3 in critical condition after fireworks explosion and fire

By Lynn

TUSKAHOMA — Five people were injured — three reportedly from Vian and the area who were in critical condition Thursday — when a fire ignited a cache of fireworks which were being set up at the Choctaw Nation Capitol grounds for a Fourth of July celebration. The tribe’s annual Boom in the Valley celebration was canceled following the disaster.

Ely Smith

According to news reports, those most seriously injured in the explosion and fire were Ely Smith and Cash Collins, both Vian graduates, and...

News, School News

Cell, no! After 2 years of debate, schools get months to ban phones

By PAUL MONIES AND VALERIE SCOTT | OKLAHOMA WATCH

July 7, 2025

After two years of legislative discussion and debate on the distractions of cell phones in class, Oklahoma schools have months to implement a bell-to-bell ban on devices for students during the upcomi...

News, School News

Another lawsuit targets controversial OSDE social studies standards

By JENNIFER PALMER OKLAHOMA WATCH

July 6, 2025

Another lawsuit has been brought against the state Department of Education attempting to halt implementation of the new social studies standards. A group of parents, faith leaders and teachers brought...

News

Is Trump’s bullying changing politics?

July 5, 2025

The suits at Paramount who cut a deal with the administration over last year’s “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris were roundly excoriated last week. Even the “South Park” guys had a go at their...

A: Main, Main, News, ...

DELIVERED BY CHRIST’S BLOOD

Pope, Mother Teresa launch outreach program in Sallisaw

By Lynn Adams Staff Writer

July 3, 2025

There was surely a time, during the darkest days of his life, when Steve Pope could not have imagined clawing himself out of the depths of his despair, a lost world where God had most certainly forsak...

A: Main, Main, News

Insurance premiums are wake-up call for counties

By Lynn Adams Staff Writer

July 3, 2025

There are life’s realities that cannot be avoided. The Sequoyah County Commissioners faced one of those at their weekly meeting on Monday. As District 3 Commissioner Jim Rogers explained, because of a...