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Records: FBI has also been looking into Epic, along with federal education investigators

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education’s law enforcement arm have also been probing Epic Charter Schools’ student enrollment practices and finances, public records obtained by the Tulsa World show.

Emails with officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Statewide Virtual Charter School Board reveal that federal investigators were at work behind the scenes in the years after the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s initial inquiry into allegations of fraud at Epic resulted in no charges.

It is unknown whether there has been any coordination between state and federal investigators, who have all declined comment, but Epic’s most recent revenue reports show the financial stakes of any fraudulent practices would be much higher for the state of Oklahoma than the federal government.

OSBI’s latest investigation involves allegations of embezzlement, obtaining money by false pretenses and racketeering at the state’s fastest-growing online school system.

Read more on Tulsa World.com.



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Oklahomans can make use of 'cool zones' during heat advisory

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By Jana Allen
Staff writer JAllen@oklahoman.com

As high temperatures persist across the state, the National Weather Center has issued a heat advisory for Oklahoma City between 11 a.m.

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State briefs for July 19

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State agency to explore transportation priorities

The state Department of Transportation is seeking public input on its transportation priorities for the next 25 years.

The 2020-2045 transportation plan will encompass overall transportation priorities and goals for various modes of transportation, including driving, bicycling, flying, public transit and passenger rail travel.

For more information about the plan, go to www.oklongrangeplan.org.

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Up and down with the Wheeler Ferris wheel

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By Robert Medley
Staff writer rmedley@oklahoman.com

On a Sunday at noon, about two dozen people walked up and bought tickets to ride. Jazzy clarinet music played on loudspeakers as young children and adults rose into the sky, getting a sweeping view of downtown Oklahoma City.

First opened in 2016 at the former Downtown Airpark, the Wheeler Ferris wheel has quickly become an icon and attraction.

Formerly located at the historic Santa Monica Pier in California, the Ferris wheel now stands on the south bank of the Oklahoma River.

The Ferris wheel is open until 9 p.m.

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Community leaders: Census count matters

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By Keaton Ross
Staff writer KRoss@oklahoman.com

If just a few thousand Oklahoma City residents aren’t counted in the 2020 U.S. Census, that could mean millions of dollars in lost federal funding for roads, schools and disaster relief over the next decade.

That was the message July 12 during a meeting between the city of Oklahoma City and leaders of the Spanish-speaking community.

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Oklahoma delegation opposes minimum wage measure, for differing reasons

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By Chris Casteel
Staff writer ccasteel@oklahoman.com

All five Oklahoma members of the U.S. House voted Thursday against raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025.

Nevertheless, the bill was approved 231-199, with three Republicans voting for it.

Rep.

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Oklahoma County marriage, divorce records for July 19, 2019

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MARRIAGES

Arielle Simone Arnold and Aaron Michael Reeves

Edna Garcia and Jose Carmen Uribe Torres

Rachel Kathryn Hawkins and Joseph Allen Walker

Sarah Leanore Graham and Keith Alan Thompson

Leta Joyce Kegebein and Michael Eugene Bollinger

Nelly K. Waight Barillas and Oscar Daniel Salazar Carreno

Breanna Marie Garner and David Robert Martin

Rhonda Janell Lawson and Marcus Cornell Morton

Samantha Street and Kelly Dru Smith

Kylie Aline Stout and Jacob Lee Mcclain

Whitney Rae Kilduff and Samuel David Bumbaugh

Gabriela Gonzalez Goodwin and Robert Goodwin

Renda Rae Rapp and Dusten Riley Potter

Claudia Marie Deakins and Jeffrey Lynn Koos

Megan A. Robertson and B. J. Judkins

Anna Mary Yankow and Rodney Alan Hickmon

Kenya Kashayla Acey and Roger Isaiah Charles Bruton

Meri Mamuka Gomarteli and Zakery Robert Carlsgaard

Michelle Patrice McNeil and Alexander Giovanni Moorehead

Courtney Anne Brown and John Aaron Kniess

Megan Marie Guevara and Brandon Dean Diveley

Dalayna Diane Fain and Aaron James Newberry

Kelli Dawn Beckwith and Adam Lee East

DIVORCES

Carr, Ayouthaya v.

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Deaths


TODAY'S PRAYER

OKC Board member asks judge to force vote on school name change

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By Tim Willert
Staff writer twillert@oklahoman.com

An Oklahoma City School Board member at the center of an ongoing legal dispute is asking a judge to prohibit the superintendent and other board members from renaming Northeast Academy until the matter has been publicly discussed and voted on.

The OKC-Northeast High School Alumni Association is listed as a petitioner in Charles Henry's latest legal filing, which seeks to prevent efforts by Superintendent Sean McDaniel and the board to rename Northeast Academy to Classen School of Advanced Studies until the matter is placed on the board's agenda for discussion and a vote.

Henry complains in his amended petition for injunction filed Wednesday in Oklahoma County District Court that McDaniel and board Chairwoman Paula Lewis have not complied with board policy regarding the renaming of schools.

"The respondents have attempted to usurp and circumvent the reconfiguration process of the merger between Northeast Academy and Classen School of Advanced Studies, and has interfered in that matter to avoid community discussion and dialogue as required by board policy," the petition stated.

