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OK Attorney General launches new resource to combat unemployment fraud

4/30/2020

Attorney General Hunter Launches New Effort to Assist Victims of Unemployment Fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today announced his office has developed a new resource to help process unemployment fraud claims.

Individuals or businesses that receive bogus claims are asked to fill out a new form on the attorney general’s website, where the claim will then be directed to the proper law enforcement agency.

Attorney General Hunter said during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, there has been an increased number of fraudulent filings to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC).
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by Muskogee Politico - April 30, 2020 at 04:45PM

OK Attorney General launches new resource to combat unemployment fraud
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Lucas welcomes $160M in federal relief for OK's K-12 schools

4/30/2020

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Lucas Welcomes $160 Million in Relief for Oklahoma’s K-12 Educational Institutions

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced last week that it would distribute more than $160 million to the state of Oklahoma’s K-12 educational institutions from the Education Stabilization Fund as authorized by the CARES Act:

“Oklahoma educators have faced an unprecedented challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education leaders across the state have been asked to continue the essential task of instructing their students from a distance. I am immensely proud of our Oklahoma school districts who have risen to the occasion by thinking outside of the box and reimagining what school services look like during the time of Coronavirus. The Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) authorized by the CARES Act will deliver critical financial assistance to local school districts across Oklahoma. This law was written with individual school districts in mind by granting much-needed flexibility for the use of existing federal funds and allowing local educational leaders to decided how ESF money is spent. As this school year draws to a close it is crucial that we stop to recognize the work done every day by our school administrators, educators, and staff.”

Education leaders will have the flexibility to use funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) for immediate needs, such as tools and resources for distance education, ensuring student health and safety, and developing and implementing plans for the next school year.
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by Muskogee Politico - April 30, 2020 at 01:27PM

Lucas welcomes $160M in federal relief for OK's K-12 schools
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State Reps call on State Dep't of Education to protect rural schools revisit four-day school week limits

4/30/2020

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Conley calls on SDE to protect rural schools and revisit four-day school week rules

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, is calling on the State Department of Education to cancel and resubmit its proposed rules on waivers from new school year calendar requirements limiting four-day school weeks that are favored by many rural districts.

Last year, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 441, which requires school districts to use school years with a minimum of 165 days and at least 1,080 hours, beginning in the 2021-22 school year. The change essentially prevents four-day school weeks unless a waiver is obtained. Many rural districts are relying on the waiver to continue school weeks that work best for their communities.

The waiver rules required by SB 441 that were produced by the State Department of Education and Board of Education have not been finalized by the Legislature.
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by Muskogee Politico - April 30, 2020 at 11:00AM

State Reps call on State Dep't of Education to protect rural schools, revisit four-day school week limits
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OK Cattlemen release list of producers selling beef direct to consumer

4/30/2020

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From the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association:

Selling Beef Direct to the Consumer . . .

is not a new idea, but it has definitely gained popularity during the recent disruption in the meat supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’ve compiled a list of our members who are selling beef direct in an effort to connect consumers with beef cattle ranchers. We hope this list will be a win for consumers and producers. Beef producers take pride in the delicious, nutritious protein that they produce. The opportunity to market direct connects beef cattle ranchers and consumers on a more intimate level.

This list includes members of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association that raise cattle and sell beef direct to consumers. We encourage consumers to reach out to the member of your choice.
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by Muskogee Politico - April 30, 2020 at 10:51AM

OK Cattlemen release list of producers selling beef direct to consumer
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Oklahoma now ranks 3rd nationwide in Pre-K access for 4 year-olds

4/30/2020

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Oklahoma rises to top 3 for Pre-K access

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 29, 2020) – Oklahoma climbs to third in the country for Pre-K access for 4-year-olds, according to a new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). In the same report last year, Oklahoma scored among the top eight states in the nation.

Oklahoma serves 86.5% of eligible 4-year-old children when public pre-kindergarten enrollment (76.3%) is combined with Head Start enrollment, the annual report states. Only the District of Columbia (87.3%) and Vermont (86.8%) serve more students.
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by Muskogee Politico - April 30, 2020 at 08:17AM

Oklahoma now ranks 3rd nationwide in Pre-K access for 4 year-olds
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40 pastors and religious leaders endorse David Hill for Congress

4/29/2020

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40 Faith Leaders Announce Support for David Hill

OKLAHOMA CITY — A growing list of faith leaders announced their support for conservative Republican David Hill in his race for Congress. Already numbering 40, these faith leaders span the entire district.

"We are excited to have a candidate of the quality of David Hill in the race," stated Paul Abner, an Oklahoma minister for 40 years, who helped organize the group. "Far too often the faith community is either ignored or taken for granted in politics. David Hill has taken the time to visit with us and knows how important faith issues like the right-to-life and religious liberty are to those he intends to represent," Abner continued.

"David Hill has a deep understanding of the importance of both faith and the faith community," stated Dr. Ted Kersh, one of the pastors on the list. "David’s personal faith and the value he places upon issues important to us is evident from the first moment you visit with him," Kersh continued.

