Russian trolls used social media to fuel NFL national anthem debate, Senator says

Sen. James Lankford said Russian trolls used social media to bolster the debate on NFL players protesting the national anthem. Russian internet trolls have been actively working to fuel the controversy over NFL players kneeling or sitting during the national anthem in a bid to stir up divisions in the United States, a Republican Senator said Wednesday.

Oklahoma court’s ruling opens door for billions in tax increases

IN a narrow 5-4 decision, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that a new car tax is not subject to the Oklahoma Constitution's 75 percent supermajority requirement for enacting new taxes. The court said lawmakers didn't need supermajorities to remove tax The practical effect is that lawmakers are now free to approve literally billions in tax increases - as that term would be understood by a layman - with only simple majorities.

Lawmaker: Vet citizenship of non-English-speaking schoolkids

A Republican member in the Oklahoma House is suggesting that tens of thousands of non-English speaking students in public schools be turned over to U.S. immigration officials as cost-saving measure in the cash-strapped state. Broken Arrow Republican Rep. Mike Ritze told News9 in an interview Wednesday that the newly created Republican Platform Caucus believes the state could save $60 million if Oklahoma would identify what the caucus believes is 82,000 non-English speaking students "and then turn them over" to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to determine whether they are citizens.

OK House approves resolution to make elective abortions illegal

"It is both the law of this state and the policy of its people that abortion on demand be eradicated from the State of Oklahoma and that the legislative, judicial and executive branches be directed to do all in their power to enforce that law and policy protecting the rights of the unborn," the resolution states. "Every public official in Oklahoma, including but not limited to sheriffs, district attorneys, judges and justices, the attorney general and the governor" would be required to "stop murder of unborn children by abortion."

Oklahoma AG announces support for new commission on opioid abuse

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter discusses plans for legislation to create Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse. [Photo by Grayson Cook, The Oklahoman] Declaring that Oklahoma is in the midst of "an opioid abuse epidemic," Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter joined state lawmakers Wednesday in announcing support for a resolution to form an Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse.

Collinsville Ranchers Help NW Oklahoma Ranchers Devastated By Wildfires

A group of ranchers from the Collinsville area gathered donations for ranchers devastated by wildfires in northwest Oklahoma this week and made their delivery Friday. Tony Ostrander told the News On 6, they gathered 155 round bales, 4,000 pounds of feed and a pallet of water for firefighters and hauled it all to Woodward.

Oklahomans oppose proposed wind tax, according advocacy group poll

Almost three-fourths of Oklahoma voters are opposed to Gov. Mary Fallin's proposed half-cent tax on wind generation, according to a new poll sponsored by a wind advocacy group. The State Chamber also is voicing opposition to the plan.

Exception to Oklahoma Reading Law Could Be Permanent

Some Oklahoma lawmakers are seeking to make a permanent exception to the state's requirement for third-grade students to be reading proficient before moving on to the next grade. The Oklahoman reports that currently, Oklahoma's Reading Sufficiency Act requires students in the third grade to score proficient on the state reading test in order to go into fourth grade.

Current, former EPA workers urge Congress to reject nominee Pruitt

Hundreds of current and former employees of the Environmental Protection Agency spoke up loudly on Monday, hoping it will persuade the U.S. Senate to reject Scott Pruitt as President Donald Trump 's leader in the agency. Still Oklahoma's attorney general until confirmed, Pruitt is nominated as EPA administrator but his appointment has been met with staunch opposition -- partly due to questions surrounding his stance on global warming.

Oklahoma fans say president delivering on his promises

Missy Ligon of Yukon cheers for Donald Trump as Republican Party backers gathered on election night Main Event Entertainment in northwest Oklahoma City as election returns rolled in the presidential race against Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. [Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Archives] President Donald Trump has his share of opponents, some of whom have taken to the streets in protest, including here in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma lawmaker accused of sexual harassment won’t testify

In this Jan. 3, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma state Rep. Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, top, sits in the Oklahoma House in Oklahoma City. Kirby, who has been the subject of sexual harassment complaints, said Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, he will not testify before a special closed-door House committee looking into the allegations and the use of government funds to settle with one of his accusers.

Trump picks climate sceptic Pruitt

ELECT Donald Trump has tapped Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, criticised as a climate change denier and a staunch fossil fuel ally, to head the Environmental Protection Agency. The announcement on Thursday morning comes after Leonardo DiCaprio met with Mr Trump on Wednesday to discuss how jobs centring on preserving the environment can boost the economy.

Group continues Bible reading ‘precedent’ at State Capitol

Steve Buck, director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, reads from the Book of Isaiah during a public Bible reading event on Monday in the fourth floor rotunda at the State Capitol to commemorate the International Day of the Bible. [Photo by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman] A public Bible reading returned to the State Capitol for the third year as an event commemorating the National Bible Association's International Day of the Bible.

Lawsuit: Ballot Rewrite on Medical Marijuana Misleading

Oklahoma Republican Attorney General Scott Pruitt's rewrite of a proposed ballot question on medical marijuana is intentionally misleading and could confuse people into thinking they were voting to fully legalize marijuana in the state, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday. The lawsuit was filed with the state Supreme Court on behalf of Oklahomans for Health, a group that gathered enough signatures to have the question placed before voters.

OKlahoma House & Senate pass $6.9 billion budget, now goes to Fallin’s desk

Oklahoma House passed $6.9 billion budget in 52-45 vote Oklahoma Senate passed the $6.9 budget in 26-17 vote Budget now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin's desk "The budget passed today jeopardizes Oklahomans' health, safety and economic wellbeing because it fails to adequately fund basic core services," said Jess Callahan, OPEA President. "We will have fewer troopers on our highways, citizens will have to wait longer for DHS benefits and access to mental health services will be restricted.