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Articles by Chris Casteel
Groups challenging 'critical race theory' ban grow impatient, push judge on stalled lawsuit
Educators, students and civil rights groups challenging a law in Oklahoma barring the teaching of “critical race theory” are urging a federal judge to take action in their two-year-old lawsuit, saying teachers are in their third year of self-censoring and students are being deprived of a “culturally inclusive education.” In a motion filed in late September, the groups suing the state said the request for an injunction blocking enforcement of the law, known as House Bill 1775, had been pending...
Legal fight over Oklahoma Catholic charter school draws help from national groups
Already, 27 attorneys from six states and Washington, D.C., have signed on for the battle, which is in Oklahoma County now but may ultimately head to the U.S. Supreme Court. Several of the attorneys represent national groups that have been fighting in courts for decades over church-state issues. The Oklahoma case offers them a chance to test the question of whether a publicly funded Christian school would be an arm of the state — a “state actor,” in the legal parlance.
US Rep. Frank Lucas heading back to DC still recovering from bull attack
Rep. Frank Lucas didn't even know the bull. It was a stray with no marks or tags that charged the Oklahoma congressman in a three-foot wide chute in early August. The collision put him in the hospital with a broken hip socket and multiple fractures in his pelvis. “My career as a matador ended before it started,” Lucas said Thursday. Lucas, R-Cheyenne, has spent the past few weeks in a very slow recovery. He is hardly mobile, needing a walker for short distances and a wheelchair for anything more.
Oklahoma Supreme Court rejects call for rehearing in Edmond schools quarantine case
The Oklahoma Supreme Court declined this week to reconsider its decision that the Edmond Public Schools' quarantine policy violated a 2021 state law barring differential treatment of students based on vaccination status. The justices split 5-4 on whether to rehear the case, corresponding to its narrow decision in March against the school district. The five Republican appointees rejected the school district’s request to rehear the case, while the Democratic appointees favored a rehearing.
GOP candidate for president wants Trump disqualified from Oklahoma ballots
John Anthony Castro, of Mansfield, Texas, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City last week, claiming he has legal standing to seek Trump’s disqualification under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Several Republicans expected to run in special election for Edmond-area House seat
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday set a special election for a heavily Republican state House district in north Oklahoma County. Filing for the House District 39 seat will begin on Sept. 18 and run through Sept. 20. Primaries, if necessary, will be held on Dec. 12, and the general election will be held on Feb. 13. The primary date coincides with the date of the general election to fill a state Senate seat in Comanche County.
Okla. man who stalked and threatened US representative sentenced to three years in prison
A Bartlesville man was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for stalking and threatening U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern and his wife online and in person for years, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced. Keith Charles Eisenberger, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to three years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The terms were part of a plea agreement reached last year.
A Tulsa school board candidate received $18K for her campaign. No one can say where the money came from
Last year, a short-lived Oklahoma political action committee reported spending just over $18,000 on direct mail to help a Tulsa school board candidate unseat an incumbent. The PAC, Restoring Oklahoman Values, told the Oklahoma Ethics Commission that its money came from a federal political action committee with the same name that spent more than $300,000 in 2020 to help Republican Stephanie Bice defeat Democratic Congresswoman Kendra Horn.
Gov. Stitt appoints special counsel to force state prosecution of Native American
The governor notified the appeals court late Thursday afternoon that he had appointed a district attorney to serve as a special counsel in the case, which is focused on whether the state can prosecute a Navajo tribal member suspected of making and distributing child pornography on the Cherokee Nation’s reservation. “As special guardian of the State and its interests, the Governor refuses to stand by, idling on the sidelines,” the governor’s attorneys told the appeals court.
Two Oklahoma members of Congress report assets worth as much as $100 million each
Rep. Kevin Hern and Sen. Markwayne Mullin head the list. Majority of OK's 7-person congressional delegation reported assets worth at least $1 million.
Two Oklahoma members of Congress report assets worth as much as $100 million each
Two Oklahoma members of Congress have assets worth as much as $100 million, according to financial disclosure reports that show a majority of the state’s lawmakers in Washington are worth at least $1 million. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, reported dozens of assets with a total range of value between $36 million and $110 million, while Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s assets carry a value between $26 million and $100 million. Reps.
