House lawmakers proposed extending Oklahoma’s minimum school year by seven days and pledged $175 million to make it happen. House Bill 3151 passed off the House floor 62-28 Wednesday evening and heads to the Senate, where leadership has endorsed the measure. The bill is the first firm proposal from the House this session for increasing public […]
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Behind the Rankings: How WalletHub Determined Oklahoma is 50th in Education
Oklahoma’s 50th-place finish on WalletHub’s ranking on states’ education systems got everyone talking. But a closer look finds some of their measures spot-on, some are misleading and others are flat-out wrong.
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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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Oil Tycoon and GOP Donor Harold Hamm Asked Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt for Senate Appointment
Oil tycoon and major GOP donor Harold Hamm has reportedly approached Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to request an appointment to the state’s newly vacant U.S. Senate seat. The founder of Continental Resources and close ally of Donald Trump is one of several candidates being considered as the governor weighs his options for the high-profile opening.
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MAPS 4 Animal Welfare Center Hits Halfway Mark in Construction
Construction on the new MAPS 4 Louisa McCune Animal Welfare Center has reached its halfway point, officials announced Tuesday with a ceremonial “topping out.” The $42-million, 70,000-square-foot facility is on track for completion this fall. Funded through MAPS 4, the center will play a key role in making Oklahoma City a safer, more welcoming place […]
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Wait: who’s paying for the new arena?
Last October, Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly passed all 11 propositions tied to a $2.7 billion bond election––the largest in state history. The 2025 general obligation bond was designed to address growing infrastructure needs, maintain past investments, and enhance residents’ quality of life. Among the 547 itemized bond projects is $25 million for the buildout of […]
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Iowa Tribe Partners with Caesars to Open Harrah’s Oklahoma Casino in Chandler
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma is partnering with Caesar’s Entertainment to open the new Harrah’s Oklahoma Casino in Chandler, the first property in Oklahoma managed by Harrah’s. Projected open date is April 9, and the currently existing Ioway Casino will close in March to make way for the new operation. Jake Keyes, Chairman of the […]
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Stuck in Math Jail
Oklahoma County’s plan to plug the funding gap for its new jail quietly collapsed last month after commissioners declined to pursue a sales tax increase. Voters already approved a $260 million bond, but the price tag for the new facility has ballooned to more than three times that amount. While Commissioner Brian Maughan helped pump […]
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OSDE Audit Chaos
Auditor Cindy Byrd gave former Supt. Joy Hofmeister a clean bill of financial health, but the rest of the Oklahoma State Department of Education looks like a wild barnyard. OCAS still runs on the honor system, 23 districts spent outside cost limits, and a $1 million math vendor deal skipped competitive bidding. And Ryan Walters? Let’s just […]
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Weather Woes
As February comes to a close, Oklahomans are bracing for unpredictable weather, with meteorologists suggesting a chance of snow flurries—or sunbathing near the lake. Only in Oklahoma can you experience winter and spring in one week!