Category Archives: State

Recurring OK Audit Problems

By David Arnett

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector (SA&I) Cindy Byrd Monday released the Federal Single Audit for FY 2024. This annual audit is a federally-mandated examination of whether the State of Oklahoma spent federal grant money in compliance with federal regulations.

The audit report covers roughly $14 Billion of expenditures which are audited based upon a formula provided by the federal government.

“This is the fourth Single Audit in a row in which we have warned lawmakers and agency directors about the consequences of mishandling federal money,” Auditor Byrd said. “While the amount in questioned costs has decreased from the previous year, Oklahoma still has improvements to make to ensure good financial management. The debt is piling up and Oklahoma taxpayers could be forced to refund millions of dollars to the federal government.”

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Remembering “Mr. Sam” Gillaspy

By Volunteers / Members of Arcadia Historical & Preservation Society

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Samuel D. “Mr. Sam” Gillaspy, March 24, 1927–August 19, 2026.

In many ways, Mr. Sam was the face of the historic Arcadia Round Barn. For more than twenty years he brought the barn’s history to life with his big smile, boundless energy, cowboy hat and boots, and his gift for making every visitor feel welcome. Every Monday morning was Mr. Sam’s volunteer day, and as a dedicated docent and President Emeritus of the Arcadia Historical & Preservation Society, he shared the stories of the barn, the community, and Route 66 with visitors from around the world.

Samuel D. “Mr. Sam” Gillaspy at the Round Barn
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OK Primary Notes

By David Arnett

Analysis: The primary campaigns this election cycle end Tuesday August 25. For those looking for more information, here is a collection of notes and quotes from the campaign trail with links for more detail.

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Oklahoma Prayer Walk Freedom

By David Arnett

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond Friday advised Muskogee Public Schools that it was under no constitutional obligation to cancel a community prayer walk earlier this month, and offered assistance to any Oklahoma district that receives a similar demand.

The Muskogee 6th and 7th Grade Academy had scheduled a Back to School Community Prayer Walk for the morning of August 12, the day before classes began. A Wisconsin-based advocacy organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), sent the district a letter the day before the event demanding its cancellation. The district canceled the walk, removed the announcements and notified parents.

The FFRF bragged in a press release Friday, August 21 at 9:56 am about their intimidation of the school. The AG Office release arrived that same day at 4:10 pm. Is Drummond on the FFRF email list? The AG does not detail how or when he found out about the issue.

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ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA

By David Arnett

Circle Cinema has announced it will host the Oklahoma premiere of “Route 66: The Main Street of America” on Friday, Sept. 18, with director John Paget and Route 66 historian Michael Wallis attending as special guests.

The evening begins with a reception in the Circle Cinema lobby at 6 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. and a Q&A with Paget and Wallis. Tickets are on sale now and include the reception, screening and Q&A. Admission is $50 for Circle Cinema members and $66 for non-members, available at circlecinema.org.

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