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Oklahoma lawmakers eye new Industrial Hemp Task Force

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Oklahoma lawmakers eye new Industrial Hemp Task Force


Senate Bill 1422 creates a group to study industrial hemp and the measure sailed through Oklahoma’s Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday.

Ten lawmakers voted for the bill and there was one abstention.

One of the bill’s authors, state Sen. Roland Pederson (R-Burlington), said people already know industrial hemp is a viable crop for Oklahoma because it was grown throughout the U.S. during the 1940s.

“I think we could produce it as good as anybody in the nation as far as climate and everything goes,” Pederson said.

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Oklahoma legalized hemp in 2019, shortly after the nation made it legal in 2018.

Pederson helped conduct an interim study on the crop last year and he said one of the recommendations of that study included creating a task force to create supply chains, address legislative barriers and look at coordinating state and federal rules.

“One of the main things we need to do, I think, is distinguish between industrial hemp and medical marijuana,” Pederson said.

State lawmakers and agencies would appoint members to the group. Also, there would be appointees from Oklahoma State University College of Agriculture and University Oklahoma College of Architecture.

The task force won’t be looking at the production of hemp flowers for therapeutic reasons like medical marijuana or CBD, “which require separate licenses for approval,” Pederson said.

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This report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a collaboration of public media organizations. Help support collaborative journalism by donating at the link at the top of this webpage.





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Oklahoma City man claiming to be financial investor charged with fraud

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Oklahoma City man claiming to be financial investor charged with fraud


A federal grand jury has charged an Oklahoma City man with dozens of counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

From June 2021 through December 2025, officials say 36-year-old Matthew Mclain Veazey presented himself as a successful financial investment professional. Public records indicate that Veazey encouraged friend and family to send him money by claiming he had special access to favorable investment opportunities due to his connections.

However, authorities say Veazey kept the money for himself and used it for personal expenses.

Court records allege that investors gave Veazey $2.38 million, but those funds were never repaid. Authorities say Veazey fabricated text messages and email communications from real people to convince victims that his investment activities were real.

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This week, a federal grand jury returned a 30-count indictment charging Veazey with 21 counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

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If convicted, Veazey faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count of money laundering.



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PORTAL TARGET BREAKDOWN: Oklahoma State guard Amari Whiting

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PORTAL TARGET BREAKDOWN: Oklahoma State guard Amari Whiting


Portal season is just getting underway. The Iowa Women’s Basketball team suffered five losses to the transfer portal, leaving them, at this moment, with six players on next year’s roster, including just two guards. For the first time since the portal became commonplace in college sports, the Hawkeyes, led by head coach Jan Jensen are […]



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UFL Expanding to Oklahoma City, Moving to 10 Teams in 2028

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UFL Expanding to Oklahoma City, Moving to 10 Teams in 2028


The more, the merrier!

The United Football League announced on Thursday morning that it’s expanding to 10 teams in 2028, including the addition of a team in Oklahoma City.

“Oklahoma lives and breathes football, so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was an easy decision,” UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole said in a statement about the inclusion of Oklahoma City. “This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and truly understands the game. From college powerhouses to Friday night lights, football runs deep here. We’re committed to building a franchise in OKC that the entire state can rally behind.”

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The Oklahoma City UFL team doesn’t yet have a name but will play its home games at MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, which is under construction. The location of the other expansion team isn’t known, either.

“Oklahoma City has long been one of the most glaring vacancies on the professional football map,” UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon said in a statement. “The combination of a new stadium, deep-rooted football culture, and a city that has proven its ability to support major league sports makes this an easy decision. We are thrilled to bring the UFL’s brand of high-octane spring football to the passionate fans of Oklahoma.”

The lone professional sports team in Oklahoma City is the Thunder, who just won their first NBA championship in franchise history last season. Elsewhere, the Oklahoma Sooners (college) are located roughly 25 minutes south of Oklahoma City, while the Oklahoma State Cowboys (college) are located roughly 70 minutes north of Oklahoma City.

As for this season, which is two weeks young, the UFL has three new teams: the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm.



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