The Oklahoma 100

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon
The iconic pink ribbon is seen all over as our country unites to raise funds and awareness to fight breast cancer.

According to breastcancer.org, one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Because of this alarming statistic, October turns pink each year as it becomes dedicated to breast cancer awareness.

This international health campaign takes center stage to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and developments. Some of the ways to help make a difference include: fundraise at work or in your community, make a personal donation to a local or national organization, volunteer at a fundraising event, wear pink to spread awareness, and post positivity on social media.

– Josh Sarnowitz, The Boston 100

 

The Real Classroom Lesson

A social justice forum at OU was facilitated by Adjunct Professor Sage Mauldin, left. Panelists included, from left, former State Sen. Kenneth Corn, political activist Sean Braddy, State Rep. Forrest Bennett, President Ronald Reagan aide Brenda Barwick and State Rep. Cyndi Munson.

OU Adjunct Professor of Human Relations Sage Mauldin recently facilitated a panel on “Pursuing Social Justice Through Public Office” that included viewpoints across the political spectrum.

Democrats, a Republican and an Independent displayed mutual respect on many issues confronting Oklahoma, such as education, incarceration rates, DACA, state budget, tax reforms and criminal justice reforms. Varying viewpoints were clearly on display.

My greatest hope is that the 60 students learned Americans can have civil and respectful discussions. When people listen to each other, then real solutions can arise to solve societal issues. Hopefully, this was the real lesson for the students.

– Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

 

Online Education Takes off With OSOCP

The Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program makes online education attainable at any age.

Most college graduates today did not experience “online education” until their higher education years.

But in Oklahoma, there is now a program available to all Oklahoma districts that is providing students the opportunity to embrace online education as early as pre-K.

The Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program establishes a framework for districts to offer supplementary online courses to all students in their district. Participation in the OSOCP provides opportunities for students to blend academic responsibilities with other endeavors. Credit recovery and credit advancement options are readily available to districts and the students they serve across the K-12 continuum.

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

 

Oklahoma Sees Value in STEM

As STEM jobs are growing rapidly, Oklahoma educators try to set students up for success.

It’s no secret STEM-related careers are among the fastest-growing jobs in America.

Referring to disciplines related to science, technology, engineering and math, STEM jobs play important roles in industries such as energy, aerospace and healthcare in Oklahoma.

The state made a concerted effort over the past decade to increase the number STEM degrees awarded from Oklahoma colleges and universities.

According to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the number of STEM degrees and certificates conferred increased 32 percent over the past six years, and a 2016 report states that STEM graduates will earn the highest starting salaries.

– Adam Maxey, Jones PR

 

New OKC Charter Schools Serve More Students

Class is officially in session at these new local charter schools.

This school year, Oklahoma City is welcoming the addition of three charter schools to the area.

KIPP OKC South Community Prep opened at Western Hills Baptist Church. The school has 105 fourth-grade students enrolled but plans to increase to 500 students from fourth through eighth grade over five years.

Sante Fe South introduced an 81,000-square-foot high school located on the grounds of the old Crossroads Mall, which houses the 950 students enrolled, and their fourth elementary school.

The most inspiring feature at the new high school? A wire mesh wall to display students’ college acceptance letters.

– Holly Hoehner, Jones PR

 

Local Coalition Fights For DACA

U.S. Rep. Steve Russell in conversation with FWD.us Oklahoma coalition member, Robert Ruiz.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for children brought to the country illegally is under imminent threat. DACA could be gone by Sept. 5, putting the 6,900 Oklahoma recipients who contribute $344 million annually to the state’s GDP at risk for immediate deportation.

“Ending [DACA] would fall in contrast to the words of President Trump and Speaker Ryan, who promised to keep these people safe,” Scissortail Community Development Corporation President and FWD.us coalition member Robert Ruiz said.

U.S. Rep. Steve Russell echoed that sentiment recently, reiterating Congress doesn’t support a policy that would hurt these individuals.

