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Humphrey again asks AG to investigate former DOC Director
News
November 13, 2025
Humphrey again asks AG to investigate former DOC Director

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today again asked Oklahoma’s attorney general to investigate Steven Harpe, the former director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC).

Humphrey said it was reported in April that Harpe had entered into a $1.017 million, one year contract with AI company LEO Technologies. Six months later, in October, Harpe posted that he had accepted the position of chief product officer with the company.

“The attorney general’s office is responsible for investigating and holding officials accountable for these types of law violations,” Humphrey wrote in his latest letter to the attorney general.

He also reiterated that the attorney general has previously ignored his requests to investigate Harpe for “giving himself a $90,000 raise” while he led DOC. Humphrey said he’s checked and found no authorization for the pay raise. A response to an open records request he submitted to the department said no documents were available. Humphrey contends the pay raise took Harpe’s salary to $275,000 annually, which he says was one of the highest salaries for a corrections director in the nation, even while he argues Oklahoma’s DOC is smaller than many nationwide.

Humphrey also alleges missing funds and mismanagement of state contracts while Harpe was director of the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).

“Harpe removed experienced employees and replaced those employees with his close, zero-experienced extremely overpaid friends,” Humphrey wrote. “He has abused his position to enrich himself and his friends. I believe Oklahomans are sick of political appointees, district attorneys, court officials and others receiving special treatment and favors. I hope you will use your office to hold Steven Harpe accountable for his illegal actions.”

Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols
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There are men who build businesses. And there are men who build communities. Gary Lee Nichols did both. For more than five decades, Gary wasn’t just the owner of grocery stores; he was a steady presen...
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Banning comments after tornado hits Beggs
March 12, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, RBixby, released the following statement after tornadoes hit northeast Oklahoma Friday night: “The severe weather that moved through Oklahoma this weekend resulted ...
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On a cool Saturday morning, Feb. 28, in the closing days of Black History Month, the steeple of Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church in Checotah rose above a quiet gathering devoted to remembrance, faith and...
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5th Annual Green Run is March 14
March 12, 2026
The 5th Annual Green Run returns this Saturday at the Lake Eufaula Pavilion. This lively St. Patrick’s–themed event features a USATF-sanctioned 5K and a Fun Run, welcoming runners, walkers, families, ...
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Former OSBI investigator sentenced for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor
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MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jordan Francis Toyne, age 37, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 109 months in prison for ea...
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An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
A: Main, News...
An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 12, 2026
The 18th Annual Checotah Chili Cook-Off hosted by the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery was a culinary showdown of steaming hot chili along with American patriotism for fun-filled evening of food an...
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Deadline to change party affiliation approaches
March 12, 2026
Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, McIntosh County Election Board Secretary Kim Limbaugh said today. Voters may change their party a...
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Checotah Livestock aids tornado victims
March 12, 2026
Checotah Livestock Market announced they will be helping aid recent tornado victims in Beggs. “Our community has always stepped up when neighbors are hurting,” a Checotah Livestock spokeman said. “In ...
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Oversight work and deadlines
commentary
Oversight work and deadlines
By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 
March 12, 2026
This week has been especially active at the Capitol as oversight c ommit tees work through one of the most imp ortant stages of the legislative session. At this point in the process, all remaining Hou...
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The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
commentary, Opinion...
The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
March 12, 2026
I miss the days of true creative writing – you know, when you could write a real paragraph and your readers could keep up with the story. You didn’t have to throw in a bunch of pictures or short and s...
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C.A.R.D. Senior Nutrition menu
March 12, 2026
March 16 - March 20 611 N. Broadway, Checotah Please call 918-237-1118 for meal reservations by 12 p.m. the day before services. Monday, March 16: Cheeseburger w/ toppings; potato; veggie salad; cake;...
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