Oklahoma Politics News
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Oklahoma lawmakers could lose campaign cash because of Capitol riot
Oklahoma members of Congress received tens of thousands of dollars in the last two years from corporate political committees...
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Biden picks familiar faces for top roles at FEMA, CIA
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is nominating New York emergency department commissioner Deanne Criswell to serve...
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Inhofe withholds comment on House impeachment case, cites upcoming trial
Oklahoma’s five members of the U.S. House voted Wednesday against impeaching President Donald Trump for inciting insurrection,...
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Oklahoma legislators advised to avoid the Capitol this weekend due to possible protests
State legislators and state employees have been advised to steer clear of the Oklahoma state Capitol building this weekend...
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Oklahoma National Guard headed to DC, to provide inauguration security
The Oklahoma National Guard is sending 400 soldiers and airmen to Washington, D.C., to provide extra security for next week's...

The Conversation: Raphael Warnock becomes a member of a select club — pastor politician
Raphael Warnock, by winning Georgia's Senate election against U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, will join Republican Sen. James...
National Politics
- Pragmatic governor Laschet elected to lead Merkel's party
- China builds hospital in 5 days after surge in virus cases
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party has chosen Armin Laschet as its new leader
- Official: 2 insider attackers kill 12 Afghan militiamen
- Iranian Guard holds anti-warship ballistic missile drill
- India starts world's largest COVID-19 vaccination drive
- The Latest: UN: Pandemic reduced migrants by 2M by mid-2020
- Friday Sports in Brief
- Trump administration carries out 13th and final execution
- US carries out 13th and final execution during Trump administration, most for any presidency in more than 120 years
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Navy names ship for Muscogee (Creek) Nation
A new Navy vessel will be named for Oklahoma's Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Acting Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, an...

Gov. Kevin Stitt activates National Guard due to nationwide Capitol threats
Gov. Kevin Stitt has activated the Oklahoma National Guard to protect the state Capitol building as warnings swirl that all 50...

Tribal leaders want to work with state on how to prosecute crime on reservations
Leaders of the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nations said Thursday that Congress should allow tribes to make agreements with the state...

US Capitol siege has echoes of the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building
To Mayor David Holt, the rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 are no different from the domestic terrorist who bombed the...

Where will Oklahoma's energy industry go from here? The likely answer could surprise you
Presidential administrations and Congresses throughout the past 40 years undoubtedly worked to nudge the nation’s energy and...

Oklahoma school districts to keep quarantines, not on board with new state policy
Multiple Oklahoma school districts say they won’t adopt a new state policy allowing students and staff to skip quarantines....
Dem lawmakers speculate that Capitol rioters may have had GOP help
Democratic lawmakers leveled a series of stunning allegations that their GOP colleagues – none of whom they named...
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Capitol riot quashes OKC teacher's plan to attend inauguration of Kamala Harris as VP
For months, Christina Kirk, Ph.D., had been planning a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration of Kamala Harris as...
Downtown tract could be developed for MAPS 4 Diversion Hub
Philanthropist Sue Ann Arnall intends to donate a 1.6-acre tract downtown for the MAPS 4 Diversion Hub, a gift that could be...

Biden introduces $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that includes $1,400 stimulus checks
President-elect Joe Biden will introduce a $1.9 trillion spending package Thursday that aims to speed distribution of the...

If someone you care about has been radicalized, here's what to know
The violence America witnessed at the Capitol was more than unleashed rage. Terrorism experts say it was the culmination of...
By land and air, weather researchers track tornadic storms
SALINA, Kan. — For the first time in almost a decade, meteorologists from across the Midwest will track and intercept tornado birthing grounds as part of a large-scale collaborative research project. The TORUS Project, or Targeted Observation...
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Toby Keith presented National Medal of Arts by President Trump for 'extraordinary contributions to American music'
National news outlets reported that Trump was presenting the performers with the high honor Wednesday afternoon about the same...
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Oklahoma City's growth: A path that's unsustainable
Oklahoma City is implementing an unprecedented series of actions to slow sprawl, require developers to help pay for costs...

After judge hobbles Oklahoma's COVID curfew for bars, Gov. Stitt drops the restriction
Gov. Kevin Stitt walked back restrictions on bars and restaurants Wednesday, one day after a judge hammered the state in a...
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Donald Trump impeached for 'incitement' of mob attack on US Capitol
The House reached the majority vote needed to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting an “insurrection” in last...

