Oklahoma is finally in a national top 10 list for a positive reason. Unfortunately for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s most overused catchphrase, much like the time he was named No. 6 most popular governor simply for the fact that he succeeded Mary Fallin, the distinction doesn’t apply to the whole state. Tulsa debuted on People for […]
Kevin Stitt
Gun sense
It has been about three weeks since permitless carry went into effect. The law, which some call “constitutional carry,” was the first law signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Cacky Poarch, a Moms Demand Action volunteer, was an active advocate against the law. She said enough incidents have already happened to prove the law is dangerous. […]
Chicken-Fried News: Free at last
In accordance with journalism’s “Man Bites Dog” rule, Oklahoma has been making national headlines recently for — get this — actually letting people out of prison. First, as reported on Nov. 4 by CNN, the state released more than 460 nonviolent inmates before their original sentences were completed in the largest single-day mass commutation in […]
Chicken-Fried News: What’s beef?
After Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 392, prohibiting “certain misleading or deceptive practices” in labeling meat products, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association released a celebratory statement. “SB 392 would ensure that packaging of lab cultured, and plant substitute products may not pirate the term ‘beef,’” said association executive vice president Michael Kelsey in April. But The […]
Chicken-Fried News: Gambling problem
Last year, the tribal nations operating Oklahoma’s more than 100 casinos paid $139 million to the state in “exclusivity fees,” according to Associated Press, but Gov. Kevin “Never Count Your Money When You’re Sitting at the Table” Stitt wants to raise the stakes. The fees — currently 4-10 percent of the casinos’ net revenue paid […]
Chicken-Fried News: Broken justice
Remember in 2016 when Oklahoma overwhelmingly voted in favor of State Question 780, which allows the more than 60,000 Oklahomans convicted of simple drug possession to seek parole and expunge felony drug possession? It wasn’t until 2019 that Gov. Kevin Stitt retroactively signed the state question into law. The state district attorney’s association and local […]
Chicken-Fried News: What would you say you do here?
In the 1999 cult classic film Office Space, a pair of business consultants both named Bob are brought in to help a software company downsize. It leads to the invariable question, “What would you say you do here?” If the same question was posed to members of the Oklahoma Legislature, we’d probably get a lot […]
Seeking justice
Julius Jones has spent nearly half of his life on death row. He was convicted for the 1999 murder of Paul Howell but always maintained his innocence and has now filed for clemency. He cites his innocence, inadequate representation and racism as the reasons for requesting commutation, a type of clemency. “I have spent the […]
Chicken-Fried News: Job fulfillment?
Sorry we’re late, but a happy belated Amazon OKC1 Fulfillment Center Day to you and yours. In case you missed it, Gov. Kevin Stitt proclaimed Aug. 25 as a day celebrating the official launch of Amazon’s first Oklahoma fulfillment center. According to a press release faithfully regurgitated by too many local media outlets to name […]
Chicken-Fried News: Scotchgarding ‘The Guardian’
Zero percent. That is the odds Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, gives opponents of House Bill 2597 of getting a referendum on the ballot that would allow voters the chance to repeal the bill, according to Tulsa World. Co-authored by Echols, HB 2597 — allowing legal gun owners to open- or concealed-carry their weapons without […]
