June 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – After the dust settled on legislative primary races, Senate Republicans celebrated Wednesday with the ouster of a controversial state senator from Elgin and the successful defense of some incumbents.

Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, came in third in Tuesday’s three-way primary, effectively ending his bid for re-election.

Deevers, a pastor, was an outspoken member of the Freedom Caucus, which frequently was at odds with Senate leadership. He routinely quoted scripture and talked about morality during Senate debate.

Legislative incumbents and candidates who embraced school choice won races across Oklahoma when the final votes were tallied the night of the June 16 primary.

“Tonight’s results show that support for school choice is not only mainstream, but expected of serious political candidates in Oklahoma,” said Jennifer Carter, Oklahoma State Lead for the AFC Victory Fund.

More than two-thirds of Oklahoma county jails no longer allow families or friends to visit in-person, making costly phone calls and video messages the only way to stay in touch with detainees.

Oklahoma Watch surveyed all 77 county jails and found just 25 still offer face-to-face visits.

LAWSUITS

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Jessica Brandrup for $1,598.44 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Hatty Dade for $3,849.66 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Donald Grubisa for $2,835.75 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Jeremy Newby for $1,451.80 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Barclays Bank Delaware vs. Sharon Hannah for $2,996.97 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

According to the national nonprofit No Kid Hungry, there are 30 million children in the United States that receive federally-backed free or reduced lunches during a traditional school year.

Yet during the summer months, 87 percent of those children don’t get fed. That equates to between 21 and 24 million hungry kids or one out of every six eligible students.

Locally, the need is even greater as El Reno Public Schools surpasses the National School Lunch Program’s national average of 72.5 percent of students on free or reduced meals.

No large-scale data center developers have approached El Reno officials yet. But if they do, Assistant City Manager Tim Young says the city is ready.

“We’re a very industrial-friendly community, but we do have rules in place,” he said.

Mayor Steve Jensen, right, closes his eyes as he tells outgoing City Manager Matt Sandidge how much he has meant to El Reno during his six years serving as manager and three years as assistant manager.

Last week's city council meeting was the last for Sandidge, who is leaving to take a position in the private sector.

SSM Health Medical Group said Shiju JoyKutty, FNP, will join the family medicine practice at SSM El Reno.

She will provide care for El Reno and the surrounding communities at the St. Anthony Healthplex at the corner of I-40 and U.S. 81 on Territory Lane. 

JoyKutty completed multiple degrees in nursing in India before completing a Master of Science in Nursing from Graceland University in Independence, Mo.

An annual application Canadian County officials have participated in has been renewed to request funding through the Oklahoma Cooperative Circuit Engineering Districts Board Solid Waste Program.

Commissioners Tracey Rider, Tomas Manske and Lacey Dawson discussed plans for each of the three districts to see the funding make an impact.

According to Rider, District 1 will apply for a mulching head that would cost $37,155.56.

District 2, which is under the representation of Dawson, will apply for a chipper that costs $53,889.32.