The City of Oklahoma City has begun a $5 million improvement project along North Walker Avenue, targeting a key stretch between NW 23rd Street and NW 32nd Street. The effort is designed to enhance safety and strengthen the connection between two of the city’s most active districts—Uptown 23rd and the Paseo Arts District. Funded through […]
News
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Community survey launched to help guide future of Downtown OKC
The City of Oklahoma City is inviting people to share their input as part of the Downtown Oklahoma City Strategic Plan, a long-range effort to shape the future of Downtown and Bricktown. The 10-month process will develop an implementable vision to guide land-use, public infrastructure and private development decisions in the urban core. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged […]
Posted inNews
Oklahoma House proposal would add 7 school days for $175 million
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 […]
Posted inNews
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.
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 […]
Posted inNews
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.
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inCommentary
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]