Toby Keith and Ricky Skaggs reportedly receive National Medal of Arts at White House as Trump is impeached
The National Medal of Arts is considered the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the U.S. government. It is...
'Never too late': Trump's second impeachment comes quickly compared to months-long investigation into Ukraine
If the House impeachment of President Donald Trump seems faster this time, it is basically the difference between a week and a...
Trump impeachment sets up politically perilous Senate trial, possibly threatening Joe Biden's agenda
WASHINGTON – The historic impeachment of President Donald Trump for his role in last week's violence at the U.S. Capitol...
5 takeaways as the House impeaches Trump for second time
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time, a move that...
'Betrayal': Powerful GOP support for Trump's impeachment shows major Republican shift after Capitol riot
WASHINGTON – The expected House vote Wednesday on whether to again impeach President Donald Trump will stress...
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Oklahoma waives quarantines for students, school staff exposed to COVID
Going forward, schools with a mask requirement and COVID-19 safety protocols will not have to quarantine students and teachers...
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Oklahoma Capitol security enhanced as FBI warns of armed protests
Following warnings from federal law enforcement officials, state and local leaders are preparing for the possibility of...
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Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccines to Oklahoma legislators
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has begun making COVID-19 vaccines available to the nearly 150 members of the Oklahoma...
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House passes measure calling on Pence to invoke 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office
As the House of Representatives attempts to remove President Donald Trump from office after last week's attack on the U.S....
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Bars granted reprieve from curfew until July in case against Stitt
Citing a lack of evidence from the state that a curfew on bars would slow the spread of COVID-19, an Oklahoma District Court...
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Rep. Tom Cole opposes impeachment of Trump, calls for healing
Rep. Tom Cole said Tuesday that House Democrats should be “seeking a path toward healing” instead of moving quickly toward...
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Pence refuses to invoke 25th Amendment
Vice President Mike Pence informed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a letter late Tuesday that he will not invoke the 25th...

GOP Rep. Liz Cheney says she will vote to impeach Trump
Cheney, the daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, said the president was solely to blame for the attack on...

Travelers boarding international flights to the US will need proof of negative COVID-19 test, CDC says
Travelers flying into the United States from international destinations will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19...

FBI issued dire warning day before Capitol riots
The siege left five dead, including a Capitol police officer whom pro-Trump rioters allegedly beat with a fire extinguisher.
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Cole speaks against resolution urging Pence to invoke 25th Amendment
Rep. Tom Cole came out against legislation on Tuesday calling on Vice President Mike Pence to take steps to remove President...

More rental assistance could be coming to Oklahoma County
Oklahoma County officials are applying to receive some of the $25 billion in rental assistance recently set aside by the...
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Secret Service vows 'robust' inauguration security after deadly Capitol siege
The Secret Service expressed confidence Monday in a sprawling plan to secure the presidential inauguration, describing it as a...

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf resigns as inauguration security looms
Unlike other recent members of the Trump administration who resigned, Wolf did not cite the Capitol riots as a reason.

Tennessee man accused of being 'zip tie guy' pictured at Capitol riot arrested in Nashville
The federal prosecutor's office in Washington is handling the case.

Got questions about Oklahoma's COVID vaccine rollout? Let us know
What questions, comments or concerns do you have about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Oklahoma? Take our survey and share...
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Republican blocks House from bringing up 25th Amendment bill, forcing vote
WASHINGTON – Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., on Monday blocked Democrats from bringing up a resolution to urge Vice President Mike...

Former Stitt staffer lobbying for company bidding on state Medicaid contract
A former staffer of Gov. Kevin Stitt is lobbying for a health care company that's bidding on a multimillion-dollar state...

OKC council candidate posts pro-Trump rhetoric; has never voted in a city election
Council candidate repeated election fraud claims An Oklahoma City Council candidate acknowledged Friday he posted a...

Lobbyists agree to pay financial penalties in ethics case
Two well-known Oklahoma lobbyists will not face criminal charges for their involvement in a PAC that made illegal donations...

Chris Christie: Trump mob incitement an 'impeachable offense'
Christie is perhaps the most notable Republican ally of Trump's to support impeachment but he has not said whether he supports...
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Canadian County sheriff says he wasn't involved in US Capitol rioting
EL RENO — Canadian County Sheriff Chris West acknowledged Friday that he marched to the U.S. Capitol this week in support of...

Didn't get your first or second stimulus? Here's what to do if you must file a tax return for them
If you don't get a debit card or a check or a direct deposit sometime soon, well, you're on your own of sorts.

Biden's AG pick has special memories of OKC
President-elect Joe Biden's pick for attorney general was moved by his experience in Oklahoma City after the 1995 bombing....

