Western Oklahoma Drought Update

Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department has announced its 2nd Annual Citizens Police Academy, set to begin April 2, 2026. The 10 week program will meet each Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.

Edmond, OK – Two men were arrested Monday in connection with an identity theft investigation involving an Elk City business. According to a press release from the Elk City Police Department, officers with the Criminal Investigations Division

Oklahoma City, OK – 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

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame honorees. Known as “SWOSU’s highest honor,” the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 1976 by SWOSU to recognize

Woodward, OK – Elk City firefighters were deployed late Tuesday afternoon to assist with a dangerous wildfire near Woodward as part of the Beckham County Task Force. The deployment came as fire warnings and red flag conditions

Sayre, OK – 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

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (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. The Shoot will be fun

Elk City, OK — A new satellite based detection program is already making a difference for fire departments across western Oklahoma. Elk City Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka and Carter Fire Chief Chad Rippetoe say the Next Generation

Beckham County, OK – 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. Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning

Weatherford, OK – The 56th annual SWOSU Jazz Festival returns to Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford Feb. 19–20. The festival brings two full days of live jazz to campus, including ticketed concerts, educational clinics, and

Norman, OK – A Red Flag Warning has been issued for much of western and southwestern Oklahoma as forecasters warn of dangerous fire weather conditions Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Norman upgraded a Fire Weather Watch

Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host an Aerospace and Defense Career Fair on Friday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pioneer Event Center. The event will connect students with

Oklahoma City, OK — Legislation authored by State Rep. Nick Archer of Elk City recently moved forward in the Oklahoma House. House Bill 3173, known as the Well Repurposing Act, recently passed out of the House Energy

Weatherford, OK — 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. This scholarship, established by SWOSU’s 17th President, Dr. Randy

Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Jason Johnson as the University’s next provost and vice president for academic affairs. Johnson will officially begin his role April 1, pending approval

Altus, OK — 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. The crash occurred at 6:21 a.m. on February

Western Oklahoma – Voters across western Oklahoma made decisions Tuesday on several school bond proposals and municipal races, with mixed results throughout the region. The largest local headline came from Merritt Public Schools, where voters decisively rejected

Oklahoma City, OK — A bill authored by state Rep. Anthony Moore, a Republican from Clinton, is set for consideration this week by the Oklahoma House Energy Committee. House Bill 4338, known as the Oklahoma Brine Development

Kiowa County, OK – A Snyder man was killed Monday morning in a single vehicle collision in Kiowa County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at 6:47 a.m. Feb. 9 on U.S. Highway 62B,

Elk City, OK – Two longtime cornerstones of western Oklahoma communities are getting a boost as part of a nationwide celebration of America’s library legacy. The Elk City Carnegie Library and the Hobart Carnegie Library have each

Weatherford, OK – Alisen Bristow of Mountain View, Oklahoma, has been named the C.B. Graft Rule of Law Scholar at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. Bristow is a junior at SWOSU, majoring

Burns Flat, OK – 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. The program

Oklahoma City, OK – 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. House Bill 4358

Beckham County, OK – 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. As previously reported

Oklahoma City, OK – 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. Republican voters make up the largest share