Oklahoma law targeting pharmacy benefit managers intrudes on Congress' power, court says
"TPS students and students across this country have been caught up in a political firefight where they have nothing to gain but so much to los…
Oklahoma law targeting pharmacy benefit managers intrudes on Congress' power, court says
OKLAHOMA CITY — Key parts of an Oklahoma law aimed at helping small pharmacies draw more customers covered by health plans were struck down on Tuesday by a federal appeals court. Click here to read the story at Oklahoman.com. A subscription may be required.
State tax revenue slides but still strong as Rainy Day Fund hits record high
Oklahoma tax collections slid again in July compared to the year before, but sales tax revenue reflected continued consumer strength in an economy with less than 3% unemployment. Overall tax revenue in July was $1.32 billion, according to state Treasurer Todd Russ, about 4% below the level of July 2022.
Federal prosecutors in Oklahoma stepping up enforcement of gun laws
Federal prosecutors in Oklahoma have stepped up enforcement of gun laws as a way to curb violent crime, using the charges to secure lengthy sentences for people who may have been involved in other illegal activity. Partnering with local law enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. attorneys in the state’s three federal districts have focused on people who were prohibited from possessing firearms and others who made “straw” purchases of guns.
Partisan fight erupts over Tom Cole move to exclude LGBTQ+ projects from spending bill
A partisan political dispute broke out Tuesday in a U.S. House committee over whether a $68 billion funding bill authored by Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole should include some lawmakers’ home state funding requests for LGBTQ-related projects. Democrats in the House Appropriations Committee accused Republicans of an unprecedented breach of the process used to provide funding for community projects requested by House members. Rep.
White House: $342 million in student debt to be reduced for more than 6,900 Arkansans
The U.S. Department of Education began notifying eligible borrowers on Friday and the debt discharges are expected to begin 30 days after emails are sent. The forgiveness is only for low-income borrowers who have been paying on their income-driven repayment plans for 20 years or more. The White House said more than $39 billion would be canceled for 804,000 borrowers nationwide under the “fixes” to the income-driven repayment plans.
Tax revenue remains strong as Oklahoma economy, personal income grow
Though down from lofty highs driven by oil and gas prices, tax revenue is still flowing strongly into Oklahoma coffers as people make more money and continue to spend, according to new state and federal reports. The state collected a total of $1.47 billion in taxes last month, up from $1.28 billion in May, Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ said. Sales and use taxes were the biggest portion of that, totaling $606 million, up from $577 million in May.
Tax revenue remains strong as Oklahoma economy, personal income grow
Though down from lofty highs driven by oil and gas prices, tax revenue is still flowing strongly into Oklahoma coffers as people make more money and continue to spend, according to new state and federal reports. The state collected a total of $1.47 billion in taxes last month, up from $1.28 billion in May, Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ said. Sales and use taxes were the biggest portion of that, totaling $606 million, up from $577 million in May.
How attractive is Oklahoma for business? Not very, according to CNBC ranking
Oklahoma slipped into the bottom 10 in CNBC’s annual ranking of the best states to do business, as the state's scores in education and quality of life were among the worst in the nation. The state ranked 41st overall in the study released Tuesday, down from 38th in 2022 and 32nd in 2021. Texas was ranked sixth, Kansas was 23rd, Missouri was 32nd and Arkansas was 44th.
Trump lashes out at Kevin Stitt for endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Donald J. Trump lashed out at Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday for endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president, implying that Stitt had been desperate for his endorsement and won reelection because of it. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, the former president, who is running for the nomination again, also said Stitt disliked “the Indians” and his “great Senate pick,” an apparent reference to U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
Record $13 billion Oklahoma budget becomes law without Stitt approval
Gov. Kevin Stitt allowed Oklahoma's $13 billion budget to become law Friday without his signature, despite his objections to a portion of the revenue in the package. The Legislature approved the general appropriations bill with veto-proof majorities in a special session last month, meaning both houses could have easily overridden a veto. The next fiscal year begins on July 1.
Oklahoma Supreme Court rules state constitution allows for abortions in life-threatening pregnancies Original
Oklahoma's Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a law criminalizing abortion, ruling that the state constitution protects the right to abortions in life-threatening situations. The state constitution includes "an inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to save her life," the court ruled. The court also ruled that doctors are able to use their own medical judgment to determine whether to provide an abortion if a patient's life is at risk.
Amid high inflation, Oklahoma Gov. Stitt's flat budget proposal could pressure agencies
Gov. Kevin Stitt has proposed flat budgets at most of the state’s largest agencies, which could force some tough choices as high inflation eats into the money used to provide services. “Given inflation, a flat budget for (Fiscal Year 2024) for public higher education will have a projected decline in purchasing power of approximately 8.7% from the previous 18-month period,” said Angela Caddell, spokesperson for the state Regents for Higher Education.
