With Its Private Prison Empty, Western Oklahoma Town Faces An …
WEBJul 14, 2021 — But a presidential order has residents fearing the future. (Lionel Ramos/ Oklahoma Watch) HINTON—When the price of crude oil nosedived in the mid-1980s, this rural community halfway between El Reno and Weatherford was in trouble. Oil rig workers, once flush with cash and eager to spend it at downtown shops and cafés, started leaving in …
A Closer Look at Oklahoma's Move to Alter Education Funding …
WEBApr 1, 2021 — After both bills passed, Hofmeister said the move marked “one step forward and two steps back for public education,” with the transfer bill holding real promise for students and families but the funding measure compromising any gains made.
The State of Oklahoma’s Teacher Salary and Per-Pupil Expenditures
WEBJul 27, 2023 — In 2021-22, Oklahoma’s per-student spending by fall enrollment was $10,951, ranking the state 46th nationally. In comparison, the average per-pupil spending nationally was $15,368. The national average is projected to increase by 4.6 percent to $16,080 for the 2022-23 school year. Based on average daily attendance, Oklahoma was ranked 45th in ...
Tulsa Police Response, Policies Questioned After Arrest of Woman …
WEBApr 27, 2022 — As Paris yells “don’t do it” from behind the locked door, Carrocia is seen laughing. In response to public scrutiny, the department launched an internal investigation late last month and released a statement that said in part, “The overall actions of the Officers and the way in which the call was handled …
Election 2020: Oklahoma Sample Ballot and Other Voter Resources
WEBby Oklahoma Watch October 29, 2020 Updated October 30, 2020. "I voted" stickers are seen at Oklahoma County Election Commission offices. (Whitney Bryen/Oklahoma Watch) Early voting begins today in Oklahoma. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Follow this link to find your early voting site.
What To Know About Oklahoma Natural Gas’ New Storm Charges
WEBJan 27, 2022 — Customers of Oklahoma Natural Gas will be paying an extra $7.80 per month for the next 25 years under a plan approved Tuesday by the three-member Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The fee will go toward paying almost $1.4 billion in natural gas costs racked up by the utility last February during a winter storm.
Oklahoma Restores Voting Rights For Felons, But Not So Fast
WEBNov 1, 2020 — An Oklahoma Watch analysis of Department of Corrections data found 427, or 81% of the commutation recipients, are not in prison or on parole. An analysis of voter registration data found just 25 of these 427 people, or 5.9%, are registered to vote. Many of the 427 are in the same situation as Alexander — under no state supervision but still ...
Many Seeking Emergency Rental Assistance Left Waiting
WEBSep 7, 2021 — Two separate Emergency Rental Assistance programs have been established within the last year, providing $46.5 billion in federal relief. The first program was passed under the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2020 and provided Oklahoma with $264 million. The second one passed in March 2021 under the …
Ten Criminal Justice Bills Worth Tracking This Legislative Session
WEBJan 28, 2022 — Bills aimed at easing the reentry process for Oklahomans incarcerated received strong bipartisan support in 2021. The Senate and House unanimously voted to enact the Sarah Stitt Act, which directs the Department of Corrections to ensure prisoners obtain state-issued identification cards prior to their release.Both chambers passed House Bill 1795, which modifies when a driver’s license can be ...
Twenty Years After It Became a Crime, Racial Profiling Charges …
WEBJun 2, 2020 — Twenty Years After It Became a Crime, Racial Profiling Charges Remain Scarce. As protests over racial policing practices continue to rage across Oklahoma and the nation, a milestone in Oklahoma’s racial history will quietly pass later this week. Friday will mark the 20th anniversary of the passage of a state law that for the first time ...