- Ponca City Now

Harvard agrees to relinquish early photos of enslaved people, ending a legal battle

Friday, May 30 by AP

BOSTON (AP) — Harvard University will relinquish 175-year-old photographs believed to be the earliest taken of enslaved people to a South Carolina museum devoted to African American history as part of a settlement with a woman who says she is one of the subjects’ descendants.The photos of the subjects identified by Tamara... Read More.

Oklahoma lawmakers vote to remove ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen

Friday, May 30 by News 6

Allie Friesen, now former commissioner of Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), has been removed from her position through the statutory authority of the state legislature.On what was expected to be the last day of the legislative session, lawmakers quickly advanced a concurrent resolution calling for Friesen's removal.The... Read More.

Oklahoma lawmakers override veto to expand breast cancer screening coverage

Friday, May 30 by News 6

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla -Lawmakers in Oklahoma voted late Thursday night to override Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto of House Bill 1389, a bipartisan measure that expands insurance coverage for advanced breast cancer screenings. With a 42–2 vote in the Senate, the bill becomes law, mandating broader access to diagnostic tools that advocates say will save... Read More.

Pioneer Technology Center’s SHARE Program Celebrates 2024-2025 Graduates

Friday, May 30 by Ponca City Now

Ponca City, OK -- Pioneer Technology Center’s (PTC) SHARE program recently celebrated the achievements of graduates during a special recognition ceremony for the 2024-2025 school year. The SHARE program, which stands for Sharing Hope and Redefining Education, is designed to help students build new futures by combining academic instruction with career and technology training.... Read More.

ELECTION DAY LAWS AND REMINDERS

Friday, May 30 by Ponca City Now

Voters in Kay County are reminded to keep their integrity of the election system in mind, when going to the polls next week. While ballot “selfies” or taking photographs of a marked ballot are legal, voters may not share or distribute the image through social media or by another other means while inside the election... Read More.

Republicans ramp up investigations into Biden’s health, mental state while in office

Friday, May 30 by TNND

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Congressional Republicans are ramping up efforts to investigate the Biden administration and what staffers knew about former President Joe Biden’s health and mental decline while he was in office after the announcement that he had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.Scrutiny about Biden’s health and mental state has ramped... Read More.

What is a floodplain? See how state leaders are preparing Oklahomans for floods

Friday, May 30 by News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -With concerns for flooding rising amid heavy rainfall, Oklahoma leaders are working to make sure residents are prepared for when disaster strikes.The Oklahoma Water Resources Board says one in four Oklahoma homes will flood during a 30-year mortgage, and Gov. Kevin Stitt says he wants to make sure Oklahomans are ready when the... Read More.

Oklahoma income tax cut signed by Gov. Stitt

Thursday, May 29 by News 6

OKLAHOMA CITY -Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced he has signed another income tax cut for Oklahomans Wednesday afternoon.Sitt posted a video on his X account announcing the cut.LATEST FROM OKLAHOMA'S GOVERNOR: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt holds weekly press conference: 4 takeaways"It has been a priority for the Stitt administration to lower taxes for... Read More.

Town Hall Meeting May 29 in Ponca City

Thursday, May 29 by Ponca City Now

EARLY VOTING BEGINS THURSDAY JUNE 5

Thursday, May 29 by Ponca City Now

FOR JUNE 10, 2025 PONCA CITY MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR CITY COMMISSIONER #1 Early voting begins Thursday June 5 for voters in Ponca City Municipality. Voters who cannot make it to the polls on Election Day, have the option of voting early at their County Election Board. Kay County Election Board Secretary Carol Leaming said early voting... Read More.

Oklahoma teachers could earn up to $10K in annual stipends

Thursday, May 29 by News 6

TULSA, Okla. -A new law signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt will change how Oklahoma recognizes and rewards high-performing teachers.House Bill 1412, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, introduces a tiered certification system that offers annual stipends instead of permanent pay raises.The program aims to elevate instructional quality while giving local districts flexibility in determining who... Read More.

Leader Munson bill to increase compensation for wrongfully convicted Oklahomans becomes law

Thursday, May 29 by Ponca City Now

OKLAHOMA CITY – HB 2235 by House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, was signed into law. The bill increases compensation for wrongfully convicted Oklahomans based on the number of years they were wrongfully incarcerated. “This is a big win and step in the right direction for reforming Oklahoma’s criminal justice system,” Leader Munson said.... Read More.