Tag: Oklahoma

Texas-Style Abortion Ban Passes Oklahoma Senate

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KSWO:

An abortion bill in Oklahoma that mimics one in Texas has passed through the Oklahoma Senate.

The bill would ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected. The enforcement of the bill would exclusively fall on the shoulders of private citizens.

Civil lawsuits could then be filed against abortion doctors and anyone who “knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion, including paying for or reimbursing the costs of an abortion through insurance or otherwise.”

If a person who files a lawsuit wins in court, they would be entitled to a minimum of $10,000 in civil damages for each abortion performed, induced or abetted.

The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration.

Louisiana, Oklahoma, And Arkansas Announce Hydrogen Partnership

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Office Of The Governor:

Today, Governors John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas announced their states have entered into a bipartisan three-state partnership to establish a regional hub for development, production, and use of clean hydrogen as fuel and manufacturing feedstock. 

In entering the agreement, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas intend to compete as a unit for funding established in the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, in which the United States Department of Energy (DOE) is directed to seek out and select regional clean hydrogen hubs to fund. The act specifies that such hubs should be selected by DOE based on mix of feedstock available to produce hydrogen, available users of hydrogen, geographic locations, and potential effects on employment, among other considerations.

“The state of Louisiana, as well as our partner states in this effort, have a long history of producing and transporting fuels and feedstocks in liquid and gas forms, as well as significant population of industrial end users with potential to make use of hydrogen as fuel or as part of manufacturing processes,” Governor Edwards said. “This is an extension of Louisiana’s ongoing efforts in diversifying the makeup of our energy sources and ensuring an economically and environmentally balanced approach to cleaner use of traditional fuels and transition to new potential energy sources.” 

“Oklahoma is honored to join in forming this partnership, not because of convenience, or necessity, but rather because we share a similar vision and goals for the production, use, and economic impact that can result from creating this hydrogen economy. Like our partners, we believe that creating as many end-use cases for commercialization with as many private partners is the quickest and best mechanism to spur real demand for this clean energy. The resources and opportunities in Oklahoma are complementary to our partners and tailor made for a diverse hub application to compete with others around the country,” said Governor Stitt.

Oklahoma Senate Supports Income Tax Exemption For Military Retirement

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Fox 25:

The Oklahoma Senate approved a bill that would honor America’s military by not taxing their retirement pay.

Senate Bill (SB) 401 would have Oklahoma joining 33 other states who don’t tax veterans retirement pay. SB 401 is authored by Air Force Veteran, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R- Midwest City, vice chair of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

“This is just one more way to support our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation. I’ve been working on this legislation for five years, and I’m very excited that the governor, along with my Senate and House colleagues, have pledged their support to get it across the finish line this session,” Pugh said. “I want Oklahoma to be the top destination for America’s heroes. These are highly trained professionals, typically in their forties looking to start a second career, with numerous skills that are desperately needed in our workforce. They can help fill the gap in critical industries like aviation and engineering, which will be an incredible boon for our economy.”

After Banning ‘Critical Race Theory,’ Oklahoma Lawmakers Seek Further School Curriculum Restrictions

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Public Radio Tulsa:

A 2021 poll found that of the 82 percent of Oklahoma voters who had some awareness of critical race theory, 58 percent were opposed to teaching the concepts in public schools.

Dozens of new bills at the Oklahoma Legislature aim to place more restrictions on school curriculum and library standards in the state. Some of the bills contain language lifted from model legislation crafted by national conservative and libertarian think-tanks.

Bill To Keep Planned Parenthood Programs Out Of Oklahoma Schools Moves Forward

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KOCO:

A bill that would keep Planned Parenthood programs out of Oklahoma schools is moving forward at the state Capitol.

Senate Bill 1544 would prevent any public, charter or virtual school in Oklahoma from partnering with entities that perform or provide abortions. The measure would allow schools to partner with a hospital, though, only if the procedure is done under a medical emergency to save the mother’s life.

State Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, said in a news release that the bill would prevent organizations like Planned Parenthood from instituting curriculum and normalizing sexual activities, behavior and abortion in Oklahoma’s public-school systems.

The bill now moves over to the full House for a vote.

Oklahoma Moves Toward ‘Endemic’ Approach To COVID-19

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KVII:

Oklahoma officials say they are shifting their response efforts to an “endemic” approach to the coronavirus.

