Canadian-American loving Oklahoma. Producer/Anchor/Reporter
@KFOR
since 1992. Wife & Mom of two. I tweet about news and random interests. Views are my own.
PragerU’s website has a fine-print disclaimer that it is not an actual academic institution, and its website says it is "focused on changing minds." They are not shy about that goal, and the historical inaccuracies in their videos are well documented... (1/3)
PARTNERSHIP: It’s official.
@RyanWaltersSupt
has announced the state’s partnership with PragerU.
PragerU is a nonprofit that creates content promoting conservative viewpoints on various political, economic, and sociological topics.
@kfor
This is the son of convicted OKC bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols. Josh Nichols is heading to a Nevada prison for a minimum of 5 years for luring a 67-year-old victim into a vacant home, before kidnapping & robbing him.
GRAPHIC VIDEO WARNING: OK County Sheriff release body cam footage, as a deputy trying to carry out an eviction is confronted by an elderly resident who set his bedroom & himself on fire. That deputy was burned trying to pull the man (who did not survive ) to safety. (thread 1/2)
Chickasaw Nation gets creative with Cares Act Funding.
They opted to purchase tiny homes for people to quarantine in, virtual mental health resources and even renovating an old Kmart for a variety of coronavirus-related activities, such as testing and vaccinations.
KFOR asks Oklahoma's congressional delegation why they voted "NO" on The Affordable Insulin Now Act. It would cap insulin prices for patients at either $35 a month or 25% of an insurance plan's negotiated price (depending on which is lower) 🧵
Norman residents loved her cookies, and now many are distraught at news "Cookie Cottage" owner Shannon Hanchett died alone in a Cleveland Co. jail cell. She was there for 10 days, arrested during what police call a "mental health episode" at another Norman store.
(thread 1/2)
DID YOU KNOW?!
We've heard from OK families who discovered the tax credit $ they expected to pay for private school tuition is being applied (by law) to money they owe for things like State back taxes, unpaid child support, health costs to OU Med, state college loans... ( 🧵1/3)
Supt. Walters traveled to tornado-damaged communities promising help to families and schools, but OSDE failed to apply for a 1-million dollar federal grant that trains/sends crisis teams to schools in that exact situation.
“Where did this money all go?”
House Democrats point out that Oklahomans still don't know what happened to $30 million in GEER funds. An audit by the US Dept. of Educ. inspector general revealed it may have been spent on non-education related items. (1/2)
WITHIN AN HOUR of finding out he is the acting Governor of Oklahoma, Senator Greg Treat signed an Emergency Declaration for Eastern Oklahoma. This will help with various recovery efforts and trigger the Emergency Price Stabilization Act to prevent price gouging.
@kfor
Happening now: Tearful plea from parent of 3 at OK Dept. of Education: “To you, Ryan Walters, I’m here to beg for the safety of my children…change the words you choose… because currently they are vitriolic, dishonest and dangerous…” (thread)
Masks for Norman Residents: Norman received an anonymous donation of about 100,000 masks worth about 60K. It means business owners can pick up 100 free masks and families can pick up 10 free masks. Go to Fire Stations 1, 5, 8 and 9 to pick them up.
@kfor
BREAKING: OK Attorney General Gentner Drummond sues state virtual charter board.
“The board members who approved this contract have violated the religious liberty of every Oklahoman by forcing us to fund the teachings of a specific religious sect with our tax dollars."
ICYMI: "We had to convert a 1-pager to 4 to 6 bullet points for Supt. Walters because I needed to translate it like I’m talking to a five-year-old,” explained Matthew Colwell, former OSDE School Success Program Mgr/Div. of Federal Programs. 🧵 1/4
OK State University says Biomedical Sciences student Kyle Atkins-Weltman is now part of an elite club, having discovered a new dinosaur species. While examining fossilized bones from a creature dubbed the “chicken from hell", he made the discovery. (thread 1/2)
@kfor
OKCPD release body cam footage of Police Captain James French, arrested for DUI last Sunday after a poker game.
“You been drinking sir?” …”I am a Captain.” Later whispering…”Turn your camera off.” The story later this afternoon on
@kfor
$787 Million for Broadband in Oklahoma on the horizon.
The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Note: OK's Congressional delegation & Senators voted against the Infrastructure Law.
Well, well, well.... look who will be inducted into the OK Journalism Hall of Fame Class of 2024! Congrats to Galen Culver (you guys all know he's my husband right?) He is closing in on 35 years
@kfor
featuring some wonderful places and people. (some flash-backs in the thread) 😍
Both GOP candidates for Senate in Oklahoma — Rep. Markwayne Mullin and former House Speaker T.W. Shannon — say the 2020 election was “absolutely” stolen from Donald Trump.
