Oklahoma
Oklahoma House Passes Bill To Hold Companies Liable For Publishing Obscene Material
The Oklahoma House has passed a bill geared toward protecting children from obscene material online.
House Bill 3097, would make commercial entities liable for publishing or distributing obscene material to minors.
The bill would require any website that has pornography to have an age verification system. It would allow parents or the Attorney General to sue any companies that don’t comply. On Monday, lawmakers agreed children need protection from specific online material.
“It is the right thing to do,” said Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, on the House floor on Monday.
However, Fugate and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, disagreed on how to accomplish that goal. “I don’t believe there’s any member of this body who believes that porn is good for kids,” said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-OKC, on the House floor on Monday.
Hasenbeck authored the bill. “We are simply trying to make it more difficult for minors to actually consume pornography in the state of Oklahoma,” Hasenbeck said.
Fugate said the bill is redundant and pointed out current Oklahoma law. “Title 21 section 1040.8 already prohibits the publication of obscene material,” Fugate said.
Hasenbeck said people should be allowed to sue companies that fail to verify the ages of people who consume adult content. “If the pornography dealer is not using a really good verified-age verification system, they’re gonna have problems,” she said.
Fugate said this bill could step on the rights of adults to view material online. “This bill is one-hundred percent government governmental parenting, and it does it at the expense of first amendment rights of adults,” Fugate said.
Fugate agreed children need online safeguards, but he argued this bill provides what already exists. “Parents can already restrict what their kids can view,” Fugate said. “This bill is unnecessary.”
Some lawmakers are concerned that online verification systems could compromise people’s personal information. Despite the debate on the House floor, this bill passed 85-13. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. Click here for information on other bills that made their way through the legislature on Monday.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has launched the Oklahoma Educator Launch & Mentorship Initiative, a statewide effort aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention through training, mentorship and financial support for educators.
Oklahoma Teacher Initiative
The program includes a five-day Summer Launch Institute scheduled for July 27–31, 2026, followed by year-long mentorship support for first-year teachers.
OSDE said new teachers will be paired with experienced educators throughout the school year to help strengthen classroom readiness and long-term retention.
“Participating first-year teachers may earn up to $2,000 in stipends, while mentors may receive up to $10,000 for supporting new educators,” said Autumn Kouba, OSDE’s senior director of teacher recruitment and retention.
Focus On Teacher Recruitment and Retention
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lindel Fields said the initiative is designed to support teachers early in their careers while recognizing experienced educators who serve as mentors.
“Recruiting great teachers is only part of the equation,” Fields said in a release. “We also have to ensure they feel supported, prepared, and encouraged to remain in the profession.”
Program Details
- Summer Launch Institute runs July 27–31, 2026
- First-year teachers can receive up to $2,000 in stipends
- Mentors may earn up to $10,000
- Retired educators and experienced teachers can apply as mentors
What happens next?
Applications are open now, and the Summer Launch Institute begins July 27, 2026.
From their favorite music to their Braum’s order, Oklahoma City-area high school athletes have a wide range of views.
The Oklahoman asked each athlete who attended an annual media day to answer those questions and more.
Let’s get to know the athletes in the Prep Spotlight:
Order book on Oklahoma HS basketball at ‘The Big House’
Logan Janaway, Washington
Sport: Golf
Class: Sr. | Ht./Wt.: 6-5/240
College choice: Seminole State
Social media: @janawaylogan (Instagram)
Favorite Braum’s order: “Chicken strip dinner”
Favorite pregame musical artist and/or song: “Firefly” by Ty Myers
What’s your dream career outside of being a professional athlete? “Pharmacist”
Who’s the best athlete you’ve played against?: “(Oklahoma State golfer and former Community Christian star) Collin Bond”
If you could change your school mascot, what would it be and why?: “Bugs because annoying”
Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Three Oklahoma wildland fire task forces are headed to Kansas to assist with wildfires in southwest Kansas.
Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) said three task forces made up of fire departments from Major, Noble, and Washington counties would assist with ongoing wildfires near Ashland.
The task forces include 32 firefighters, 15 brush trucks, and 1 tender. Crews will be deployed for 12 hours, but that period could be extended.
“Oklahoma is ready to extend the Oklahoma standard as communities respond to these fires,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is activated and is deploying resources to assist local partners in need. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed.”
The crews are deploying at the request of the Kansas Department of Emergency Management. The department requested assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
EMAC is a national aid system allowing states to send assistance to help with disaster relief efforts in other states.
“EMAC allows states to quickly share resources when they’re needed most, and we’re grateful our county partners are answering the call to support Kansas,” OEM Director Annie Mack Vest said.
OEM said more support may be deployed if needed.
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