The Penny News Online

With the 2026 Regular Session set to begin Monday, February 2, members of the Oklahoma House are finalizing bill filings and committee agendas.

SWOSU will host the 38th National Convention of Alpha Mu Gamma, the National Collegiate Languages Honor Society, from March 5–7, 2026.

An Elk City man is facing felony charges following an alleged pursuit and arrest near Sayre.

SWOSU staff members were recognized Thursday, Jan. 8 during the 2026 Staff Day for a combined 435 years of service to the university.

A 15 year old girl is missing from the Clinton area, and authorities are asking for the public’s help.

The Elk City Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Chamber Banquet Tuesday night, bringing together local leaders, businesses, and community members for an evening focused on leadership, service, and the community’s future.

Elk City Police Chief John Cook says the department is essentially finished with its long awaited police and fire facility project, with one major piece still pending before full occupancy.

The Department of Music at SWOSU will host the 56th Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival on February 19–20, 2026 in Weatherford.

High speed fiber internet is now live for residents and businesses in and around Burns Flat and Granite, marking a major step forward for connectivity in western Oklahoma.

A weekend traffic stop on Interstate 40 nearly turned dangerous for a Beckham County deputy and ended with a drug related DUI arrest, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning.

A Sayre man has been charged in Beckham County District Court with larceny of a motor vehicle following an investigation that began just before Christmas.

Voters in Roger Mills County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the February 10th Merritt School District Election should apply now.

Oklahoma House Speaker Pro-Tem Anthony Moore says the next three weeks at the State Capitol will be critical in shaping budget decisions and policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Following the retirement of longtime Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland, the City of Elk City has officially named John Cook as its new Police Chief.

Beckham County law enforcement saw a relatively calm holiday season this year, with fewer serious incidents than in years past, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning.

The City of Erick is receiving new federal funding to strengthen its local wildfire response capabilities.

Friday, January 16th, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the February 10th Merritt School District Special Election, Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice said today.

A Sayre man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he organized a forged check scheme from inside the Beckham County Jail.

A former Elk City teacher and a long-time Elk City businessman and civic leader recognized new alumni at the recent Southwestern Oklahoma State University fall graduation ceremony in Weatherford.

A wildfire burning near Kiowa Road in Roger Mills County scorched more than 300 acres of pasture land Tuesday afternoon before crews were able to bring it largely under control.

A North Carolina woman is facing felony and misdemeanor drug charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Custer County.

Nearly a year after the Smokehouse Creek Fire scorched more than a million acres across the Texas Panhandle and into Western Oklahoma, the cities of Wheeler and Canadian, Texas are among eleven Panhandle communities joining forces.

City officials in Sayre say water service has been fully restored following a major 12 inch transmission line break early Christmas morning, with testing now underway to lift the city’s precautionary boil water advisory.

One person was injured in a single vehicle collision early Sunday morning in Beckham County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Sayre city officials have issued a precautionary boil water advisory after a 12-inch transmission main broke on Christmas Day, cutting service for parts of the community and raising concerns about water safety.

The Regional University System of Oklahoma and SWOSU today announced the appointment of Dr. Joel Kendall as Interim President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective January 12.

An Elk City Police investigation into reported theft and fraud at Walmart has led to the arrest of a Clinton woman on multiple felony charges.

A stolen vehicle reported in Erick was recovered within hours thanks to quick work by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office.

An investigation by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office uncovered an attempted fraud scheme involving an inmate inside the Beckham County Jail, according to Sheriff Derek Manning.

Enrollment is now open for the Spring 2026 term of the SWOSU Music Academy, a program that connects young musicians with quality instruction and performance opportunities.