News

State Supreme Court allows SQ 832 to proceed

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Supreme Court, in a split vote, allowed organizers to pursue a petition to raise the minimum wage, according to a ruling published Monday. State Question 832, if successful, would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2029, but the Oklahoma State Chamber and Farm Bureau say the question is unconstitutional because it would also allow a federal agency to determine the wage after 2029.

Nonfarm employment 1.75M in December

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Nonfarm employment in Oklahoma totaled 1,752,900 in December 2023, the most current data provided by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission showed. Total nonfarm employment in the Lawton metropolitan statistical area numbered 43,800; Oklahoma City, 696,900; Tulsa, 471,000; Enid, 24,000.

Tillman County lease-purchases new grader

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FREDERICK – The Tillman County Board of Commis sioners recently authorized the county to en ter into a lease-purchase agreement for a new motor grader. The board voted 3-0 March 4 to approve a le ase-purchase agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for a 2024 CAT 140JY motor grader, said Tillman County Clerk Cacy Caldwell.

Job growth continues, unemployment low

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The job market remains durable. Nationwide, employers have added an average of 244,000 jobs per month over the past year, including 333,000 in December and 353,000 in January.

Southwest Oklahoma Legislative Update

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Eight members of the state House of Representatives, who represent southwestern Oklahoma, authored or co-sponsored 220 bills. The majority of those measures are still being considered in the appropriate committees.

Oklahoma dog owners rated ‘irresponsible’

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One study deems Oklahoma as having the third most irresponsible dog owners in the nation, while another ranks Oklahoma’s animal protection laws in the middle tier of states Forbes Advisor conducted a comprehensive survey of 10,000 dog owners, with 200 surveyed in each state, to analyze which states have the most conscientious pet parents.

Army exec, hotel manager sentenced for fraud

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OKLAHOMA CITY – A former general manager of a Lawton hotel and a former Fort Sill official who both admitted participating in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Army have been ordered to report to federal prisons by March 25.

OU Engineering granted $1.18M for military project

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From staff reports NORMAN – In an effort to reduce carbon output in military installations, Dr. Li Song, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Oklahoma, was awarded a $1.18 million grant from the Department of Defense.