Tag Archives: Oklahoma

Oklahoma City’s NPR affiliate reports: A ban of LGBTQ Pride flags on state property is advancing in the Oklahoma legislature. The bill – called the “Patriotism not Pride Act” – would bar state agencies from displaying gay Pride flags on their grounds, and would also prohibit state resources from being used to endorse Pride activities through flyers or even on …

The Associated Press reports: The repayment demands have Oklahoma’s education agency drawing fierce criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, some of whom say teachers shouldn’t be forced to give the money back. Average teacher pay in Oklahoma is about $54,800, which ranks 38th in the country, according to the National Education Association. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, …

Tulsa’s ABC affiliate reports: The Oklahoma Republican Party approved a resolution Saturday condemning and censuring Sen. James Lankford. OKGOP State Committee members passed the resolution disapproving of Lankford’s work to pass a bipartisan border deal. The resolution, which was posted on social media by state Sen. Dusty Deevers, said the Oklahoma Republican Party will cease all support for Lankford until …

The New York Post reports: An Oklahoma state senator has proposed a law that would make watching pornography a felony and ban sexting among people who are not married. The bill, set to be introduced next month by state Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin), would prohibit consuming or producing sexual content that “lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific purposes …

The Oklahoman reports: Ryan Walters, state schools superintendent of Oklahoma, announced Tuesday that Chaya Raichik, the woman behind the “Libs of TikTok” social media account has been named to an Oklahoma library media advisory committee. In a media statement released Tuesday, Walters said he put Raichik on the advisory committee because she was on the front lines showing the world …

NBC News reports: An Oklahoma bill has stirred controversy in the state Legislature for seeking to label Hispanic people who are gang members as terrorists. No other racial or ethnic group is singled out in the legislation. The bill, written by Republican state Rep. Justin Humphrey, proposes that any person who “is of Hispanic descent living within the state of Oklahoma,” …

Oklahoma City’s Fox affiliate reports: A bill has been filed in the Oklahoma legislature that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) filed the bill for consideration during the 2024 legislative session. He wants every public school to display the Ten Commandments in a “conspicuous place in each classroom of the …

Politico reports: Groups aligned with the conservative legal movement and its financial architect, Leonard Leo, are working to promote a publicly funded Christian school in Oklahoma, hoping to create a test case to change the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First Amendment’s separation of church and state. At issue is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma’s push to create the …

The Guardian reports: On Wednesday Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s governor, signed an executive order effectively banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at agencies and public colleges and universities across the state. The order prohibits them from using state funds, property or resources towards DEI initiatives and orders them to dismiss “non-critical personnel”. It is effective immediately, but institutions are expected …

Tulsa World reports: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is considering legal action against a Wisconsin-based group calling for his resignation, he said last week. “To think they’re going to continue to bully teachers is outrageous,” Walters said, referring to the Freedom from Religion Foundation. “The options we’re looking at are very wide, very broad. Could be legal memos. …

Tulsa’s NBC affiliate reports: Animal rights activists are demanding an apology after a video of Governor Kevin Stitt shows him clearly supporting illegal cockfighting. A video greeting aired at a November 12 annual meeting for the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, a group whose mission is to legalize the inhumane sport. Cockfighting is also known to contribute to other crimes like drugs, …

Oklahoma City’s NBC affiliate reports: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was notified by the Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center in regards to possible computer crimes by 40-year-old David Prince, who is a chaplain and associate pastor in McAlester. Officials say on November 6, the OSBI ICAC unit, along with other law enforcement agencies, served a search warrant at Prince’s …

Oklahoma Watch reports: The state Education Department is looking to hire someone to manage national media appearances, raising concerns the agency would be boosting Superintendent Ryan Walters’ national profile at taxpayer expense. A firm is being sought to provide print and digital op-eds to national outlets, coordinate national events and appearances for executive staff, write speeches and handle some communications. …

The Christian Post reports: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued a proclamation making November Family Month as part of an effort to recognize “the foundational institution of society, ordained by God.” Stitt held a press conference Tuesday where he signed a proclamation making November Family Month in the state, expressing a desire to make Oklahoma “the most pro-family state in …

PBS NewsHour reports: Oklahoma’s Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Friday sued to stop a state board from establishing and funding what would be the nation’s first religious public charter school after the board ignored Drummond’s warning that it would violate both the state and U.S. constitutions. Drummond filed the lawsuit with the Oklahoma Supreme Court against the Oklahoma Statewide …

“In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks on Israel, we stand united in solemn solidarity. As a symbol of our unwavering support and empathy for those affected by these tragic events, I have asked our schools to observe a moment of silence. This moment reflects our deep sorrow and hope for the people of Israel. Let us offer a …

Tulsa’s ABC affiliate reports: Tulsa Police arrested a man who worked as a pastor at a church and is accused of inappropriately touching a girl over a period of three years. The victim said Matthew Martinez was an associate pastor at New Heights Baptist Church and Academy near 21st and Memorial. She said Martinez first touched her hand and foot …

Kyle Mantyla reports at Right Wing Watch: Ryan Walters is a Christian nationalist culture warrior who is using his position as Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction to promote far-right propaganda throughout the state’s public school system. On Sunday, Walters appeared at a special service held at right-wing pastor Jackson Lahmeyer’s church in Tulsa, where he claimed that President Joe Biden …

Omaha’s NBC affiliate reports: The Oklahoma State Department of Education announced an ongoing partnership with PragerU on Tuesday. “I am thrilled to announce this partnership with PragerU,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters. Supt. Walters announced on Tuesday that OSDE has launched a partnership with PragerU Kids which “provides educational, entertaining, pro-American kids content.” “This expansion of our availability resources will …

Tulsa World reports: A Tulsa man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to attempting to burn down a Brookside business after it hosted an event with drag queens. Coby Dale Green, 24, will serve five years in prison after admitting he violated the law regarding the malicious use of explosive materials when he threw a Molotov cocktail into the business, …