Kayla Branch Protesters shut down an Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting Monday so they could express concerns over the potential for nearly all of the county’s federal COVID-19 relief funds to be spent on the county jail.Once the crowd of roughly 50 demonstrators realized the trust did not plan to allow public comment during the meeting, many yelled they would not leave until their frustrations had been heard.“You will not conduct business today unless people are allowed to speak,” one person said amid chants of “Let us speak.”In question is more than $36 million in funding from the CARES...…Kayla Branch Protesters shut down an Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting Monday so they could express concerns over the potential for nearly all of the county’s federal COVID-19 relief funds to be spent on the county jail.Once the crowd of roughly 50 demonstrators realized the trust did not plan to allow public comment during the meeting, many yelled they would not leave until their frustrations had been heard.“You will not conduct business today unless people are allowed to speak,” one person said amid chants of “Let us speak.”In question is more than $36 million in funding from the CARES...WW…

Chris Casteel Prospects have dimmed for federal legislation this year to clarify Oklahoma’s criminal and civil jurisdiction in the wake of a momentous U.S. Supreme Court decision that could soon mean nearly half the state is Indian reservation land.Sen. Jim Inhofe, the most senior member of the state’s congressional delegation, said last week that it would be “very difficult” to get a bill passed this year addressing the myriad issues — including taxation and regulation — raised by the court’s ruling that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation was never terminated.Inhofe said many...…Chris Casteel Prospects have dimmed for federal legislation this year to clarify Oklahoma’s criminal and civil jurisdiction in the wake of a momentous U.S. Supreme Court decision that could soon mean nearly half the state is Indian reservation land.Sen. Jim Inhofe, the most senior member of the state’s congressional delegation, said last week that it would be “very difficult” to get a bill passed this year addressing the myriad issues — including taxation and regulation — raised by the court’s ruling that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation was never terminated.Inhofe said many...WW…

Chris Casteel Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Alicia Andrews said Tuesday she was thrilled that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tapped U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, saying she could be a voice for racial and social justice.“I’m thrilled,” Andrews said in an interview.“And I’m thrilled for more reasons than just the obvious that she’s an African American woman. I’m thrilled that the selection of Kamala Harris makes the Democratic Party live up to the ideal that I believe it to be and that it is more inclusive. So not only is she the first African American...…Chris Casteel Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Alicia Andrews said Tuesday she was thrilled that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tapped U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, saying she could be a voice for racial and social justice.“I’m thrilled,” Andrews said in an interview.“And I’m thrilled for more reasons than just the obvious that she’s an African American woman. I’m thrilled that the selection of Kamala Harris makes the Democratic Party live up to the ideal that I believe it to be and that it is more inclusive. So not only is she the first African American...WW…

By Carmen Forman, Staff writer cforman@oklahoman.com Oklahoma Secretary of Education Michael Rogers resigned his position Wednesday.In a lengthy email to Gov. Kevin Stitt, Rogers said he was proud of his accomplishments serving the administration in multiple roles."As I audit my time and my priorities, it has become clear I should no longer juggle an agency, negotiating your policy priorities, and serving as your Secretary of Education," he wrote in an email obtained through a public records request.A former state legislator, Rogers also said he was stepping down as the governor's chief...…By Carmen Forman, Staff writer cforman@oklahoman.com Oklahoma Secretary of Education Michael Rogers resigned his position Wednesday.In a lengthy email to Gov. Kevin Stitt, Rogers said he was proud of his accomplishments serving the administration in multiple roles."As I audit my time and my priorities, it has become clear I should no longer juggle an agency, negotiating your policy priorities, and serving as your Secretary of Education," he wrote in an email obtained through a public records request.A former state legislator, Rogers also said he was stepping down as the governor's chief...WW…

Randy Ellis Four Oklahoma tribes filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Kevin Stitt and the U.S Department of the Interior Friday seeking to void two gaming compacts that the department let take effect earlier this year between the governor and the Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribe.The Oklahoma Supreme Court declared the two gaming compacts void last month, ruling the governor lacked the authority to enter into gaming compacts that would authorize sports betting and house-banked card and table games. Such games are specifically prohibited by state law, the court said.The Cherokee...…Randy Ellis Four Oklahoma tribes filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Kevin Stitt and the U.S Department of the Interior Friday seeking to void two gaming compacts that the department let take effect earlier this year between the governor and the Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribe.The Oklahoma Supreme Court declared the two gaming compacts void last month, ruling the governor lacked the authority to enter into gaming compacts that would authorize sports betting and house-banked card and table games. Such games are specifically prohibited by state law, the court said.The Cherokee...WW…

