Articles
-
Budget & Tax, Economy
Continued oil slump threatens state finances
A new report from State Treasurer Randy McDaniel indicates the economic impacts of the COVID-19 shutdown are receding in Oklahoma, but state finances remain on shaky ground because of the continuing weakness of the oil-and-gas sector, a foundational element of the Oklahoma economy.Ray Carter | October 7, 2020
-
Education
Expert offers solutions to anti-American education
Across the country, parents have become alarmed by the increasing anti-Americanism of course materials taught in their children’s local schools.Ray Carter | October 6, 2020
-
Budget & Tax, Education
Irregularities in state audit of EPIC?
A recently released special investigative audit of EPIC Charter Schools, an online K-12 provider, may be receiving as much attention for perceived and alleged irregularities in the audit process as for its findings.Ray Carter | October 5, 2020
-
Law & Principles
McGirt complications: Judge considers recusal
The ripple effects continued to be felt this week as a McGirt-based criminal appeal highlighted another challenge: The judges who have to resolve such legal disputes often have ties—and even receive benefits from—tribal governments, creating conflict-of-interest appearances.Ray Carter | October 2, 2020
-
Law & Principles
House taps Chickasaw bank official for redistricting effort
A prominent Chickasaw bank official has been named to a high-profile role in the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ redistricting process.Ray Carter | September 30, 2020
-
Education
State tests to resume, measure Oklahoma learning loss
When COVID-19 prompted the spring closure of in-person instruction at Oklahoma schools, state officials quickly sought a federal waiver to suspend state testing of students and issuance of school report cards. It appears the testing suspension won’t continue for a second year.Ray Carter | September 30, 2020
-
Culture & the Family
County COVID ‘threat’ levels not so threatening
Counties with fewer than 14.5 cases per 100,000 population are placed in the yellow, or “low risk,” category, while those exceeding that rate are in the orange, or “moderate risk,” category.Ray Carter | September 29, 2020
-
Education
Parents resort to courts to reopen schools
A group of parents has filed a lawsuit against Stillwater Public Schools, asking the court to declare the district does not have the right to quarantine all students and to require that the district reopen for in-person instruction.Ray Carter | September 29, 2020
-
Education
Stilwell school experience defies COVID-closure plan
So far this year, there has been no significant outbreak of COVID-19 among Stilwell students and, when children or staff have caught the virus, it typically came from sources outside the school.Ray Carter | September 28, 2020
-
Education
Tulsa schools include ‘social justice’ in staff training
A recent training program at Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) advised teachers to incorporate “social justice” into all courses, including subjects such as physical education and math.Ray Carter | September 24, 2020