Proving Grounds Named to Test Self-Driving Cars

Texas and Iowa are among ten sites chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be proving grounds for self-driving cars or vehicles. The government calls them “automated vehicle technologies” where the proving grounds will “foster innovations that can safely transform personal and commercial mobility, expand capacity, and open new doors to disadvantaged people and …

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Original Earthquake Lawyer Warns Law Firms to Back Off His Clients

The attorney who filed the first lawsuit accusing energy companies of causing damaging earthquakes in Oklahoma is telling other law firms—-back off! Scott Poynter of the Poynter Law Group based in Little Rock, Arkansas sent letters Feb. 17 to six law firms telling them to stop contacting his clients. “My clients have been receiving solicitation …

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Who Will Replace Pruitt as Attorney General?

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has yet another significant appointment to make in her administration. After the controversial appointment of a new State Supreme Court Justice, she now has to name someone to replace Scott Pruitt as Attorney General following his confirmation to head the EPA. “Scott Pruitt will do a great job as EPA administrator,” …

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Congressman Blasts Tribal Leader Over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

  Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullins made it clear in a recent House subcommittee hearing what he felt about the protests of Native Americans against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. Mullins, whose bloodline includes Native American was highly critical of the efforts of the Standing Rock Sioux in refusing to negotiate with Energy Transfer …

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Pipeline Exec Calls Dakota Access Protesters “Terrorists”

In recent testimony offered before U.S. House subcommittee members, including Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin, an executive of the Dakota Access Pipeline called demonstrators terrorists. Joey Mahmoud, executive vice president of Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners never used the term in his actual testimony but rather in his printed witness statement offered to the subcommittee of the …

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TransCanada Files Application in Nebraska to Build Keystone Pipeline

A few weeks after President Trump gave the go-ahead for renewed efforts to build the Keystone XL Pipeline, developer TransCanada said it is seeking approval for a route through Nebraska. The pipeline would stretch from Canada through Montana, South Dakota and into Nebraska where it would connect to existing pipelines to carry oil south to …

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Pruitt Headed for Senate Final Confirmation Vote on Friday

EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt cleared his first hurdle on Thursday morning as the Senate voted 54-46 to advance his nomination, according to The Washington Times. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia joined Republicans in the vote. A final vote is expected on Friday. Pruitt’s confirmation has been a …

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Judge Orders Pruitt to Provide Outstanding Open Records Data by February 21

An Oklahoma County Court judge has found Attorney General and EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt in violation of the state’s Open Records Act. Judge Aletia Haynes Timmons ordered the Attorney General’s office to release more than 2,500 emails by Tuesday, February 21. The emails are the subject of a records request and subsequent lawsuit filed by …

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Coal Industry Rejoices as Trump Signs Legislation Blocking Stream Protection Rule

Following an extraordinary press conference, President Donald Trump signed legislation on Thursday to halt a regulation blocking coal mining debris from being dumped into nearby streams, according to a statement issued by the White House’s Office of the Press Secretary. House Joint Resolution 38 blocks an overly burdensome stream protection rule from further harming the …

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Physicians Groups Combine to Offer Better Rural Health Care

Two medical providers are teaming up to provide better health care in rural Oklahoma. OU Physicians, the state’s largest physicians group, and Xpress Wellness Urgent Care, an Oklahoma-based health care provider in rural Oklahoma, today announced a clinical affiliation agreement designed to enhance care across the state. Xpress Wellness provides walk-in treatment for non-life threatening …

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