Steve Green, President of Hobby Lobby and Board Chairman for Museum of the Bible is among those listed. Green also serves as a co-chair for the Hill campaign.
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by Muskogee Politico - April 29, 2020 at 10:52PM

40 pastors and religious leaders endorse David Hill for Congress
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OK Cattlemen's Association compiling list of members selling beef direct-to-consumer

4/29/2020

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Consumers are Looking to Buy Beef Direct. OCA is working to Compose a List of Producers that are Selling Beef Direct

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. April 28, 2020 – The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is working to compile a list of OCA members who sell beef direct to the consumer.

“With the current COVID-19 pandemic and the meat supply chain being disrupted by sickness of employees at packing plants, the demand to buy beef direct is at an all-time high!” said Mike Weeks, President of the OCA. “After several inquiries, we have decided to compose a list of OCA members who sell beef direct.”
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by Muskogee Politico - April 29, 2020 at 08:17AM

OK Cattlemen's Association compiling list of members selling beef direct-to-consumer
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Gov. Stitt task force provide COVID-19 update; Nat'l Guard assists long-term care facilities

4/28/2020

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GOVERNOR STITT AND GOVERNOR’S SOLUTION TASK FORCE PROVIDES COVID-19 UPDATE

Announces new saliva based testing and highlights focus on long-term care facilities

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 28, 2020)— Governor Kevin Stitt today joined Deputy Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard, Deputy Secretary of Health and Mental Health Carter Kimble and Secretary of Health and Mental Health Jerome Loughridge to provide an update on the State’s response to COVID-19, announce new saliva based testing, and discuss efforts to protect Oklahomans in long term care facilities.
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by Muskogee Politico - April 28, 2020 at 10:05PM

Gov. Stitt, task force provide COVID-19 update; Nat'l Guard assists long-term care facilities
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Rep. Hern calls on Congress to get back to work

4/28/2020

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(Yes, cheesy graphic by yours truly. Low-budget graphics department with limited talent, okay?)

Hern calls on Congress to get back to work

TULSA, OK – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer canceled the House’s return to work on May 4, 2020.
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by Muskogee Politico - April 28, 2020 at 09:55PM

Rep. Hern calls on Congress to get back to work
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Pinnell: The case for the great American road trip

4/28/2020

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The case for the great American road trip

By Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell

(From the Apr 24, 2020 Tulsa World Opinion Page)

“I want to get into my car and drive until I find what I’m looking for. Maybe it’s purpose or maybe it’s a new start or maybe it’s just a sky with unclouded stars.”
—Author unknown

Thanks to the hard work of our health care professionals and the sacrifices made by our people to be responsible and stay at home, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

As we emerge from the immediacy of the health crisis, many questions will be asked. What did we learn? How did we innovate? When will we be OK again?

I would argue that big, important questions like these demand the clarity and reflection that can come from a great American road trip.

After the reasonable limitations on nonessential travel are lifted, a road trip with friends or family to explore new places is exactly what Americans need.

With plenty of space to social distance, a road trip gives us time to breathe, laugh and support small businesses along our authentic Main Streets. A time to re-center and fuel the economy — that’s what I call a win-win.

We are blessed to live in Oklahoma, a state with back roads and blue skies for days. From our indigenous founders to the pioneering history in the western prairie, from our uniquely diverse ecology to more miles of the Mother Road (Route 66) than any other state, there’s history and heritage around every curve. We definitely know a good road trip, and we know it’s food for the soul.

“I take to the open road,” said Walt Whitman. “Healthy, free, the world before me.” From mental health benefits to clearing our heads and hearts, a road trip just may be the healing you’re looking for.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been forced to simplify our lives. We are reevaluating things that seemed normal staples, realizing that the regular hustle and bustle doesn’t have to be the norm. Maybe there is more to life than the manufactured busy-ness and mundane routine many of us fall into. Perhaps doing more to see the world around us can help rebuild the sense of community and empathy for others that have long been integral to the American experience.

As we ask ourselves what is America and who are we after this unprecedented pandemic, what better exercise than to actually go see it? See its raw beauty, its diversity, its freedom, and the melting pot of people and cultures that line the pavement.

Author Michael Wallis says of the iconic Route 66 road trip that the trip invites us to experience the country before it became generic. A Route 66 journey puts us in touch with our roots and ourselves. It is a road of phantoms and dreams that has always offered promise.

While Route 66 certainly is iconic, any Oklahoma road trip will do. It could be to Black Mesa, Broken Bow, the Great Salt Plains, the Wichita Mountains or simply the Farmers Market one county over.

It will soon be time to explore the stories of Oklahoma again, time to see this country, its past, present and now uncertain future.

Whether for purpose or a new start, or just to see a sky with unclouded stars. Oklahoma, our economy will roar again, and I believe it will start with a great American road trip.

by Muskogee Politico - April 28, 2020 at 03:30PM

Pinnell: The case for the great American road trip
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Muskogee Politico
Jamison Faught

MuskogeePolitico.com is operated by blogger Jamison Faught, and was started on July 31st 2008.
Faught is a lifelong Muskogee resident, and is a homeschool graduate. He and Kristen got married in September of 2012. They are the parents of a energetic daughter (2015) and son (2017).
On the political side, Faught has volunteered on numerous campaigns, served as the chairman and organizer of the Muskogee Tea Party, and has been involved in both the Muskogee County Republican Party and the Oklahoma Republican Party for almost a decade.
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Muskogee) was the doctor who delivered him, and his father (George Faught) has served four terms as the first Republican state representative in House District 14.

Muskogee Politico ​ Jamison Faught

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