Futile effort to help Trump may help shape some lawmakers' legacies
Speaking to thousands of supporters who traveled to Washington, D.C., from all over the country, President Donald Trump thanked...
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How Oklahoma teachers talked about the Capitol riot with students
Watching the news from his social studies classroom, Taft Middle School teacher Eric Parker realized he’d have to scrap the...
EXPLAINER: Who has been charged in the deadly Capitol riot?
Dozens of people have already been arrested and prosecutors across the U.S. have vowed to bring to justice those who stormed...
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Trump bears some responsibility for encouraging mob, Oklahoma lawmakers say
Oklahoma’s senators and Rep. Tom Cole say President Donald Trump played at least some part in encouraging the mobs who started...

The Conversation: In Mike Pence, US evangelicals had their '24-karat-gold' man in the White House
Mike Pence has remained one of the only constants in the often chaotic Trump administration. Variously described as "vanilla,"...

Rep. Tom Cole: Impeachment of Trump would mean more national trauma
As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to prevent an “unhinged” President Donald Trump from having access to nuclear codes, Rep....

Oklahoma begins to pay out newest round of pandemic unemployment
Nearly 35,000 unemployed Oklahomans woke up Friday with more cash in their bank accounts. These payments were made to...

Twitter permanently suspends Trump from its platform, citing 'risk of further incitement of violence'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Twitter permanently suspends Trump from its platform, citing 'risk of further incitement of violence.

President Trump won't attend Joe Biden's inauguration
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will not attend President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20.

Amid recriminations, Lankford, Bice say they weren't trying to overturn Biden's election
Amid recriminations about Republican election challenges fueling the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, two Oklahoma...
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Sen. Jim Inhofe says Mike Pence told him he was hurt that Trump turned on him
Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe said Wednesday that Vice President Mike Pence expressed his frustration to him that President Donald...

Thunder proposes going first in MAPS 4
A councilwoman says transparency could suffer in a rush to begin MAPS 4 upgrades at downtown's NBA arena. A plan presented...

In messaging shift, Trump acknowledges Biden win and calls for 'smooth' transition of power
President Trump on Thursday acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in his strongest words to date as he faces...

'Hard to believe': Capitol Police security breakdown prompts calls for chief's resignation
"Yesterday represented a massive failure of institutions, protocols, and planning that are supposed to protect the first branch...
Transportation Secretary Chao resigns after Capitol riot
WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is resigning effective Monday, becoming the highest ranking member of...

After riot, most Oklahoma lawmakers still vote to reject two states' electoral votes
Oklahoma’s senators voted against an attempt to reject electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania, while all five Oklahoma...

US Capitol quiet after night of unprecedented assault: 4 dead, 52 arrested, FBI seeking information
WASHINGTON – An eerie quiet blanketed the area around the U.S. Capitol early Thursday, hours after thousands of protesters...

What the attorney for OKC bomber Timothy McVeigh had to say about AG pick Merrick Garland
ENID — The attorney who defended Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh at trial is praising Joe Biden’s choice for attorney...

Manufacturers group calls for Pence to invoke 25th Amendment removing Trump from power
As a violent mob breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, the largest advocacy group representing American manufacturers called...
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Pro-Trump rally in OKC has much different feel than Washington, D.C.
In what often took the tone of a tent revival, with praise for President Donald Trump and prayers for his protection, more than...

Oklahoma members head to safety as Capitol is mobbed
Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation sheltered in the Capitol complex and other locations while mobs of people...

Trump signs Clara Luper post office bill
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed legislation to name the downtown Oklahoma City post office after civil rights icon...

Inhofe describes chaos as Trump rioters mobbed Capitol
Sen. Jim Inhofe describes the scene as pro-Trump rioters mobbed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday to protest the certification of Joe...

'Violence never wins': Congress reconvenes to continue Electoral College count after pro-Trump riot at Capitol
"Today was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol," Vice President Mike Pence, the president of the Senate,...

In unprecedented move, Twitter locks President Trump's account after tweets with 'severe violations'
In an unprecedented move, Twitter locked President Trump's account on Wednesday after freezing three of his tweets about the...

Calls grow for social media platforms to silence Trump as rioters storm US Capitol
As thousands of rioters stormed Washington, D.C., Wednesday inciting violence and locking down the U.S. Capitol, has the time...

Democrats will control US Senate after Ossoff, Warnock win Georgia runoffs
Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock both won Senate runoffs in Georgia, giving Democrats control of the Senate.

Siding with Trump, Bice and Cole will challenge Electoral College votes
Freshman Rep. Stephanie Bice and Rep. Tom Cole said Wednesday they will vote to challenge the results of some states’ Electoral...
What to expect when Congress meets to count Electoral College votes and Republicans object
Congress' count of the Electoral College, a normally symbolic affair affirming the president-elect's victory, is...
OKC council: Former school building to be converted to homeless shelter
The Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to open an emergency shelter for the homeless at the former Willard School,...

