Budget Targets Education

It’s budget season at the state Capitol. The Senate and House recently passed the general appropriations bill, which sets the framework for the balanced state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The age of paranoia

The day is Sunday, April 12, 6 pm. My phone alerted me with a quick chirp. I picked up my phone to read the dreaded message, “Let the Games Begin.” The battle has started; Senior Assassin has now begun.I was sitting in a church pew as sweat beads started to form.

Automate or not automate?

The time and location I write of in this column will reveal why this was yet to be a concern in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.I was a student of Purdue University from 1959 to 1963. Purdue owned one large mainframe computer that was fed a diet of 80-column Hollerith cards.

State budget agreement reached

I’ve got some good news: we have a state budget.You may have heard that last week, the governor, along with House and Senate leadership, announced an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. While it still needs final approval, this gives us a strong look at where we are headed.

Tecumseh Golden Age Center

Hope all are enjoying the spring weather! I hope it includes trips and family time.I enjoyed time with my family in Tulsa on Easter Sunday weekend. Nancy Freeman reported that her trip to the Grand Canyon was awesome! She rode the train up and back that goes to the top from Williams, AZ.

Standing Firm in Faith and Service

There are moments in life when you are reminded that your calling is bigger than yourself. This past week at the Capitol was one of those moments for me.I was honored to be recognized as a 2026 recipient of the Defender of Biblical Business Award, presented by the Christian Employers Alliance.

A dog named Teddy

My neighborhood has been active with dumped dogs again. Most abandoned dogs do not survive this heartless action.

Hard Work on Display Across Oklahoma

Last week offered a meaningful reminder of both the traditions that shape Oklahoma and the responsibilities we carry at the Capitol.One of the highlights was the Oklahoma Youth Expo, better known as OYE.

Who AM I?

Disqualified from WWII service because of a back injury suffered while bull riding in Texas.Worked as a shipbuilder in Mobile and Portland for a short time.Met first wife at a medicine show in Banks, Alabama.Married by a Justice of the Peace in 1944 at a Texaco gas station in Andalusia,...

Inspirational women in music

March is Women’s History Month. We’ve been flooded with women’s inspirational nominations from around the county to feature in a couple of issues and to highlight them.