New guidelines announced this week by Gov. Kevin Stitt intended to promote in-person attendance at school during what we can only hope is the peak of a pandemic defy common sense. 

Heartbreaking. What we witnessed last week at the United States Capitol was heartbreaking. 

THUMBS UP to the late Paul McKinstry. McKinstry, 66, was laid to rest Wednesday at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. 

State lawmakers assembled this week in Oklahoma City in preparation of the legislative session that begins the first week of February. 

We welcome the coming new year with hope. 

It's unfortunate state leaders opted out when the White House Coronavirus Task Force decided to offer its weekly report only to those who request it. 

City councilors are doing what they can to help business owners stay in business during the pandemic by waiving municipal license fees, but we must all do our part to help our friends and neighbors save their businesses. 

Life could return to a pre-pandemic state by the end of next year IF 75% to 80% of the U.S. population takes part in the vaccination campaign that is being phased in across the nation. 

Celestial events this week offered an opportunity for those who took time to pause and reflect on a year unlike any ever imagined and marvel about a cosmic event likened to the Christmas Star of Bethlehem. 

Gov. Kevin Stitt recently announced new limits on indoor gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19, but it's too little too late.

Oklahomans continue to pay for their governor's indecisiveness during a global pandemic. 

THUMBS UP to Shriners Hospitals for Children for helping kids like Easton Muskrat of Braggs. 

Efforts to roll back rules requiring safer disposal of toxic coal ash was an exercise in futility. It was a waste of tax dollars revising the rules in the first instance, and it will be an even greater waste defending legal challenges. 

If Senate Bill 19 passes, it would make assaults on law enforcement officers a hate crime that would be punishable by serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, and we think that is too extreme.

Oklahoma's contact tracing does not appear to be working — at least not working how it is supposed to work.

THUMBS UP to the Muskogee Police Department for the efforts to help Muskogee's children have a good Christmas. 

Creating a tax increment finance (TIF) district to build 120 homes on a 40-acre tract on the city's east side is a good way to provide more new homes in the city and increase the amount of ad valorem taxes for the city.

An ordinance that will take effect Jan. 30 makes an exception to smoking marijuana at outdoor events that promote medical marijuana at city-owned venues.

Implementing a policy that allows health care professionals to continue working with patients after testing positive for the novel coronavirus exposes a system crumbling due to the demands of a poorly managed pandemic. 

THUMBS UP to Rich Schaus who plans to jump out of plane to raise awareness about inmates being released from custody with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

An abrupt about face by state health officials provides "some flexibility" for school districts attempting to deal with a surge in COVID-19 cases among students and staff. 

City leaders are taking action that will help provide new housing on Muskogee's east side, and we're excited to see new homes will be constructed.

Once Thanksgiving is over, Christmas shoppers take to the streets in earnest, and this year, we hope everyone does some shopping at some of the many small businesses in our city.

THUMBS UP to the employees of Muskogee Parks and Recreation who spent countless hours preparing for the annual Garden of Lights.

It's exciting to think that Muskogee could soon recruit aviation and aerospace companies.

Students continue to pay the price of misplaced priorities and poor leadership at the state and federal level. 

THUMBS UP to Fort Gibson’s 4-H Club. The group will collect canned or other non-perishable food Saturday afternoon, and we hope their efforts will be fruitful. 

It appears mitigating the spread of the novel coronavirus in Oklahoma now — at a time when hospitals fill to overflow capacity and the number of new cases chart a vertical path to new highs — might best be achieved by eradicating top health officials.

Thursday marks the anniversary of the Great American Smokeout, an opportunity for people who smoke to commit to smoke-free lives. The Great American Smokeout, which has been helping people quit tobacco for more than 40 years, provides an opportunity for everyone to encourage people to use th…

Oklahomans turned out in record numbers for this year's presidential election, overcoming a multitude of obstacles to take part in the ultimate act of self-governance: voting. 

THUMBS UP to State Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, who plans to file legislation to modernize the state's radio/telecommunications infrastructure. He wants to establish a statewide radio network for first responders, and this sounds like a great idea.

Oklahoma voters not only cast ballots for president last week, they voted down a state question many hoped would end overcrowding in our prisons.

An Oklahoma Watch investigation into the use of social media by some politicians in the state and their political parties reveals a disturbing pattern of abhorrent behavior. 

A law that authorizes public bodies to convene meetings in virtual settings will expire mid-November even as the novel coronavirus continues to spread through communities unabated in many instances. 

When COVID-19 invaded the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, officials took action, and it looks as if what they're doing is working.