billion – Ponca City Now

California closes $12 billion deficit by cutting back immigrants’ access to health care

Monday, June 30 by AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Friday a budget that pares back a number of progressive priorities, including a landmark health care expansion for low-income adult immigrants without legal status, to close a $12 billion deficit. It's the third year in a row the nation's most populous state has been forced to slash funding... Read More.

White House: Taxpayers spent $56 billion on improper Medicaid claims

Thursday, June 19 by Washington TCS

WASHINGTON (The Center Square) — Taxpayers spent $56 billion on Medicaid last year for able-bodied adults abusing the program, according to a new report released by the White House Tuesday.The report claims that 44% of able-bodied Medicaid recipients without children worked less than 20 hours a week in 2024, using 11% of the government’s annual... Read More.

Oklahoma lands $4 billion aluminum plant, creating 1,000 jobs

Friday, May 16 by KOKH

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce have announced a landmark investment in the state, as Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) has chosen Oklahoma as the site for the first new primary aluminum production plant in the United States in 45 years.The $4 billion project is set to create 1,000... Read More.

Trump secures $600 billion Saudi investment for the United States

Tuesday, May 13 by Beverly Cantrell

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump's Middle East trip is off to a successful start, with Saudi Arabia announcing a $600 billion investment in the United States on Tuesday. The investment focuses on energy security, defense, technology, and access to global infrastructure and critical minerals.Trump secures $600 billion Saudi investment for... Read More.

Trump administration cuts $1 billion in school mental health grants, citing conflict of priorities

Thursday, May 1 by AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is moving to cancel $1 billion in school mental health grants, saying they reflect the priorities of the previous administration.Grant recipients were notified Tuesday that the funding will not be continued after this year. A gun violence bill signed by Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022... Read More.

Deteriorating roads cost Oklahoma drivers $6.3 billion annually, report finds

Wednesday, April 23 by News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -Poor road conditions, traffic congestion and safety deficiencies are costing Oklahoma drivers a total of $6.3 billion each year, according to a report by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit.According to the report, aging infrastructure and inadequate investment are key contributors to increased vehicle operating costs, wasted time and fuel, and traffic crash-related... Read More.

Apple Says it Will Invest $500 Billion in U.S. Over Next 4 Years and Hire 20,000 Workers

Wednesday, February 26 by CBS News

Apple plans to invest $500 billion domestically over the next four years and hire 20,000 additional workers in the U.S., the iPhone maker announced on Monday.The company's plans include investing in a new 250,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Houston, set to open in 2026, that will make servers to power Apple's AI services. Apple... Read More.

Mega Millions Jackpot Nears $1 Billion for Christmas Eve Lottery Drawing

Tuesday, December 24 by Ponca City Now

NEW YORK — A lucky lottery player may get a big present on Christmas Eve: The Mega Millions jackpot is nearly $1 billion.Tuesday’s drawing is for an estimated $970 million, or $439.9 million in cash, according to the lottery. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last won at $810 million in Texas... Read More.

Georgia Farmers Still Grappling With $5.5 Billion in Hurricane Helene Storm Losses

Tuesday, December 24 by Ponca City Now

LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Twisted equipment and snapped tree limbs still litter Chris Hopkins’ Georgia farm more than two months after Hurricane Helene made its deadly march across the South. An irrigation sprinkler system about 300 feet (92 meters) long lay overturned in a field, its steel pipes bent and welded joints were broken. The mangled... Read More.

Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.6 Billion

Friday, November 4 by Lyman James

The Powerball jackpot has been raised to an estimated $1.6 billion for Saturday night’s drawing. This is officially a new record-breaking jackpot for Powerball, making it the largest prize ever in US Lottery history. Saturday will mark 40 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, the second longest streak in the game’s history. If the... Read More.