OKC schools issue guidance on Bible teaching

New superintendent says the Bible should be taught only in ‘specific’ historic and literary contexts

By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE

OKLAHOMA CITY — New guidance from Oklahoma City Public Schools regarding a state mandate to teach the Bible requires teachers to reference the text’s historical and literary aspects only in the “specific instances” that state academic standards allow.

In issuing the guidance on Wednesday, Superintendent Jamie Polk also advised teachers to document detailed lesson plans and not to stray from district-approved curriculum materials.

The Bible must “not be used for preaching or indoctrinatio...

Keys scores late to spoil Gore’s home opener

Sports

GORE FOOTBALL

Keys scores late to spoil Gore’s home opener

By BY DAVID SEELEY SPORTS EDITOR

September 6, 2024

It sure looked like the Gore Pirates might have pulled one out of the fire in their home football opener of the season against the Keys Cougars on Friday night at K.G. Horn Stadium. The problem was th...

Let’s talk about it: Changing the narrative

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ONE IN A SERIES

Let’s talk about it: Changing the narrative

By Natalie Gabbard Special to Your TIMES

September 5, 2024

Editor's Note: September is National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month and, therefore, this four-part series will cover a critical and often overlooked issue: the alarming rate of suicides in rura...

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Missing teen turns herself in

By AMIECATO-REMER EDITOR

September 5, 2024

The Sallisaw Police Department is continuing to investigate what was originally filed as a missing person case involving a 17-year-old juvenile. Selena R. Frank was reported missing on Monday at about...

A: Main, Main, News

City sales tax, use tax revenues soar

By Lynn Adams Staff Writer

September 5, 2024

Benjamin Franklin has observed that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. For municipalities, in general, and Sallisaw, in particular, tax revenues can be quite lucrative, which reflects o...

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JUST FOLKS

Tom Patterson

By JACOB BOWLING STAFF WRITER

September 5, 2024

After 32 years of working under the vast Wyoming skies, tending to cattle and braving the rugged terrain, Tom Patterson has traded in his cowboy boots for a quieter life in Gore. The transition from t...

News

Oklahoma’s election laws inhibit voter participation, create more extreme candidates, experts say

By EMMA MURPHY OKLAHOMA VOICE

September 5, 2024

Oklahoma’s voting system is leading to low turnout rates, the election of more extreme candidates and disenfranchisement of voters who are excluded from participating in primary elections, experts sai...