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News
September 30, 2022
Childhood Behavioral Health Needs the Focus of ARPA Appropriations Bill
By News Staff

Children facing mental and behavioral health issues would have access to increased and improved services under a $39.4 million appropriation to OU Children’s Hospital under consideration during next week’s special legislative session. If approved by the Legislature, the money would go towards building long-term in patient bed capacity for children in mental health crisis. This is in addition to $27.3 million in appropriations the Legislature has made to OU during the past two regular sessions for the project at Children’s Hospital.

The bill, HB1007, is one of a number of bills that will be under consideration during next week’s special session. In addition to providing the appropriation, language in the bill would limit the University Hospital Authority Trust from receiving funds if any affiliated facilities at the OU Medical Center campus perform ‘gender reassignment medical treatment.’

Rep. Randy Randleman, REufaula, who is certified as a teacher, counselor, principal, psychometrist, superintendent and licensed psychologist, said the legislation not only provides funding to address an immediate need, but contains necessary guardrails to protect children as a prerequisite to receiving the funding.

‘Funding for childhood mental and behavioral health issues is a critical need not only in Oklahoma, but across the country,’ said Randleman. ‘At the same time, some of the ways these issues are being addressed do more harm than good for the child in the long run. Unproven, controversial, unchangeable hormonal procedures, including gender reassignment, at a young age can do irreparable physical, mental and emotional damage to a child. Taxpayer dollars should not be going to facilities that are promoting and performing these procedures. This legislation provides the guardrails necessary to make sure that funding goes where it is supposed to go, and not towards procedures that will hurt our children rather than help them.’

For purposes of the legislation, the term ‘gender reassignment medical treatment’ means any health care to facilitate the transitioning of a patient’s assigned gender identity on the patient’s birth certificate, to the gender identity experienced and defined by the patient.

Randleman went on to say that the term ‘gender reassignment medical treatment’ would not apply to medically necessary procedures for individuals born with ambiguous genitalia, incomplete genitalia or both male and female anatomy. It also would not apply to services provided to individuals born with a genetically or biochemically verifiable disorder of sex development (DSD).

‘Individuals needing medically necessary treatment due to an anatomical or genetic issue will still be able to get that treatment,’ said Randleman. ‘This bill is simply meant to limit the support, through appropriated ARPA dollars, of facilities providing elective gender reassignment procedures for children.’

The Legislature reconvenes the Second Extraordinary Session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature Sept. 28-30.

Sallisaw water is safe to drink
News
BREAKING NEWS
Sallisaw water is safe to drink
September 25, 2023
If you’ve turned on your faucet and noticed the water is a bit discolored, Sallisaw city officials say don’t worry — “our water is safe for consumption.” The city is having issues with Manganese in it...
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Human trafficking isn’t limited to urban areas or foreign countries
A: Main
IN PLAIN SIGHT
Human trafficking isn’t limited to urban areas or foreign countries
By JACOB BOWLING STAFF WRITER 
September 21, 2023
Sequoyah County, renowned for its rich history and warm hospitality as the ‘eastern gateway to Oklahoma,’ confronts a troubling reality - human sex trafficking. This atrocious crime, a heart-wrenching...
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Local couple leave children at splash pad
A: Main, Main...
Local couple leave children at splash pad
Duo now facing child neglect charges
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
September 21, 2023
Two local residents are each facing a felony charge of child neglect after they reportedly left their two children at a local splash pad, and allegedly asked another individual to watch them while “th...
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Muldrow High School’s Homecoming held
A: Main, Main...
Muldrow High School’s Homecoming held
September 21, 2023
Ashley Price was crowned Muldrow High School’s Homecoming Queen on Sept. 15 at Marty Rogers Field. Members of the homecoming court were (front, from left) Adalynn Bullock, Blaz Hill, KyLynn Miller, Ke...
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Muldrow woman charged for exploitation of elderly, disabled adult
A: Main, Main...
Muldrow woman charged for exploitation of elderly, disabled adult
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
September 21, 2023
A Muldrow woman is facing felony charges of exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult and financial exploitation by caretaker after she reportedly used money from the victim’s bank account w...
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Kim Wilson
A: Main, Just Folks...
JUST FOLKS
Kim Wilson
By LYNN MCCULLEY EDITOR 
September 21, 2023
Saturday will be a busy time for Kim Wilson and all the other people who attend Church of Christ in Sallisaw. Wilson is one of the key organizers of the annual giveaway which will be held from 8 to 11...
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Editor Picks
Not really chocolate
Lifestyle
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Not really chocolate
By A Few of My Favorite Things Katina Holland Special to Your TIMES 
September 21, 2023
Friday, Sept. 22, is National White Chocolate Day! White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, sugar and milk solids. It contains no cacao solids or liquor therefore it is actually not chocolate at all...
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ORU falls to Atlantic-10 Conference favorite Saint Louis
Newsletter, Sports
ORU SOCCER
ORU falls to Atlantic-10 Conference favorite Saint Louis
By ORU MEDIA RELATIONS 
September 21, 2023
ST. LOUIS — The No. 26 Oral Roberts University men’s soccer team fell 1-0 in the final minutes at Atlantic-10 Conference preseason favorite Saint Louis on Tuesday evening. Defense was key in the game ...
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Lady Razorbacks announces 2024 SEC portion of schedule
Sports
UA SOFTBALL
Lady Razorbacks announces 2024 SEC portion of schedule
By GRACE TAFOLLA ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM 
September 21, 2023
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas softball has announced its 24-game Southeastern Conference schedule for 2024, which features four home series at Bogle Park. Arkansas, who has won two of the last three S...
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Tulsa announces 2023-24 non-conference schedule
Sports
TU BASKETBALL
Tulsa announces 2023-24 non-conference schedule
By DON TOMKALSKI TULSA MEDIA RELATIONS 
September 21, 2023
TULSA –– The University of Tulsa women’s basketball team plays one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in school history in 2023-24 with a 13-game non-conference slate, including five pos...
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ORU women blank Tarleton State
Sports
ORU SOCCER
ORU women blank Tarleton State
By ORU MEDIA RELATIONS 
September 21, 2023
TULSA — The Oral Roberts University women’s soccer team dominated their way to a 4-0 victory against Tarleton State on Sept. 14 at the Case Soccer Complex. Senior Riley Baldwin started the game out wi...
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