Oklahoma legislator elected chair of The Energy Council
Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, has been elected chair of The Energy Council, an international nonpartisan organization focused on energy policy. Archer was elected during the organization's annual
Oklahoma examines costs and benefits of expanding data center industry
Lawmakers in Oklahoma held a hearing to examine the potential impacts of expanding the state's data center industry, weighing economic benefits against infrastructure and environmental concerns. The
Oklahoma lawmakers weigh taxing digital services as consumer spending shifts
Lawmakers in Oklahoma are examining whether the state should tax digital services and software subscriptions as consumer spending habits shift from physical goods to online platforms. The interim
Oklahoma governor pauses enforcement of farm vehicle fuel taxes
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt ordered a 120-day pause on enforcement of all taxes, regulations and fines related to the use of red dyed diesel in farm vehicles, according to a letter issued to the
Oklahoma lawmakers study technologies to strengthen electric grid
Oklahoma lawmakers examined emerging technologies to strengthen the state's electric grid during an interim study at the State Capitol, hearing from utilities, regional power authorities and federal
Oklahoma study questions effectiveness of teacher professional development
An interim legislative study in Oklahoma concluded that the state's current approach to teacher professional development may not be producing the intended results, lawmakers said. Rep. Tammy West, a
Oklahoma House committee studies impact of parental arrests on children
The Oklahoma House Criminal Judiciary Committee held an interim study examining child-sensitive arrest policies and practices when children are present during the arrest of a parent or caregiver. The
Three Oklahoma Universities Approved for Accelerated Degrees
Oklahoma's State Regents for Higher Education approved new three-year bachelor's degree programs at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and Rogers State University on Sept. 3. The
Oklahoma Lawmakers Examine EMS Funding and School Finances
Oklahoma House Rep. Mike Dobrinski led an interim study Thursday examining the state's 522 Emergency Medical Services districts, focusing on funding structures and service sustainability in rural
Oklahoma lawmaker plans legislation to ban kratom compounds
Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, announced Friday that he intends to pursue legislation during the 61st Oklahoma Legislature to ban dangerous kratom-derived compounds linked to deaths in the state. Turner
Oklahoma consumers recover $260 million in unclaimed life insurance
Oklahoma consumers have recovered $260 million in unclaimed life insurance and annuity benefits through the Life Insurance Policy Locator (LIPL), a free search tool, the Oklahoma Insurance Department
Oklahoma legislature plans studies on housing costs and school discipline
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is hosting two interim studies this week to examine rising housing costs and classroom discipline, seeking expert and local input on state policy
Oklahoma study examines expanding aerospace and construction apprenticeships
An Oklahoma House Postsecondary Education Committee examined how the state can expand apprenticeship programs to address workforce shortages in aerospace and construction on September 8. According
Lawmakers Study Solutions to Oklahoma's Groundwater Crisis
State Rep. Carl Newton held a legislative hearing Tuesday examining Oklahoma's groundwater challenges, including depleting aquifers and management practices as the state grapples with severe drought
Oklahoma Governor Denies Parole for Stafford After Victim Opposition
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has denied parole for Verna Stafford, a woman serving multiple consecutive life sentences. Stafford reached parole eligibility for her first sentence. The Oklahoma Pardon
Oklahoma reaches 500th FORTIFIED home through resilience program
The Oklahoma Insurance Department announced completion of the 500th home through its Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of residential resilience
Oklahoma Launches Cost-Share Program for Invasive Plant Species
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission launched the Invasive Woody Species Cost-Share Program, an initiative to help landowners manage invasive woody species across the state's agricultural
Oklahoma launches tobacco prevention campaign aimed at teens
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust is launching a statewide prevention campaign called "Worth It" to discourage tobacco and nicotine use among Oklahoma teenagers. The initiative combines
Insurance regulator places health insurer under supervision
Oklahoma's insurance regulator has placed Mending Health Insurance in Oklahoma, Inc. under state supervision due to the company's financial situation. Mending Health is a licensed health maintenance
Oklahoma expands free nicotine replacement therapy in September
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline doubled its standard offer of free nicotine replacement therapy for September, providing eight weeks of free patches, gum or lozenges instead of the typical four weeks,
Oklahoma insurance commissioner reviews State Farm documents
The Oklahoma Insurance Department is reviewing internal State Farm documents released in Comanche County District Court litigation as part of its ongoing examination of insurance claims practices,
Oklahoma prison's new body scanner stops contraband on first day
A newly installed body scanner at Allen Gamble Correctional Center prevented contraband from entering the facility on its first day of operation when two visitors were caught attempting to bring
Oklahoma Opens Wetland Restoration Program With 80% Funding Support
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission launched the second year of the Restoring Natural Ecology in Wetlands (ReNEW) program, which provides technical and financial support for wetland restoration.