Federal eviction moratorium extended, $25 billion dedicated to rental assistance
Renters across the country facing financial hardship because of the pandemic now have eviction protections through the end of...

In big break with Trump, Inhofe rejects Electoral College challenge
Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, breaking with his home state colleague and President Donald Trump, said Tuesday he will not join a...

Many lawmakers spurn masks as Oklahoma Legislature prepares for session
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across Oklahoma, state lawmakers returned to the Oklahoma state Capitol on Tuesday...

Georgia runoff election updates: Officials expect final results to be available Wednesday morning as polls close
If just one of the Republican incumbents holds on to their seat, the Senate would remain in GOP control.

Tommie Johnson III sworn in as Oklahoma County's first Black sheriff
Tommie Johnson III was sworn in as the new Oklahoma County sheriff Monday in a ceremony focused on faith, family and community...

Trump supporter investigated over Facebook post
A supporter of President Donald Trump has come under investigation over a Facebook post about blowing up a barbecue restaurant...

Broken Arrow legislator Nathan Dahm seeks to preempt local mask mandates
A Republican state senator from Broken Arrow has prefiled legislation for the upcoming legislative session seeking to prevent...

Live politics updates: Trump legal team 'misled' voters, Georgia election official says
A Georgia election official accused President Donald Trump’s legal team of intentionally misleading voters about voter fraud...
Trump rewarding allies Nunes, Jordan with Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to present one of the nation's highest civilian honors to two of his most...

OKC firefighters in line to get body armor
City Manager Craig Freeman is recommending the city council accept a donation of "rifle-rated" body armor and helmets for the...
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Bice takes seat in U.S. House as new Congress begins
Republican Rep. Stephanie Bice became the newest member of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation on Sunday, as the 117th Congress...
Trump, on tape, presses Ga. official to 'find' Trump votes
ATLANTA (AP) — President Donald Trump badgered and pleaded with Georgia's election chief to overturn Joe Biden's win in the...

Stephanie Bice to take office as new Congress begins
Two years ago, a new Congress began amid a government shutdown over President Donald Trump’s demands for money to build a...

Senate completes resounding defeat of Trump on defense bill
The Senate completed the override of President Donald Trump’s veto of the annual defense bill on Friday, delivering the first...

Lankford won't support Electoral College vote without new election probe
U.S. Sen. James Lankford announced Saturday that he will oppose the Electoral College vote this week making Joe Biden the next...

Tucked into the defense bill, a long-owed debt to the OKC Memorial
It’s just $1 million in a $740 billion bill. But it’s big, in principal and in principle, to the Oklahoma City National...

After turbulent 2020, faith in America faces more big issues
For many religious denominations in the United States, there were two shared preoccupations in 2020 beyond the usual matters of...

Gov. Kevin Stitt loses another Cabinet secretary
Gov. Kevin Stitt's secretary of public safety resigned Thursday to focus on his business and family. Chip Keating became the...

FACT CHECK: Feds say gap in unemployment benefits unlikely
Because President Donald Trump let two unemployment programs expire before reauthorizing them, there were questions about...
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Cole, Horn, Lucas vote for additional stimulus aid, veto override
Sen. Jim Inhofe urged his colleagues on Tuesday to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the annual defense bill, saying...

You could receive your $600 stimulus check as soon as tonight, Treasury says
Stimulus money could be coming to your account tonight.Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin tweeted on Tuesday evening the...

House overrides Trump veto of defense bill
The House voted overwhelmingly Monday to override President Donald J. Trump’s veto of the defense bill, setting up a final...

Stimulus bill breakdown: What to know about that $600 check
Keep an eye on your bank account. Starting this week, millions of Americans will receive payments from the federal government...

What's in the new stimulus bill? Trump's signature grants unemployed Oklahomans financial lifeline
President Donald Trump's decision to sign a pandemic relief package has provided an extension of some unemployment benefits for...

Oklahoma City Council puts off marijuana regulation debate
An industry executive says Oklahoma City's proposed zoning code for marijuana is "overreach." The city council last week...

Poll: 40% of Oklahoma voters want Stitt to run for reelection
Nearly 53% of Oklahoma voters approve of the job Gov. Kevin Stitt is doing, but only 40% want him to seek a second term in two...

Trump signs massive measure funding government, COVID relief
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — AP source: Trump signs pandemic relief and government-funding measure, averting government shutdown.

Oklahoma County officials vote to give themselves pay raises
Starting Jan. 1, Oklahoma County's elected officials will get paid more for the first time in a dozen years. The officials...

Trump election claims, challenges backed by slim majority of Oklahoma voters
Slim majorities of Oklahoma voters believe there was widespread fraud in the presidential election and that President Donald...

