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Oklahoma County GOP voters choose Hines in SD47 runoff

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Oklahoma County GOP voters choose Hines in SD47 runoff


OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Oklahoma County voters cast their ballots Tuesday night to decide the GOP nominee for Senate District 47 and weighed in on several ballot initiatives around the county.

In the northwest OKC Senate District 47 GOP runoff race, Kelly Hines overwhelmingly defeated Jenny Schmitt securing  60.3 percent of the vote compared to Schmitt’s 40 percent, according to the unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board. 

In the June 18 primary, Hines led the field by 310 votes, outpacing Schmitt, who received the governor’s endorsement. 

The seasoned Army veteran will go up against Democrat Erin Brewer in the November general election to replace Speaker Pro Tem Greg Term, who is term-limited. 

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“I’m glad that the voters put me in this position. I look forward to moving on securing the race against the Democrat,” said Hines in a phone interview with Free Press following the victory. “I’m very humble that, you know, I had an army of volunteers… This is truly a community outpouring that’s got me here.” 

OKC and surrounding areas in the county held elections to determine whether to approve or reject several propositions related to tax increases and the authorization of bond sales. 

OKC Hotel Tax increase 

Oklahoma City residents voted overwhelmingly to raise the hotel tax from 5.5% to 9.25%, effective October 1. According to the unofficial results from the State Election Board,  68.4% voted for the initiative while 31.4% voted against it. The tax will apply to hotel guests or renters of home-sharing properties in OKC. 

According to a financial impact report, Oklahoma City’s lodging tax rate has remained at 5.5% since 2004, bringing in approximately $18.8 million yearly. The 3.75% increase is estimated to generate an additional $11.8 million, primarily to promote tourism in the city. A small portion of the revenue will go towards event sponsorship and improving the OKC Fairgrounds and Convention Center. 

Deer Creek Fire Protection [millage increase]

In Deer Creek, voters passed a ballot initiative to increase the mill or property tax rates to generate more revenue for the Deer Creek Fire Protection District. 

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For the first time in 28 years, the Deer Creek FPD has requested an increase in the millage rate from 7.3 mills to 10 mills in Oklahoma County. One mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. A rate of 10 mills means $10 of tax is applied to every $1,000 of property value. 

This will lead to an annual increase of approximately $125 for the average property owner within the fire protection district in Oklahoma County. The additional funding will be used for increased staffing, capital improvements, and ambulance services. 

The increase is set to take effect in late 2025 or the beginning of 2026.

Mcloud Public Schools’ propositions 

In some Oklahoma County precincts, voters denied a bond package with two propositions for McLoud Public Schools. 

According to the unofficial results, only 131 people voted and it failed to pass by just 15 votes. 

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The first, which totaled nearly $30 million, was proposed to fund district-wide improvements, from the Early Childhood Center to McLoud High School. The second, valued at $1.1 million would have been allocated for transportation equipment for the district. 

Election results are still subject to change and won’t be considered final until they are certified by the appropriate election board.


Brianna Garcia is a freelance journalist covering local politics and culture for Free Press. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.



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Oklahoma State outlasts UCF in overtime, Houston next

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Oklahoma State outlasts UCF in overtime, Houston next


ORLANDO, Fla. –

The Oklahoma State Cowboys men’s basketball bounced back in a big way Tuesday night.

Anthony Roy scored 27 points and Kanye Clary added 23, including seven in overtime, as Oklahoma State defeated the UCF Knights men’s basketball 111-104 in Orlando.

The Cowboys controlled the extra period, finishing overtime on an 11-4 run and outscoring UCF 17-10.

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Clary played a major role in closing it out. He hit a key 3-pointer and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in overtime to help seal the win.

The victory moves Oklahoma State to 18-12 overall and 6-11 in the Big 12, and gives the Cowboys two wins in their last three games after snapping a five-game losing streak. UCF, now 20-9 (9-8 Big 12), has dropped two straight.

Roy and Clary led a balanced offensive effort. Jaylen Curry and Christian Coleman each added 16 points, while the Cowboys shot 49% from the field (35-of-72) and 80% from the free throw line (32-of-40).

Themus Fulks led UCF with 22 points, while Riley Kugel added 18.

Late-game drama forces overtime

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The final seconds of regulation were chaotic.

With 24 seconds remaining, Isaiah Coleman threw down a dunk to give Oklahoma State a 94-91 lead.

But UCF answered quickly when Chris Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left, tying the game at 94-94.

Oklahoma State had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Jaylen Curry missed a shot, and John Bol blocked Roy’s attempt, sending the game to overtime.

Cowboys respond after tough loss

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The Cowboys showed resilience after Saturday’s lopsided loss to Cincinnati.

The team traveled directly to Orlando following that defeat and was pushed through two intense practices by head coach Steve Lutz and the coaching staff.

The response was clear.

Led by Roy’s scoring and Clary’s clutch overtime performance, Oklahoma State delivered a gritty win and swept the season series against UCF

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Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon

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Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon


Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon Monday night.

The shooting happened near Northwest 10th Street and South Yukon Parkway near the border of Yukon and Oklahoma City.

Police are on the scene, and officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the hip.

OKCPD said they have at least one person in custody.

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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

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Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property


As consumer electricity needs grow, lawmakers are discussing strategies to ease the burden on landowners who don’t want the towers and wires carrying that energy on their property.

As it’s written now, the bill would require transmission owners to pay landowners $2 per foot of line annually. During the committee meeting, Murdock said he introduced the legislation to “start a conversation.”

“ This is an idea of, maybe moving forward, if the landowners are getting a royalty off of the power being pushed across their property, it may make it a little more palatable for someone to have a transmission line go across their property,” he said.

Landowners can enter into easement agreements with companies to set aside portions of their land for the builds. But in some cases, eminent domain is used to obtain a right-of-way.

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“ I’m not saying that this is going to do away with eminent domain,” Murdock said. “What I’m hoping is this just makes it a little more palatable.”

Murdock said he spoke with utility companies about the legislation, though he didn’t name them. The bill’s language could change after creating an alternative rate based on conversations with the companies, he said.

Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, said the bill could raise utility rates for consumers living in Oklahoma’s most populous counties if companies charge more to make up for the annual fee.

Murdock pushed back, noting the lines are necessary to deliver electricity to other counties.

“You understand that you flip that light on because — and have that ability to have electricity because — the people in my district have a transmission line that goes across them, getting you that power,” he said.

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