Ponca Post

Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. Appoints Shelley Bierschank Executive Director

Saturday, August 9 by Preservation Oklahoma

Preservation Oklahoma is pleased to announce Shelley Bierschank as its new Executive Director, effective July 9th, 2025. Shelley brings a deep, lifelong passion for history and place, most recently serving as the Museum Director of the historic Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion.In addition to managing the use and tours of the mansion, she has... Read More.

State Supt. Walters ending government-mandated some end-of-year testing for grades 3-8

Friday, August 8 by KOKH

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — In a significant shift in educational policy, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced the end of traditional statewide summative testing for grades 3-8 in Math and English Language Arts.Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, districts will be allowed to use approved benchmark assessments instead of end-of-year tests.This decision comes after... Read More.

Drummond takes action to stop robocalls reaching Oklahoma families

Friday, August 8 by Ponca City Now

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Gentner Drummond today launched Operation Robocall Roundup, an effort to crack down on the robocalls that disrupt Oklahoma families every day. Drummond and a coalition of attorneys general are sending warning letters to 37 phone companies that are letting illegal robocalls pass through their networks and reach Oklahomans' phones. "Oklahomans are... Read More.

TWO CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT IN WILSON OKLAHOMA

Friday, August 8 by Ponca City Now-OSBI

WILSON, OK – The Wilson Police Department requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate allegations of embezzlement.The allegations were regarding 49-year-old Curtiss Nipp and his wife, 48-year-old Kilby Nipp, who were both insurance agents at Wayne Wood Agency in Wayne, Oklahoma. Curtiss and Kilby have been insurance agents with the City of... Read More.

Recreational marijuana back on the table in Oklahoma with new petition drive

Friday, August 8 by News 9

A new push to make recreational marijuana legal in Oklahoma now has the approval to begin collecting signatures.Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action will now start collecting signatures on a new petition, which needs 172,000 signatures by Nov. 3 to get State Question 837 on the ballot.If enough signatures are collected, voters could decide the... Read More.

What to know as Trump’s immigration crackdown strips tuition breaks from thousands of students

Friday, August 8 by AP

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Tens of thousands of U.S. college students without legal resident status are losing access to in-state tuition prices as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.The Justice Department has been suing states to end tuition breaks for students without legal residency, starting with Texas in June. It... Read More.

Oklahoma schools ordered to fund free student meals with no new funding

Friday, August 8 by News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -UPDATE: Education chair dismisses SDE mandate as "empty threat"The Oklahoma State Department of Education has mandated that every school district in the state must fund free meals for all students this upcoming school year. However, no additional funding will be provided. Districts must rely on existing state and federal resources.SEE... Read More.

State Department may require visa applicants to post bond of up to $15,000 to enter the US

Friday, August 8 by AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department is proposing requiring applicants for business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, a move that may make the process unaffordable for many.In a notice to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, the department said it would... Read More.

Sen. Mullin proposal could strip United Keetoowah Band’s authority on Cherokee land

Thursday, August 7 by News 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -Senator Markwayne Mullin is filing legislation that could limit what the United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians is allowed to do on Cherokee land.Senator Mullin is a Cherokee citizen, and his proposal would give the Cherokee Nation exclusive authority over the reservation, including gaming, which the UKB says could effectively... Read More.

Young adults are less likely to follow politics or say voting is important: AP-NORC poll

Thursday, August 7 by AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mairekk Griffiths, a 26-year-old cook in a Denver suburb, doesn’t think he’ll ever pay a lot of attention to U.S. politics unless radical change happens.“If another party was likely to win, I’d be interested in that,” said Griffiths, who voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in last... Read More.

RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development

Thursday, August 7 by AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in a statement Tuesday that 22 projects, totaling $500... Read More.

Drummond asks U.S. Justice Department to help combat illegal offshore gaming

Thursday, August 7 by Ponca City Now

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to help address the rampant spread of illegal offshore gaming that is threatening the country from coast to coast. Drummond and a coalition of 50 attorneys general sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi yesterday, underscoring the need for action... Read More.