Area schools take steps to comply with state’s cellphone ban

When Lawton Public Schools students in sixth through 12th grades return to class this fall, they will have three options for their cellphones: Leave the phones at home, keep them in the family vehicle or put them in a district-approved bag for the duration of the school day.

Rose State College secures $750K grant to establish simulation technology degree

MIDWEST CITY – Rose State College will launch Oklahoma’s first associate in applied science degree in simulation technology, financed with a $750,000 Workforce Demonstration Grant awarded by the Oklahoma Workforce Commission.

FY25 was banner year for OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division

The Financial Assistance Division of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board recently completed a banner year.In Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025), the division approved more than $450 million in loans and grants to fund 133 projects, division chief Lori Johnson said.

Water permits issued for 4 marijuana grow operations

Water use permits for four marijuana farming operations were approved recently by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

Oklahoma Criminal Court: ‘Common intent’ required for riot charges

In a new decision issued Thursday, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals found that riot charges in Oklahoma require the state to “prove the defendant’s mutual or common intent with two or more others to use or threaten violence, accompanied by an immediate power to carry the threat into being.

Rincon buys 12 TV stations, including Tulsa’s KOKI, KMYT

Rincon Broadcasting Group announced last Friday the completion of its acquisition of se ven television stations in f ive states, including two stations in Tulsa. Nine days earlier Rincon announced the acquisition of five regional Midwestern TV stations in four other states.

Southern Glazier’s 8-year case against Major Brands resolved

MIAMI, Fla. – Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, one of the world’s largest distributors of beverage alcohol, announced last week that it had reach a successful resolution of litigation brought by Major Brands Inc.

USAO executive hired by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

Nick Hathaway, an executive at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma for the last 18 months, joined the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education on July 21 as Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance.

New Mexico ed fund gets record boost from royalty rates

After increasing the state’s royalty rate to 25% on some activities in the Permian Basin, New Mexico announced the largest total in revenue for its permanent fund and educational endowment.The State Land Office said last week it had a record $56.4 million in revenue from its July oil and gas leases.