Every year during the interim between legislative sessions, each chamber of the state Legislature holds interim studies. These give lawmakers an opportunity for an in-depth look at ideas that may beco...

President Biden recently unveiled his broken budget proposal that promises rising inflation, higher taxes, and soaring debt. It’s clear he is continuing on a spending crusade to jam through his radica...

Dear Editor: Like pretty much all Republicans, Markwayne Mullen is a liar and a coward. His latest op-ed is an echo of his lord Trump’s “American carnage” speech. As for all his doom and gloom predict...

Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s was definitely a different time than it is today. Granted we still may have had a problem with bullying then, but 50 years ago I promise you if you were caught being a ...

Many Americans think of Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and an excuse to enjoy a long weekend away from work. This year, families, friends, and communities are able to gather and ce...

Last week was the final week of the 2021 legislative session. Lawmakers adjourned before 5 p.m. Friday. Most of the big issues were considered earlier, giving the Legislature a chance to override any ...

This is a tribute to my Great Uncle Sam, the last patriarch of my family. He was my late Grandma Eloise Belyeu’s last living sibling and surpassed her age by one year at 93 years young. To say that he...

On Tuesday, May 18, the House approved the appropriations bills to fund core government services for Fiscal Year 2022, which begins July 1. This budget appropriates $8.8 billion, which is a 14.3% incr...

The leadership at the Oklahoma State Capitol last week reached an agreement on a Fiscal Year 2022 budget. In this proposal, key elements of this $8.3 billion spending package: - Increases in common ed...

143 Years Ago Saturday, May 17, 1877 Crazy Horse’s Surrender Camp Robinson, Neb., May 6 – The surrender of Crazy Horse took place at 7 p.m, May 5. He said he was making this peace to last. The ponies ...

As I watched 76 Checotah seniors graduate from high school last Friday night I couldn’t help but ponder the events of the evening, the craziness of their COVID-ridden chaotic comeback year and the mem...

On May 7, 2021, the Colonial Pipeline Company learned that it was the victim of a cybersecurity attack. This cyber hack quickly resulted in a complete shutdown of the pipeline and has since contribute...

After months of work and lengthy conversations, legislative leaders announced a budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2022 on Thursday, May 13 Ẇe heard directly from constituents what they wanted to see in...

As the Oklahoma legislative session winds down for the year, there are still some policy bills being considered in conference committees, and a few remaining that need some other form of action, inclu...

With all the insanity of today’s present times I think it’s time to get back to our roots and what America was really built on - Christian values and godly principles. These core values, characterized...

As you may recall from previous columns, the Legislature is in the process of redrawing our legislative district boundaries to reflect population changes following the census last year. This is to ens...

Dear Editor: The family of Louie Bedford would like to thank everyone who was there for us during this difficult time. Thank you for the food, cards, flowers and phone calls. All was very appreciated....

Dear Editor: Shame, shame, shame Citizens for Continued Progress group! I sat in on a Council meeting Monday, 5/3/21, in total disbelief. They called out Councilmen Kirby and Upton for signing a petit...

During the last year, our nation endured seemingly endless lockdowns and restrictions as a result of the pandemic. Across the country, kids were kept out of schools, businesses were closed, places of ...

Have you ever really thought about just how strong a woman has to be to even become a mom? I mean Mom Strong! The first thing that happens a lot of times is this very independent woman lays down her d...