News

A state office tasked with awarding millions of dollars in federal money to increase access to high-speed Internet services has been flooded with applications.

The Oklahoma Broadband Office announced companies could apply for $374 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars, but applications totaled $5.1 billion in projects, a spokesperson said.

The turnout is a good sign, Executive Director Mike Sanders said in a statement.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers are struggling to regulate the artificial intelligence industry even as interest in the technology and its availability continues to grow.

Experts say AI is now present in everything from cell phone apps and facial recognition software to ChatGPT, which allows users to ask questions and receive human-like replies based on data harvested from the Internet.

The 2018 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2023, as government officials focused on passing a 45-day continuation of the federal budget.

El Reno High School’s cheerleading squad held its annual youth cheer clinic last week with 92 youth in grades pre-kindergarten through fourth learning a dance routine as well as a cheer.

Clinic participants then showed off what they learned in routines prior to the Indians home football game with Ardmore at Memorial Stadium.

The annual cheer clinic drew more than 90 campers.

A nonprofit group’s effort to save the old Canadian County Jail passed a major hurdle last week when Canadian County commissioners approved a new lease for the historic site.

Preservation El Reno previously presented a detailed proposal to make repairs and upgrades to the old jail building at 300 N. Evans.

The nonprofit organization announced plans to raise funds to reopen the historic building in fall 2025 as a museum and education center.

Canadian County owns the property, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Canadian County Expo Center will host Circus on Ice on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The ice skating and circus show will have show times at 4:30 and 7 p.m.

The colorful event is put on by Taconhy Entertainment.

Taconhy Entertainment is known for its Argentine circus tradition.

The ice skating circus will combine the grace of ice skating with circus artistry.

Co-owners Steven Lopez and Daniela Mercado, both fifth-generation circus artists, have crafted a 90-minute show they said will dazzle the audience.

A golf tournament organized by SPM Oil and Gas resulted in a donation to the C.A.R.T. House (Child Welfare Citizens Advisory Board of Canadian County).

The check was presented by Diane Martin and Doug Croop from SPM to the C.A.R.T. House staff and board members.

Some $5,600 was raised to support forensic interviews and advocacy for the children seen at the center.