Articles by Sean Murphy, The Associated Press

Whistleblowers File Lawsuits Against Oklahoma State Superintendent, Top Aide

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Two former employees at the State Department of Education filed separate federal lawsuits Tuesday against Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters and his top aide, alleging they were wrongfully fired last week. Cheryl McGee, the agency’s former …

Oklahoma Lawmakers Agree on $1M Settlement Over Inmate’s Death

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma lawmakers on Tuesday signed off on a $1.05 million settlement with the family of a state prison inmate who died of appendicitis in 2018 despite five visits to the prison’s medical staff in the week …

More Severe Weather Forecast for Battered South, Midwest

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – While residents across parts of the South and Midwest pummeled by deadly storms and wildfires sifted through the wreckage of their homes Monday, forecasters warned of more severe weather and fire danger in the days ahead …

Oklahoma Voters Reject Legalization of Recreational Marijuana

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma voters on Tuesday rejected the legalization of recreational marijuana, following a late blitz of opposition from faith leaders, law enforcement and prosecutors. Oklahoma would have become the 22nd state to legalize adult use of cannabis …

Cannabis Vote Has Oklahoma Hungry to Rake in Green From Texas

Tens of thousands of Texans from the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth area routinely drive across the Red River to gamble in glitzy, Las Vegas- style tribal casinos or to relax at cabins or swim and ski in lakes that dot southern …

Tornado Causes Damage East of Houston

PASADENA, Texas (AP) – A powerful storm system took aim at the Gulf Coast on Tuesday, spawning a tornado that downed utility poles and power lines, overturned vehicles and ripped roofs off homes and businesses in communities east of Houston. …

Oklahoma AG Announces New Opioid Settlements Worth $226M

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma entered settlement agreements with three major pharmacy chains and an opioid manufacturer totaling more than $226 million, Attorney General John O’Connor announced Wednesday. Including the new settlements with drugmaker Allergan and pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens …

Oklahoma Court: Marijuana Question Won’t Make November Ballot

A proposed state question on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Oklahoma won’t appear on the November ballot, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, dealing a blow to Democrats who hoped the question would energize liberal voters. …

Federal Lawsuit Challenges Oklahoma Anti-Trans Bathroom Law

Civil rights groups filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of three transgender Oklahoma schoolchildren, arguing the state’s new law requiring students use only the bathroom of the sex listed on their birth certificate is unconstitutional. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in …

Oklahoma Supreme Court to Consider Marijuana Legalization Question

The Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to consider whether a question on legalizing recreational use of marijuana should appear on the ballot in November. Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws gathered enough signatures to qualify State Question 820 for a …