Opinion: Oklahoma is home to hundreds of thousands of seniors who depend on Medicare Advantage for their healthcare. For many, this program means the difference between getting by and truly living with peace of mind. It’s upsetting that the program is being targeted by some lawmakers in Washington.
Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, recently held an interim study to evaluate the influence of the Chinese Communist Party within the state of Oklahoma. The study evaluated the surge in illegal marijuana cultivation in the state, raising concerns about foreign involvement, environmental hazards, and risks to public safety.
“CCP presence in Oklahoma and the United States has rapidly progressed from influence to insurgency,” Hamilton said. “In WWII, just over 407,000 Americans were killed in action. Now compare that with the 100,000 deaths from fentanyl overdoses each year, and you begin to get a sense of the problem. CCP and their proxies are killing Americans, and we’ve got to do more to protect our citizens.”
Mark Andrus notified the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority (TCPFA) yesterday afternoon that he was retiring from his position as President/CEO of Expo Square and the Tulsa State Fair. Andrus has been involved with the facility since 1979, and became the Chief Operating Officer in 2008 and the Chief Executive Officer in 2009.
The email said, “Thank you so very much for allowing me to work here at the Expo. It is my request that I complete my current contract and retire effective January 1st, 2026. Of course, I will be available to assist in any way possible that board members might find helpful during any transition. Again, a sincere thank you.”
Now the search is on to fill the most demanding 24/7 high pressure position leading the most significant prosperity generator in Northeastern Oklahoma.
Sometimes numbers speak louder than words. And when it comes to education in Oklahoma, the numbers make a pretty strong case for CareerTech.
In fiscal 2024, Oklahoma CareerTech students earned 34,771 industry certifications. The average debt carried by a CareerTech student was just $30.85. At a time when we’re adding over $500 million in student debt in Oklahoma for postsecondary education annually, the difference in debt load can be life changing for many students and their families.
Reps. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, and Erick Harris, R-Edmond, hosted an interim study examining potential updates to Oklahoma’s child custody laws to better reflect modern family dynamics and support children’s relationships with both parents.
The study included testimony from family law experts and advocates who discussed the state’s current custody framework, which was designed in an era when fathers typically worked outside the home and mothers stayed home to raise children. Although state law requires courts to act in the “best interest of the child,” it does not presume that equal parenting time serves that interest.
“Oklahoma’s custody laws were written for a time that no longer reflects how families live and work,” Tedford said.
