] The post Libertarian party vice presidential candidate wants to be ‘disruptor’ in November election 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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