Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025
Volume 122, Issue 13
VISTA The
Protests Page 6
“OUR WORDS, YOUR VOICE.”
Volume 119, Issue 19
Bills proposed by Oklahoma legislature that could affect schools Troy Isbell Reporter
Thousands of bills have been filed by Oklahoma lawmakers since the beginning of the 2025 Oklahoma Legislative Session on Feb. 3, 2025, with a few bills proposing to make changes to policies concerning Oklahoma’s education. Whenever a state’s government creates a new law, or chooses to modify an already existing one, the bill that proposed that law or modifica-
tion must first be approved. Bills are a “draft of a proposed law presented to the legislature for consideration,” states the National Conference of State Legislatures. They are made by members of the state’s Senate, or members of the state’s House of Representatives. Since the start of Oklahoma’s 2025 Legislative Session, some bills have been proposed that, if signed into law by Gov. Stitt, will have an impact on some aspects of Oklahoma’s education
system. For example, Senate Bill (SB) 139 filed by Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, proposes that all public school districts “adopt policies preventing student cell phone use from ‘bell to bell’,” according to a press release from the Oklahoma Senate.
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Governor Stitt delivers the State of the State address at the capitol Troy Isbell Reporter
Oklahoma’s Gov. Kevin Stitt gave his State of the State address at the Oklahoma State Capitol building on Feb. 3, 2025 to outline his plans for the 2025 legislative session, which includes tax cuts, fighting for the first ever publicly funded religious charter school and continuing his workforce readiness program for schools and universities. The State of the State address is a constitutionally mandated speech given annually by a state’s governor to “report to the state legislature on the condition of the state,” according to ballotpedia.org. Similar to the State of the Union address given by the president of the United States, its purpose is to highlight any notable achievements that A protestor stands outside of the Oklahoma State Capitol with a sign that reads “Deny, Defeat fascists.” (SERGIO ANwere made by state legislation in the past year, GUIANO/THE VISTA) as well as any issues that the governor thinks are strengthening both Oklahoma’s and the counee count” of the Oklahoma legislation, decreasimportant to address by the state’s law and politry’s economic status by collaborating with the ing income tax for Oklahomans, and creating cy makers, and how he proposes that those issues Federal Government to do things such as demore jobs in Oklahoma. should be handled. crease inflation, reduce the Federal debt, cut the In Stitt’s address, one of the topics he emphaContinued on Page 3. size of the Federal Government, “shrink employsized was the importance of maintaining and
Eagles fly to the most dominant Super Bowl victory in 11 years
Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Eagles won the NFL Super Bowl LIX football game against the Kansas Citv Chiefs. Sunday, Feb. 9. 2025, in New Orleans. (DAVID J. PHILLIP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Bradie Gray Sports Editor
Despite all the history that was on the table for the Kansas City Chiefs, it was the Philadelphia Eagles that looked unstoppable in New Orleans on Sunday, winning Super Bowl LIX 40-22. The Chiefs were on the brink of NFL history with a win, trying to become the first team to ever threepeat, but the Eagles were plainly just superior from top to bottom. Quarterback Jalen Hurts won Super Bowl MVP behind 294
total yards of offense and three touchdowns. In most respects, it was a modest day for the Philly offense, racking up 345 total yards on only 4.9 yards per play, but when you couple that with an outright curb stomping from their defense, you get a recipe for an epic blowout performance. Patrick Mahomes was running for his life. He was sacked six times by the Eagles, led by defensive end Josh Sweat’s 2.5 total takedowns. Because of that pressure, Mahomes went on to have the worst game of his postseason career, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble. One of
those picks was thrown to Philly’s rookie safety Cooper DeJean who returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter. The other came just minutes later to All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun who caught it off the turf at the Chiefs’ 14-yard line. A couple plays later, another Philly touchdown made the halftime score 24-0.
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