Category Archives: Local

Clinton Johnson appointed U.S. Attorney Northern District of Oklahoma

By USAO-NDOK Release

Clinton Johnson, U.S. Attorney

TULSA, Okla. – Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Clinton J. Johnson as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma effective December 26, 2021. Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III administered the oath of office.

“I am privileged to serve the people of northeastern Oklahoma and to lead an exceptional team of attorneys and support staff dedicated to ensuring the public’s safety,” said U.S Attorney Clint Johnson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working closely with our local, state, federal and tribal partners in the pursuit of justice in the Northern District of Oklahoma.”

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Sheriffs as Chief Enforcement Officers

By David Arnett

Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, Chair of the Oklahoma House States Rights Committee, has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would identify county sheriffs as the constitutionally-recognized chief law enforcement officer of their respective counties.

Currently, there is no statute in place that designates a chief law enforcement officer of a county, and Steagall says this legislation is important to make sure that lack of recognition does not cause issues in the future.

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Ascension violated restraining order

By David Arnett

Updated: Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor has learned through numerous contacts from employees and public news reports that Ascension has violated the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) granted on November 12, 2021 by the Tulsa County District Court. 

Monday, Attorney General O’Connor issued a cease and desist letter to Ascension demanding that Ascension: 1) immediately cease and desist its defiance of the Court’s TRO and allow the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office time to investigate the allegations of religious discrimination currently pending with the Office of Civil Rights Enforcement; 2) immediately reinstate all suspended or terminated employees who filed for a religious exemption; and 3) immediately put these employees back to work by placing them on their normal work schedule. 

Tuesday, AG O’Connor joined 11 other state attorneys general in a new lawsuit to stop the Biden administration’s “job or jab.”

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Winterfest returns to Downtown Tulsa

The time has come to bundle up and enjoy the magical spirit of the holidays as Tulsa’s favorite winter festival returns to downtown Tulsa. The 14th Annual Arvest Winterfest presented with CommunityCare will kick off another season of holiday fun beginning on Friday, November 19 through Monday, January 3. This is the first year the event has been open the week before Thanksgiving, which will allow for an extra week of holiday cheer! 

The season opens at 5PM on Friday, November 19 and the party continues that night with festive lights and sounds from 5-8PM at the Share the Light opening ceremony presented by PSO. Local performers will help ring in another holiday season as the festival comes to life with the lighting of the iconic Winterfest tree. 

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Tulsa School Board dispute & town hall

By David Arnett

Dr. Jerry Griffin, Tulsa School Board Member (Dist. 6) announced recently his resignation from his position as a member of the Tulsa Public Schools, Finance Committee and a Town Hall for constituents and the general public Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Griffin said, “While I have no personal knowledge of financial irregularities, the failure of the TPS Superintendent to provide me with multiple requests for financial and statistical information is deeply concerning. Her general response is, “we don’t have that information, or our systems can’t provide that information.” Griffin added, “from my view, it is her responsibility to provide information that a board member requests not to give excuses.”

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