State Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, said the second week of the 2026 legislative session brought a full slate of committee meetings and key policy discussions, including the first meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he chairs.

SWOSU has announced its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame honorees.

Elk City firefighters were deployed late Tuesday afternoon to assist with a dangerous wildfire near Woodward as part of the Beckham County Task Force.

Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning took time this week to recognize the county’s School Resource Officers in honor of National School Resource Officer Day, praising their impact on student safety and school culture across the area.

SWOSU has announced that the SWOSU Foundation, Inc.’s first-ever Chairman’s Tower Shoot is set for Thursday, February 26, at Black Oak Farms in Devol, Oklahoma.

A new satellite based detection program is already making a difference for fire departments across western Oklahoma.

The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of three men and one woman following a wide-ranging child sexual abuse investigation that spanned multiple cities across Oklahoma.

The 56th annual SWOSU Jazz Festival returns to Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford Feb. 19–20.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for much of western and southwestern Oklahoma as forecasters warn of dangerous fire weather conditions Tuesday.

SWOSU will host an Aerospace and Defense Career Fair on Friday, March 6.

Legislation authored by State Rep. Nick Archer of Elk City recently moved forward in the Oklahoma House.

Jacob Sappington of Willow has been named the Dr. Randy L. Beutler History Scholar at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) for the 2025-2026 academic year.

SWOSU has announced the appointment of Dr. Jason Johnson as the University’s next provost and vice president for academic affairs.

A 23 year old Altus man was killed in a collision early Tuesday morning approximately four miles north of Altus, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Voters across western Oklahoma made decisions Tuesday on several school bond proposals and municipal races, with mixed results throughout the region.

A bill authored by state Rep. Anthony Moore, a Republican from Clinton, is set for consideration this week by the Oklahoma House Energy Committee.

A Snyder man was killed Monday morning in a single vehicle collision in Kiowa County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Two longtime cornerstones of western Oklahoma communities are getting a boost as part of a nationwide celebration of America’s library legacy.

Alisen Bristow of Mountain View, has been named the C.B. Graft Rule of Law Scholar at SWOSU for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

Retail business owners along historic Route 66 have a new opportunity to improve their buildings through a facade and sign revitalization incentive program offered by the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore of Clinton, R-Clinton, has filed a package of education bills aimed at improving classroom outcomes and expanding access to higher education for Oklahoma students.

A man previously released on bond after being accused of trafficking more than 120 pounds of marijuana in Beckham County has now received a deferred sentence, according to court records.

The Oklahoma State Election Board has released its official annual voter registration report, showing a total of 2,406,168 registered voters statewide as of January 15, 2026.

A Weatherford woman has been charged with first-degree arson following a November 2025 fire at a residence in the University Drive trailer park in Weatherford.

Faculty and students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Natural History Museum visited Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford Elementary School to provide a hands-on science experience for third-grade students.

A bill filed ahead of the Oklahoma Legislature’s 2026 session would significantly limit civil lawsuits against oil and gas companies, including claims tied to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

As the second session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature gets underway, Elk City’s own Rep. Nick Archer has introduced House Bill 3175, a measure aimed at positioning Oklahoma for growth in advanced nuclear energy.

With the February 10th Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Februart 10th, for the Merritt School District Special Election.

Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, January 26th and are unable make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their ballot.