Local Archives - Ponca City Now

Early-Elementary Reading Improvements Proposed in Oklahoma READS Act

Monday, December 29

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, have filed legislation to address Oklahoma's reading crisis. Hall introduced the Oklahoma Reading Excellence through Accountability, Development, and Standards (READS) Act in House Bill 2944, while Bergstrom filed mirror legislation, Senate Bill 1271.The measures introduce early intervention... Read More.

Former Death Row inmate Richard Glossip returns to court with new judge presiding

Monday, December 29

OKLAHOMA CITY -Former Death Row inmate Richard Glossip will appear in court Monday morning for the first time after all Oklahoma County criminal judges recused themselves from the case. Leading... Read More.

Man arrested for shooting BB gun at Tulsa utility workers, police say

Monday, December 29

TULSA, Okla. -One person is in custody after a man allegedly shot BB pellets at utility workers in Tulsa, according to police.The Tulsa police Department says PSO workers were shutting off power at a home near North Birmingham Place... Read More.

A daycare without kids? More Minnesota ‘Somali Daycare Fraud’ adds to $1 Billion case

Monday, December 29

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reacts as he speaks at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Convention in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A lawmaker is calling on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to explain a new report involving... Read More.

Ponca City man in critical condition after injury collision

Saturday, December 27

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that a personal injury collision occurred at 7:35 a.m. Wednesday morning at the intersection of US-60 and S Street in Kay County.The first vehicle was driven by Vincent Rice, 60, of Ponca City. The report notes that he and a passenger were injured.The second... Read More.

$4M donation transforming STEM education at Rogers State University

Friday, December 26

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Rogers State University announced it received a historic $4 million anonymous donation to build a new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) center on its Claremore campus.University leaders said the gift was the largest donation in the school’s history and would create new... Read More.

DHS replaces H-1B lottery with skill-based selection starting 2026

Friday, December 26

WASHINGTON -The Department of Homeland Security said it was replacing its longstanding lottery system for H-1B work visas with a new approach that prioritizes skilled, higher-paid foreign workers.The change follows a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping a visa program that critics... Read More.

Inmate escapes from Okfuskee County Jail, considered to be dangerous

Friday, December 26

Joshua Butler (Hughes County Sheriff's Office)OKFUSKEE COUNTY, OKLA. (KTUL) — An inmate has escaped from the Okfuskee County Jail, according to the Hughes County Sheriff's Office.The sheriff's office reports that the inmate, Joshua Butler, is considered to be dangerous.He is originally from Wetumka and still has family there. Anyone who... Read More.

Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump name added to building

Friday, December 26

A memorial wreath stands next to the bronze memorial bust by Robert Berks of President John F. Kennedy in the grand foyer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Nov. 22, 2013, on the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)NEW YORK... Read More.

Federal judge says Trump must restore disaster funding to Democratic states

Friday, December 26

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to reallocate federal Homeland Security funding away from states that refuse to cooperate with certain federal immigration enforcement.U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy’s ruling on Monday solidified a win for the coalition of 12... Read More.

Alleged murderer added to Drummond’s 10 Most Wanted list

Thursday, December 25

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has added an accused murderer to his 10 Most Wanted list, an initiative to enlist the public’s help tracking down fugitives from justice.On Dec. 7, Jenks police investigated an incident where a vehicle driven by Uriel Cazares struck and killed 25-year-old... Read More.

Student loan borrowers in default may see wages garnished in 2026

Thursday, December 25

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said on Tuesday that it will begin garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers who are in default early next year.The department said it will send notices to approximately 1,000 borrowers the week of January 7, with more notices to come at an... Read More.