Rick Maranon

Tulsa

Weekend Evening Anchor at KOKI-TV (Tulsa, OK)

FOX23 News Tulsa 6:30 Evening In-Depth Anchor. Capitol, courts, and aviation reporter. Opinions about football, WWE, Pokemon, and playing craps are my own.

Articles

State lawmakers fire ODMHSAS commissioner in late night vote

1 week ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — State lawmakers took a late night vote to fire the Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). While most were sleeping, the State Senate voted 42-1 and the State House voted 81-5 to fire Commissioner Allie Friesen. State lawmakers who have spoken with FOX23 said they wanted to make a change before recessing for the summer. Lawmakers said they weren't confidence Friesen would make changes the agency needed.
In Depth: State lawmakers vote to fire Commissioner of State Dept. of Mental Health

1 week ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — In one of their last votes of the legislative session, lawmakers in both chambers fired the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) Allie Friesen. FOX23 told you state lawmakers took a late night vote to fire Friesen. “She is just unfortunately unfit to lead that organization any longer, and you saw that loud and clear from the House and the Senate,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert. “It's unfortunate.
State lawmakers prepare to take late night vote to fire Commissioner of ODMHSAS

1 week ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — State lawmakers are preparing to take a late night vote to fire the Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). FOX23's sources at the Capitol say once a vote involving reforms to the Oklahoma National Guard are finished in the State Senate, lawmakers will vote to immediately fire Commissioner Allie Friesen using their constitutional power to go over the governor's head.
Oklahoma Governor and state lawmakers agree to keep State Cosmetology Board in place for one year

1 week ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Kevin Stitt and state lawmakers agreed to keep the State Cosmetology Board in place for one year with the promise of reforming how barbershops and salons are regulated next session. This was not a veto override but a promise for a major overhaul in 2026. After protests, emails, and phone calls flooded the state capitol, Governor Stitt and state lawmakers reached an agreement to keep the Board of Cosmetology going for one more year.
In Depth: The State of Oklahoma to set up two new business courts

1 week ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — The State of Oklahoma is going to set up two new courts in the state where businesses can only sue other businesses. “Businesses need assurances that disputes will be adjudicated by courts with expertise in business law,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. After pushing for their creation for nearly two years, Governor Stitt is about to get his wish to set up business-only courts in the State of Oklahoma. A move meant to attract more businesses to move to the state.
The State of Oklahoma to set up two new business courts

1 week ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — The State of Oklahoma is going to set up two new courts in the state where businesses can only sue other businesses. “Businesses need assurances that disputes will be adjudicated by courts with expertise in business law,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. After pushing for their creation for nearly two years, Governor Stitt is about to get his wish to set up business-only courts in the State of Oklahoma. A move meant to attract more businesses to move to the state.
In Depth: State Senate approves overhaul of State Board of Education membership

1 week ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Senate gave final approval to Governor Kevin Stitt’s four new apprentices to the State Board of Education. Stitt fired three board members earlier this year saying the Oklahoma State Department of Education and its board have become too focused on national politics and needed to shift its focus back to the state’s reading and math scores, which currently stand as some of the worst in the nation.
OK taxpayer funded charter school case ties U.S. Supreme Court

2 weeks ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

The case advocating for St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School to be allowed to operate funded by Oklahoma taxpayer dollars has tied the Supreme Court, 4-4. The single page document released by the U.S. Supreme Court didn't say much, but the implications are clear when it comes to the future of St. Isidore. While the document didn't reveal who voted and how, the tone during the arguments last month were clear.
In Depth: Rogers County DA pleads with state lawmakers for more funds on DOJ lawsuit

2 weeks ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — At the State Capitol on Wednesday, Rogers County District Attorney Matt Ballard pleaded with state lawmakers for more funding on a case that is more than likely to bring Oklahoma and its tribal nations back to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Biden administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Ballard last year saying he was not allowed to prosecute tribal citizens on tribal land. The Trump administration has decided to keep the lawsuit going.
Last-minute push at State Capitol for controversial proposal by State Supt. Walters receives bipartisan pushback

2 weeks ago | fox23.com | Rick Maranon

OKLAHOMA CITY — At the State Capitol on Monday morning, a last-minute push for State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ controversial proposal to collect immigration information from anyone enrolling their children in an Oklahoma public school received bipartisan pushback. It was first proposed by State Supt. Walters earlier this year, and it was controversial from the beginning.