Hochatown incorporation vote set for general election

HOCHATOWN – About 300 southeastern Oklahoma residents will go the polls here Nov. 8 to decide whether or not to incorporate the tiny community of Hochatown. The election was set after the McCurtain County Board of Commissioners voted in August to approve a petition asking for the vote.

Cotton yields will vary from average to dismal

ALTUS – The cotton crop in southwest Oklahoma is a “mixed bag.” “It depends on where you are,” said Gary Strickland, director of the Jackson County OSU Extension Center. A Lawtonian driving through eastern Tillman County two weeks ago snapped photos of a healthy stand of cotton.

Statewide drought conditions remain unchanged

Rainfall totals in Oklahoma averaged 0.01 of an inch for the week of Sept. 12-18, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Sept. 13 U.S.

Dozens of ARPA proposals advance to full Legislature

See continued ARPA coverage here: ARPA appropriation for FISTA ‘building bridges to the future’ Legislative committee endorsed $194M in spending for state nonprofits $60M to support nursing programs Lugert-Altus Irrigation District to use ARPA funds to continue...

ARPA appropriation for FISTA ‘building bridges to the future’

LAWTON – A bipartisan, bicameral legislative committee has recommended a $20 million appropriation to the Lawton Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator that would “help develop our future workforce,” FISTA Director James Taylor said.

More than $420M to be spent to provide high-speed internet throughout Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – More than $420 million in federal funds will be spent to provide high-speed internet access for residents and businesses in unserved and underserved areas of Oklahoma. The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding recently recommended that the full Legislature approve $389.

Lugert-Altus Irrigation District to use ARPA funds to continue modernizing

ALTUS – The Lugert-Altus Irrigation District will use its $25 million in federal pandemic relief funds to continue modernizing its nearly 80-year-old water delivery system, General Manager Tom Buchanan said.

$60M to support nursing programs

See continued ARPA coverage here: Nursing shortage talked about ‘for 20 years’   OKLAHOMA CITY – A bipartisan group of state lawmakers recommends appropriating $60 million to support and promote nursing programs at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities that are intended to address a severe...

Legislative committee endorsed $194M in spending for state nonprofits

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma nonprofit organizations are poised to receive almost $194 million in federal Covid-19 recovery funds, after the proposals were endorsed by a joint legislative committee.

Nursing shortage talked about ‘for 20 years’

OKLAHOMA CITY – The nursing shortage in Oklahoma is “pretty significant,” according to Jane Nelson, chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Nurses Association.      “We have always had a shortage, but it’s been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.