Articles
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Budget & Tax, Education
Muskogee per-pupil revenue growing
Enrollment in Muskogee Public Schools has declined by nearly 900 students, a 13 percent decrease, over the last decade. Over that same time, total revenues have fallen by 5 percent.Curtis Shelton | November 19, 2020
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Culture & the Family
Study undercuts calls for mask mandates
Even as calls continue for statewide mask mandates in Oklahoma schools and most public places, a comprehensive new study indicates that masks provide little or no protection from COVID-19.Ray Carter | November 19, 2020
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Higher Education
Historian promotes balanced version of U.S. history
For roughly three decades, Wilfred McClay has taught United States history, but he only recently decided to take the plunge and write his own American History textbook for teenage students after concluding the available alternatives were “simply not adequate to the task of creating that sense of living and nourishing connection to the past.”Ray Carter | November 19, 2020
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Education
Agency hides memo warning of illegal activity
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has stripped its website of a memo issued by the state attorney general, which warns that the agency has acted illegally in its administration of a state program for children with special needs.Ray Carter | November 17, 2020
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Health Care
Liberal groups seek to expand government health care, quash private insurance
Earlier this year theOklahoma Education Association and theOklahoma Hospital Association, in conjunction with the Service Employees International Union SEIU, strongly supported and helped finance the adoption of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma. This extends Medicaid’s welfare benefits to certain lower-income able-bodied adults.Kaitlyn Finley | November 17, 2020
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Education
State board of education on shaky legal ground
In September of this year, the Oklahoma State Board of Education denied the applications of two Christian schools to the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program.Ryan Haynie | November 17, 2020
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Culture & the Family
Stitt announces restaurant, bar restrictions
Restaurants and bars will operate under new restrictions announced by Gov. Kevin Stitt as part of an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | November 16, 2020
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Health Care
As expansion approaches, structural Medicaid reform is needed
Due to the narrow passage of State Question 802 earlier this year, Oklahoma will expand its Medicaid program eligibility to certain able-bodied adults beginning next July.Kaitlyn Finley | November 16, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Higher Education
Higher education’s budget request unrealistic
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently released their budget request for the upcoming fiscal year starting on July 1. That request looks to increase the budget for higher education by 11.5 percent, a nearly $90 million increase.Curtis Shelton | November 16, 2020
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Education, Good Government
Epic Charter given time to address alleged deficiencies
In an all-day meeting that ran into the evening hours, the State Board of Education opted not to downgrade Epic Charter School’s accreditation status in response to alleged deficiencies. Board officials noted other schools have been given time to address concerns before facing potential probation and said Epic should not be treated any differently.Ray Carter | November 13, 2020