Preparing Landscape Trees for Winter

Home Grown Oklahoma winters can be very unpredictable, and a dry winter can leave trees stressed and struggling the following spring. Trees are a long-term investment and valuable part of our landscapes, so preparing them for winter is key.

Civility Versus Hostility

For the Children One of my goals with the “For the Children” weekly column is to keep people aware of issues involving child advocacy and policy updates so individuals and organizations can champion solutions to problems faced by youth.

Rest, Reflections, and Farewells

For the Children I hope your Labor Day weekend was full of relaxation. I schedule a vacation each year with friends to get away over this holiday which allows me to “charge up the batteries” for upcoming work.

President Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ Puts Oklahoma Agriculture First

Asalifelongcow-calfrancher,Iknowfirsthand the difficulties our farmers and ranchers face every day. Burdensome regulations, disease, recent natural disasters, and growing costs are just some of the challenges posed to farmers across the country.

Adventures with Allie

ofIt started with bean soup.A young woman on TikTok shared a simple video of herself making bean soup in her kitchen. Nothing dramatic, nothing controversial — just beans, broth and seasoning simmering in a pot. But her comment section erupted into outrage.

One Test to Rule Them All? No thanks

State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ recently announced that end-of-theyear state testing for math and English in grades three through eight may no longer be required. I’m not always on board with Walters’ ideas, plans, or conspiracies.

Lawmakers Study Critical Children’s Issues

For the Children Interim study season at the Oklahoma State Capitol is kicking off this week, and the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) is not only monitoring several, but we are engaging with authors for some of these reviews.

The Purpose of Pollinators in City Settings

Home Grown Pollinators—bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, birds, and even bats—play an essential role in urban environments. While many people think of pollination as something that happens “out in the country,” it’s just as important in cities.Why are pollinators essential in cities?

OSSAA’s broken system must be demolished and rebuilt

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association’s mission, as published on its website reads: “The OSSAA will serve member schools by providing leadership in the development, supervision, and conduct of cocurricular activities, which enrich the educational experiences of high school students.

Back to School Means a New Beginning for Children, Families

For the Children OICA CEOOn Saturday, Aug. 9, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) partnered with the Foster Care Association of Oklahoma (FCAO) to hold a backto- school bash for more than 350 foster youth and caregivers.