Stitt thanked his father for 'pouring into me.' What did he mean?
In his State of the State speech on Monday, Gov. Kevin Stitt emphasized the importance of fathers in the lives of their children and thanked his own father, the Rev. John Stitt, for “pouring into me.” The phrase and the word “pouring” have some biblical and spiritual connotation, according to scholars, but it’s not necessarily always used in that context. Here are some takeaways related to Stitt’s use of the phrase.
Drummond threatens lawsuit over prairie chicken listing
Dog fatally shoots Kansas hunter in freak accident A Kansas hunter was accidentally shot dead by a dog that stepped on a rifle in the back of the pickup they were in, according to officials. The victim — who has not been identified — was in the front passenger seat of the truck in Geuda Springs late Saturday with a dog in the back with the hunting gear, including a rifle.
Mullin taps special interests to help with campaign debt; Stitt reports reelection spending
Oklahoma Attorney General Apologizes Oklahoma’s new attorney general apologizes to a former cabinet secretary of Governor Kevin Stitt, saying his criminal indictment in 2020 was wrong. Attorney General Gentner Drummond sent the letter Wednesday to David Ostrowe, Stitt's former secretary of digital transformation and technology.
Oklahoma economy added nearly 50,000 jobs in 2022
Oklahoma businesses and governments added more than 47,000 workers in 2022, but the unemployment rate ticked higher last year as more people sought work. The latest state-by-state unemployment figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics were released on Tuesday. Earlier this month, the bureau released figures about job openings in each state in November, showing there are still far more openings in Oklahoma than job-seekers.
Here's what we know: Republican, independent voter registration rises in Oklahoma
Republican and independent registration has continued to grow in Oklahoma, according to new voter statistics that show Democratic registration has slipped below 30%. The new numbers, released by the Oklahoma State Election Board, show a slight increase from January 2022 in registration, after culling the rolls for duplicate and inactive registrations. They also reflect the impact of redrawing the congressional district boundaries in 2021.
Oklahoma economic growth among highest in country
By Chris Casteel, Oklahoman Oklahoma’s economy grew at the third-fastest clip in the country in the third quarter of last year, as oil and gas production boosted the gross domestic product in states that provide energy. The state’s real GDP grew 5.5% at an annual rate from the second quarter to the third quarter, behind only Alaska, at 8.7%, and Texas, at 8.2%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Five things to know about Oklahoma's clout in the US House
With the new Republican majority in the House, Oklahoma’s all-GOP delegation has influence well beyond its relatively small number. Two of the five lead standing committees, possibly a first for the state, and two serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee, the first time in over 30 years two Oklahomans have served simultaneously on that panel. “From a delegation standpoint, we’re in surprisingly good shape,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore.
Oklahoma GOP chair seeks more leeway in raising funds to counter dark money
The chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party urged the state Ethics Commission on Wednesday to consider allowing political parties to accept money from corporations as a way to keep pace with outside groups spending millions of dollars anonymously on elections. “Political parties and candidates are handcuffed to regulations that independent expenditure entities are not required to follow,” A.J. Ferate said.
Josh Brecheen backs Kevin McCarthy on 12th ballot after 'intense deliberations' for U.S. House speaker
Oklahoma Rep.-elect Josh Brecheen, who opposed House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy on the first 11 ballots for speaker this week, voted for McCarthy on Friday, saying his support was based on a negotiated agreement about how the House functions.
Hern gets votes for House speaker as Republicans remain fractured
Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern garnered votes for speaker on Thursday as Republicans remained fractured and the new Congress stalled without a top House leader. Hern, R-Tulsa, received seven votes out of 432 cast on the 10th and 11th ballots in the election, which has failed to produce a new speaker after three days. He received three votes on the ninth ballot and two on the eighth. He was nominated first by Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert and then by Virginia Republican Bob Good.
Bice blasts taxes in climate package, despite 2018 support for GOP tax bill
“This partisan legislation is full of new tax hikes which will negatively impact Oklahomans throughout my district,’’ Bice, R-Oklahoma City, said in a speech on the House floor. Four years ago, as a member of the Oklahoma Senate, Bice voted for a major Republican package that raised state taxes on gasoline, cigarettes, and oil and gas production.