Kayla Branch Demonstrators occupied an Oklahoma County commissioners meeting Wednesday to protest a resolution that would regulate free speech on county property.The protest pushed the resolution’s sponsor, Court Clerk Rick Warren, to withdraw his support for the proposal. But the resolution will still be discussed by commissioners after a 2-1 vote to defer the item to a special meeting Friday.Commissioners Kevin Calvey and Brian Maughan voted to defer, and Commissioner Carrie Blumert voted against deferring.Blumert said she will not support any version of the resolution, which would...…Kayla Branch Demonstrators occupied an Oklahoma County commissioners meeting Wednesday to protest a resolution that would regulate free speech on county property.The protest pushed the resolution’s sponsor, Court Clerk Rick Warren, to withdraw his support for the proposal. But the resolution will still be discussed by commissioners after a 2-1 vote to defer the item to a special meeting Friday.Commissioners Kevin Calvey and Brian Maughan voted to defer, and Commissioner Carrie Blumert voted against deferring.Blumert said she will not support any version of the resolution, which would...WW…

Tim Willert NORMAN — Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with a late-night shooting Thursday outside a Campus Corner bar that was witnessed by Norman Mayor Breea Clark.Charles Cotton was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center on Friday morning on a complaint of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, police said in a news release. He remained jailed on a $200,000 bond, records show.Cotton was one of four people taken into custody following the shooting, which left a man hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds, police said.In a phone interview, Clark told The...…Tim Willert NORMAN — Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with a late-night shooting Thursday outside a Campus Corner bar that was witnessed by Norman Mayor Breea Clark.Charles Cotton was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center on Friday morning on a complaint of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, police said in a news release. He remained jailed on a $200,000 bond, records show.Cotton was one of four people taken into custody following the shooting, which left a man hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds, police said.In a phone interview, Clark told The...WW…

GUESTBy Calvin H. Warner In February, quixotic Democrat Andrew Yang dropped out of the presidential race after failing to stoke enough excitement for his Freedom Dividend, a form of universal basic income that would send $1,000 monthly checks to every American. Yang argued this payment was necessary to offset the coming displacement as automation and self-driving vehicles eviscerate common service and manufacturing jobs.Yang’s ideas were radical in February, but implemented by April as $1,200 stimulus checks hit most Americans’ bank accounts. The gloomy worries of automation displacing...…GUESTBy Calvin H. Warner In February, quixotic Democrat Andrew Yang dropped out of the presidential race after failing to stoke enough excitement for his Freedom Dividend, a form of universal basic income that would send $1,000 monthly checks to every American. Yang argued this payment was necessary to offset the coming displacement as automation and self-driving vehicles eviscerate common service and manufacturing jobs.Yang’s ideas were radical in February, but implemented by April as $1,200 stimulus checks hit most Americans’ bank accounts. The gloomy worries of automation displacing...WW…

Nuria Martinez-Keel NORMAN — Staff at the University of Oklahoma demanded 100% online classes and protections from layoffs during a protest Monday afternoon.University officials, though, said furloughs and layoffs are unavoidable unless OU reopens for in-person instruction. OU is set to welcome students and employees back for fall classes, which begin Aug. 24.Staff members said they fear for their health and job security as they spoke outside Evans Hall, OU’s administration building. Protesters held signs that read “In COVID times, online saves lives” and other messages pleading for fully...…Nuria Martinez-Keel NORMAN — Staff at the University of Oklahoma demanded 100% online classes and protections from layoffs during a protest Monday afternoon.University officials, though, said furloughs and layoffs are unavoidable unless OU reopens for in-person instruction. OU is set to welcome students and employees back for fall classes, which begin Aug. 24.Staff members said they fear for their health and job security as they spoke outside Evans Hall, OU’s administration building. Protesters held signs that read “In COVID times, online saves lives” and other messages pleading for fully...WW…

Nuria Martinez-Keel An Oklahoma County district judge leveled a $500,000 fine against the nonprofit overseeing Epic Charter Schools on Wednesday.Judge Cindy Troung sanctioned Community Strategies Inc. for filing a libel and slander lawsuit against state Sen. Ron Sharp last year. Truong dismissed the lawsuit in February. On Wednesday, she ruled the case was an attempt to censor Sharp's free speech.The judge decided the nonprofit was subject to a fine under Oklahoma Citizens Participation Act, a law that sanctions plaintiffs who file meritless lawsuits intended to silence critics.Troung also...…Nuria Martinez-Keel An Oklahoma County district judge leveled a $500,000 fine against the nonprofit overseeing Epic Charter Schools on Wednesday.Judge Cindy Troung sanctioned Community Strategies Inc. for filing a libel and slander lawsuit against state Sen. Ron Sharp last year. Truong dismissed the lawsuit in February. On Wednesday, she ruled the case was an attempt to censor Sharp's free speech.The judge decided the nonprofit was subject to a fine under Oklahoma Citizens Participation Act, a law that sanctions plaintiffs who file meritless lawsuits intended to silence critics.Troung also...WW…