The GOP is ready to force Democrats into another tough and divisive vote on immigration, just a week after Congress passed the Laken Riley Act. Sen.

Area citizens wishing to file for declarations of candidacy for the April 1 municipal general elections can do so Feb. 3-5 at the Choctaw County Election office, located on the first floor of the courthouse. For more information, call 580.326.5164.

President Donald Trump will sign executive orders removing diversity, equity, and inclusion from the military and reinstating thousands of troops who were kicked out for refusing COVID vaccines during the pandemic, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and decorated veteran, last week secured enough votes to become the next defense secretary, a major victory for Trump after fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans to his controversial nominee.

The State Election Board completed its routine, statutorily-mandated, biennial voter list maintenance on Friday, Jan. 17 and Tuesday, Jan. 21. The process removed 129,680 inactive voter registrations and 2,242 duplicate voter registrations from Oklahoma’s voter rolls.

Choctaw County is currently in the process of updating its FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan that allows for all participating jurisdictions and schools across Choctaw County to apply for federal grants for hazard mitigation projects, as well as potential infrastructure improvement projects. Below is a link for a public online survey and an opportunity to share opinions, concerns and thoughts about the natural hazards experienced as a resident of Choctaw County. www.surveylegend. com/s/5w0o or

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is seeking applicants for its 2025-26 Teen Leaders class. Applications are due March 1.

The National Institutes of Health has awarded an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist a $4.1 million grant to study how tiny genetic changes contribute to lupus. Swapan Nath, Ph.D., hopes to determine which genetic regions impact a type of immune cell called macrophages, which help protect us from infection.

The KEDDO Area Agency on Aging provides a variety of services for those 60 years of age and older and some services for 55 years of age and older. Do you need help with dental, vision, hearing, or minor home repair? Do you need assistive living devices? Do you need help with transportation to the doctor? What about nutrition services? Are you a caregiver for a loved one and need respite help, or a grandparent raising a grandchild? If you said yes to any of these questions, call the KEDDO Office at 918.465.2367 or 1.800.722.8180 for more information..

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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Thomas Raymond Phillips, III, age 36, of Fort Towson, Okla., was sentenced to a term of life in prison for first degree murder in Indian Country. Phillips was also sentenced to 120 months in prison for one count of use, carry, brandish, and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The sentences are set to be served consecutively.