Lawmakers to attempt override of Trump veto of defense bill
The House and Senate are expected to return to Washington next week to vote on overriding President Donald Trump’s veto of the...

Pandemic pressures, policy disagreements shake up Gov. Kevin Stitt's cabinet
As Gov. Kevin Stitt approaches two years on the job, nearly half of his cabinet secretaries have resigned from their posts....
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Oklahoma Department of Health outsources management of public health lab
The Oklahoma State Department of Health will outsource management of the state’s public health lab. The state has contracted...
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Poll shows majority support Oklahoma mask mandate, vaccinations
A majority of Oklahoma voters want Gov. Kevin Stitt to impose a statewide mask mandate, according to a new poll that also shows...
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Mayor David Holt urges holiday caution, says vaccine is months away for most people
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt urged people on Wednesday not to “bring death or illness upon yourself or those you love” during...

Trump vetoes defense bill co-authored by Sen. Jim Inhofe
President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the $740 billion defense bill co-authored by Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe and supported...

Massive spending, relief bill includes Oklahoma provisions
The massive bill approved by Congress on Monday to keep the government running and provide more pandemic relief includes...

Most Oklahoma lawmakers vote for coronavirus relief package
Most members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation voted Monday for the $900 billion coronavirus relief package and the...
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COVID-19 vaccinations begin at Oklahoma nursing homes, long-term care facilities
COVID-19 vaccinations for residents and staff in Oklahoma nursing homes and other long-term care facilities began Tuesday. A...

Will Oklahoma County officials vote to pay themselves $122,637 a year?
Oklahoma County's elected officials will meet Wednesday morning for a possible vote on raising their own salaries $17,375 a...

Trump approves Oklahoma ice storm disaster declaration
President Donald Trump on Monday approved a major disaster declaration for 13 Oklahoma counties affected by the ice storm in...
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Zoning proposal would outlaw marijuana drive-thru
Drive-thru medical marijuana dispensary windows would be prohibited under a new zoning code being proposed by James Greiner,...

Congress seals agreement on COVID relief, government funding
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top congressional leaders announce agreement on COVID-19 relief package, government funding bill.

As the CDC discouraged holiday travel, Gov. Kevin Stitt urged tourists to visit Oklahoma
As Oklahoma has seen a surge in new daily COVID-19 infections and a record number of people hospitalized due to the virus, Gov....

Will Oklahoma lawmakers really have more money to spend?
Top state lawmakers say it’s too early to tell if the Oklahoma Legislature will really have more money to spend in the upcoming...
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Congress approves Clara Luper name for OKC post office
The U.S. Senate has sent the White House a bill to rename the downtown Oklahoma City post office after civil rights pioneer...

Oklahoma will use all $1.26B of state CARES Act funds, governor’s office says
Oklahoma will use all $1.26 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to the state, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office said...

89,000 teachers gain priority in Oklahoma's vaccine plan
Oklahoma teachers and schools support staff could begin to be offered COVID-19 vaccines as soon as January. Gov. Kevin Stitt on...

Rep.-elect Stephanie Bice hires chief of staff, awaits committee assignments
U.S. Rep.-elect Stephanie Bice has tapped her campaign finance consultant as her chief of staff and is seeking a spot on either...

Oklahoma teachers, schools support staff to get COVID-19 vaccines sooner
The change coincides with a push from Gov. Kevin Stitt for all Oklahoma schoolchildren to return to in-person learning next year.
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Oklahoma election officials kick two Republicans off ballot
The Oklahoma State Election Board on Wednesday ruled former state Sen. Rob Johnson and opponent Darrick Matthews cannot run for...

Oklahoma expected to make teachers higher priority for vaccine
Oklahoma has received nearly 40,000 doses of the first vaccine approved for COVID-19, state officials announced Wednesday, as...

Seminole Nation's attempt to tax oil companies prompts swift response from Hunter, Stitt
The Seminole Nation recently began telling oil and gas companies that they are subject to taxes in the tribe’s “jurisdictional...
A Black man killed by OKC police had severe mental illness; the officers had no crisis intervention certification.
Two Oklahoma City police officers involved in the shooting death of a 60-year-old mentally ill Black man do not have crisis...

Joe Biden selects former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to lead Energy Department, reports say
President-elect Joe Biden will select former Michigan Gov.Jennifer Granholm to be Secretary of Energy, according to multiple...

Trump says Barr resigning, will leave before Christmas
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr, one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest allies, is resigning amid lingering...
Oklahoma electors quietly cast ballots for Trump
Oklahoma's seven electors quietly cast their votes for President Donald Trump on Monday morning. Trump's refusal to...

Cherokee Nation to distribute COVID-19 vaccine to tribal members next week
The Cherokee Nation expects to receive and begin distributing 975 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine starting next week....

