President Barack Obama to Alter Birth Control Coverage Policy
President Barack Obama is scheduled to announce changes Friday to the controversial policy requiring faith-based institutions to provide health insurance coverage that includes contraception.
Here is a White House fact sheet on the policy change:
FACT SHEET: Women’s Preventive Services and Religious Institutions
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans will cover women’s preventive services, including contraception, without charging a co-pay or deductible beginning in August, 2012. This new law will save money for millions of Americans …
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Oklahoma Gets Waiver From No Child Left Behind
Oklahoma is one of ten states that won’t have to comply with all of the requirements under the education law known as No Child Left Behind, a White House official confirmed Thursday morning. Oklahoma was among the first 11 states to apply for a waiver after the Obama administration announced last fall that it would relax some of the most controversial provisions.
More later when the official announcement is made, but here is the application Oklahoma submitted for the waiver.…
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10th Circuit Nominee Robert E. Bacharach Gets Highest Rating from Bar Association
Magistrate Judge Robert E. Bacharach, who has been nominated for a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, has been given the highest rating from the American Bar Association: unanimously well-qualified.
Bacharach, who has been a federal magistrate judge in the Western District of Oklahoma, based in Oklahoma City, since 1999, was nominated by President Barack Obama on Jan. 23 for the appeals court. He would replace Robert Henry, who is now president of Oklahoma City …
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Rep. Frank Lucas Schedules Town Hall Meetings in Anadarko, Altus and Other Towns
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, has scheduled the following town hall meetings for Feb. 22 and 23.
Wednesday, February 22:
_ Anadarko Town Hall Meeting
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
501 West Virginia
_ Mountain View Town Hall Meeting
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Mountain View – Gotebo High School, Auditorium
150 South First Street
_ Hobart Town Hall Meeting
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hobart City Hall, Council Chambers
111 East 3rd Street
_ Hollis Town …
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Rep. James Lankford Speaks Out on Birth Control Action by Obama Administration
Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, says he is “outraged” by the Obama administration’s decision requiring birth control to be part of health insurance plans offered by some organizations with a religious affiliation, such as Catholic hospitals or Christian universities.
“I met with presidents of several of Oklahoma’s Christian-affiliated universities this week, and they expressed grave concern about their freedom to practice their faith and values without interference from the federal government,” Lankford said in a statement.
“I share this concern …
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Library of Congress to Celebrate Oklahoma Author Ralph Ellison’s Birthday
The Library of Congress plans to celebrate the 98th birthday of Ralph Ellison on March 1 with reading and discussion of his work by award-winning authors Jabari Asim and Danielle Evans, the library announced on Monday.
Ellison, who was born in Oklahoma City on March 1, 1914, is best known for his novel, “Invisible Man,” published in 1952. The book, according to the Library of Congress, “transformed thinking about race, identity and what it means to be American.” The book …
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Environmental Group Sierra Club Took Millions in Aid from Chesapeake Energy
According to a story in The Hill, the Sierra Club accepted $26 million from the natural gas industry, with most coming from Chesapeake Energy chief Aubrey McClendon.…
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President Barack Obama Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast
In remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, President Barack Obama said scripture was the basis for some of his policy proposals, including health care reform and financial reform.
You can watch the speech here, and the transcript is below:
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT THE NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
9:10 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please, please, everybody have a seat. Well, good morning, everybody. It is good to be with so many …
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Oklahomans in Congress Respond to American Airlines Proposed Cuts in Tulsa
Members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation today reacted Wednesday to the announcement that American Airlines would shed 2,850 jobs in Tulsa as part of its restructuring plan in bankruptcy court.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa: “All along we hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but since the November bankruptcy filing and American Airline’s financial situation became known, it was obvious that such a large restructuring would be difficult on the workforce. It is very disappointing, but looking at the numbers …
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Sen. Tom Coburn: Insider Trading Already Illegal for Members of Congress
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, isn’t on board the fast-moving train to prevent members of Congress from using insider information for stock trades. In fact, he said Tuesday that laws against insider trading already cover Congress and that the bill on the Senate floor this week won’t do anything to restore public trust in Congress.
Coburn, sporting his traditional winter beard, offered some amendments to the bill on Tuesday, including one that would simply require a statement from lawmakers and congressional …
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