Former Lawton bank exec pleads guilty to fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY – A former bank executive from Lawton admitted defrauding his employer of more than a million dollars “to support my gambling addiction.”John Baptist Padilla, 44, previously was a senior vice president and commercial loan officer for BancFirst in Lawton, records reflect.

8 Chinese nationals convicted in Oklahoma of marijuana trafficking

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma City resident implicated in a black market marijuana distribution plan that involved a fake Amazon delivery van was sentenced to nine years in federal prison.Brandon Ye, 43, who was born in China but said he has lived in the U.S.

OMMA safety concerns prompt products recall

OKLAHOMA CITY – Pesticides considered potentially unsafe or known to be toxic have been discovered in marijuana products in Oklahoma and in California.

Voters oust embattled McCurtain County sheriff

IDABEL – “I know where two big deep holes are here if you ever need them,” a voice in the room said, referring to local newspaper reporters. Another joked about a woman who died in a fire, comparing her burned body to barbecue. “I’m hungry!” he said.

Bingman is GOP nominee for Corporation Commission

Former state Sen. Brian Bingman captured the Republican nomination for Corporation Commission, receiving 53.42% of the votes cast in Oklahoma’s only statewide race in the June 18 primary.

Crude oil prices, energy stocks dropped last Friday

Crude oil prices fell on Friday and Oklahoma energy stocks dropped as well.Investors were reportedly worried that global oil demand growth might be a victim of a strong U.S. dollar and negative economic news from around the world. The price decline came despite signs of improving U.S.

Lankford, Mullin in support of U.S. nuclear power advancement

From staff reports WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oklahoma U.S. Sens. James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin were part of the U.S. Senate’s overwhelming approval of what is described as a “major energy bill” that could mean more approval of more nuclear power to be built across the country.

Russia Now Supplies More Natural Gas To Europe Than U.S. Does

Russia has overtaken the United States as the top exporter of natural gas to Europe despite the continent trying to break its reliance on Russian energy in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Energy/Business Briefs

• A nonprofit backed by Chris Hohn, the billionaire money manager behind TCI Fund Management, says climate investors need to move into the highest-emitting sectors if they’re to effectively bring about a low-carbon energy transition.

Rig Count Report

Oil and gas drilling activity continued its decline in the past week, both in Oklahoma and across the U.S. resulting more drilling units placed in storage.Oklahoma’s count fell by two to 35 rigs, according to the Baker Hughes rig count released on Friday.