GOP voters ready for Georgia runoffs despite Trump’s claims
ATLANTA — Many Republican voters in Georgia are angry. They’re convinced that widespread voter fraud — claims that are baseless...

Trump appoints flurry of allies as presidency winds down
WASHINGTON — His time in the White House rapidly ending, President Donald Trump is rewarding some supporters and like-minded...

Protesters against deadly OKC police shootings call out Mayor Holt, clash with Trump supporters
Two long days of protests against police shootings in Oklahoma City started Friday afternoon in a blood-stained parking lot on...

Law professor says OKC's appeal of panhandling ordinance ruling is futile
An attorney who challenged a panhandling ordinance says the Oklahoma City Council's attempt to revive the measure before the...

5 Oklahoma things about the $740 billion defense bill
The $740 billion defense bill approved this week by the House and Senate has several provisions requested by Oklahoma...

Former senator's comeback bid challenged
Still recovering after a hospital stay for COVID-19, Rob Johnson is making a comeback bid for the Senate seat being vacated by...

Senate sends Jim Inhofe's defense bill to Trump with another veto-proof margin
The U.S. Senate passed the $740 billion defense bill by an overwhelming margin on Friday, daring President Donald Trump to...

Oil and gas regulation in Indian Country? Oklahoma's Supreme Court will weigh in
Should tribes get to regulate oil and gas activities inside Indian Country? Oklahoma’s Supreme Court will weigh in. The court...
Watch: State Department of Health to Announce Updates to Vaccine Priority Groups
Watch live as health experts and leaders from the Oklahoma State Department of Health discuss updates to the state's vaccine...

New to Oklahoma public assistance programs? You should know about the cliff effect
An increasing number of Oklahomans need assistance with housing, food and other bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a...

States fire back at Texas over case backed by Oklahoma attorney general
Two dozen states pushed back hard on Thursday against a lawsuit filed by Texas and supported by Oklahoma aimed at overturning...

6 candidates file for Oklahoma Senate seat to be vacated by Stephanie Bice
Six candidates are running to fill the Oklahoma Senate seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep.-elect Stephanie Bice. Four...

Gov. Kevin Stitt announces new COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, youth sports
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday announced new restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In a news conference at the state...
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$400 bonus unemployment payment coming for some Oklahomans
For those short on cash this holiday season due to unemployment, a one-time bonus payment from the state could provide some...

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt complained to hospital leaders about interviews with media on COVID-19 crisis
Gov. Kevin Stitt has complained to multiple hospital leaders about their employees — doctors and nurses — giving interviews...
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine set for final review, could become first authorized by FDA for US use as early as Thursday
The safety and effectiveness of the nation's first COVID-19 vaccine takes center stage Thursday as a critical committee vets...

GOP legislative leaders open to altering Oklahoma's initiative petition process
Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday said Oklahoma’s constitution is too long and agreed they’re open to changing the...

OKCPD's first Hispanic deputy chief named police chief in Fresno, California
Paco Balderrama, who was heavily involved in community outreach on behalf of the Oklahoma City Police Department, served as the...

Closing time: Oklahoma bars face suspension for curfew noncompliance
At the Redneck Yacht Club near Meridian Avenue and W I-40 Service Road around 11:30 p.m. last Friday, a bouquet of flowers...

Six Shooter Saloon fires back at Stitt bar restrictions
At the dawn of 2020, business at Six Shooter Saloon was the best it had ever been, said owner Adam Lawson, a 36-year-old father...

Mike Hunter joins new effort to help Trump in four states won by Biden
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter joined 16 other states on Wednesday in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Texas’...
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Oklahoma County's housing assistance program likely won't spend CARES Act funds before deadline
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal coronavirus relief funding that Oklahoma County dedicated to housing assistance...

House defense bill passes easily, despite Trump veto threat
The House overwhelmingly approved a $740 billion defense bill Tuesday, defying a veto threat from President Donald Trump and...

Fact check: Are unemployment benefits ending in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Director Shelley Zumwalt recently announced the end of State Extended Benefits for...

Charge against gun rights YouTuber who took rifle into OKC restaurant dropped
Until his fateful visit to an Oklahoma City restaurant last year, gun owner Timothy A. Harper had developed a following on...

Gov. Kevin Stitt rescinds controversial pick for state education board
Four days after nominating her for the Oklahoma State Board of Education, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday his new appointee,...

Horn campaign spending nearly double that of Bice
U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn’s campaign spent nearly $6 million on her unsuccessful reelection effort, about twice as much as the...

Proposed legislation would make it harder to pass citizen-led petitions
A GOP state legislator has prefiled legislation to make it harder for initiative petitions to pass at the ballot box. Sen. John...

