Daily Bible verse
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalms 34:18
Oklahoma revenue shows growth
OKLAHOMA CITY – The November 2025 State Tax Revenue Report released today by State Treasurer Todd Russ shows a 4.1% increase in total revenue compared to November 2024, even as monthly results were uneven. Over the past 12 months, Oklahoma collected $17.08 billion, up 1.3% from the prior period, underscoring continued revenue resilience heading into 2026.
“Even with a softer month in several categories, Oklahoma’s revenue picture remains steady,” said State Treasurer Todd Russ. “Year-over-year revenue shows solid growth driven by strong income tax performance and improving business conditions. The rebound in sales and use tax also reflects continued consumer confidence heading into the holiday season. With federal data still delayed from the shutdown, we are watching national trends closely, but Oklahoma continues to demonstrate resilience and balanced economic momentum.”
Key Takeaways from the November 2025 Report
12-Month Total Revenue: $17.08 billion — up $213.4 million (+1.3%) compared to last year.
Year-Over-Year Monthly Growth: November 2025 collections rose $49.2 million (+4.1%) over November 2024.
Sales & Use Tax: $627.5 million — up 9.0% year-over year and 7.8% month-over-month.
Business Conditions Update
Oklahoma’s Business Conditions Index fell to 48.8 in November, down from 52.2 in October.
The dip was mainly driven by weaker new orders, slower production, and softer manufacturing employment.
This marks the second month this year of the index being below the growth-neutral threshold of 50, indicating a mild short-term contraction in manufacturing activity and softer conditions for producers heading into year-end.
Ties to National Trends
The federal shutdown continues to delay some U.S. economic data, prompting reliance on private-sector sources for key indicators.
The Federal Reserve recognized mixed signals in inflation and labor markets and executed an interest-rate cut in October, aiming to balance growth and price stability.
Oklahoma’s diversified economy is supported by income tax strength, energy production, and consumer demand and continues to outperform national averages and provides a stable base for both state and local governments through budget cycles.
For cities and towns that rely heavily on sales and use tax revenue, the dips over last month in some categories should be viewed as seasonal rather than a cause for alarm, given the increase in November year-over year of 4.1%.
“Although four of the five major tax sources were down from October, the overall year-over-year total for November increased compared to 2024, demonstrating continued strength despite typical seasonal patterns,” added Treasurer Russ.
The complete November 2025 Tax Revenue Report is available at treasurer.ok.gov, including breakdowns by tax category, sector, and month.
Vian man pleads guilty to child abuse
MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Grant Wes Morris, 25, of Vian entered a guilty plea to one count of Child Abuse in Indian Country, punishable by a term of up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
The Indictment alleged that on July 1, 2025, Morris willfully and maliciously harmed and threatened the health, safety, and welfare of a child under the age of 18, causing swelling and bruising. The crime occurred in Sequoyah County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sequoyah Sheriff’s Office.
Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Morris will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States.
Talihina wins thriller over Fairland
Talihina scored in the last minute as the Golden Tigers edged Fairland, 47-46, in a Class A-II football semifinal at Beggs Friday night.
Talihina advances to the championship game at the University of Central Oklahoma at noon Thursday against Hominy, a 44-21 winner over Allen in the other semifinal game.
Pocola was not quite as fortunate in a Class A-I semifinal, losing to Tonkawa in its semifinal game, 37-12.
See the whole story HERE.
LeFlore County scoreboard
LeFlore County scoreboard for games played Friday.
Class A-I semifinal game
Tonkawa 37, Pocola 12
Class A-II semifinal game
Talihina 47, Fairland 46
Panama 67, Battiest 61
Keys 71, Spiro 45
Sallisaw 73, Poteau 56
Whitesboro 71, Wister 65
Panama 41, Oktaha 26
Spiro 45, Keys 41
Sallisaw 60, Poteau 30
Whitesboro 54, Wister 27
To make a correction or addition, text (918) 649-4712 or CONTACT me.
Poteau drops basketball games at Sallisaw
Poteau drops basketball games at Sallisaw Friday.
The Pirates lost, 73-56, to fall to 1-1, while the Lady Pirates were defeated, 60-30, to fall to 0-2. Both Poteau teams are back in action Monday at Stigler.
It was the season openers for Sallisaw.
See the whole story HERE.
Oklahoma high school football playoff scores
Oklahoma football playoff scores
Class 6A-I championship
Bixby vs. Owasso (Saturday 7 p.m.)
Class 6A-II championship
Sand Springs 32, Choctaw 27
Class 5A championship
McGuiness vs. Carl Albert (Saturday noon)
Class 4A semifinals
Elgin 52, Cushing 6
Tuttle 49, Broken Bow 28
Class 3A semifinals
Lincoln Christina 28, Heritage Hall 7
Sulphur 35, Perkins-Tryon 8
Class 2A-I semifinals
Washington 41, OCS 20
Jones 48, Marlow 21
Class 2A-II semifinals
Adair 42, Stroud 40
Vian 21, Davis 0
Class A-I semifinals
Tonkawa 37, Pocola 12
Rejoice Christian 42, Pawhuska 34
Class A-II semifinals
Talihina 47, Fairland 46
Hominy 44, Allen 21
Class B-I championship
Dewar 14, Laverne 6
Class B-II championship
Seiling 60, Weleetka 12
Class C championship
Ryan 60, Medford 30
Calendar of events
Calendar of events for the next week for Heavener, LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you are with a non-profit or a church and want to get the word out, please CONTACT me or use the contact form below.
Saturday
Green County Ruff Writers meet at the Coffee Cup 2-4 p.m.
Poteau Christmas parade 6 p.m. downtown Poteau
High school basketball: Panama at Indianola Tournament.
Sunday
Fundraiser for Niki Dehart
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Local school boards meet
High school basketball: Cameron at Gans; Bokoshe at Canadian; Pocola at Vian; Poteau at Stigler
Tuesday
High school basketball: Panama at Heavener; Gans at Arkoma; Buffalo Valley at Cameron
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC
Thursday
High school football: Talihina vs. Hominy in Class A-II championship at UCO
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC
High school basketball: Heavener at Haskell Tournament; Howe, Pocola at CNIT; LeFlore, Whitesboro, Wister at Nadine Carpenter Classic; Spiro at Wilburton Tournament
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30
Friday
High school basketball: Heavener at Haskell Tournament; Howe, Pocola at CNIT; Porum at Arkoma; Panama at Cameron
Today in history
1884
Washington Monument completed
On December 6, 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers place a nine-inch aluminum pyramid inscribed with “Laus Deo,” meaning praise (be) to God, atop a tower of white marble, completing the construction of an impressive monument to the city’s namesake and the nation’s first president, George Washington.... read more
Arts & Entertainment
1933
1969
Civil War
1865
European History
1921
Natural Disasters & Environment
1907
Sports
1961
World War I
1917
World War II
1941