The Oklahoman reported that interim health commissioner Keith Reed said last week the department is preparing to begin a transition “into the endemic phase of this pandemic.”

A disease reaches the endemic stage when the virus still exists in a community but becomes manageable as immunity builds.

Last month, California became the first state to formally shift to an “endemic” approach to the coronavirus. But Reed said the shift to an endemic response doesn’t change the way the health department would respond if a new variant caused another surge.

If another variant begins to surge, then I will resume following the daily stats.

Iraq Veteran Receives Purple Heart In Oklahoma For Injuries Sustained In 2011

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KFOR:

The Purple Heart is an honor soldiers receive for injuries they sustain or die from on the battlefield.

On Monday, a war veteran who now calls ​Oklahoma home waited a decade for his purple heart.

“It’s surreal right now. I gave up at one point to try to search for it, to try to get it and to have it actually come, it means a lot,” said SGT Carl Fastiggi. 

In 2011, then-Specialist Fastiggi was fighting with the California Army National Guard in Iraq. He was a member of the 640th Aviation Support Battalion, Company B at Camp Taji, Iraq.

The incident happened around 1:55 p.m. when Camp Taji came under rocket fire.

SPC Fastiggi ran for cover in a nearby hanger and was hit in the head by debris. Shortly after, he reported to the medical center with a severe headache; he was evaluated and determined fit for duty.

“At the time, he did get medical care and such, but all the records weren’t done and weren’t made complete on it,” said Senator James Lankford.

Fastiggi was diagnosed with a delayed concussion and still suffers from severe headaches and pain.

His ​lost paperwork caused a more than 10-year delay. It was Senator James Lankford and his office’s behind-the-scenes work that made this moment come true.

Oklahoma House Republicans Announce Medical Marijuana Policy Package To Increase Industry Regulations

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KFOR:

The Oklahoma House of Representatives Republican Caucus addressed the media Monday afternoon stating how they plan to address the ongoing issues within the state’s medical marijuana industry.

“When the citizens of the state of Oklahoma voted for 788, they voted for a legal medical marijuana free market program. The black market is not the free market,” said House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.

Rep. Echols, referencing the state’s largest ever drug bust that happened on February 22, 2022. More than 150,000 marijuana plants were seized- law enforcement agents estimated the bust to total over $500 million in assets. 

“We have seen black market elements competing with legitimate Oklahoma businesses. They are putting our citizens at risk. They’re doing things in an illegal, unethical manner,” said Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.  Lawmakers react to largest single-day drug bust in Oklahoma history

2 Years Since First COVID-19 Case Detected In Oklahoma

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News 9:

It’s been two years since Governor Kevin Stitt announced that a Tulsa man became the first person in Oklahoma to test positive for COVID-19.

The man had traveled to Italy and started showing symptoms six days later.

After the man recovered, he donated his plasma to help other COVID-19 patients recover.

Since 2020, more than 1 million cases of the virus have been reported in Oklahoma.

The CDC said nearly 15,000 Oklahomans with the virus have died.

There were 3,100 active cases in the state as of Friday.

Oklahoma To Scale Back Covid Data Reporting As Cases Decline

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The Oklahoman:

With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations having fallen dramatically in Oklahoma, the state Health Department is preparing to make changes to how it approaches the pandemic response. 

Interim health commissioner Keith Reed said Thursday that the department is preparing to begin a transition “into the endemic phase of this pandemic.” 

The state has seen a rapid decline in COVID-19 cases after the omicron variant spurred a dramatic surge, with more Oklahomans than ever infected with the virus. Hospitalizations have also declined. 

A month ago, COVID-19 hospitalizations neared 2,000, and there were over 67,000 Oklahomans with active infections. As of Friday, there were about 3,100 active infections in the state and 491 hospitalizations. 

As part of the shift, the Health Department plans to scale down how frequently it reports COVID-19 data.

Metro Woman Breaks Into Oklahoma City Dog Pound To Get Her Dog Before It’s Euthanized

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KFOR:

An Oklahoma City woman said she broke into the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare building to take back her dog Hazel, which was hours away from being euthanized.

Toya Stewart was arrested and is now accused of breaking into the animal shelter after taking off with her pit bull.

The metro woman spoke to KFOR Friday and told us she had just been released from jail after going to the shelter to take her best friend Hazel. This was all after officials deemed the dog to be dangerous.

