Emma Murphy

OKLAHOMA CITY — Two state lawmakers seeking the Republican nomination to be elected Oklahoma's next labor commissioner hope to modernize the Department of Labor and dig into artificial intelligence's impact on businesses.

Two state lawmakers seeking the Republican nomination to be elected Oklahoma’s next labor commissioner hope to modernize the Department of Labor and dig into artificial intelligence’s impact on businesses.

John Pfeiffer, left, and Kevin West, who are vying for the Republican nomination for Labor Commissioner, are pictured.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A House lawmaker said Wednesday that a fellow Republican has blocked his efforts to hold a study at the Capitol to probe a controversial

Rep. Tom Gann says House Speaker Kyle Hilbert blocked his request for a study on a controversial Inola smelter.

The private investigation has come to light a year later as part of a public falling out between Mark Adams, owner of the firm hired to do the investigative work, and Adina Flores, a local activist and blogger Adams hired to do research as a contractor, according to documents Flores has shared on her website.

OKLAHOMA CITY — About $1.5 million in private donations are being used to train literacy coaches in 10 locations across Oklahoma as part of an effort to improve students' reading proficiency, officials announced Tuesday.

About $1.5 million in private donations are being used to train literacy coaches in 10 locations across Oklahoma as part of an effort to improve students’ reading proficiency, officials announced Tuesday.

Chad Warmington, president and CEO of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, speaks at a press conference on Aug. 4, 2026 in Oklahoma City announcing the launch of a privately-funded literacy coach program. Jake Yunker, executive director of the State Chamber Research Foundation, stands to the left and Mica Byrum, the program director of the initiative, is to the right.