Missouri Rep. Billy Long announces candidacy for U.S. Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Republican Congressman Billy Long announces his candidacy for U.S. Senate in the state of Missouri.

Long represents Missouri’s 7th district which includes both Joplin and Springfield. He made the announcement Tuesday evening on Tucker Carlson Tonight. He’ll be seeking the seat of retiring Senator Roy Blunt.

He enters a high profile Republican field that includes Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, former Governor Eric Greitens, Rep. Vicky Hartzler and St. Louis lawyer Mark McCloskey.

Humboldt Speedway: All-Star Circuit of Champions preview

HUMBOLDT, Kan. – Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Series comes to the Humboldt Speedway Sunday July 25. The event promises to be the largest sprint show ever held Humboldt.

Schedule:

  • Pits Open: 8:00 AM
  • General Admission: 6:00 PM
  • Drivers Registration: 3:30-5:30 PM
  • Drivers Meeting: 7:00 PM
  • Hot Laps: 7:30 PM

Tickets can be bought online or at the Huboldt Speedway.

School board: Critical race theory not taught in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The Kansas State Board of Education on Wednesday released a statement saying that critical race theory is not part of state academic standards after hearing from at least one candidate for office who is claiming that it is.

Board Chairman Jim Porter, a Fredonia Republican, said it was important for the board to issue a statement partly because he had read a comment from a candidate for office, whom he wouldn’t name, that inaccurately claimed that critical race theory is being taught in Kansas schools.

Board Member Jean Clifford, a Garden City Republican, said that not commenting on the issue could be interpreted as a statement in itself.

“I think it’s important to let everyone know where we stand on this,” Clifford told The Associated Press.

Critical race theory centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society. There is little to no evidence that critical race theory itself is being taught in K-12 public schools nationally, though some related ideas, such as lingering consequences of slavery, have been.

The Kansas board’s statement said that critics are conflating critical race theory with “federal and state policies and requirements for measuring achievement, fairness and opportunity in education.”

MO-KAN racers compete for top prize in bracket series

ASBURY, Mo. – Plenty of Four-Staters were enjoying a day at the races Sunday and checking out the bracket series over at the MO-KAN Dragway in Asbury, Missouri.

The event featured lots of local racers in a variety of race categories, including super pro, motorcycle, junior comp and even a “no electronics” race. One of the newer racers took time to talk to KOAM, and say what got him into this unique hobby.

“I’m getting into bracket racing,” said Jonathan Shipman. “It’s more based on time, consistency, and reaction time, all that kind of stuff. It’s something my dad did 20 years ago with his buddies, and some of my buddies do it today. (It) got me back into it last year. Really, when COVID happened, everybody was looking for that activity to fill the time.”

The 2021 bracket series returns to the MO-KAN Dragway on Sunday, May 16th.

Oklahoma House OKs ban on teaching critical race theory

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma public school teachers would be prohibited from teaching certain concepts of race and racism under a bill given final approval by the state House on Thursday.

The GOP-controlled House voted 70-19 for the bill that prohibits teaching of so-called “critical race theory.”

“Students are being taught that because they’re a certain race or sex, they’re inherently superior to others or should feel guilty for something that happened in the past,” said Rep. Kevin West, a Moore Republican who sponsored the bill. “We’re trying to set boundaries that we as a state say will not be crossed when we’re teaching these kinds of subjects.”

Among the concepts that would be prohibited are that individuals, by virtue of race or gender, are inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Some Republicans expressed concerns that public school children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist.

Democrats said the bill was a waste of time and addressed a non-existent problem.

“Instead of focusing on the real issues facing Oklahomans, the majority party continues their attack on anyone in Oklahoma who might not look, think, love, or act like them,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Emily Virgin, a Democrat from Norman.

The bill is similar to measures signed into law in Utah and Arkansas.

The measure would also prevent colleges and universities from requiring students to undergo training on gender or sexual diversity. Virgin, whose district includes the University of Oklahoma, said that provision is particularly troubling because the university is one of several in the state that provides training on gender and sexual diversity and for incoming students.

“That’s what freshman orientations are about: making it clear that this is an inclusive space and inclusive environment and no one should be made to feel that they don’t belong,” Virgin said. “To say in this building that we should prohibit that sort of training goes against the very fabric and very idea of higher education.”

The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt for final approval.

Tulsa Opera fires composer of Greenwood massacre piece

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – The Tulsa Opera has canceled a piece written for a concert on the city’s 1921 race massacre after the composer of one of four pieces for the event refused a request to remove a curse on America from the piece.

In social media postings, New York composer Daniel Roumain said Sunday he was commissioned to write for mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves one of four libretti for a “Greenwood Overcomes” concert scheduled for a May 1 performance by the Tulsa Opera.

Roumain balked, however, when Graves, who is Black, objected to the final line after the line “God Bless America” – “God Damn America” – in his “They Still Want To Kill Us” libretto and Opera officials wanted it changed.

“As a Black woman, I am a huge supporter of all Black Lives, Black expression and creativity.” Graves said in a statement issued by the Opera. “I don’t have trouble with strong lyrics, but I felt that they did not line up with my personal values. I could not find an honest place to express the lyrics as they were presented.”

Tobias Picker, the Opera’s creative director, “suggested I omit the word ‘Damn.’ I refused, explaining that is how I felt about this county,” Roumains said of Tulsa County in a Facebook posting. “So, they fired me.”

In a statement issued by an Opera spokeswoman, Picker said: “It is extremely disappointing that Mr. Roumain has turned an artistic disagreement into a racial debate.

The Opera, “Denyce Graves and all of the other 22 Black composers and eight Black artists, as well as our concert co-presenter, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, are committed to the spirit of the ‘Greenwood Overcomes’ concert,” Picker said.

Kelli Bruer, the Opera spokeswoman, said Roumain would be paid his $1,500 fee, but the Opera will not perform his piece. Roumain still owns the piece and can have it performed elsewhere, she said.