Dr. David Ralph Announces Retirement After 47 Years at SWOSU

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host the 38th National Convention of Alpha Mu Gamma, the National Collegiate Languages Honor Society, from March 5–7, 2026. The event will bring together students, faculty, and language

Beckham County, OK – An Elk City man is facing felony charges following an alleged pursuit and arrest near Sayre on Sunday, Jan. 4. According to court records, Kevin Lanell Scott, 36, was arrested after authorities attempted

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) staff members were recognized Thursday, Jan. 8 during the 2026 Staff Day for a combined 435 years of service to the university. This collective total represents decades of commitment

Clinton, OK – A 15 year old girl is missing from the Clinton area, and authorities are asking for the public’s help. Amberlyn Blackwell was last seen at approximately 7:06 a.m. on December 29, 2025. Police say

Elk City, OK – 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. During

Elk City, OK – 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 final step

Western Oklahoma – 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. Two broadband expansion projects serving Washita

Weatherford, OK – The Department of Music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host the 56th Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival on February 19–20, 2026 in Weatherford. This festival is open to the public and will feature

Beckham County, OK – 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. Sheriff Manning said

Sayre, OK – 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. According to a probable cause affidavit, Kyle Lowell Minchey,

Cheyenne, OK – Voters in Roger Mills County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the February 10th Merritt School District Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice said today. Absentee ballots are

Childress County, TX – On Thursday, December 11, 26 pleas were entered in the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County. The cases were prosecuted by District Attorney Luke Inman and Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle. Judge

Oklahoma City, OK — 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. Moore, who represents

Elk City, OK – 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. Cook was sworn in on Dec. 31

Beckham County, OK – 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. Manning said the county avoided weather

Beckham County, OK – A reckless driving incident on Interstate 40 ended with an arrest after a brief pursuit and canine deployment Tuesday in Beckham County, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. The incident began near

Washington D.C. – The City of Erick is receiving new federal funding to strengthen its local wildfire response capabilities. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced more than $5 million in nationwide funding through its Slip on

Cheyenne, OK – 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

Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Transportation Commission met Monday morning, receiving updates on major highway projects and approving several engineering contracts and bridge improvements across the state. Oklahoma Transportation Commission members heard from Oklahoma Department of

Western Oklahoma – Western Oklahoma could be facing another dangerous wildfire season as early as January, with forecasters warning conditions may be worse and more widespread than last year. Predictors with the National Interagency Fire Center say

Sayre, OK – A Sayre man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he organized a forged check scheme from inside the Beckham County Jail, allegedly directing others to obtain and use stolen checks to secure

Weatherford, OK – 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. Sue Ball, Basil Weatherly, and

Roger Mills County, OK – 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. According to

Western Oklahoma – From winter through late fall, 2025 delivered major headlines across western Oklahoma, including fatal crashes, a high-profile murder trial, a large-scale hazmat emergency, and significant changes at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, alongside Route 66

Custer County, OK – A North Carolina woman is facing felony and misdemeanor drug charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Custer County. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Custer County District Court,

Texas Panhandle – 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

Sayre, OK – 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.

Beckham County, OK – One person was injured in a single vehicle collision early Sunday morning in Beckham County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash happened at about 3:22 a.m. on December 28 on westbound

Sayre, OK — 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 City

Weatherford, OK — The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) today announced the appointment of Dr. Joel Kendall as Interim President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective January 12, 2026. Dr.

Oklahoma City, OK – State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that no political party filed a notice to allow Independents to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries during the 2026-2027 election years. Since no

Elk City, OK – 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. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in

Beckham County, OK – Beckham County Sheriff’s Office deputies recovered multiple firearms while serving a search warrant connected to an ongoing child abuse investigation in Beckham County, according to Sheriff Derek Manning. Sheriff Manning said detectives were

Erick, OK – A stolen vehicle reported in Erick was recovered within hours thanks to quick work by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office. According to Derek Manning, the vehicle and an attached trailer were reported stolen by

Sayre, OK – 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. Manning said the case was uncovered through the

Wheeler County, TX – Bobbie Walker has announced her candidacy for Wheeler County Clerk, citing long-standing ties to the county and extensive experience in county government. Walker has lived in Wheeler County for 26 years and will

Weatherford, OK – 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. The 10-week term begins February 2 and ends

Caddo County, OK – A two vehicle collision was reported Friday night at the intersection of State Highway 152 and State Highway 58 in Caddo County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately

Elk City, OK – A Beckham County man is facing multiple charges after an incident at a local hospital escalated into assaults on medical staff and law enforcement, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Sheriff Manning

Weatherford, OK – Plans are moving forward for a new Amazon delivery facility in Weatherford, a development local leaders say will strengthen the area’s economy and create new employment opportunities. The company will build a 30,000 square

Elk City, OK – Christmas in the Park is winding down, and this Saturday night, December 20, is your last chance to enjoy all the weekend activities in Elk City’s Ackley Park. The Christmas light display will

Austin, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Xcel Energy, alleging the utility’s negligence caused the 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire, which burned more than one million acres in Texas and spread into

Elk City, OK — City officials, state leaders, and community members gathered at the Elk City Municipal Airport today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new aircraft hangar and terminal building, marking a major milestone in

Thomas, OK – A single vehicle injury collision was reported late Monday night in rural Custer County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred on December 15, 2025, at approximately 10:06 pm in a wheat