Epic to receive state funds while OSBI embezzlement investigation continues. Hofmeister: Epic complaints raised for years, but Education Department lacked power to verify. State election board preparing to purge 134,000 from voter rolls. Post-secondary education needs to be revamped, expert tells Tulsa Regional Chamber.
Signature gathering for Medicaid expansion petition to begin July 31. Cell by Cell: With low starting pay and high turnover, Oklahoma County struggles to fully staff jail. Ninety interim studies approved by Oklahoma House speaker. Oklahoma County commissioner releases statement, supports ICE presence at county jail.
Tribes had nearly $13 billion impact on the state in 2017, study finds. Records show FBI has also been looking into Epic, along with federal education investigators. Groups push census participation for Hispanic community. Charter school funding hurts other schools, local school leaders say.
OSBI warrant: 'Ghost students' at Epic. Missing in Oklahoma: State could take steps to curb 'epidemic' of missing Native American women. Kiowa Leader: Find other solutions to increase state revenues. Pain meds as public nuisance? Oklahoma tests a legal strategy for opioid addiction.
“The OSBI served a search warrant last night in northwest Oklahoma City regarding our investigation into Epic Charter Schools. At this point, our investigation is ongoing.”
– Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Brooke Arbeitman. In court filings, OSBI alleges… Read more
Stitt outlaws state agency lobbyist hiring with executive order. Pardon and Parole Board appoints new executive director. District Attorneys use twin groups to push criminal justice policies. Cigarette sales down 25% in Oklahoma, tax revenue up.
Annual 'point in time' homeless count: Having a job doesn't guarantee having a place to live in Tulsa. More electronic monitoring means less need for halfway house beds, Department of Corrections says. Dozens of new laws along with $1,500 pay hike for state employees go into effect on July 1. Oklahoma lawmakers request interim studies.
Tuition rates likely to increase. Former Epic teachers describe pressure to manipulate enrollment. In Oklahoma, private companies run pretrial services, driving people into debt. Oklahoma's Fort Sill has a history of jailing minority groups. Migrant children could be next.
Oklahoma Health Care Authority approves $6 billion budget. Oklahoma among top 3 medical marijuana states by patients one year after SQ 788 vote. Denying dispensaries: Not all property owners interested in this booming business. Ed secretary backs funds for inmate education during Oklahoma visit.
This could be an active interim if House interim study requests are any indication. The deadline for representatives to request studies was last Friday, June 21. Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, will announce the approved studies and related committee assignments no later than July 19. House members have requested 145 studies on a variety of topics. In the past the Speaker has combined requests that appeared to be on the same or compatible topics and approved them as a single study. It is within the Speaker's discretion which studies to authorize and, with 145 requests, it's doubtful they will all be approved.