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Democrats again open primaries to Independents

News Staff
Thursday, December 9, 2021
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Democratic Party notified State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax that it will allow Independents to vote in its primaries in 2022 and 2023.             The Libertarian Party notified Ziriax that it will close its primaries to Independent voters.
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City of Lawton announces Dec. closings

News Staff
Thursday, December 9, 2021
LAWTON — City of Lawton offices will be closed Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Offices will reopen for regular business hours Monday, Dec. 27.   City offices will also be closed New Year's Eve, Dec. 31. Offices will reopen Jan. 3.   Residential cart collection will operate as scheduled.
Airplanes at Fort Sill Courtesy of army.mil

Airplanes at Fort Sill Courtesy of army.mil

Fort Sill: Birthplace of Army aviation

Debi DeSilver Managing Editor
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Fort Sill’s 1st Aero Squadron took off from Columbus, New Mexico, late in the afternoon on March 19, 1916, to participate in Brig. Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing’s Mexican Punitive Expedition, ordered by President Woodrow Wilson.
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SWMC drops vaccine mandate for healthcare workers

Tim Farley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Southwestern Medical Center officials announced Thursday the hospital would no longer require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after a federal judge issued an injunction against President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. U.S.
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FDIC-insured institutions report third-quarter profits

Mike W. Ray Staff Writer
Thursday, December 9, 2021
WASHINGTON — Reports from the 4,914 commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) – including 187 in Oklahoma – reflect aggregate net income of $69.5 billion in the third quarter of 2021.             That constituted a 35.9% increase ($18.
Rural broadband

Rural broadband

Rural broadband expansion a legislative priority for 2022

Tim Farley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
More than 340,000 Oklahoma public school students have no broadband access when they go home for the day, a state lawmaker said. Rep. Logan Phillips (R-Mounds) intends to file several bills that will “shrink the digital divide” between rural and urban areas.
From the left, Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall speaks with state Rep. Gerrid Kendrix during a fundraiser for Kendrix Dec. 2 at the Jackson County Expo Center in Altus. Kendrix, who represents the 52nd District, is seeking a second term in office. Eric Swanson/Ledger photo

From the left, Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall speaks with state Rep. Gerrid Kendrix during a fundraiser for Kendrix Dec. 2 at the Jackson County Expo Center in Altus. Kendrix, who represents the 52nd District, is seeking a second term in office. Eric Swanson/Ledger photo

Kendrix seeks second term as HD52 rep

Eric Swanson
Thursday, December 9, 2021
ALTUS — While Rep. Gerrid Kendrix does not object to the coronavirus vaccine, he opposes governmental efforts to force people to get the shots, he said.   “My deal is, I just believe that’s an individual decision,” Kendrix said.
Data source: Oklahoma Tax Commission Ledger chart by Mike W. Ray

Data source: Oklahoma Tax Commission Ledger chart by Mike W. Ray

Marijuana sales high over Thanksgiving

Mike W. Ray Staff Writer
Thursday, December 9, 2021
OKLAHOMA CITY — The days before and after Thanksgiving were the second- and third-highest sales days for legal cannabis in the U.S. this year, Akerna Corp. announced earlier this month.             Nov. 24, also known as “Green Wednesday,” produced $98.2 million in marijuana sales, and Nov.
Paul Martin, planning technician for the city of Lawton, leafs through proposed ward maps before the Lawton Redistricting Commission’s Dec. 1 meeting. The commission is re-examining options for redrawing the city’s eight voting wards to account for population shifts. Eric Swanson/Ledger photo

Paul Martin, planning technician for the city of Lawton, leafs through proposed ward maps before the Lawton Redistricting Commission’s Dec. 1 meeting. The commission is re-examining options for redrawing the city’s eight voting wards to account for population shifts. Eric Swanson/Ledger photo

Lawton commission weighs options for new ward boundaries

Eric Swanson
Thursday, December 9, 2021
LAWTON — The Lawton Redistricting Commission is taking a second look at new maps for the city’s eight voting wards. The commission was originally scheduled to host a Dec. 1 public hearing on a map that was previously recommended for adoption, known as Option 2.
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