Oklahoma

Oklahoma Auditor Proposes Legislative Changes After Exposing Financial Mismanagement at Tulsa Public Schools

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Tulsa, Oklahoma – In the wake of a revealing audit on Tulsa Public Schools (TPS), Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd has proposed significant changes to state laws aimed at curbing financial mismanagement. The audit, covering the years 2015-2023, brought to light various questionable practices involving school administrators and local vendors that could potentially run afoul of criminal laws. The investigation highlighted instances where administrators benefited from vendor contracts and identified a concerning pattern of transactions just below the $50,000 mark, thereby sidestepping the district’s formal bidding process. One striking example noted in the … Read more

Oklahoma Public Safety Commissioner to Address New Immigration Enforcement Collaboration with Homeland Security

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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Tim Tipton, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, is scheduled to engage directly with the public in a dialogue concerning Oklahoma’s recent collaboration with the federal government on immigration enforcement. This public session, slated for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the DPS headquarters, marks a significant moment as it is the first such interaction following the state’s agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The newly inked deal allows Oklahoma state officers who have received specific training to join forces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. … Read more

Oklahoma State Superintendent Challenges Court’s Decision in Ongoing Defamation Lawsuit

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TULSA COUNTY, OKLA. — In a recent legal development, State Superintendent Ryan Walters is challenging the decision of a Tulsa County court to proceed with a defamation lawsuit filed against him by Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller. This legal contention follows allegations from Miller, accusing Walters of making harmful and slanderous remarks during a press conference held on July 31. The lawsuit, initiated in August 2024, centers around statements Walters allegedly made, which Miller’s legal team argue were deliberately damaging to Miller’s reputation. Following the filing, Walters sought to have the lawsuit dismissed; however, the judge … Read more

Oklahoma Sheriff Appeals to 10th Circuit Court Over $33 Million Verdict in Jail Death Case

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Oklahoma City, OK — In a significant legal challenge, attorneys representing an Oklahoma sheriff have appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, seeking to overturn a $33 million jury verdict. The award was imposed after jurors found that the death of an inmate in the county jail was caused by neglect and disregard for his health and well-being by the jail staff. The case centers around the tragic death of Elliott Williams, who suffered severely while detained at the Tulsa County Jail in 2011. Williams, a veteran, was found dead in … Read more