Authors
Jay Chilton
Independent Journalist
Jay Chilton is a multiple-award-winning photojournalist including the Oklahoma Press Association’s Photo of the Year in 2013. His previous service as an intelligence operative for the U.S. Army, retail and commercial sales director, oil-field operator and entrepreneur in three different countries on two continents and across the U.S. lends a wide experience and context helping him produce well-rounded and complete stories. Jay’s passion is telling stories. He strives to place the reader in the seat, at the event, or on the sideline allowing the reader to experience an event through his reporting. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma with a minor in photographic arts. Jay and his wife live in Midwest City with three dogs and innumerable koi enjoying frequent visits from their children.
Recent Articles
-
Education
Teachers cite dues, ideology for OEA membership slide
The Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), the state’s largest teachers union, lost 5.7 percent of its active members last year and has lost nearly 20 percent over the last 5 years, according to National Education Association (NEA) financial reports compiled by labor union researcher Mike Antonucci.Jay Chilton | January 16, 2018
-
Budget & Tax
Many films receiving Oklahoma tax rebate produce no box office receipts
A declared goal for the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program is to enhance the image of the state to a nationwide audience. According to the Incentive Evaluation Commission Film Enhancement Rebate Program Draft Report, “the effect on Oklahoma’s image nationwide is unclear, but likely limited.”Jay Chilton | November 15, 2017
-
Budget & Tax
TSET paid more than $3 million in eight years to hospital lobbying organization
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has given millions of dollars to fund smoking cessation and health-improvement-related charitable organizations since its creation in 2000.Jay Chilton | November 13, 2017
-
Budget & Tax
Weinstein film cost Oklahoma taxpayers $4.6 million
In 2005, the state of Oklahoma implemented a film incentive program with the goal of attracting movie and television productions to the state. “August: Osage County,” produced and distributed by the Weinstein Company, took advantage of the program in 2013, costing Oklahoma taxpayers more than $4.6 million.Jay Chilton | November 6, 2017
-
Education
Demystifying ‘emergency’ certification
Oklahoma’s teaching certification designations are more specific than many states. As a result, a teacher who taught fourth grade in the previous school year may not be certified to teach kindergarten.Jay Chilton | October 26, 2017
-
Budget & Tax
TSET spending priorities questioned
An Oklahoma trust established to administer funds from the 1998 tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) is ripe for reform, according to lawmakers and other critics of the trust. They say that some of the money could be better spent to help alleviate the state’s budget challenges.Jay Chilton | October 10, 2017
-
Education
Relationship between OSSBA, schools risk management trust examined
Insurance is easy to forget about until you need it, like when a building is damaged in a storm or a customer slips and sues.Jay Chilton | September 25, 2017
-
Education
Is OKCPS a sanctuary school district? Officials send mixed messages
Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Aurora Lora issued a statement on Sept. 5 in opposition to the Trump administration’s decision to rescind an Obama-era executive order establishing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.Jay Chilton | September 19, 2017
-
Education
OKCPS board gives attention to school names, DACA
Three sites in the Oklahoma City School District—M.L. King, Jr. Elementary School, F.D. Moon Elementary School, and Oklahoma Centennial Middle School—rank among the nation’s 20 worst-performing public schools, according to an article published by NeighborhoodScout.com.Jay Chilton | September 18, 2017
-
Budget & Tax, Education
Surplus funds at Statewide Virtual Charter School Board discussed
Possible uses for $2.7 million in surplus funds are under consideration by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.Jay Chilton | August 21, 2017
-