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Yasminda Choate, a longtime resident of Sasakwa, filed her run for House District 28 in this election cycle.
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The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has issued the following situation update about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Oklahoma:
Read moreOKLAHOMA – In response to changes necessitated by the coronavirus in Oklahoma, many brewers, restaurants, wineries and liquor stores have had to adapt to a new normal — social distancing — leaving many establishments closed and searching for new ways to reach consumers. Fortunately, Oklahoma agencies and leadership have responded quickly, providing new orders for online, delivery and curbside options for food and alcohol sales. In fact, the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission recently extended their temporary emergency authorizations granted to various alcoholic beverage licensees through May 15, 2020. “The coronavirus pandemic has upended daily life and created a new reality, at least in the short term,” said Lisette Barnes, president of the Oklahoma Beer Alliance. “Many Oklahoma consumers are looking for ways to keep some normalcy to their lives, and businesses are looking for ways to maintain sales. The mission of the Oklahoma Beer Alliance is to enable Oklahomans to choose the highest quality products without compromise, as well as promote responsible consumption, so we applaud the quick efforts of leadership in our state to adapt to this quickly changing situation.”
Read moreThe Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) will deliver approximately $161 million to common education in Oklahoma. Ninety percent of the $161 million will be given directly to school districts, 0.5 percent can be utilized by the state for administering the funds, and the State Board of Education (SBE) can retain up to 10 percent for emergency measures.
Read moreThe Board of Equalization met Monday, April 20 and voted unanimously to declare a $416.9 million revenue failure for the current fiscal year, FY 2020. The Board’s action necessitates, in light of Senate Bill 199’s passage on April 6, the transfer of $302.3 million from Oklahoma’s Rainy Day Fund to the General Revenue Fund. This money can be utilized to help offset any budget shortcomings in May or June of this year. “As far as I’m concerned,” said Gov. Stitt following the Board meeting, “the [FY] 2020 budget is finished.”
Read moreRespiratory protective devices are used in various industries to help block harmful contaminants from being inhaled through the nose and mouth. Sometimes called respirators or facemasks, respiratory protective devices are approved by various agencies that aim to protect and safeguard the public. Many masks are endorsed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which oversees the prevention of work-related illness and injury. The Food & Drug Administration also clears certain masks for their use in health care settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also approve and recommend certain respirators. Each mask is categorized by a generalized rating. Understanding these ratings helps people identify how the respirator performs (how much it filters) and the situations each mask is designed for. Ratings also indicate which substances the mask is designed to resist.
Read moreNearly a month after the state’s first nursing home residents died of COVID-19, many of Oklahoma’s long-term care facilities are struggling to find enough gowns and other protective equipment needed to prevent infections.
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