Emma Murphy

Over half a million Oklahomans could be cut off from SNAP at the end of the month • Oklahoma Voice Over 680,000 Oklahomans could have their SNAP benefits cut off next week if the federal government shutdown doesn’t end.

Over 680,000 Oklahomans could have their food assistance benefits cut off next week if the federal government shutdown doesn’t end, state leaders said Tuesday.

“This is happening at such a breakneck speed. There’s not ample time to plan and create a strategy that can serve Oklahomans and U.S. citizens in a manner that we can plan for.”

Oklahoma mental health providers say they're owed nearly $150M in reimbursements • Oklahoma Voice Behavioral health providers contracted with Oklahoma’s mental health department are not being reimbursed for some services provided and can’t sustain the cost, an industry advocate said.

Mental Health Commissioner Allie Friesen, said the agency is investigating why the payments have not been distributed. She said her agency has been in contact with a few partners since Monday afternoon and is actively working with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to investigate.

Bill restricting gathering signatures for Oklahoma ballot initiatives heads back to Senate • Oklahoma Voice Legislation imposing restrictions on gathering signatures for initiative petitions moved one step closer to becoming law on Wednesday.

Legislation imposing restrictions on gathering signatures for initiative petitions in Oklahoma is one step closer to becoming law after House lawmakers approved a revised version Wednesday following nearly two hours of discussion and debate.

Clinton: As country grows more polarized, America needs unity, the ‘Oklahoma Standard’ • Oklahoma Voice On the 30th anniversary of the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, former President Bill Clinton said Americans must unite and Oklahomans can help lead the way.

On the 30th anniversary of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing, former President Bill Clinton said Americans must unite despite their differences, and that the "Oklahoma Standard" can serve as a role model for the rest of the nation.

State, tribal leaders discuss sports betting, inter-governmental relations • Oklahoma Voice Oklahoma’s tribal leaders discussed the future of sports betting in the state and aren’t interested in rushing into a “bad deal.”

The head of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association said Thursday that tribes shouldn’t rush into a “bad deal” with the state when it comes to sports betting.

Crime of ‘impermissible occupation’ now enforceable in Oklahoma, feds say • Oklahoma Voice People who enter the U.S. without legal authorization can now be arrested and jailed in Oklahoma, the federal government says, but groups challenging the "impermissible occupation" law say…

The federal government said the controversial law that created the crime of "impermissible occupation" is now enforceable in Oklahoma after the U.S. Department of Justice dropped its challenge, but other groups challenging the law say enforceability isn't clear yet.

As number of measles cases in Oklahoma grows, health officials release public exposure sites • Oklahoma Voice As the number of measles cases in the state grew to four, health officials identified possible exposure sites in Owasso and Claremore.

As a total of four measles cases have now been identified in Oklahoma, health officials have now identified potential exposure sites in Owasso and Claremore.

Oklahoma City Federal Building could be sold as Trump administration works to cut 'non-core' assets • Oklahoma Voice Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Trump administration designated the Oklahoma City Federal Building as a “non-core” asset.

About a month ahead of the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, the Trump administration has designated the facility that replaced it as one of hundreds of “non-core” federal government assets slated to be “disposed” of.

Lawmakers unsure how to fund Oklahoma’s 988 mental health lines as federal funding expected to end • Oklahoma Voice House lawmakers blocked legislation attempting to fund 988, Oklahoma’s “mental health lifeline,” similarly to how 911 is funded.

Despite pressure from mental health advocates to find a replacement for federal dollars to fund Oklahoma’s 988 emergency line, Republicans earlier this week rebuffed an effort to pay for it by creating a new monthly surcharge of less than $1 on Oklahomans’ phone lines.

Bill would repeal controversial immigration law, create new felony for undocumented Oklahomans • Oklahoma Voice With immigration a priority of Republicans nationwide, a bill advancing in Oklahoma's House would create a new felony for being in the U.S. illegally.

As immigration remains a priority of Republicans statewide and nationally, a bill headed to the floor of the Oklahoma House would create a new felony for being in the country illegally.

