Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs honora the life and service of veteran Pearl Russell (1920–2026)

By BY: DARON HOGGATT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF VETER-ANS AFFAIRS

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs joins family and friends in honoring the remarkable life of Pearl Russell, a World War II Army veteran whose life spanned more than a century of American history. Ms. Russell passed away on February 26, 2026, at the age of 105.

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Sallisaw storyteller

Hyde turns ‘precious moments into song’

By Lynn Adams Staff Writer

March 12, 2026

Drake Hyde — the Sallisaw graduate, Diamond Daze headliner, contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” and inaugural winner of the LOOT8/Bob Kingsley Acoustic Alley Singer-Songwriter Contest — returns to his hom...

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DiamondNet added to Master Fee Schedule, but no rate increases

By Lynn Adams Staff Writer

March 12, 2026

With recent changes in Sallisaw’s telecommunications services known as DiamondNet — specifically, no longer offering cable service — the Board of City Commissioners approved at Monday’s monthly meetin...

News, School News

Oklahoma senators warn effort to ban sexually explicit books could block students’ Bible access

By BARBARA HOBEROCK OKLAHOMA VOICE

March 12, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill advancing through the Legislature aimed at removing sexually explicit books from schools could take the Bible off of library shelves and would be a nightmare to navigate, criti...

News, School News

Behind the rankings: How it was determined Oklahoma is 50th in education

By JENNIFER PALMER OKLAHOMA WATCH

March 12, 2026

When the financial services website WalletHub announced its annual list of states’ education systems, Oklahoma’s ranking became instantly quotable by politicians on all sides. The site listed Oklahoma...

News

Oklahoma House approves bill banning state from displaying LGBTQ+ pride flags

By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE

March 12, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY — House lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday that would ban any Oklahoma state government entity, including public schools, from recognizing Pride Month and from displaying LGBTQ+ pr...

News

Trump’s Iran war is estimated to cost in the billions already, with no end in sight

By JENNIFER SHUTT | STATES NEWSROOM

March 12, 2026

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress have not formally authorized a war in Iran, though they may soon be expected to approve emergency funding for the endeavor without any projection from the Trump admini...