Oklahoma

Voters have spoken: Oklahoma is thriving under Republican leadership | Opinion

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Voters have spoken: Oklahoma is thriving under Republican leadership | Opinion

Over the last decade, the Republican super majority in the House of Representatives has provided record levels of funding to teacher salaries, schools and mental health resources.

Charles McCall
| Guest columnist

On Nov. 5, voters in Oklahoma, and across the country, spoke with their vote and elected conservative Republican candidates at the national and state levels. Here in Oklahoma, every one of our 77 counties went for President-elect Donald Trump, a testament to the faith that our residents have placed in conservative values and policies.

A recent opinion piece published in this column expressed the sentiment that in spite of what voters think they want, they are wrong, and Republicans are failing Oklahoma. Specifically, the guest columnist said that Republicans in our state aren’t doing enough to address teachers’ salaries, school funding and mental health resources. It is time for those who agree with her to confront an inconvenient truth: Republicans are leading the charge to address these issues, and all others important to Oklahomans.

Over the last decade, the Republican super majority in the House of Representatives has provided record levels of funding to teacher salaries, schools and mental health resources.

We have increased teacher salaries by 34%, from an average of $45,646 (including benefits) in 2017, to an average of $62,640. A large portion of that increase came during the 2023 legislative session, when an additional $250 million was added specifically for teacher salaries. In addition, the Legislature enacted a free tuition program for anyone seeking a teaching career if they teach for five years or more.

Overall, there has been a total increase of 62% in K-12 public school spending by the state in the last eight years. We invested a record $1.5 billion in new, recurring funding between FY19-FY25, including $839.5 million in FY24 and FY25. This commitment from the state reflects more money invested by the Legislature than the previous 27 years combined. Additionally, we have provided parents and children with opportunities to access increased educational pathways through the Parental Choice Tax Credit Act.

Finally, through the ARPA process, the Legislature appropriated nearly $300 million in new funds to address mental health issues across our state. These dollars could have gone elsewhere, but the Republican-led Legislature, seeing the challenges our neighbors, friends and loved ones are facing, addressed it with a resounding commitment.

Most importantly, what the columnist failed to mention is the economic benefit of Republican leadership over the last decade. We have cut taxes for families and businesses in the state, while building $5 billion in savings to protect education and other core services against economic downturn. This has led to our state’s economy doubling its economic output as measured by state revenue receipts.

The success of our conservative policies is evident in the continuous support we receive at the ballot box. Oklahoma is thriving under Republican leadership, and we’re just getting started. Our state is more than OK ― we’re setting the standard for what effective, conservative governance can achieve.

As we move forward, we invite all Oklahomans to join us in building an even stronger, more prosperous state. Together, we will continue to make Oklahoma a beacon of conservative values and economic opportunity for generations to come.

Charles McCall, R-Atoka, is outgoing speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Lottery Pick 3, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 25, 2025

Published

5 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma Lottery Pick 3, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 25, 2025

The Oklahoma Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

4-8-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

23-29-31-37-45, Lucky Ball: 16

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

03-06-19-20-35

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign Your Ticket: Please make sure to sign and complete the back of your ticket
You have 180 days from the draw date to claim your prize.
Prizes up to $600: Can be claimed at any Oklahoma Lottery retailer or at the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center, located at 300 N. Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Prizes from $601 to $49,999: These can be claimed at the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center or by mail. Payments can be issued as a check or direct deposit (ACH). Claiming in person requires a photo of the front and back of the winning ticket, a valid ID, official proof of Social Security number and a completed claim form.
Prizes of $50,000 or more: These can be claimed in person at the Oklahoma Lottery Winner Center or by mail. Payment options include check or ACH. Bring a photo of the front and back of the winning ticket, proof of Social Security number, a completed claim form, and valid ID.

Mail-in Claims: Mail the original signed ticket and a completed claim form to the Oklahoma Lottery, P.O. Box 548810, Oklahoma City, OK 73154. For direct deposit, include a voided check or bank letter with your account details. Non-winning tickets are not accepted, and Oklahoma Lottery assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen mail.

For additional details, refer to the official Oklahoma Lottery claim page.

When are the Oklahoma Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
MEGA Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Pick 3: 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
Cash 5: 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oklahoma editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Oklahoma

1 injured in I-40 rollover crash in OKC

Published

17 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

OKLAHOMA CITY –

One person was hurt in a crash Wednesday night along Interstate 40 in northeast Oklahoma City, according to police.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 26-year-old Jada Berry was driving on I-40 near Interstate 35 when her vehicle left the roadway and rolled over twice.

Berry was injured in the crash and taken to a local hospital. Her condition has not yet been released.

OHP says Berry was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. No charges have been filed at this time.

Troopers at the scene say no one else was in the car.

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Oklahoma

New restaurants coming to OKC in 2026

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

OKLAHOMA CITY –

In 2026, Oklahoma City’s food scene will continue to expand. From new locations of fan favorite Oklahoma restaurants to new fast food chains, here’s the food coming to OKC in 2026.

Tamashii Ramen House (Quail Springs)

After the success of other locations, the fourth Tamishii location will hit OKC in 2026. The new location will be located at Kilpatrick and Memorial, near Quail Springs.

This Japanese restaurant has various flavors of ramen, fried rice, gyoza, and much more.

Tamashii has three other locations across the state:

Bojangles

Two Bojangles are expected to open in 2026. These will be the fast food chain’s first locations in the state.

One restaurant is finishing construction at North Penn Avenue and West Memorial Road. This restaurant is set to open in early 2026. The other location will be near Interstate 240 and South Eastern Avenue in southeast Oklahoma City, and it has no timeline for its opening.

Bojangles specializes in Southern fried chicken and biscuits.

Papadeaux’s

The classic Cajun restaurant Papadeaux will soon have a restaurant in OKC. This restaurant’s opening will mark Oklahoma’s first Papaduex location, joining the more than 30 restaurants nationwide.

It is not known when this restaurant will open.

New restaurants brought flavors from different parts of the world to Oklahoma in 2025.

December 19, 2025 04:15 PM

6 min read

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