“She doesn’t deserve it and they knew that I loved her,” Stewart said. “Why would you kill somebody that somebody loved so much?”

Toya Stewart said she got Hazel when the dog was two months old. It was her service dog out of what she said was an abusive relationship and at a time when she became homeless.

“She helped me through a lot,” Toya said. “She protected me through this relationship and protected me through life.”

However, superintendent with Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Jon Gary said Hazel had some issues.

“We originally impounded the dog due to dangerous charges being filed against the dog,” Gary said.

Stewart said after she broke in, she pried Hazel’s cage open and took off.

“We army crawled together under this fence to get out of there,” Stewart said. “We took off running through the woods.”

Stewart said she kept Hazel at her home for a few days until police tracked them down. Hazel was put back in the shelter while Toya was taken to jail.

“She stayed beside me,” Stewart said. “She just doesn’t deserve that.”

It should be noted, no official charges have been filed yet. Stewart and Gary both told us that Hazel has since been euthanized as part of a judge’s orders.

OSDH: 1,113 New COVID-19 Cases In Oklahoma

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KFOR:

State health leaders have reported 1,113 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

On Friday, data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows that the state has had 1,024,471 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since March of 2020.

That’s an increase of 1,113 cases since Thursday.

The 7-day new case average is 712.

At this point, officials believe there are 3,139 active cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oklahoma has seen 14,835 deaths as of Friday. That’s an increase of 49 deaths since Thursday’s numbers.

Oklahoma Could Soon Have A Tribal Representative In Congress

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News 9:

Based of the 2020 Census, Oklahoma’s representation in the United States House of Representatives is supposed to remain unchanged at five. However, there’s a chance the state could soon have an additional representative, based on an agreement more than 180 years old.

In the 1835 Treaty of New Echota, which removed the Cherokee Nation from its ancestral home in Georgia, the United States made several promises to the tribe, including representation in Congress.

“The treaty language is very plain,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. in an interview, “it says the Cherokee Nation shall have the right to a delegate in the House of Representatives, when Congress shall make provision for the same. It didn’t say that Cherokee Nation might have a delegate, but it shall have a delegate.”

Chief Hoskin said the time has come for Congress to make that provision.

TIMELINE: Severe Storms Coming Into Oklahoma Over The Weekend

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KOCO:

Although it’s been a nice end to the week, severe weather is expected to come into Oklahoma over the weekend.

KOCO meteorologist Jonathan Conder says there is a risk for severe weather Sunday. Oklahoma City has a marginal risk for severe storms, and southeast Oklahoma has a slight risk.

The storms are expected to bring hail, and there is a low tornado risk in southeast Oklahoma.

Storms could flare up in western Oklahoma starting at 3 p.m. Sunday and are expected to be in central Oklahoma by around 7 p.m. Jonathan says the severe weather should start in eastern Oklahoma by 10 p.m. Sunday.

Tracking A Weekend Cold Front

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News On 6:

The first part of our changing pattern will be more noticeable Friday. The main trough across the western U.S. will send a strong disturbance around the base into the central plains Friday night into Saturday. The pressure gradient brings gusty south winds Friday from 15 to 30 mph with some clouds and highs in the mid-70s. Saturday morning a dry line will rapidly move across western OK and enter the I-35 corridor early afternoon before staling west of Tulsa. Locations east will have a chance for a few isolated storms, but the layer of warm air aloft may suppress this activity. Locations west of the dryline will experience very low humidity, strong southwest winds and critically high fire danger spread rates. This dry line retreats westward overnight as the main upper-level system draws closer to the state. A surface cold front enters northern OK Sunday morning and moves southeast Sunday afternoon and evening. Locations across southeastern to east-central OK will experience the potential for strong and severe storms where afternoon highs will reach the upper 60s near 70.

Oklahoma Panel Passes Texas-Style Anti-Abortion Measure

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AP News:

A House committee in Oklahoma on Wednesday approved an abortion ban that would implement an enforcement mechanism similar to a new Texas law considered to be the nation’s most restrictive abortion law in decades.

The House Public Health Committee passed the measure by a party-line vote and sent it to the full House, where it’s likely to pass.

The bill prohibits physicians from performing abortions and allows private citizens to pursue civil actions of up to $10,000 against doctors and others who aid a woman in obtaining an abortion.