Category Archives: Local

State should not penalize parents

Oklahoma, like most states, has a compulsory education law. If you don’t homeschool or send your child to a private school, you are required to enroll your child in a public school. Failure to do so means you can face fines and up to 15 days imprisonment on a third offense.

But if parents enroll their child in the “wrong” public school, they can face up to one year in jail.

Put simply, the potential consequences for neglecting a child’s education are far less severe than the consequences for trying to get your child in a safer public school with a better academic atmosphere.

Fortunately, one lawmaker wants to put an end to that mixed message.

Oklahoma Senator Ally Seifried
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Sing A Song All Night Long

Today, legendary singer, songwriter and producer Lionel Richie announced in a statement the extension of his Sing A Song All Night Long tour with very special guests and one of the best-selling bands of all time, Earth, Wind & Fire. Produced by Live Nation, the 2024 13-date run of shows kicks off on Thursday, May 23 in Knoxville at Thompson Boling Arena, with stops in Jacksonville, Memphis, Kansas City, Columbus and BOK Center in Tulsa on Friday, June 7. 

Tickets go on sale Friday, January 19 at 10AM and will be available online at www.bokcenter.com.

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Firefighters Vs. Police Officers for Charity

Oklahoma firefighters take on Oklahoma police officers in the Ninth Annual Smoke & Guns Charity MMA and Boxing Event presented by QuikTrip on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at BOK Center. In this one-night only event, Tulsa’s best will go toe-to-toe in the ring to benefit the Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp and Special Olympics of Oklahoma. Tickets go on sale Thursday, January 4 at 10AM and will be available online at www.bokcenter.com.

The Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp benefits children that suffer major burns and other traumatic injuries that cause dis-figuration and disabilities. In the United States, there are several camps just for the purpose of helping these children cope with their injuries. Special Olympics of Oklahoma provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

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Acclaimed Civil Rights Doc @ Circle Cinema

Circle Cinema is partnering with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society, Jewish Federation of Tulsa, and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office for a special presentation of the documentary “Shared Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance” on Thursday January 11. The event begins with a light reception at 6pm followed by the film at 7pm with discussion from partner organization experts about how to continue the collaborative push for social justice today. Tickets are just $6 each and on sale now at CircleCinema.org.

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Anguish Over Education and TPS

There’s a host of anguish by both conservatives and liberals over education lately—and specifically, Tulsa Public Schools (TPS). Even if heated debate surrounds the discussion, I love that the state’s school performance is receiving attention. 

The most important investment that can be made for our kids and grandkids is the investment in a great education. In fact, the only way to achieve growth and prosperity for Oklahomans is to properly prepare the next generation for high quality jobs with education. 

The commitment of taxpayers should not be in question. Look at TPS: for the current budget year, total appropriated funds are expected to be $755,367,103. That’s approximately $25,179 per student! For that huge investment, the results are simply tragic—according to Public School Review, only 8% of TPS students are proficient in math, and only 12% are proficient in reading.

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