Matter of Freedom for Seniors

By Kathy Baughman, Retired Teacher

Accessible, quality health care is one of the most pressing concerns facing America’s seniors. As individuals age, their medical needs often become more complex and costly, yet too many seniors struggle to find coverage that is both affordable and tailored to their individual situation. That’s why Congress must support solutions that meet seniors where they are and ensure they have the care they need. One such solution is Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Advantage empowers Oklahoma seniors and patients with disabilities, offering more choice, stronger preventive care, and lower out-of-pocket costs than traditional fee‑for‑service (FFS) Medicare. That’s why I urge our congressional delegation to help preserve and protect Medicare Advantage for the seniors who rely on it.

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Tulsa Construction Employs 6.9%

By David Arnett

A new study from Construction Coverage has identified the U.S. metros and states with the most construction workers and the Tulsa metro has a total of 27,438 construction industry employees. That 6.9 percent of the workforce is 0.8 points higher than the national average of 6.1 percent.

The U.S. construction industry faces a high degree of uncertainty in 2025. On one hand, demand for new housing and infrastructure remains high, driven by a persistent housing shortage and a wave of federal investment. On the other hand, the sector is grappling with notable headwinds: labor shortages have tightened the market for skilled workers, while overall construction spending has slowed in recent months amid elevated interest rates and broader economic uncertainty.

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B.A. Player Convicted of Dog Fighting

By David Arnett

The United States Department of Justice Monday released the results of a multi-day trial by a federal jury in Oklahoma last week which convicted former NFL player Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on six felony counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures.

Following the verdict, Johnson surrendered to the government the 190 dogs seized in this case, the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.

Leshon Eugene Johnson in better days (Photo: aol.com)
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Lady Usha Vance Summer Reading Challenge

By Staff Report

On Monday, August 4, 2025, Second Lady Usha Vance traveled to Houston, Texas, where she visited with over two hundred Space Center Houston “Space Campers” and children of NASA employees for a day filled with out-of-this-world activities, reading, and adventure.

Ms. Vance was joined by astronaut Suni Williams. Together, they read Margaret and the Moon to highlight the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge and the science behind space travel.

Second Lady Usha Vance and Astronaut Suni Williams
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Fair Drug Pricing Demanded

By David Arnett

Last week, President Donald J. Trump sent letters to 17 of the leading pharmaceutical companies outlining steps they must take to lower prescription drug prices for Americans — including matching the lowest price offered in other developed nations. Fairness worldwide, what a great concept.

In a press release Monday, the White House asserted, “There is no reason American consumers should pay exorbitantly more than other countries for the same drug in the same packaging and manufactured in the same factory. That’s why President Trump warned the companies that if they ‘refuse to step up, we will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abusive drug pricing practices.’”

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