– Suzanne LaCharde

 

Not Just a Young Person’s Game

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social welfare organization with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families. (Photo courtesy of AARP)

When most people think of video games, they think of millennials and younger people; they don’t think of people 50 and older. Yet one in three Americans age 50-plus play video games regularly. Most of these gamers play for fun and the opportunity to stay connected with loved ones through online game communities.

Video games and apps are truly ageless, offering gamers of all ages — from grandfathers to granddaughters — the opportunity to share entertainment and social interactions with each other. At AARP, we’re looking at the role video game technology can play in helping us all to age better.

– Sami Hassanyeh, SVP Digital Strategy and Membership, AARP

 

OK Highway Patrol Videos Tackle Roadway Deaths

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers launched a series of video PSAs encouraging young drivers to be safe and graduate. (Photo courtesy of YouTube)

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol wants you to graduate. That’s the message that OHP troopers deliver in a series of video public service announcements that debuted on May 14 across television and social media platforms.

The PSA videos focus on roadway deaths with the message to young drivers to be safe, so they can graduate high school.

According to OHP, one of out every 10 roadway fatalities is a child 18 or younger. Within a year’s time, the statistic adds up to a large high school graduation class.

OHP teamed up with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to produce the PSA videos.

– Meghan Jackson, Jones PR

 

Senator Cassidy, Seersucker Aficionado

Senator Cassidy (R-LA) and his staff are ready for the summer in their seersucker. (Photo courtesy of Bill Cassidy)

Regardless of your political persuasion, there’s one thing on which all southerners can agree: the necessity of seersucker. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy agrees.

Cassidy and California Senator Dianne Feinstein reinstated National Seersucker Day and Seersucker Thursdays in Washington, D.C., bringing a bit of the South to The Hill. The official day is usually the second or third week of June, and men and women throughout D.C. strut their striped stuff.

Things can get heated in Washington, so it’s impressive to see a southern senator who is knowledgeable on the issues, while bringing his own charms to his position.

– Sarah H. Centorino, The New Orleans 100

 

Not Even a Nickel

Watch out for that (state budget) hole! (Illustration by Austen Redinger via Oklahomans for Better Roads and Bridges)

Amid state budget cuts, Oklahomans for Better Roads and Bridges is deploying a campaign to let the public know just how little goes to fund fixing roads and bridges.

“Although you ALREADY pay lots of state taxes, not even 5¢ of every dollar goes to fix your roads and bridges,” said Bobby Stem, Oklahomans for Better Roads and Bridges treasurer. “The legislature has until May 26 to balance the budget. We’ll let you know if they voted to fix your roads…or kick the can down it.”

For a map of all dangerous bridges in Oklahoma, visit www.NotEvenANickel.com.

– Emily Anderson, Jones PR

 

Trucking Industry Urging Swift Action on Long-Term Infrastructure Spending

If you bought it, a truck brought it.

There’s a phrase used in the trucking industry: if you bought it, a truck brought it. And delivering all those goods requires use of our nation’s roads, highways, bridges and tunnels.

The trucking industry – which hauls 70 percent of the nation’s freight and pays half of all highway taxes – understands how vital modern transportation infrastructure is to our nation. That’s why our Infrastructure Task Force recently conducted the first in a series of visits with Transportation Secretary Chao and lawmakers urging swift action on a long-term infrastructure spending package to address America’s critical need for highway and bridge improvements.

– Chris Spear, President & CEO of the America Trucking Associations

 

Twitter: the New Policy Battleground

As Twitter becomes the ultimate policy battleground in Washington, it's more important than ever to ensure you and your team are prepared.

First, it was Boeing’s Air Force One program. Then, Lockheed’s F-35 program, when the company’s valuation fell by nearly $4 billion – after a single tweet.

While Twitter has long been fertile ground for journalists and spin masters to float policy ideas, President Trump’s prominence on the platform – and his tweets that can impact companies’ share price and inflict reputational damage instantly – means it’s the first place a public attack can strike during this presidency.

With potential for spiraling casualties due to its virality and reach, this makes Twitter the new policy battleground, and it’s important to prepare your team.

– Gloria Story Dittus, Story Partners