Two state lawmakers seeking the Republican nomination to be elected Oklahoma’s next labor commissioner hope to modernize the Department of Labor and dig into artificial intelligence’s impact on businesses. Reps. John Pfeiffer, R-Mulhall, and Kevin West, R-Moore, both advanced from the June 16 primary and will be on the Aug. 25 primary runoff ballot to […]
Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
Posted inArts & Culture
Centennial excitement, state money draws thousands to Oklahoma’s strip of Route 66
ARCADIA — Though she lives only four hours from the end of Route 66, Krista London found herself wishing she could attend the highway’s historic centennial celebrations in a state over a thousand miles away. The California resident said her interest in Oklahoma’s 400-mile stretch of Route 66 was piqued after watching the state’s celebrations online. […]
Posted inNews
Oklahoma treasurer sued over alleged open records violation
A government transparency nonprofit sued the Oklahoma Treasurer’s Office Wednesday alleging the treasurer failed to release copies of contracts related to a program processing state employee pay. Oklahomans for Transparency in Government, represented by attorney Richard Labarthe, filed the lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court and alleged that state Treasurer Todd Russ did not respond or recognize […]
Posted inNews
House advances measure limiting some pay raises at Oklahoma agencies
Raises and bonuses for some state employees would be capped under a bill approved by the Oklahoma House on Tuesday. House Bill 3024, authored by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, would limit pay raises and bonuses for executive branch employees at 10% of their base pay, barring a substantial title or responsibility change or a performance […]
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Election Board decision to keep voter data private garners support from Oklahomans
A group of Oklahomans on Monday said they’re prepared to sue the federal government if they continue trying to push state leaders to release protected voter information. C.J. Webber-Neal, a member of Sooner State Party, said at a press conference outside the State Election Board offices that the Department of Justice does not need access […]
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Panel revotes on raises for Oklahoma statewide officials
Oklahoma’s Statewide Official Compensation Commission voted on Tuesday to increase the salaries of 11 statewide elected officials. These salary increases total around $413,000 dollars per year. The commission previously voted Nov. 12 to increase salaries by more than $500,000, but rescinded this decision and approved different numbers. The median household income in Oklahoma is just over $66,000, […]
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Oklahoma governor apologizes for disparaging remarks, celebrates session victories
Gov. Kevin Stitt said Wednesday he had apologized to a state senator after making disparaging remarks about him and his wife last week. Stitt also defended his choice for interim commissioner of the state mental health department, despite his lack of experience in mental health. Stitt drew the ire of lawmakers Thursday as they worked […]
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Oklahoma’s soaring suicide rates place state in top 10 nationally, report finds
Oklahoma’s suicide rate is over 60% higher than the national average and ranks in the top 10 states for suicide and suicidality, a report found. The Healthy Minds Policy Initiative found that nearly 8,000 Oklahomans died by suicide between 2013 and 2022, which equates to “two lives lost per day over a decade.” Most were […]
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Clinton: As country grows more polarized, America needs unity, the ‘Oklahoma Standard’
On the 30th anniversary of the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, former President Bill Clinton said Americans must unite despite their differences, and that Oklahomans can help lead the way by serving as that role model for the rest of the nation. Clinton, who was president at the time of the attack, […]
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House Democrat leader announces run for Oklahoma governor
Democrat House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson announced she’ll run for governor in 2026 during a campaign event outside the state Capitol Tuesday. Munson, 39, of Oklahoma City, was first elected to the Oklahoma House in 2015 as the first Asian-American woman in the state Legislature. She said she will continue to serve in her role […]