House votes to ban some semi-automatic weapons
“The assault weapons ban would take the weapons of war off our streets and save countless lives,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York. Republicans countered that the firearms were among the most popular in the country for gun owners and were fully protected by the Second Amendment. Democrats “want to take all guns from all people because they can’t stand the Second Amendment,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Republican Rep.
Voter turnout in this primary couldn't match 2018's, when medical marijuana was on the ballot
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Election Board certified primary results this week that marked a steep dive in turnout from the 2018 primaries, when voters flocked to the polls to legalize medical marijuana. Less than one-third of registered Republicans voted in the gubernatorial primary last week that gave Gov. Kevin Stitt the nomination for a second term.
Oklahoma reaches $250 million settlement with opioid distributors
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor announced a $250 million settlement on Monday with three companies that distributed opioids in the state, and he said the money will be used to prevent and treat opioid addiction. Click here to read the story at Oklahoman.com. A subscription may be required.
Oklahoma reclaims some criminal jurisdiction on reservations after Supreme Court ruling Original
Play Pause ClosedCaption Open Share Enter Full Screen Exit Full Screen The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Oklahoma can resume prosecuting some crimes involving Native Americans on the state’s six Indian reservations, narrowing the scope of its landmark McGirt decision as federal prosecutors struggle to keep up with caseloads.
Nearly half of Oklahoma voters favor permanent daylight saving time
OKLAHOMA CITY — Nearly half of Oklahoma voters would prefer to have permanent daylight saving time, according to a new poll taken amid efforts in Congress and the state Legislature to address concerns about biannual clock changes. The poll of likely Oklahoma voters shows 47% favor permanent daylight saving time (DST) over the current system or permanent standard time and 24% favor no daylight saving time.
Lankford on declining Lahmeyer debate: 'I don’t run against people. I run for something'
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said he doesn’t plan to debate his Republican primary opponent Jackson Lahmeyer, and he compared the Tulsa pastor’s calls for a debate to a “sideshow.” Click here to read the story at Oklahoman.com. A subscription may be required. Recommended for You
Lankford on declining Lahmeyer debate: 'I don’t run against people. I run for something'
“I don’t run against people. I run for something. … I treat campaigns like job interviews,” U.S. Sen. James Lankford said after his opponent Jackson Lahmeyer (right) said they were invited to debate by the Oil & Gas Workers Association. Tulsa World file photos TownNews.com Content Exchange OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Sen.
Luke Holland first out of gate in race to replace Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe
Republican Luke Holland was the first out of the gate Friday in the race to replace Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, as the Bartlesville native promised to continue his boss’ work on defense and other issues. Holland, 35, who has been Inhofe’s chief of staff since 2017, won the senator’s endorsement and began a campaign that he said would focus on “core American values” that included a strong national defense and energy independence.
Jim Inhofe retiring; senator from Oklahoma to step down in early 2023
Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican who has served in Congress since 1987, will resign in early January, setting up what could be major changes in the state’s political landscape just weeks before candidate filing, multiple sources said Thursday. Inhofe, 87, plans to step down after a successor is chosen in November. Under a new state law, Inhofe had to announce his resignation by March 1 to trigger a special election that could be held at the same time as this year’s general election.
Jim Inhofe retiring; senator from Oklahoma to step down in early 2023
Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican who has served in Congress since 1987, will resign in early January, setting up what could be major changes in the state’s political landscape just weeks before candidate filing, multiple sources said Thursday. Inhofe, 87, plans to step down after a successor is chosen in November. Under a new state law, Inhofe had to announce his resignation by March 1 to trigger a special election that could be held at the same time as this year’s general election.
Rep. Tom Cole wants lawmakers with student debt barred from potential loan forgiveness
Saying lawmakers shouldn’t put their own pocketbooks above policy, Rep. Tom Cole introduced legislation this week that would bar members of Congress with student loan debt from participating in any program to eliminate or reduce the debt. “Members should not be voting for or advocating for legislation or executive orders that put their pocketbooks over policy,” Cole, R-Moore, said.
Rep. Tom Cole wants lawmakers with student debt barred from potential loan forgiveness
Saying lawmakers shouldn’t put their own pocketbooks above policy, Rep. Tom Cole introduced legislation this week that would bar members of Congress with student loan debt from participating in any program to eliminate or reduce the debt. “Members should not be voting for or advocating for legislation or executive orders that put their pocketbooks over policy,” Cole, R-Moore, said.
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