Sometimes when you start to write you begin with one view and then end up somewhere else. That has happened to me as I write this column. My starting premise is that there is too much focus on athletics in both college and secondary education. In my mind professional sports are out of control and not worthy of my attention. I am really just asking for college and high school. Does money trickle from the athletic department to impact academic programs?

Providing shelter and food for victims of the world's worst disasters was the topic at Enid Rotary Club on Monday, during a presentation on the nonprofit group ShelterBox.

An area man charged with murder was set to go to trial this week, but changed his mind for a third time and pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Every month seems to be designated to raise awareness for a certain cause, and many have a color to go with it.

Victor Lezama’s enthusiasm for the upcoming veterans’ center The Barracks remains obvious even in the face of the work ahead. As Lezama walks down hallways stacked with furniture and building materials and half-completed paint jobs, he discusses projects like family rooms and gym rooms, showing off examples of donated equipment.

Kairi Walker looks forward to the day he doesn't have to worry about what North 24th Street does to his car. 

A new addition to Fort Gibson school's ag building gave Fort Gibson High School senior Anna Hardy a dry place to walk and work her goat on a rainy Friday morning.

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will be in Norman Sunday for a campaign rally, according to his campaign website.

Police say an Edmond woman became the victim of a scam after she sent $22,500 through United Parcel Service to a person claiming to be with the FBI.

Payne County Sheriff’s Office is working with multiple agencies to find out what charges might be warranted following the revelation of a Snapchat video that appears to show a local family giving alcohol to a child.

An annual fundraising effort in Kremlin recently was the target of thieves, who made off with a truck bed full of aluminum cans collected to benefit the town, said Gini Zaloudek, head of the WildHorse Gang

Two people, including the Canton Police Department chief, have been charged with misdemeanors in connection to an August incident where a .22 caliber gun was found at Canton Elementary School.

Officials with McAlester Public Schools say a "rumored report" of a threat against the high school continues to be investigated.

A group of area Native American women raised more than $10,000 in the past month to help feed migrant children at the U.S-Mexico border.

The fall meeting of the Northwest Oklahoma Beekeepers Association is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 5 at Orion Fire Department.

Oklahoma lawmakers have 133 million reasons to examine virtual charter school funding. That is the number of state taxpayer dollars expected to flow to the state’s five statewide online schools for the current school year.

Jackie Wall, or “Texas Jack” as he introduces himself to crowds across the state, is a “good guy.” He has the proper mustache, outfit and bearing for the role, but he didn’t always get to be the hero.

Many districts are struggling to curb the increasing debts without resorting to “lunch shaming” policies, actions often deemed harmful to students.

It takes a bit for Tequila Grayson to affix the wriggling worm to the hook, but Kaydence Grayson waits patiently while her mother does it. Once the bait's ready, Kaydence jogs down the sidewalk, carefully negotiates her way to the water's edge, and casts out her line.

The Tulsa Teachers Credit Union branch on West Okmulgee Avenue discovered multiple "shimmer" devices on their ATMs Thursday, according to police reports. 

WAGONER — Tom Jones wants to make something clear: Patio on the Hill will be more than a wedding venue — a lot more.

The first OSU/A&M Board of Regents meeting of the semester was held on Friday.

WYANDOTTE, Okla. — Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend summed up the gift his tribe will receive this week in one word: “monumental.”

"Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. We are now investigating this incident as a homicide. If you know something, say something. She didn't deserve this, and we need your help." — Enid Police Department Capt. Tim Jacobi said

Former Muscogee (Creek) Principal Chief George Tiger could serve more than three years in federal prison after pleading guilty Friday to a bribery scheme from which he corruptly received an estimated $61,900. 

WEBBERS FALLS — A $120,000 check from ONEOK can help Webbers Falls Schools replace technology lost in late May floods, officials say.

PICHER, Okla.— Birds are more than just winged messengers that can carry a tune or soar through the sky — bird species also can act as indicators of environmental health.

Stephen King’s novels are so hard to adapt.

The Oklahoma Legislature passed a new law signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt this year that will require providers to inform patients receiving medically-induced abortions that the procedure could possibly be reversed.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been called to investigate a death of an inmate this week at Garfield County Detention Facility.

An anticipated signing of papers regarding financing for the long-awaited Shops at McAlester highway retail project could occur as soon as this coming week.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A state representative said his recent informational meeting at the state Capitol focusing on adverse reactions to vaccines wasn’t meant to discourage people from vaccinating their children.

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said he’s happy more tribal members will become homeowners soon.

A hearing is set in a case involving the public’s right to see law enforcement video of the July fatal shooting of a local man by state troopers.

A new system at McAlester Regional Health Center vastly improved security at the nursery.

Another day, another fraud attempt.

Gov. Kevin Stitt is coming under fire for a planned public appearance at a Tulsa church, where he’s supposed to talk to a men’s group about serving God.

FAIRVIEW, Okla. — Fairview native George Cohlmia has spent a long career working in financial management firms in Oklahoma City, but it’s the values he learned growing up in his small Northwest Oklahoma hometown he credits with his success.