OKCPD arrest an Embark passenger for attacking a bus driver this past weekend, sending the bus into a building at Britton & Western. The passenger demanded to get off the bus at a railroad track, against regulations. What happened to the other passengers at 4:30/6pm
@kfor
BREAKING: OK Attorney General Gentner Drummond DROPS lawsuit against Class Wallet. A new state audit awaits.
Ryan Walters had final approval for education spending of pandemic dollars, some of which was blown on things like Xboxes & C-mas trees. (1/3)
My daughter made the most photogenic tart ever 🤩 for thanksgiving and yes…it was delicious! (And maybe even intimidating) It is the cranberry curd tart from New York Times.
Ardmore private Christian school boosts tuition from $1000 to $3500 per semester. Oklahoma tax payers will cover the increase, not parents.
Private schools raising tuition to capture the full school tax credit is legal and unlikely to boost their enrollment according to studies.
12% of private schools capped tuition at or near $7,500, the maximum amount a family can receive from the tax credit program. What happened to the House Bill that aimed to prevent schools participating in the program from raising their tuition?
#OKLAED
"We squandered money and we awarded money to powerful people that are connected to powerful people," says Attorney General Gentner Drummond about the OK State Audit that found millions in fed. dollars for education were misspent.(1/5)
4:30/6PM on
@kfor
@OKCNikki
I think it's possible to create legislation that forces a family to pay up all past-due obligations with the State before qualifying for a school tax credit to pay private tuition.
Also, I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know until today that insulin was discovered in Canada and the scientists sold the patent for one dollar because "Insulin belongs to the world."
OU's President issues a letter to students concerning Gov. Stitt's executive order to review all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion state spending at state agencies & public colleges in Oklahoma. Harroz refers to OU's "unwavering" values that "transcend political ideology... " 🧵
BREAKING news from my living room. We heard a huge bang and it was an owl who flew into our window. I thought it died but it blinked and is now recovering in a box in a quiet room for a few minutes before we can hopefully let it go. I am going to buy those window stickers. 🦉
NBC Anchor Lester Holt broke the news to Republican lawmakers J.J Humphreys and Kevin McDugle that Glossip's execution was blocked by US Supreme Court. Here is their celebratory reaction. Courtesy NBC News.
@kfor
“He doesn’t want anyone that will fight him even when he’s doing the wrong thing,” said Van Schuyver. “He wants you to agree with him, which leads to a lot of scandal.”
...court costs or fines etc. While this may not be deliberate, the bottom line is OK taxpayers are paying for the delinquencies of some private school families. Sen. Treat's office tells
@Adria_Goins
that "clean-up" legislation is planned. The story at 4:30/6PM
@kfor
🧵
Thursday, my mom left this earth at age 89. As we’ve pored through the albums planning her service, I found a few pictures I don’t remember seeing before. She told me she was “taking a trip.” What an honor holding her hand as she left. Timeless, lovely and loving. 💔💘
Deputies saved the man's wife. The county had an Uber to transport the couple after the eviction. Sheriff Johnson says it illustrates the emotion of losing a home and also the dangers deputies face serving warrants and evictions . Story at 6pm
@kfor
from
@kayleeolivastv
Rep. Markwayne Mullins called it a "socialist drug pricing scheme that will stifle medical innovation and lead to fewer cures." (included is his 2020 tweet when he praised Trump's plan to lower insulin costs) Frank Lucas says it will "increase yearly premiums." 🧵
"When I first moved in here. I stayed in the bathtub four and a half hours"
Shelly Hopper scrubbed away years of soot from over a decade of living under a bridge. She and 20 others camping near SW 25th & Penn have a roof over their heads through OKC's "Key to Home" program. 🧵
“What he has done through his entire approach to public life, from what I’ve seen, is create dragons for himself to slay,” says Macomb Supt. Matt Riggs, speaking about
@RyanWaltersSupt
Excellent listen on supt. survey
@kgounews
from
@StateImpactOK
It's another step towards vindication for former Norman teacher Summer Boismier. State Supt.
@RyanWaltersSupt
is seeking to have her teaching license revoked. Today we learned the State failed to prove she violated state law. However.... (1/2)
From Baptist News Global: “By historical fact, residents of the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa — dubbed the “Black Wall Street” — were murdered by armed white vigilantes precisely because of the color of their skin.”
