Free speech is the bedrock of our nation and essential to a functioning democracy. Under the First Amendment, free speech is guaranteed as an inalienable right of each and every American. We should take great pride in being the only country in the world which recognizes people’s right to express themselves freely and peacefully, even when others may disagree. Instead, the left has weaponized the federal government in order to prevent the spread of “misinformation” through social media.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) holds its Fall Forum, our annual policy conference, allowing advocates to gather and discuss policies to improve the state for our youngest residents. Fall Forum provides important insight into issues impacting children.

In 2019, for the first time in modern history, President Trump finally fulfilled the promise of countless Presidents before him -- Trump made America energy-independent. In fairness, that’s an understatement.

Elon Musk has finally managed to buy Twitter. And the moment he did, the enraged Left flipped out.

On Feb. 1, Wade Burleson of Enid, Oklahoma, a minister, writer, and the former President of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, announced that he had officially filed as a Republican candidate for Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District.

Historians, journalists and educators are declaring John J. Dwyer’s newest book the most comprehensive, inclusive and thoroughly-researched non-fiction book in Oklahoma history.

Seventeen high school seniors have been selected to the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) for 2022-23 at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. Members of the class and their high schools are: • Sharlie Adler – Manti High School, Utah • Brian Alvarado – Hooker High School • Jena Bay – Shattuck High School • Allison Bond – McAlester High School • Quinn Do – Moore High School • Jake Estes – Canute High School • Peyton Foster – Weatherford High School • Landry Freeman – Marlow High School • Ethan Haggard – Kremlin-Hillsdale High School • Emma Hickey – Arapaho-Butler High School • Emma Hurst – Fairview High School • Colby Maddox – Canute High School • Tabor Marlatt – Sharon-Mutual High School • Christopher Ray – Weatherford High School • Caden Russell – Bridge Creek High School • Maecy Spencer – Mustang High School • Dustee Warnke – Elk City High School Each of the class members receives a $500 per semester scholarship for two years, room scholarship for one year and enrollment in a leadership class that is offered exclusively to PLC students.

Mustang High School (MHS) Junior John Cady scored a perfect 36 on the ACT college entrance exam, placing him in the 99th percentile nationally out of approximately 2 million test takers. On average, less than one-half of 1 percent of students who take the ACT annually earn the top score.

Mustang High School’s (MHS) annual Broncos Empowering A Society Together (BEAST) Week raised $60,343.14 this year. The event kicked off on March 23, culminating with the “Feed the BEAST” assembly held at MHS on Friday, April 1. However, the fundraiser is actually a yearround endeavor.

Voters will choose the State of Oklahoma Senate District 18 senator on the June 28 primary. Only two candidates filed for the seat and both are Republicans. They are 27-year old Hunter Zearley, and District 3 County Commissioner Jack Stewart, age 72, both of Yukon.