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Oklahoma business briefcase for July 19, 2019

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Grant awarded for Oklahoma rural healthcare

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $749,916 to one organization in Oklahoma for Rural Residency Planning and Development Program (RRPD) grants.

Oklahoma was among 21 states to receive a portion of $20 million over a three-year period to develop new rural residency programs while achieving accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

The recipients of the awards include rural hospitals, community health centers, health centers operated by the Indian Health Service, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and schools of medicine.

“Promoting the health of rural America is one of the Trump Administration’s healthcare priorities,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said.

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Oklahoma business briefs for July 19, 2019

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Oklahoman joins patient advocacy board

William Browne, an Oklahoma City-based employee relations professional, has been named a director of the Adult Congenital Heart Association, the only patient advocacy organization in the country that specifically serves adults with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Browne is a fourth-generation family member of a family-owned and operated Coca-Cola business that served the Oklahoma community for 90 years until 2012.

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Grand jury indicts Oklahoma massage parlor owner

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By Nolan Clay
Staff writer nclay@oklahoman.com

The state's multicounty grand jury on Thursday indicted a Broken Arrow massage parlor owner.

Tieling Guan, 43, is accused in the racketeering indictment of operating Kneaded Massage as a front for prostitution between July 1 and Dec.

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Gov. Stitt requests state audit of Epic Charter Schools

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By Andrea Eger Tulsa World

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday requested an investigative audit of Epic Charter Schools and its related entities by Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd.

The Tulsa World has also obtained public records that indicate one of Epic's own charter school authorizers has been in touch with the State Auditor's Office and an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent for months about its questions about a possible audit.

Byrd declined to comment on Stitt's request, but said her office has already been in contact with the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board about questions.

Earlier this week, OSBI filed public court documents revealing allegations of embezzlement, obtaining money by false pretenses and racketeering at Epic, which is the state’s fastest-growing online school system.

Read more from the Tulsa World.



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Children's Hospital expands capacity to care for seriously ill and injured children

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By K.S. McNutt Staff writer kmcnutt@oklahoman.com

The Children's Hospital at OU Medicine will more than double its capacity to care for seriously ill and injured children beginning Monday.

A state-of-the-art $27.5 million expansion of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) has 34 new beds for patients up to age 18 who need critical care.

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DUI checkpoint planned for OKC Friday night

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From Staff Reports

Law enforcement officers will be looking for drunk drivers late Friday through early Saturday morning in Oklahoma City.

As part of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s ENDUI program, troopers will be working with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office to look for impaired drivers at an undisclosed checkpoint from 11 p.m.

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Stitt calls for audit of Epic

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By Carmen Forman
Staff writer
cforman@oklahoman.com

Gov. Kevin Stitt and state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister called Friday for Oklahoma’s state auditor to conduct an investigative audit of Epic Charter Schools.

The state officials also are calling for State Auditor Cindy Byrd to re-examine any state or federal audits of the virtual charter school system completed in the past three years.

Stitt, who expressed support for charter schools on the campaign trail, said all Oklahoma schools must be held to the same transparency standards.

“As we progress towards becoming a Top Ten state, we must be equally committed to accountability and transparency across the public education spectrum,” he said in a statement.

Stitt’s call for a deeper look at Epic’s finances comes after news broke this week that both the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and federal law enforcement officials are probing Epic’s enrollment practices.

The OSBI alleged the school embezzled millions in state funding by illegally inflating enrollment numbers with “ghost students.”

In a statement, a representative for Epic said they welcome the audit.

“We will fully cooperate with the governor's request for Oklahoma Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd to conduct an audit of EPIC and we agree to bear the cost of that audit,” said Shelly Hickman, Epic's assistant superintendent.

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Man charged in theft of car with kids inside

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By Tim Willert
Staff writer
twillert@oklahoman.com

A man accused of stealing a car with two children inside is facing charges of kidnapping and car theft.

James Acosta was charged Thursday in Oklahoma County District Court with two counts of kidnapping and one count of larceny of an automobile.

Acosta, 51, is accused of stealing a gray Nissan Armada parked outside a health care clinic, 1506 S Agnew, about 5:20 p.m.

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Group hopes to encourage teachers through prayer

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By Carla Hinton
Faith editor
chinton@oklahoman.com

School administrators Susan DeMoss and Kevin Hill know they can't be in every metro-area classroom to support teachers as school starts in the coming weeks.

However, the duo said they hope to offer something more far-reaching than their presence — the power of prayer.

Such spiritual reinforcement and encouragement will be offered at the RedeemED Luncheon set for Aug.

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Public interest in manned missions waned since Apollo 11

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By Dale Denwalt
Staff writer
ddenwalt@oklahoman.com

In the 50 years since Neil Armstrong planted his boots firmly on the lunar surface, no single event has captured the world’s admiration quite as much as the Apollo 11 mission.

An estimated 600 million people watched the first grainy images of a fellow human exploring another world, captivating the public and earning front-page newspaper stories for weeks.

And despite another five decades of incredible achievements that include successful Mars rover missions, deep-space probes exploring the furthest reaches of our atmosphere and nearly 19 years of continuous presence in space aboard the International Space Station, Apollo 11 remains the high-water mark for the public’s interest in space flight.

In a sense, space travel has become routine.

“Space was fairly new,” said Gen.

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