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NonDoc •

SD 15 runoff: Robert Keyes, Lisa Standridge quip about 'suspenders' and 'cheap lawn chair' in tense debate

During a Senate District 15 Republican runoff debate, disagreements over which candidate is most “conservative” led to tense moments, back-handed compliments and contrasting views on the value of negotiation.
Robert Keyes, president and CEO of Associated Environmental Industries, said he is focused on negotiating to move the needle and get things done at the State Capitol. Lisa Standridge, a pharmacist and the term-limited SD 15 senator’s wife of 32 years, said she will stick to her guns, includ...
NonDoc •

As Comanche County tries to end jail overcrowding, Manitou idea irks Tillman County

LAWTON — Despite changes in leadership and new efforts to reduce the jail population, continued overcrowding at the Comanche County Detention Center has forced officials to send some detainees as far as three hours away while conversations about building a new jail inch along.
Chronic overcrowding has caused the jail to violate a series of Oklahoma State Department of Health standards. A recent inspection report found 46 inmates sleeping on the floor of the facility, which was built in 2003.
“Th...
NonDoc •

Despite reelection, charged Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris agrees to resign

Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris, who was recently reelected despite pending charges for felony embezzlement and bribery of a public official, has agreed to remain suspended for the next six months and forego the term in office he just won.
Filed Friday, the order agreement concludes a removal-from-office action requested by the Pittsburg County Board of Commissioners in May, days after Morris was first charged.
Morris, who won 56.68 percent of the vote against opponent Randy Hass in the Ju...
NonDoc •

Most incumbents won Oklahoma sheriff elections — including charged Morris — but others lost

In Tuesday’s primary election, Pittsburg County voters reelected a sheriff facing felony charges, McCurtain County voters ousted their sheriff one year after his racist remarks made national news, and Tillman County voters selected the sheriff candidate backed by a “behind the scenes guy” who remains under criminal investigation.
Voters in nearly half of the state’s 77 counties went to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots for Oklahoma sheriff elections. Other interesting results included the defeat...
NonDoc •

Faithanna Olsson: The story of why I tell stories

When I was little, I could be found hiding behind the couch playing a spy game and dreaming of an exciting future working for a three-letter agency of the United States.

My first solution for satisfying this early curiosity involved obtaining a security clearance to rifle through whatever documents I wanted to see while investigating current criminal cases. The catch with that career choice, however, was that the secrets would remain secret, and I would just be one more person responsible for k
Talon News •

Cafeteria Cuts to Balance Budget

Oklahoma Christian University’s cafeteria is not immune to the budget balancing on campus. Increased theft and decreasing student numbers caused UDining to make changes in their budget.


The most visible change students have seen in The Branch is the absence of styrofoam cups and lids for taking drinks to-go.


“We were spending an average of $1,600 a week on cups. Students had talked with us about sustainability, and we were losing more money with how many pieces of orange chicken that can
Talon News •

Campus Police Monitoring Apartments After Auto Thefts

A series of vehicle thefts have occurred in the apartment parkings lots of Phase 3, 4, 5 and 6. Campus Police are working with Oklahoma City Police and Edmond Police to apprehend the suspect.


Criminal activity began Jan. 14 when a flatbed trailer was stolen from Phase 5. The trailer was then used in the theft of an ATM. Jan. 20, a student’s silver Kia had the black window broken into, but nothing was stolen because the car’s alarm sounded.


On the same morning, at 3:44 am, the suspect who
Talon News •

Faculty and Staff Affected by Budget Cuts

Due to budget cuts, Oklahoma Christian University has laid off several faculty and staff members. The budgeting issues mainly stem from a decline in enrollment and the ending of government COVID relief funding.


Provost Brian Starr discussed how administration planned a reaction to the financial deficit of the university.


“We had to make some painful adjustments because we’ve got to live within our means. The ultimate reason we have to live within our means is because it’s really importan
Talon News •

Oklahoma Christian Welcomes New Provost

This fall, Oklahoma Christian University welcomed a new provost, Brian Starr, to campus. Starr sat down with the Talon to share his story and his new role in carrying out the mission of Oklahoma Christian.


The expertise Starr brings to campus is threefold: he has been a teacher, administrator and minister in various environments.


After getting his undergraduate degree from Abilene Christian University, Starr pursued an MBA at the University of Texas at Austin, which he described as the “
Red Liberty Media •

A Trad Take on the Barbie Movie

This review contains my bigger thoughts from this year’s summer blockbuster, Barbie.

The summer movie plastered in pink was an upbeat, heartfelt and fun film which asked a lot of important questions about societal roles and identity. Two camps dominate the Barbie discussion, one adoring it and the other, primarily made conservatives, disowning it. Barbie does have its flaws like any other movie, especially in a day where Hollywood is drowning in left-wing views, but there is still value in what
Talon News •

Perceptive or Deceptive: A Look into "Intro to the Good Life"

In the fall of 2021, Oklahoma Christian University altered the general education Bible requirements. This change reduced the required Bible class hours from 16 to 12 and included some new courses.


The new curriculum begins with a course titled “Foundations: Intro to the Good Life,” required for all freshmen. The class is held on Sunday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. and lasting until 8:40 p.m. In addition, hour-long break out groups are held at various times throughout the week.


The course
Talon News •

Q&A with Jervis Campbell

Chris Renzema and Jervis Campbell performed in the forum at Oklahoma Christian University this past Friday night. To learn more about Renzema, click here.


How would you describe yourself as an artist?


“Probably more in the soul, gospel world is how I like to describe my music. I like to have a good time on stage, but I’m a more chill person in general.”


In as much detail as possible, could you walk me through a day on tour?


“When you’re at the beginning of a tour, you load up the v
Talon News •

Behind the Scenes of the Oklahoma Abortion Ban

On Tuesday, April 5, Oklahoma lawmakers passed Senate Bill 612, which outlaws all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the mother. The bill was approved by the Oklahoma Senate on March 10, 2021, and passed in the House on Tuesday with a 70-14 vote. The bill now moves on to be approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has previously promised to sign any bill limiting abortion. If signed into law, people performing illegal abortions will be sentenced to 10 years in prison or be charged $100,000
Talon News •

Brandon Tatum Now Serving as Gov. Stitt's Chief of Staff

Brandon Tatum, former Oklahoma Christian University employee, has been appointed Chief of Staff for Governor Kevin Stitt. The Talon interviewed Tatum to discuss his new responsibilities and the ways Oklahoma Christian prepared him for this position.


What did you do when you worked for Oklahoma Christian?


“I started out helping the university with online education. We spent time looking at health and implemented online degrees inside of hospitals and inside school systems to help solve the
Red Liberty Media •

Journalist Missing Since FBI Raid of His Apartment in April

James Gordon Meek has an impressive track record of investigative journalism. However, he has not been seen or heard from since April 27, 2022 which is the day the FBI raided his Virginia Apartment.

John Antonelli, Meek’s neighbor, described what he saw the day of the raid. The event occurred early in the morning, just before sunrise. He a “black utility vehicle with blacked out windows blocking traffic in both directions on Columbia Pike.” More militaristic vehicles began to crowd the area and

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