Storm debris: 9,000 tons down; 91,000 tons to go
Panhandling case returns The city council scheduled a discussion Tuesday on whether to seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court of...

Despite years of unwavering loyalty, Inhofe now a target of Trump's wrath on defense bill
Sen. Jim Inhofe, who spent the last four years praising President Donald Trump and his commitment to boosting the Pentagon’s...

Oklahoma County officials unsure if CARES Act funds will be spent by deadline
With just a few weeks left to spend federal coronavirus relief funds, Oklahoma County officials feel the pressure to find ways...

Stitt’s new Board of Education pick spread misinformation, conspiracy theories
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new appointee to the state Board of Education spent months sharing debunked COVID-19 medical advice,...

Stitt abruptly removes state board of education member
In a sudden shakeup of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, Gov. Kevin Stitt replaced one of his own appointees on Thursday....

Final Kendra Horn town hall focuses on COVID relief
Rep. Kendra Horn, who has held dozens of town halls since taking office in early 2019, held her final one on Friday, at least...

Rep. Kendra Horn sole Oklahoma vote to decriminalize marijuana at federal level
The U.S. House passed a bill on Friday that would decriminalize marijuana in federal law, a historic step that the Senate is...

AG: Scholarship can go to religious schools
In a legal opinion affecting dozens of religious schools, Oklahoma’s attorney general said state-funded scholarships cannot be...

Oklahoma Corporation Commission reasserts regulatory authority after McGirt
A majority of Oklahoma’s elected Corporation Commission have decided the agency continues to have the authority to continue to...

Inhofe pushes forward with defense bill that ignores Trump demands
Sen. Jim Inhofe pushed forward with the annual defense bill on Thursday, despite a second veto threat and a suggestion from...

Norman City Council illegally cut police budget, judge rules
NORMAN — A judge has ruled the City Council broke the law in June when it voted to reduce the police department's budget by...
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Oklahoma nurses ask Stitt administration for recruiting help amid shortage
Facing a nursing shortage even before the pandemic, nurses and educators said Thursday they met with Stitt administration...
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COVID-19 vaccines on the way to Oklahoma, but initial supplies limited
Oklahoma could receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as next week. State health officials estimate as many...

House Democrats doubt safety of in-school quarantine
A group of House Democrats objected to a “surprise decision” to allow in-school quarantines for Oklahoma students. The five...
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COVID-19 vaccine doses to arrive in Oklahoma next week
Oklahoma surpassed 200,000 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, and the state reported 54 more deaths, as the Stitt administration’s...

Inhofe rejects Trump demand on defense bill
Responding to a veto threat from President Donald Trump, Sen. Jim Inhofe said Wednesday that using the defense bill to seek...

Oklahoma reports 54 new COVID-19 deaths; health commissioner calls infection rate alarming
Oklahoma surpassed 200,000 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, and the state reported 54 more deaths, as the Stitt administration’s...

Court documents: DOJ reviewing 'secret' pardon for money scheme targeting White House officials
According to the 20-page filing, authorities are investigating an attempt to secure a pardon or a sentence reduction.

Former Del City cop convicted of manslaughter entitled to pension, high court rules
A former Del City police officer who served time for killing an unarmed teenager is entitled to pension benefits, the Oklahoma...

Stitt declares day of prayer and fasting for Oklahomans affected by COVID-19
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday issued a proclamation declaring Thursday as a day of prayer and fasting for Oklahomans affected by...

Will lawmakers require state jails to cooperate with ICE?
Oklahoma County Commissioner Kevin Calvey wants a judge to put off until April a ruling on whether the jail has to fully...

State Supreme Court gives local judges discretion, though two justices would close all courts
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has given state district courts the authority to determine their own coronavirus safety measures...

How a philanthropist shook up Oklahoma County politics, again
Philanthropist Sue Ann Arnall has confirmed she was involved in an effort to defeat Oklahoma County Sheriff P.D. Taylor in the...
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Upgrades coming to OKC Thunder home Chesapeake Energy Arena
Downtown's NBA arena is set for pandemic-related and wireless phone service improvements approved by the city council. The NBA...

Governor will host second prayer breakfast — with COVID-19 precautions
Gov. Kevin Stitt and his wife Sarah will once again host the Oklahoma Governor's Prayer Breakfast, this time with COVID-19...

Bill to repair October ice storm damages is on its way
Frustrated you lost electricity in this latest ice storm? Just wait until your bill is increased to pay for those repairs....

Bartenders, club owners sue OKC, Holt over COVID curfew
Saying their rights have been violated and they’ve lost income, some owners of metro area nightspots along with a group of...

