Advocates examine Child Welfare Task Force Report, set children’s agenda for 2024 OKLAHOMA CITY – The 2023 OICA Fall Forum concluded last week, and it was an intense four days of learning and sharing ...

Over the years I have written about the election of 1800 many times in my columns; it is my favorite election because it is the most important. Suffice to say it was the first time the nation had a ch...

OKLAHOMA CITY – I attended a nonprofit conference Monday hosted by the Sarkeys Foundation. While there, I served on a panel which delved into the issues dealing with incarceration. Some might ask why ...

My grandfather, Ray Inzer Belyeu, was a WWII veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, who hardly ever spoke about the war he fought in and barely survived. No one except those soldiers really knew what t...

OKLAHOMA CITY – One of the most important events on the annual calendar of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) is our Fall Forum. Held each October or November, this event is where advoca...

Every day I turn on the news I hear of more senseless killings. Headlines read “A former soldier, who suffered mental issues, goes on a rampage and kills 18 people (including teens) in a bowling alley...

\ JAMES FINCK, PH.D. FROM THE SOUTH WEST LEDGER While political parties officially started under the George Washington administration with the introduction of Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan, they ...

The Oklahoma House of Representatives convened for a special session on Oct. 3 and 4. Earlier this year, Gov. Stitt called the Legislature to deliver on three specific pieces of legislation: • A trigg...

Many of you are probably like me and feel fall is the best of the seasons. With fall, the heat starts to break with cooler temperatures. The fall foliage is amazing, especially where I grew up in Virg...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and every year we are proud to walk for the cause. The past few years we have stood up against domestic violence by bringing a “Chalk Walk” to the communit...

In a world where we can stay connected 24-7 to our jobs, we must intentionally stop to relax, reset and reconnect with our Creator, our friends and our purpose for our health’s sake and our own sanity...

In Appreciation Letter to the Editor: I want to take this time to say “Mvto” to all tribal citizens for your support during my campaign. I greatly appreciated all the campaign forums and those who mad...

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two recent studies show Oklahomans are struggling with poverty levels above the national average. A report released this month by the U.S. Census Bureau validated another report releas...

As Oklahomans have voted to implement Medicaid expansion, legalize medical marijuana and enact criminal justice reforms, the state’s method of direct democracy has drawn heightened scrutiny from the L...

Sometimes “the cost of caring” for others and even animals can leave you physically, emotionally and financially drained. I know the “cost of caring” because I moved my dad and my grandmother into my ...

Constitution Day and the Kid Governor Program OKLAHOMA CITY – On Sept. 17 each year, Constitution Day is held. This is a special day for me as it often allows the opportunity to visit with students ab...

Q and A with Pastor J. What is contentment? Well, here is what it is not. I don’t think it is apathy. I don’t think it is being melancholy. I don’t think it is a spirit of laziness or adapting an atti...

Lake Eufaula Christian Church God desires for us to have purpose in our work, which we are to do for Him—to bring glory to Him. Some of you may feel as if your work is having an impact, that things ar...

What is interesting about studying political parties is that there are no founding documents that set rules for how they behave or what their function should be. For most political issues, I like to s...

Printing the wisdom Letter to the Editor, Thank you for printing the wisdom of Senator (Markwayne) Mullin about (Donald J.) Trump. He (Trump) has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman, charged...