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House committee moves forward bill expanding child care subsidies for industry employees • Oklahoma Voice Lawmakers pushed forward with an initiative that would give more child care workers the opportunity to have care for their own children covered.

Oklahoma lawmakers pushed forward with an initiative that would give more child care workers the opportunity to have care for their own children covered in a renewed effort to address the shortage of qualified employees in the profession.

OSU leaders name interim president, but don’t vote to launch search for next president • Oklahoma Voice Even as they tapped a veteran educator as interim president for OSU, officials remained tight-lipped Friday about what led to the abrupt departure of Dr. Kayse Shrum.

Officials named an interim president for OSU Friday, but refused to answer questions on the abrupt resignation of Dr. Kayse Shrum who was popular among students, faculty and alumni.
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Questions linger following OSU president’s sudden resignation after 3.5 years in position • Oklahoma Voice Oklahoma State University’s president Kayse Shrum resigned, effective Monday.

OSU President Kayse Shrum has resigned, effective Monday. Questions surrounding the reasons behind her sudden resignation remain unanswered and some state officials seemed surprised by her departure. oklahomavoice.com/briefs/osu-p...

Oklahoma Legislature sees renewed efforts to change cockfighting laws • Oklahoma Voice Bills introduced by Oklahoma lawmakers seek to make changes to the state's cockfighting laws by reducing the penalties for participating.

Bills introduced by Oklahoma lawmakers seek to make changes to the state’s cockfighting laws by reducing the penalties for participating or allowing robotic participation in the fights.

Oklahoma Attorney General requests prisoner transfer from Louisiana for execution • Louisiana Illuminator Attorney General Gentner Drummond requested Friday that a prisoner on Oklahoma’s death row be transferred from federal prison in Louisiana so he can be executed.

Oklahoma's attorney general requests prisoner transfer from Louisiana for execution, @emmamurphyj.bsky.social w/ @oklahomavoice.com reports lailluminator.com/briefs/priso...

Oklahoma lawmakers argue against potential dismissal of their appeal of OG&E rate increase • Oklahoma Voice Three lawmakers are trying to stop the state’s highest court from dismissing their appeal of an $127 million OG&E rate increase.

Three Republican lawmakers are trying to stop the state’s highest court from dismissing their appeal of an $127 million OG&E rate increase approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Oklahoma Attorney General files lawsuit against CVS Caremark for ‘below-cost reimbursement’ • Oklahoma Voice Attorney General Gentner Drummond sued CVS Caremark, alleging that the company is under-reimbursing pharmacies for prescription drugs.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond sued CVS Caremark Tuesday in an Oklahoma administrative court alleging that the company is under reimbursing pharmacies for prescription drugs.

House lawmakers limit access in private restroom to 'biological females' • Oklahoma Voice House lawmakers voted Tuesday to clarify who can use the women’s restroom at the back of the legislative chamber at the Capitol.

Oklahoma lawmakers voted for a rule Tuesday clarifying that only “a person born as a biological female” can use the restroom designated for female representatives at the back of the chamber at the Capitol. The new rule applies to only one bathroom at the Capitol.
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Oklahoma Legislature officially elects chamber leaders • Oklahoma Voice Leaders of the Oklahoma House and Senate were officially elected Tuesday during the Legislature’s organizational day.

Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, were officially elected leaders of the Oklahoma House and Senate during the Legislature’s organizational day Tuesday.

New Oklahoma higher ed chancellor to focus on accessibility, affordability OKLAHOMA CITY — Chancellor Sean Burrage plans to use his experiences in Oklahoma education to get more students from the state interested in pursuing higher education.

Chancellor Sean Burrage plans to use his experiences in Oklahoma education to get more students from the state interested in pursuing higher education.

via @oklahomavoice.com @emmamurphyj.bsky.social
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Oklahoma House Speaker outlines his goals for legislative session • Oklahoma Voice Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert plans to prioritize the state budget, a school cellphone bill and tackling workforce shortages.

When Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert commences the next legislative session, he plans to prioritize three issues — the state budget, a school cellphone bill and tackling workforce shortages.