Initial jobless claims finally tapering off

OKLAHOMA CITY – Unemployment claims in Oklahoma have finally registered a significant decline. Initial jobless claims dipped into the four-figure range for the first time in four months, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported.

Governor Checks Out Local Economic Development

Kevin Stitt has been to Lawton before. Whether it’s been in his official capacity as governor of Oklahoma or as an athlete growing up in Norman, he has made the trip down I-44 many times. So, it wasn’t any surprise that Stitt recently found himself back in Lawton last Friday on a day-long tour.

Energy activity in Plains region declined sharply in Q1 and Q2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Energy Survey compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City recently revealed that Tenth District energy activity declined sharply again in the second quarter of this year and is expected to remain largely unchanged moving forward.

2-month bank robbery spree results in life prison sentence

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma City man with two prior bank robbery convictions was sentenced to life in prison recently for committing three bank robberies in Chickasha and Oklahoma City in two months last year.

CPA named in 24-count federal indictment

OKLAHOMA CITY – An accountant has been indicted in federal district court here on 10 counts of bank fraud, 10 counts of uttering forged securities, and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Ronald David Kirkpatrick II provided accounting services as a consultant for West Star Operating Co.

Tribal member given 6½ years in federal prison for sexual contact of a minor in Indian Country

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Native American who previously lived in Lawton has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for abusive sexual contact of a child while at a residence on Kiowa tribal land in Comanche County. William Art Guoladdle, Sr.

Creek Lawsuit Verdict

OKLAHOMA CITY – A ruling by the United States Supreme Court on the sovereignty of the Creek Nation could lead to major changes in criminal prosecutions on tribal land, according to two state legal experts. But it’s too early to tell just how the ruling will affect other areas of state government.