Carolyn Williams, DVM, marked her retirement as president of the Pauls Valley Animal Welfare Society’s Board of Directors last week. Williams (left) is pictured here with incoming PAWS Board President Marjie Little (left). Williams will continue to serve the organization as an advisory board member. Courtesy photo

Carolyn Williams, DVM, marked her retirement as president of the Pauls Valley Animal Welfare Society’s Board of Directors last week. Williams (left) is pictured here with incoming PAWS Board President Marjie Little (left). Williams will continue to serve the organization as an advisory board member. Courtesy photo

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Williams recognized for 30 years of service to PAWS

Suzanne Mackey
Thursday, July 30, 2026
The Pauls Valley Animal Welfare Society recently honored Board President Carolyn Williams, DVM, for...
Ed Bevers, front left, leads a team of volunteers during a roofing project for Recovering Oklahomans After Disasters. Bevers was recently named chairman of the ROAD board of directors. Courtesy photo

Ed Bevers, front left, leads a team of volunteers during a roofing project for Recovering Oklahomans After Disasters. Bevers was recently named chairman of the ROAD board of directors. Courtesy photo

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ROAD to recovery

Jennifer Lindsey
Thursday, July 30, 2026
For some Oklahoma disaster survivors, the winding road to recovery includes help from Lindsay.
Winners from the 10th Annual Pauls Valley Duck Derby. News Star Photo by Chris Mackey

Winners from the 10th Annual Pauls Valley Duck Derby. News Star Photo by Chris Mackey

Duck Derby marks 10 years

Thursday, July 30, 2026

The Pauls Valley Water Park hosted its 10th annual Duck Derby July 24. The event included a rubber duck race around the park’s lazy river feature and a contest for “Best Decorated Duck,” across three divisions. Prizes included water park passes and park merchandise.

News 

Oklahoma selected as finalist for nuclear energy complex

News Staff
Thursday, July 30, 2026
The White House announced Tuesday that Oklahoma is one of five states to advance to the final round of consideration for the U.S. Department of Energy‘s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus (NLIC). Utah, Tennessee, Louisiana and Idaho were also named as final contenders for the project.
Top 10 counties the received Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund payments in FY26

Top 10 counties the received Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund payments in FY26

“It’s Defunding Schools”: What Oklahoma superintendents say about State Question 844

Andrea Eger Oklahoma Watch
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Oklahoma voters will decide Aug. 25 whether to allow the state to opt out of paying for one of its longest-running economic development programs — and school leaders in some of the state’s fastest-growing local economies say the change could end up reducing funding for schools statewide.
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Sports 

Brooke Saunders, Mia Knight, Londyn Boone, Emery Powell, Izabella Davis, Zaiyah Uduezue, Finley Steen and Deonni Stewart. Courtesy photo

Brooke Saunders, Mia Knight, Londyn Boone, Emery Powell, Izabella Davis, Zaiyah Uduezue, Finley Steen and Deonni Stewart. Courtesy photo

Armor Elite: Chickasaw-led youth basketball team joins Nike program

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
When Ellis Knight and his friend, Vic Saunders, founded and started coaching Armor Elite in 2021, they had no way of knowing that within five years they would join a prestigious Nike powered program.
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Opinion 

The hidden danger of investing too cautiously

The hidden danger of investing too cautiously

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The hidden danger of investing too cautiously

Jasen Agee
Thursday, July 30, 2026
One of the most significant risks investors face isn’t losing money in a market dip; it’s failing to reach their long-term financial goals. Many people focus heavily on short-term losses in the stock market and try to protect their savings by investing conservatively or avoiding stocks altogether.
Want affordable housing? Get government out of the way

Want affordable housing? Get government out of the way

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Want affordable housing? Get government out of the way

Jonathan Small
Thursday, July 30, 2026
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 89 percent of adults under 40 say it’s harder for young adults today to buy a home than it was for their parents’ generation. The reasons for this are varied and complex, but a significant share of the blame lies with the government itself.
Serving you beyond the session

Serving you beyond the session

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Serving you beyond the session

Rep. Cynthia Roe
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Summer is moving quickly, but we still have plenty of hot Oklahoma days ahead. As temperatures climb, it is important to take a few simple precautions to protect ourselves and those around us.
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Lifestyle 

Changing your approach from cooking for a family to cooking for one or two will take some planning and creativity. (Photo by Adobe Stock Images)

Changing your approach from cooking for a family to cooking for one or two will take some planning and creativity. (Photo by Adobe Stock Images)

Cooking for one or two: strategies for healthy meals and less waste

Trisha Gedon
Thursday, July 23, 2026
STILLWATER, Okla. – Cooking for one or two doesn’t have to mean endless leftovers, oversized portions or wasted food. With some creative planning and a few simple strategies, consumers can prepare healthy, flavorful meals that save time, stretch food dollars and reduce waste.
PAWS Pet of the Week

PAWS Pet of the Week

PAWS Pet of the Week

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Kimiko is a 6-yearold female shorthaired cat weighing just over 5 pounds. Her story is one of quiet courage.
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Obituaries 

Rickey Lavon Southard

Rickey Lavon Southard

Rickey Lavon Southard

News Staff
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Rickey Lavon Southard, born November 18, 1952, passed away July 26, 2026, at his home in Purcell, Oklahoma with his loving family by his side. Rickey’s life was marked by kindness, dedication and a gentle spirit.
Jural Donovan Mays

Jural Donovan Mays

Jural Donovan Mays

News Staff
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Jural Donovan Mays, born November 10, 1946, passed away peacefully July 17, 2026. His life, spanning nearly 80 years, was rich with devotion to family, a passion for the great outdoors and a steadfast commitment to service and hard work.
Sammie Lou Ladue

Sammie Lou Ladue

Sammie Lou Ladue

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Sammie Lou (Carson) Ladue was born September 30, 1945, in Ada, Oklahoma, to James “Bill” W. Carson and Sammie “Daisy“ Lou (Ward) Carson. She graduated from Byng High School and later married the love of her life, Bruce F. Ladue, on November 13, 1965, in Santa Maria, California.
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