Congress braces for Biden’s national coronavirus strategy
WASHINGTON — Congress is bracing for President-elect Joe Biden to move beyond the Trump administration’s state-by-state...

Pandemic politics, mask mandates and Trump's Tulsa rally test Oklahoma's top health official
Dr. Lance Frye never expected his job as the state’s top health official would be so political. As Oklahoma’s Health...

Oklahoma state Rep. Emily Virgin grateful for parents COVID recovery
Standing in the parking lot of St. Anthony Hospital, Emily Virgin was consumed with one thought. Would she ever be able to hug...

‘An explosion of recalls’: In Oklahoma, local officials can be recalled, but Gov. Kevin Stitt cannot
Some Oklahomans frustrated with Gov. Kevin Stitt’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic have proposed recalling the state’s...
President Donald Trump says he has pardoned his former national security adviser Michael Flynn
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he has pardoned his former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Special election set for Oklahoma Senate seat held by Stephanie Bice
Gov. Kevin Stitt has set dates for special elections to fill the Oklahoma Senate seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep.-elect...

Oklahoma health professionals: Take COVID-19 precautions this Thanksgiving
Local health care professionals encourage Oklahomans to take COVID-19 precautions this Thanksgiving as the state continues to...

Gov. Kevin Stitt appoints new Cleveland County judge
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday appointed Bethany Stanley as an associate district judge for Cleveland County. Stanley’s career...

Projects to focus on missing, murdered Indigenous peoples
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma and five other states will participate in pilot projects to better coordinate investigative...

$15 million in CARES Act relief on the way to Oklahoma County small businesses, nonprofits
Oklahoma County commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to provide $15 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to small businesses...

Oklahoma using $15 million in CARES Act funds to update state websites
Some state websites are about to get an upgrade. The state is using $15 million in coronavirus stimulus funds to revamp at...
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OKC City Council to vote on mask mandate extension
COVID-19: City council to vote on mask mandate extension The Oklahoma City Council will vote Tuesday on a six-week extension of...

Lawmaker defends sharing misinformation
An Oklahoma lawmaker who has been aggressively pushing misinformation about the presidential election said Friday he is just...

Stitt: Next course of action halting elective surgeries, not mask mandate
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday said if COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to climb, his next course of action will...
Mayor asks for 10 days to stem the COVID-19 tide
Mayor David Holt wants you to give him 10 days. Holt said in a news conference Thursday that stepped-up personal precautions...

OKC Civic Life Journal: Mayor asks for 10 days, his remarks on escalating COVID-19 crisis
Proclamation incorporates governor's latest orders.

COVID-19 vaccines are almost ready to be distributed. Who gets them after health care workers? Here's a list
When a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, it will be in short supply and rationed by the federal government.
Featured Links
- Special series:Oklahoma mental health parity
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Lawton police shoot, kill man after reported home invasion
LAWTON, Okla. (AP) — Lawton police officers shot and killed a man they say pointed a firearm at them following a home invasion,...
COVID-19 spike sends OKC Fire Department to Level Red, highest alert level
Spiking cases and quarantines are sending the Oklahoma City Fire Department back to Level Red, its highest COVID-19 alert...

Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe backs U.S. troop reductions in Afghanistan
Sen. Jim Inhofe on Tuesday backed the new Trump administration policy to leave 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, saying the...
Oklahoma City mayor David Holt says he'll get COVID-19 vaccine, encourages others to do the same
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said Tuesday he would get vaccinated against COVID-19 — while there was some division among...

Gov. Kevin Stitt hires state's first chief financial officer
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Tuesday the hiring of a chief financial officer for the state. Stitt hired Amanda Rodriguez to serve...

Trump ousts Homeland Security cyber chief Chris Krebs, who called election secure
Trump announced the dismissal in a tweet Tuesday night.

Oklahoma City mayor says he'll get COVID-19 vaccine, encourages others to do the same
Mayor says governor's steps Monday aimed at slowing spread of coronavirus are "welcome."

Oklahoma House, Senate to require masks in state Capitol
Leaders of the Oklahoma House and Senate said Monday they will require people in the state Capitol to wear masks. After Gov....
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Featured Links
- Special series:Oklahoma mental health parity
- Polling Places:See where to vote
- Election Board:State Election Board website
- Bill Search:Oklahoma State Legislature
- State of OK:Official State website
- Watchdog Page:Watchdog stories from The Oklahoman
Recent Photos
Featured Links
- Special series:Oklahoma mental health parity
- Polling Places:See where to vote
- Election Board:State Election Board website
- Bill Search:Oklahoma State Legislature
- State of OK:Official State website
- Watchdog Page:Watchdog stories from The Oklahoman