An example here: "Slavery is part of life all over the world. It was America that began the conversation to end it."
But the video ignores that Denmark, Britain and France had already outlawed the trading of slaves while slavery continued here. (2/3)
65 YEARS AGO: Clara Luper and members of the OKC NAACP Youth Council endured three days of denied service and harassment in a sit-in which helped usher in the end of segregation in public places across OK.
Photos Courtesy OK Historical Society 🧵
Last night I sat by a 28 year old woman from Houston on a flight who had never flown before. Her awe at lift off, thrill of seeing the city lights and complete excitement about her planned getaway to OKC was delightful. She wants to see Turner Falls, Cowboy museum & River Sports.
I did not realize Stillwater taxpayers will pay an extra $1.2 million on a city project because the city is not allowed to do business with the lender who offered the best rate: Bank of America. BlackRock, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Street Corp, Climate 1st Bank also banned.
This isn't meant to be flippant-- my tweet from 4 years ago today reminds me of a time of uncertainty and suffering that I won't soon forget. Over 20,000 Oklahomans are no longer around to answer Stefanik's question.
AND THE CAT SAVES THE DAY!
Warning: disturbing video
Two coyotes target an Edmond family's dog, but it was the family cat that sent them packing.
@kfor
at 4:30/6PM by
@OgleKatelyn
(thread)
It's been a baffling day in OK education, as OSDE staff receive emails apparently designed to entrap "leakers," that will likely invite lawsuits. "It is a lawsuit I would take any day of the week" says employment attorney Mark Hammon. by
@kayleeolivastv
Kindness captured at an Oklahoma intersection, as this driver in the gray gave his shoes to a homeless man in sock feet. Thanks to Andrea Ward who allowed us to share these pictures she took as it happened.
@kfor
ICYMI: Supt. Walters is asked why we're giving back $1.39 million in grant $ for learning and school safety. He blamed it on staffers who left, although previously he said their departure was a good thing. That money will be put to use in another state. 🧵
Auditor Byrd confirms: Oklahomans appear to be on the hook for nearly $30 million misused federal dollars… most of it earmarked for education, including two federal education programs managed by Oklahoma State Supt. of Education Ryan Walters.
Good morning, early birds! The State of Oklahoma could be required to repay millions of dollars to the federal government for its mishandling of pandemic relief funds, State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd warned Tuesday.
More STATE AUDIT news:
Auditor Cindy Byrd finds the "Communities Foundation of Oklahoma" claimed $1.6 million that should have gone to help renters from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program by doubling-up on administrative fees. (1/2) by
@ashleymoss
I am hearing from several sources about the sad passing of Jimmy's Egg restauranteur Loc Lee, from Covid-19. I'm told his wife is also in the hospital in a coma from the virus. His life-story and accomplishments building his franchise are amazing. (thread)
Edmond Student (missed his name)
Paraphrasing: " Teachers and school administrators don't do what they do out of hate for students, or for money... in no other state do you see such a large coordinated attack against teachers and schools. It has to stop."
With state tax dollars now funding private schools, we're starting to see the tuition adjustments at those private schools. A parent sent us an example, showing tuition tables at Edmond's St. Elizabeth Ann Seton this year (left) & next yr. (right)
@kfor
An outside company listed in Sunnyvale, California has been chosen to administer the new program to funnel public tax dollars to private schools.
@kfor
is seeking answers to bids, cost, and why the OK Tax Commission isn't administering this program.
Remember when the OK legislature passed a bill requiring financial literacy in High School? An entire section of that class needs to be devoted to crony capitalism.
Mark Esper says that Cabinet members had to keep Trump from doing “bad things, terrible things” that would have taken the country in a “dark direction.”
Walter’s response to OK Supreme Court Ruling: “We will not allow a woke mob to dictate what our kids are exposed to.” Here is the Edmond School Board who authorized the lawsuit.
"You gotta teach everybody on how to include everybody? That's horse shit" says Rep. JJ Humphrey who along with Rep. Standridge, are proposing Senate Concurrent Resolution 12. It directs OK Universities to immediately discontinue and disband their DEI programs in whole. (1/5)
INBOX: OU is participating in an incentive program for aspiring OK teachers:
Students can receive $1,000 first 3 years, with $2,500 their senior year. Once a student graduates & is certified, they will receive $4,000 each of the next 5 years they teach in an OK public school. 🧵
JUST IN:
OK AG calls the state's method of spending OK tax dollars a "SERIOUSLY FLAWED PROCESS" and "It is incredulous to think no one questioned what we now know was occurring within the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department...." ( release in thread )
@kfor
ICYMI: OK State agencies spend most of our tax dollars ($3 Billion plus) without the accountability/oversight provided by 'Central Purchasing' which was created in the 50's as a guard-rail.
