Energy / Business Briefs

National • The number of faults on the power grid near three of the major Los Angeles County fires skyrocketed in the hours before the blazes began, according to a company that monitors electrical activity.

Crop Production Annual Summary, Winter Wheat Seeding Report

Most row crops in Oklahoma were down in production, according to the USDA’s 2024 Crop Production Annual Summary. USDA’s annual Winter Wheat Seedlings Report was also published.

Larger hay supply brings lower hay prices

Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Dr. Derrell Peel on Monday offered his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry. On “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Peel, Mark Johnson and Paul Beck, Peel discussed higher hay supply and reduced hay prices.

Registration open for CattleCon 2025

From staff reports Held Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas, CattleCon 2025 will join thousands of cattlemen and women for the country’s largest cattle industry event.Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, will emcee Tuesday, Feb. 4, along with Opening General Session speaker Lt. Col. Dan Rooney.

Neal McCaleb leaves legacy as state, national and tribal public servant

Neal A. McCaleb, a distinguished civil engineer, state and national public servant, and an influential member of the Chickasaw Nation, died Jan. 7 at the age of 89.Visitation at Crawford Family Funeral and Cremation Service in Edmond will be held Jan. 15, from noon to 8 a.m.

Returns, ‘shrink’ cost U.S. retailers billions of dollars, NRF reports

From staff/wire reports WASHINGTON – Returns and “shrink” continue to pose significant costs for the retail industry.Total returns in 2024 were projected to reach $890 billion in 2024. Of the $5.

Absentee ballots available for 2025 elections

KIOWA COUNTY –Voters interested in casting absentee ballots in 2025 may request the ballots now using the Oklahoma State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at www.oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp, or they may download and print an application from the election board’s website, oklahoma. gov/elections.

New council members to receive oath of office Jan. 13

LAWTON – A special City Council meeting and swearing-in ceremony is scheduled at 9 a.m. next Monday, Jan. 13 in the Wayne Gilley Auditorium at Lawton City Hall, 212 SW 9th St.