Legislative session ends

OKLAHOMA CITY – The second regular session of the 57th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die last Friday, a session historic for its fight between the governor and the legislature, a record number of veto overrides, an ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and a catastrophic decline in the...

State jobless rate soars to 13.7%, up almost 11% in one month

OKLAHOMA CITY – The jobless rate in Oklahoma shot up almost 11% in one month, from 2.9% in March to 13.7% in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was the biggest one-month increase and the highest unemployment rate in at least a decade if not longer, BLS records indicate.

New law allows wage garnishment, rather than termination, for state employees who owe income taxes

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation that requires the garnishment of wages of state employees who are behind on paying state income taxes, rather than termination of employment, has been enacted.             Governor Stitt signed House Bill 3068 by Rep. Lundy Kiger, R-Poteau, and Sen.

151 Comanche County jail inmates sent to prisons at Sayre, McLoud

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has completed transferring 151 Comanche County Detention Center inmates to two state prisons.

142 CCDC inmates sent to state prisons temporarily; jail below authorized limit for first time in several years

OKLAHOMA CITY – The state Department of Corrections reported transporting 142 healthy inmates from the Comanche County Detention Center (CCDC) to state prisons on Wednesday and Thursday. The transfers included 141 men and one woman, according to Justin Wolf, the DOC’s director of communications.

FHFA usher in payment deferral, extends eviction freeze

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has extended the moratorium on foreclosures and evictions and has announced a new payment deferral option.

Audit: OESC failed to collect $646K

OKLAHOMA CITY – A state audit of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission found that the agency “failed to assess and collect penalties” totaling almost two-thirds of a million dollars on overpayments.

Lawton Phil cancels its July concert, ends season

LAWTON – The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra to cancel the July 18 concert, abruptly ending LPO’s 2019-2020 season. The Concerto Games’ final concert featuring 73 noted musicians was originally scheduled for April 25 at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium.