August 1, 2026 Issue, Page 10 of 10

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10• SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2026 The Elk City News NEWS Casino CEO, Charlie Welbourne Governor Reggie Wassana Mayor Micah Kilhoffer Lieutenant Governor, Hershel Gorham Compliance Officer Bill Tall Bear sonnel that have worked so hard knowledged the contributions of city government and the commu- CASINO on the development phase of the project. those individuals and groups who worked on the projects. Gorham nity for investing in the future of Elk City and the Cheyenne Arap- Continued from page 1 The next person to speak was mentioned the Office of Tribal aho Tribes. The ceremony was the Cheyenne Arapaho Lieu- Attorney, the legislators, and the concluded with a prayer, and gifts The Casino CEO, Charlie Wel- tenant Governor, Hershel Gor- casino management team. were given to those individuals bourne, came to the podium to ham. He also thanked everyone The closing remarks were made who helped with the ceremony. thank everyone for attending and for attending and then talked by the Governor of the tribes, While the dignitaries and ven- acknowledged the vendors who about the history of acquiring the Reggie Wassana. He, too, thanked dors took the ceremonial ground- came to the ceremonial ground- project. The acquisition began in everyone for their attendance and breaking pictures, the rest of breaking. He also outlined the 1999, which was a foresight of for- their contributions. He described those in attendance began lunch future for the new casino that mer tribal leaders. He explained the casino and the future facility provided by the tribes. It was a included gaming space, a con- the multi-step process of getting that included the size, amenities, day of celebration and anticipa- venience store, an RV park, and the land into a trust and the chal- and potential to attract visitors tion for the future of the Chey- potential changes to the I-40 ex- lenges they faced due to the Bu- and stimulate the local economy. enne Arapaho Tribes and the City its. He also thanked the key per- reau of Indian Affairs. He also ac- The governor gave credit to the of Elk City. SWOSU Extends Application Deadline for New English Education M.Ed. Program Prospective students interested was created for educators and graduate option while also creat- educators who want to refine their consulting, academic leadership, Rohla, coordinator of the English in the new Master of Education other professionals who want to ing new opportunities for students teaching practices and prepare for and related fields. Education M.Ed. program, at ani- in English Education program at strengthen their knowledge of interested in English education advanced teaching opportunities. Applications for the fall 2026 [email protected]. Southwestern Oklahoma State literature, writing, and teaching and related fields. The program also supports cohort will be accepted through For more information or to ap- University (SWOSU) now have while continuing to build their ca- Students may choose between students pursuing teacher certi- Aug. 1. ply, visit https://www.swosu.edu/ additional time to apply. The appli- reers. Courses are offered in eight- two pathways based on their pro- fication and includes a certificate Questions about the program academics/degrees/english-med. cation deadline has been extended week sessions, which allow stu- fessional goals. The Foundational pathway for teaching college-lev- may be directed to Dr. Anika php. to Aug. 1, providing future students dents to complete the degree in as English Education track provides el writing. Graduates can use the another opportunity to join the little as 18 months while balancing graduate-level study in English degree to advance their current program’s first cohort this fall. work and other responsibilities. education, writing instruction, teaching careers or prepare for op- Offered through the Depart- The degree was developed to literature, and pedagogy. The Ad- portunities in college instruction, ment of Language and Literature, meet the needs of working adults vanced Practice English Education instructional coaching, curric- the fully online graduate program and educators seeking a flexible track is designed for experienced ulum development, educational Voters to decide two state questions in August Two questions will appear on the August 25, 2026, Runoff Primary Election ballot. All Oklahoma voters, regardless of political party, can vote on these questions. The questions are reprinted here as they will appear on the ballot followed by a summary prepared by the Oklahoma Press Association. STATE QUESTION 844 STATE QUESTION 846 Oklahoma Cattlemen's Amending Oklahoma Constitution Article 10, Section 6B. Adding Oklahoma Constitution Article 3, Section 6 Reimbursement of certain revenue. Proof of Identity for Voting. STATE QUESTION 844 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM 378 This measure amends article 10, section 6B of the Oklahoma Constitution. Section 6B incentivizes manufacturers to locate, expand, or acquire manufacturing STATE QUESTION 846 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM 380 This measure adds a new section 6 to article 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution to require proof of identity to vote in any election authorized by law and conducted Association Elects New facilities in Oklahoma through an ad valorem taxation exemption for five (5) years. by a county election board or the State Election Board. The measure requires Currently, the State must reimburse common schools, county governments, cities and towns, emergency medical services districts, vocational technical schools, junior colleges, county health departments and libraries for revenues lost as a result of each exemption provided. This measure authorizes the Legislature to proof of identity for all authorized methods of voting. The measure requires the Legislature to enact laws to specify requirements for proof of identity for voting. The measure will not have a fiscal impact. Board Members SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED? enact laws establishing the levels and methodologies of reimbursement for the [Oklahoma City, Okla. – July The newly elected district vice previously mentioned local governmental entities resulting from the manufacturing FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES 28, 2026] – The Oklahoma Cat- presidents include: exemption. The laws are meant to ensure that no individual county receives AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO tlemen's Association recently • Clay Burtrum of Stillwater, reimbursement in an amount detrimental to other Oklahoma counties. The levels elected eight new members to North Central District • Ronn and methodologies will replace the current statutory framework for reimbursement. its Board of Directors during the Cunningham of Vinita, Northeast For the purpose of calculating the limit on indebtedness for political subdivisions, SUMMARY: State Question 846 is aimed at securing the OCA 74th Annual Convention District the measure requires such amount be equal to the amount of reimbursement UHTXLUHPHQWIRUYRWHULGHQWLÀFDWLRQLQWRWKH2NODKRPD&RQVWLWX- and Trade Show. "OCA's Board of Directors pro- applicable to such property under laws enacted by the Legislature. This measure tion, so any attempts to remove it would require a statewide pub- OCA divides Oklahoma into vides important grassroots leader- will have a fiscal impact on the state that will depend on the application of the lic vote. Since 2011, Oklahoma requires voters to present a val- levels and methodologies adopted by the Legislature. six membership districts to en- ship for the association," said Mi- id, government-issued or federally recognized tribal government sure statewide representation on chael Kelsey, OCA executive vice SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED? SKRWR LGHQWLÀFDWLRQ RU D YRWHU UHJLVWUDWLRQ FDUG ZKHQ YRWLQJ LQ it's governing body. Each district president. "These cattlemen bring FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES SHUVRQ ,I YRWHUV FDQ·W EH YHULÀHG E\ SROO ZRUNHUV WKH\ DUH DO- is represented by three directors valuable experience and a willing- AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO lowed to cast a provisional ballot. Oklahoma is one of 36 states serving staggered three year terms ness to serve their fellow producers. with such laws and has a reputation of having one of the strongest and one district vice president We appreciate their commitment election systems in the United States. Supporters of this measure serving a four year term. to OCA and Oklahoma's beef cattle SUMMARY: State Question 844 changes the system set up are trying to restrict future lawmakers from removing this require- The newly elected directors in- industry." by State Question 588, approved by Oklahomans in 1985. That ment by passing a law. They also believe establishing this rule in clude: The OCA is the trusted voice change created a property tax exemption for companies expanding WKH2NODKRPD&RQVWLWXWLRQZLOOEROVWHUSXEOLFFRQÀGHQFHLQHOHF- • Cody Beach of Bristow, North of Oklahoma's cattle industry, or creating manufacturing facilities in the state. Oklahomans voted tion integrity. Opponents believe this state question gives future Central District • Michael Hodges representing beef producers in all to give those manufacturers an ad valorem exemption, meaning ODZPDNHUVEURDGDXWKRULW\WRVHWUHVWULFWLYHLGHQWLÀFDWLRQUHTXLUH- of Quapaw, Northeast District • 77 counties while advocating for WKH\ZRXOGQRWSD\SURSHUW\WD[HVIRUÀYH\HDUV,QUHWXUQWKH/HJ- ments, which could change the mail-in voting process. Right now, LeRoss Apple of Kenton, North- policies that strengthen the state's islature would give reimbursements to the affected city and county absentee ballots by mail must be notarized, which the law says west District • Chance Combs of cattle business. For more informa- governments, school districts, vocational technical schools, col- HVWDEOLVKHVWKHLGHQWLW\RIWKHDEVHQWHHYRWHU,ISDVVHGWKHUXOHVRI Madill, South Central District • tion about OCA membership, the leges, libraries and emergency medical services districts that were what counts as proof of identity for any form of voting would be Jared Engler of Idabel, Southeast theft reward program or upcoming set to receive that funding. State Question 844 makes changes to XSWRWKHVWDWH/HJLVODWXUH District • Jake Grossnicklaus of events, call 405-235-4391 or visit the Oklahoma Constitution to allow changes to the reimbursement Ninnekah, Southwest District www.okcattlemen.org. ++++VOTE ++++ method tied to that exemption. Proponents say the costs of the current system of reimbursement are outpacing its funding. They also say the money collected should be better spread to other parts of the state, since only 42 of the state’s 77 counties now receive AUGUST 25, 2026 payments. Opponents say such a change to the decades-old system means the local entities could receive less money than they are For more information about State Questions, owed, which could result in local property tax increases. Also if see the Oklahoma State Election Board website at approved, school districts not receiving traditional aid from the https://oklahoma.gov/elections/elections-results/ /HJLVODWXUHZLOOQHHGWRUHFHLYHPRQH\IURPWKHVWDWHIXQGLQJIRU- state-question-info.html PXODWRÀOOEXGJHWJDSV6WDWH4XHVWLRQOHDYHVWKHFKDQJHVLQ or the Oklahoma Secretary of State website at WKHUHLPEXUVHPHQWPHWKRGWRWKH/HJLVODWXUH https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/default.aspx