This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the 2025 Oklahoma Press Association Conference at the Grand in Shawnee with my colleagues from several sister newspapers. On Saturday night, I had th...

OKLAHOMA CITY – As we continue our examination of the massive federal legislation called the “Big Beautiful Bill” by proponents, it is important to look at the education portion of the bill. As you ca...

Friday morning, severe storms came through our House district. I’ve been in contact with authorities districtwide along with electric crews and stand ready to assist with any needs in any way possible...

Imagine being tiny and defenseless and being tossed out like trash on the road where the only shelter you had was the thicket of wild brush poking at your tender pink skin. That was the reality of fiv...

I am excited to share that at least eight of the rural fire departments within House District 15 have been awarded grants to purchase new gear ranging from trucks, Jaws of Life and personal protective...

The final days of the first session of the 60th Legislature have been full as lawmakers worked to finalize legislation and pass the state budget. This week, I presented the Senate amendments to House ...

OKLAHOMA CITY – Prior to the Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1, commonly called the “Big, Beautiful Bill” Act. The vote of 215-214 fell almost exactly on a party-line...

Regard: Technician, Marcus Ford, Blackburn Plumbing & Air of Eastern Oklahoma, LLC First, I must say that I have not filled out the survey you sent to my e-mail, simply because I do not like to do tha...

A bill that would give prosecutors the discretion to seek the death penalty on a first conviction for child rape is moving to the governor after final passage in the Senate this week. Senate Bill 599 ...

OKLAHOMA CITY - Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders have announced an agreement for the key elements to the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. The plan for the estimated $12.6 billion budget includes...

One thing I learned when I was just a child was to keep your friends close at heart even if life’s journey pulled you in different directions and apart. Though there would be many I called friends alo...

This week brought historic progress at the Capitol. I’m proud to share that we have reached a responsible and conservative budget agreement that delivers real tax relief, protects vital services and k...

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is seeking comments on a draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report entitled, “Southeast Oklahoma Bacterial and Turbidity TMDLs.” This report describ...

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of our great nation, it is important to remember the events in 1775 that led to its birth. Studying these events help us understand the reasons col...

Volunteer Fire Chief Chad French, who has been chief for two years and a volunteer fighter for 26 years, was informed Friday, May 9, during a meeting with the city manager that the city is looking for...

JOE DORMAN OICA CEO JOE DORMAN, OICA CEO Joe Dorman CEO – OICA OKLAHOMA CITY – As May is upon us, it is the time of year when the state budget picture begins to clear as state legislators put the fini...

Senate Bill 2, as amended in the House, is the current wind energy setback bill I am supporting. This measure is now identical to House Bill 2751, which failed in the Senate Energy Committee in April....

Another Mother’s Day has come and gone and though it didn’t go quite the way I had planned, God already knew what the day would hold so He prepared me with my pastor Holly Furtick’s sermon “Hold Your ...

REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 We’ve officially wrapped up the legislative work for this session, and heard over 200 bills that have now made their way through the process. I’m proud of the l...

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people? In Jeremiah 8:22 these questions are asked, but I find myself asking...