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State Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola; Kevin West, R-Moore; and Rick West, R-Heavener; filed two more appeal briefs and a motion to reconsider with the Oklahoma Supreme Court last week seeking to overturn a ruling by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission that allowed state utility companies to collect more than $9 billion in fuel charges. Photo provided by OSCN

State Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola; Kevin West, R-Moore; and Rick West, R-Heavener; filed two more appeal briefs and a motion to reconsider with the Oklahoma Supreme Court last week seeking to overturn a ruling by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission that allowed state utility companies to collect more than $9 billion in fuel charges. Photo provided by OSCN

Lawmakers challenge Corporation Commission’s approval of fuel charges

M. Scott Carter
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — Three Republican state Representatives have filed two appellate briefs and a motion to reconsider, all seeking to overturn a ruling by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission that allowed state utility companies to collect more than $9 billion in fuel charges.State Reps.
Kevin Lapp, engineering infrastructure manager for Firehawk Aerospace, holds a 35-pound sample of the company’s hybrid rocket engine propellant made with a 3D printer. Nitrous oxide (commonly referred to as “laughing gas”) is inserted in the middle of this material and ignited, and it burns “from the inside out,” Lapp said. Mike W. Ray | Southwest Ledger

Kevin Lapp, engineering infrastructure manager for Firehawk Aerospace, holds a 35-pound sample of the company’s hybrid rocket engine propellant made with a 3D printer. Nitrous oxide (commonly referred to as “laughing gas”) is inserted in the middle of this material and ignited, and it burns “from the inside out,” Lapp said. Mike W. Ray | Southwest Ledger

First ‘fast-track’ construction contract on Firehawk Aerospace complex awarded by LEDA

Mike W. Ray
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
LAWTON – The first “fast-track” construction contract on development of the Firehawk Aerospace complex in northwest Lawton was approved recently by the Lawton Economic Development Authority.

Regional manufacturing activity is growing

Staff Report
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Business activity in the Tenth District manufacturing sector, which includes Oklahoma, continued to grow and expectations for future activity rose slightly from last month, the April manufacturing survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City revealed.
State to receive millions of dollars for final phase of broadband expansion

State to receive millions of dollars for final phase of broadband expansion

State to receive millions of dollars for final phase of broadband expansion

M. Scott Carter
Thursday, April 30, 2026
State to receive millions of dollars for final phase of broadband expansionOKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma will receive millions of dollars in federal grant funds to pay for the final phase of a mammoth statewide broadband internet expansion program, the head of the state’s broadband office confirmed...
A pair of PSO linemen carefully maneuver their bucket under power lines and above the tree line to make repairs behind the Cameron University plant sciences complex on the west side of Southwest 38th Street. A high-voltage electricity transmission line that traverses Comanche, Stephens and Carter counties will be replaced in a multiyear project that will cost an estimated $260 million. Scott Rains | Southwest Ledger

A pair of PSO linemen carefully maneuver their bucket under power lines and above the tree line to make repairs behind the Cameron University plant sciences complex on the west side of Southwest 38th Street. A high-voltage electricity transmission line that traverses Comanche, Stephens and Carter counties will be replaced in a multiyear project that will cost an estimated $260 million. Scott Rains | Southwest Ledger

High-voltage power line in Comanche, Stephens, and Carter counties to be rebuilt in $260M project

Mike W. Ray
Thursday, April 30, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — A high-voltage electricity transmission line that traverses Comanche, Stephens and Carter counties will be replaced in a multiyear project that will cost an estimated $260 million.
Third grade students from Bishop Elementary raise their hands during a lesson in mathematics. Ashley Payne | Southwest Ledger

Third grade students from Bishop Elementary raise their hands during a lesson in mathematics. Ashley Payne | Southwest Ledger

Bill earmarking millions for school literacy improvements signed by Governor Stitt

M. Scott Carter
Thursday, April 30, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — A bill allocating more than $40 million for reading instruction and several millions more for teacher training and reading initiatives was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt this week.Stitt said the measure during an event at Oklahoma City’s John Rex Elementary School.
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