News

Southwest Airlines declares 189th quarterly dividend

Staff Reports
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
DALLAS, TX – In recent days, Southwest Airlines Co. Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.18 per share to Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 11, 2026.The quarterly dividend will be paid on July 2, 2026.
Eleven-year-old Nathan Barber does some research on the internet on a cellphone. Last week, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 1276, which makes permanent the state’s yearlong test prohibition on students using cellphones and other non-school-issued electronic devices during the school day. Ashley Payne | Southwest Ledger

Eleven-year-old Nathan Barber does some research on the internet on a cellphone. Last week, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 1276, which makes permanent the state’s yearlong test prohibition on students using cellphones and other non-school-issued electronic devices during the school day. Ashley Payne | Southwest Ledger

Governor Stitt signs bill to keep cellphones away from students during school hours

M. Scott Carter
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma kids who enroll in public school during the 20262027 school year will have access to a great deal of technology from their school to help with their studies next year.But that technology won’t include personal cellphones or the students’ home-based electronic gear.
City officials shoveling dirt at the water plant groundbreaking ceremony May 7 were, from left: Council Member Lisa Hatchett, Mayor Zach Grayson, Council members Erica Alexander, Georgianne Hebblethwaite, Kelly Boyd, Clark Southard and Rockey Talley, and former Mayor Chris Mosley, who played an instrumental role in efforts to build a new water treatment plant. Curtis W. Awbrey | Southwest Ledger

City officials shoveling dirt at the water plant groundbreaking ceremony May 7 were, from left: Council Member Lisa Hatchett, Mayor Zach Grayson, Council members Erica Alexander, Georgianne Hebblethwaite, Kelly Boyd, Clark Southard and Rockey Talley, and former Mayor Chris Mosley, who played an instrumental role in efforts to build a new water treatment plant. Curtis W. Awbrey | Southwest Ledger

Chichasha breaks ground on water plant; files for another OWRB loan

Mike W. Ray
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Construction has begun on Chickasha’s long-awaited new water treatment plant.A groundbreaking ceremony attended by city officials and many other dignitaries was held May 7 near the existing treatment plant at 500 E.Delaware.
Craig Akard

Craig Akard

Akard appointed LPD’s new chief

Staff Reports
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Craig Akard will succeed the late James T. Smith as Lawton’s Chief of Police, effective May 11. The announcement was issued Monday.Akard brings more than 31 years of law enforcement and municipal leadership experience to the role, including more than three decades with the Lawton Police Department.

Walmart to remodel 25 Oklahoma stores

News Staff
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Staff reports BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart, the corporate retail giant that operates more than 4,600 stores in the U.S. alone, announced last week that it was planning to remodel more than 650 Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets nationwide this year.
Subscribe to