ICYMI: About the targeted educator: “She is one of our long time librarians, highly respected, has done a lot of really good work at Union. We stand behind Kirby. She is a terrific employee,” said Union Communications Officer Chris Payne
@kayleeolivastv
Here are the photos of all the victims of the Henryetta murders 💔
16 year old Brittany Brewer
14 year old Ivy Webster
13 year old Tiffany Guess
15 year old Michael Mayo
17 year old Rylee Allen
35 year old Holly Guess (1/2)
BREAKING FROM AP: The Supreme Court blocks Oklahoma from executing death row inmate Richard Glossip after the state's attorney general agreed Glossip's life should be spared.
@kfor
Here is more of the back and forth between Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin
@SenMullin
and labor leader Sean O'Brien
@TeamsterSOB
with Sen. Sanders trying to keep the peace.
Governor Stitt to send troops to the border, despite the fact a surge in migrants did not materialize as expected in mid-May after the termination of the Title 42 pandemic-era migration control policy.
News 4 reached out to several Republican legislators who all voted in favor of the Tax Credit program, to see if they had thoughts on the income breakdown.
None would speak on the record.
ICYMI: Are you aware of this part of the education package under consideration? The Govn/House propose a new "student fund" which distributes millions outside the traditional funding formula. A student in one zip code may get $684 more than a student in another. (1/3)
@nickcamper
Reality Check: “Two-thirds of the people that are residing in City Rescue Mission today have jobs. They just don’t pay enough to keep them housed,” says Dan Straughan from Homeless Alliance. by
@OgleKatelyn
INBOX: A new partnership between the Bronx Zoo and the Osage Nation has resulted in six bison being transferred from NY to Oklahoma's tallgrass prairie, bolstering the genetic diversity of this herd outside Pawhuska. Photo courtesy Julie Larsen Maher 🧵
@kfor
Governor Stitt responds to questions about his veto of legislation to renew OETA's authorization for another three years.
"That to me is an outdated system, it might have had its place in 1957. Why are we spending taxpayer dollars to prop up OETA..."
(1/4)
@kfor
"PragerU’s leaders hope to turn the PragerForce, their college clubs, into an on-the-ground college outrage content machine, making videos and working to organize on-campus conservative counterprogramming."
Some head-spinning moments today.
SB 613 advances, prohibiting gender transition procedures for children under age 18 even as OK Sec. of Education issues release, stating "questions of sex, morality, or religion will only be decided by Oklahoma parents- not the government."
Forgive the brag post; I am taking a breath and BEAMING for these two OU grads who finished in 3 years with straight A’s. Covid canceled HS graduation, so yah! Proud alums of Piedmont &
@OKCPS
public schools…. my daughter (right) tackles OU speech-path grad school next!. 🥰
So the hits continue with my dad’s first ever football game. I guess he has never visited me before when I could take him. The Sooners did not disappoint and he loved The Pride’s halftime show! 🎉
ICYMI: McCall & McBride asked for OSDE advisor Matt Langston's job description, employment contract & offer letter last March. They don't exist. Walters says request is "misinformed" bc Langston's 100K-plus position is part-time. By
@SHumphreyTV
"State Supt. Ryan Walters has finally disclosed – a year late – a $5,000 donation to his 2022 campaign from a controversial political action committee" seeking to abolish critical race theory.
On June 18, 1949, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher was admitted to law school at the University of Oklahoma after an exhaustive legal battle. When my daughter toured OU, the guide stopped at the garden & fountain named for her and told her inspiring story. Photo courtesy
@okhistory
🧵
Stillwater representative Trish Ransom is appalled by the move to end DEI. "We have the Oklahoma Standard – the Oklahoma standard is treating others the way we want to be treated. And DEI is a big piece of that." Veterans, 1st Gen students & disabled all included in DEI. (4/5)
This week in Oklahoma politics now includes:
- imaginary "furrie" students
- drug-testing journalists
- zygote personhood
- and a faith-based rated "R" horror movie about a demon-possessed serial killer.
Oklahoma paid for Ryan Walters’ travel for speaking engagements, media appearances and a horror movie premiere. | via
@briOKC
@cliftonhowze
and
@DGoforth918
Scrolling through the list of candidates who have denied or questioned the 2020 election,according to Post's analysis... Oklahoma's entire congressional delegation included.
free read here: