We are happy to see the city leaders doing what they can to help battle COVID-19 by providing masks for residents.

Fifty-four student doctors took part Friday in a virtual “white coat ceremony” as part of the inaugural class that promises to change the future of health care in rural Oklahoma. 

In a twist that everyone saw coming, save the writer of this column, I am middle-aged. I am an achy, peri-menopausal crank who can no longer put her socks on while standing up.

THUMBS UP to Lake Area United Way and Feed the Children. The groups have joined forces to help teachers get their classrooms stocked before students head back to class.

A federal judge confirmed what was plain and unambiguous to everybody except Gov. Kevin Stitt and those who steered him down a path that eroded the state's relations with federally recognized tribes that call Oklahoma home.

City leaders are making some changes that should have been made a long time ago to a home rehabilitation program to ensure the work performed is good, quality work.

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Leaders of the Five Tribes — and anybody who cares about clean air and water — should contest the state's effort to extend its authority to regulate environmental issues across areas of Oklahoma that could be considered reservation land.

A decision by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, rejecting Gov. Kevin Stitt's attempt to circumvent the legislative branch and ignore existing gaming compacts with numerous tribes represents a victory for the rule of law. 

Cherokee Heritage Center's annual Trail of Tears Art show and Sale normally draws a good crowd, but with COVID-19 looming, the winners of the 49th annual event were announced during a virtual awards reception. To say we are excited about the pieces would be an understatement.

Oklahoma's prison population fell from 101% capacity in March to 89% this month, a hopeful sign that criminal justice reforms have got some traction. 

THUMBS UP to the Gospel Rescue Mission for their work helping people find employment.

Elliot Chambers' appointment as secretary of the Land Office exemplifies the worst of political cronyism and undermines any desire Gov. Kevin Stitt has to become a Top 10 state. 

Congratulations to Tony and Linda Nichols for receiving the Oklahoma Centennial Ranch Award. 

Muskogee's Salvation Army is devoted to helping residents in times of trouble. But now, the shoe is on the other foot, and The Salvation Army needs our help.

Offering convenience at a profit is not unusual, but something smells about the state's arrangement with a private company that compiles court documents and hides them behind a paywall. 

THUMBS UP to the City of Muskogee and two local organizations for expanding the animal shelter and partnering with Fetch Fido a Flight to find homes for dogs.

This record-popping resurgence in new COVID-19 cases was predictable, considering the state's haste to reopen with little regard to guidelines published by the White House.

Monday was a landmark day for Muskogee. A new mayor was sworn into office. And, he's already made history.

On July 4, 1776, Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate Independence Day, we reflect on our nation's past and look toward the unknown of our futures.

A majority of Oklahoma voters ignored the tactics of fear and division this week and took steps toward a healthier future by passing State Question 802, which will expand Medicaid coverage to 215,000 — maybe more — low-income adults.

It's that time of year when fireworks can be heard all over, and we would hope people would use caution when handling fireworks.

Muskogee voters must say no to Proposition I — a strong mayor form of government — because it places too much power in the hands of one person.

It has become increasingly clear the only way Oklahoma will reverse the rapid escalation of COVID-19 cases will be for leaders at the upper echelons of the state to impose mandatory measures known to prevent community spread. 

THUMBS UP to Oklahoma artists who are taking part in the Oklahoma Art Crawl this weekend. Three local photographers will host a show from 5-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at The Gallery, 111 W. Broadway. 

Two state-level programs leveraging federal funds appropriated by the $2.2 trillion CARES Act should provide some welcome relief for Oklahomans who experienced financial setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A Muskogee minister who held a Unity March on Monday said our community is unique because residents knows "how to rally together in a dignified way to resolve issues and problems," and we believe Muskogee could be a model for others.

Some singled out Oklahoma as a shining example of success for the way the state dug the spurs into its economy just two or three months into a pandemic that shuttered schools and nonessential businesses. 

THUMBS UP to Wilma Newton for all of her dedication over the years to bring a Juneteenth celebration to our city. 

Consumers concerned about the resurgence of new COVID-19 cases spurred by increased social mobility since business owners began reopening should beware of contact tracing applications developed for cell phones and computers.

More than 940 children have died in hot cars nationwide since 1990, according to KidsAndCars.org, and we want to remind people to be sure and keep children, pets and the elderly safe by not leaving them in a hot vehicle. 

Public health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidelines for a nation trying to reopen its economy while dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that is far from over. 

THUMBS UP to Muskogee Little Theatre for pressing ahead to make sure "the show must go on."

It puzzles the imagination to believe long-term nursing facilities with years-long histories of violations became instantly compliant while simultaneously reporting the highest infection rates for COVID-19. 

Monday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and we hope that everyone will pay attention and help look out for our older residents.

Muskogee’s Salvation Army works hard to help those less fortunate, but when people dump their trash behind the store, they are thinking of no one but themselves.

A backlog of unemployment claims that clogged the antiquated systems at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and prevented processing and payment of new claims could be cleared by Monday. 

THUMBS UP to Harley Hamm and other musicians who have found a way to bring music back downtown at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. For the next two weeks, the music will play outdoors and will be “Rockin’ the Dock.”

Attempts to make political hay out of public health matters at a time when the deadliest pandemic in a century continues to claim lives by the thousands each day exposes a societal rot. 

THUMBS UP to everyone who took time out of their holiday weekend to visit the Fort Gibson National Cemetery. 

Some things are opening back up, but we would remind everyone to remain vigilant and cautious. The number of coronavirus cases in Oklahoma is on the rise. 

As landlords and tenants begin showing up when the small claims dockets are called in courtrooms across Oklahoma, we pray the judges presiding over a backlog of 2,300 eviction cases will be judicious in their decisions. 

THUMBS UP to the City of Muskogee Foundation board members who approved funding to to help families receive food throughout the summer. The money normally would have gone to summer youth programs, but with those canceled, the Foundation was able to approve up to $84,520. 

Gov. Kevin Stitt's veto of a measure that would have cut in half the amount available for a tax credit intended to boost development of low-income housing appears to be an apparent reversal of policy.