Southwest
Oklahoma lawmakers on board with abolishing the Department of Education
Oklahoma lawmakers support eliminating the Department of Education, after President-elect Donald Trump promised to do away with the department during the campaign.
“I personally believe that we should have more of our education at the state level as opposed to Washington, D.C.,” Republican Policy Committee Chair-elect and Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern said. “This has been something that goes all the way back to Ronald Reagan so this is not a mystery where Republicans are. Let our parents, and our teachers, and our administrators do their job.”
“Just maybe the one size fits all is limiting us,” Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., said. “You don’t have innovation and ingenuity when you have one model.”
FILE – President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the House GOP conference, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (Allison Robbert/Pool via AP, File) (Allison Robbert/Pool via AP, File)
GOP SENATOR DEBUTS BILL TO ABOLISH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOLLOWING TRUMP CAMPAIGN PROMISE
He added that states should have complete control over education.
Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters in November supported the abolition of federal department and sent a memo to schools in the state to prepare for that possibility.
“The federal government has hijacked our education system, using taxpayer dollars to impose harmful policies and control what is taught in our schools,” the memo states.
After Trump signaled during the campaign that he supported abolishing the department, the idea has been gaining momentum. He said he’ll prioritize “closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and sending all education and education work it needs back to the states.”
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump appointed to lead a team to make the federal government more efficient, gave their approval to a proposal that abolishes the department.
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters supports President-elect Donald Trump’s idea to abolish the Department of Education. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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He added that states should have complete control over education.
While Oklahoma Republicans are on board with disbanding the Education Department, one GOP lawmaker wants to ensure federal dollars continue to go to state and local schools.
“My issue is, if you’re capable of doing that, how do you implement it,” Rep. Frank Lucas said. “The state of Oklahoma is the primary funder of public schools. Local property taxes are an important element, but federal dollars are really important too.”
He continued, “Reading programs, disabled programs, those kinds of issues, how do you make sure those resources are still available to local school districts?”
Elon Musk, Co-Chair of the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arrives at Capitol Hill on Dec. 5, 2024 in Washington, D.C.; Vivek Ramaswamy, chairman and co-founder of Strive Asset Management, arrives to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Left: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Right: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., told The Oklahoman that he’s all for abolishing ED, but some federal funding is needed—particularly, federal Impact Aid.
“If you’re going get rid of the Department of Education, I’m not for getting rid of Impact Aid because that’s tens of millions of dollars to Oklahoma schools who are educating these kids would not be here but for that,” he said. “I agree with president about educational bureaucracy – it’s bloated, and frankly it’s wrong-headed in many of the policies it pursues… But honestly, I don’t see where you get the 60 votes in the Senate.”
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Los Angeles, Ca
Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach
A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.
On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.
She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.
The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
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