Keeping Them Honest - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

Member Center:

Submit A Tip OKLAHOMA IMPACT TEAM

New Complaints Involving the Department of Central Services

State employees, retired state workers and business owners are coming forward. They all have complaints about the Department of Central Services. More>>

Top Headlines

Lobbyist Reprimanded, Oklahoma Impact Team Sparked Investigation

A state agency takes action after the Oklahoma Impact Team uncovers someone breaking state law. The Ethics Commission has reprimanded a lobbyist for spending too much on dinners for legislators. More>>

County Assessors Breaking the Law

A discovery by a state senator troubled him so much, he told the Oklahoma Impact Team all about it. A state senator found nearly 50 counties are not properly adjusting the taxable market value each year, which means some people are not paying their fair share of taxes. More>>

HeadlinesMore>>
Cities Complain They're Being Shortchanged by the Tax Commission
Cities Complain They're Being Shortchanged by the Tax Commission
Some cities are pointing a finger at the Oklahoma Tax Commission, saying it's not doing a good job collecting the taxes. Our Oklahoma Impact Team investigates.More >>
If you live in Oklahoma, you've probably felt the effects of budget cuts in your town. That's because the budgets in most cities and towns are funded by sales tax revenue, which has plummeted in the last couple of years. Some cities are pointing a finger at the Oklahoma Tax Commission, saying it's not doing a good job collecting the taxes.More >>
Oklahomans Paying for DPS Employees to Sit At Home, But Why?
Oklahomans Paying for DPS Employees to Sit At Home, But Why?
At any given time, tens of thousands of your tax dollars could be going to Department of Public Safety employees sitting at home. The Oklahoma Impact Team investigates.More >>
At any given time, tens of thousands of your tax dollars could be going to Department of Public Safety employees sitting at home. Earlier this month, DPS had seven employees on administrative leave with a price tag of $32,939 a month.More >>
Oklahoma Turnpikes: Was the Last Toll Hike Necessary?
Oklahoma Turnpikes: Was the Last Toll Hike Necessary?
Last year the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority raised tolls because of a budget shortfall. But they may have passed the bill on to their customers when they had plenty of money to make it up.More >>
Last year the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority raised tolls on all the state's turnpikes by more than 15 percent. The authority claimed a budget shortfall forced them to do it. But the Turnpike Authority may have passed the bill on to their customers when they already had the money to make up the shortfall.More >>
Oklahoma's Turnpikes: Who Is Profiting?
Oklahoma's Turnpikes: Who Is Profiting?
What started out as one toll road connecting Oklahoma City and Tulsa has turned into a multi-billion dollar web of turnpikes across the state. Sixty-three years later, Oklahoma drivers are still paying that bill.More >>
What started out as one toll road connecting Oklahoma City and Tulsa has turned into a multi-billion dollar web of turnpikes across the state. Sixty-three years later, Oklahoma drivers are still paying that bill. Some lawmakers and citizens fear the turnpike authority has too much power.

OIT: Oklahoma Turnpike Interactive MapMore >>
Does the Constitution Allow Former Legislators to Work for the State?
Does the Constitution Allow Former Legislators to Work for the State?
There's no question former legislators leave office to work for the state, but is that practice legal? We started to wonder after the recent scandal involving legislators and the Medical Examiner's Office.More >>
There's no question former legislators leave office to work for the state, but is that practice legal? We started to wonder after the recent scandal involving legislators and the Medical Examiner's Office.More >>
State Legislature Exempt from Open Records and Meeting Acts
State Legislature Exempt from Open Records and Meeting Acts
Most government boards, agencies and commissions must let you look at their records and attend their meetings, but the state Legislature operates under a different set of rules.More >>
Most government boards, agencies and commissions must let you look at their records and attend their meetings, but the state Legislature operates under a different set of rules. Lawmakers actually exempted themselves from the Open Records and Meeting Acts.More >>
Chaos at Session's End: Evil or Necessary Evil?
Chaos at Session's End: Evil or Necessary Evil?
Some lawmakers call it 'a horrible way to govern' -- the conference committee process has legitimate uses, but many believe it's ripe for abuse, and is being abused.More >>
Some lawmakers call it 'a horrible way to govern.' Even those in leadership admit reform would be welcome. The conference committee process can be used for legitimate ends, but many believe it's a system ripe for abuse, and that it is being abused.More >>
State Lawmakers Travel on Your Dime
State Lawmakers Travel on Your Dime
California, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, even Cuba and Canada are just some of the places lawmakers went using taxpayers' money.More >>
California, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, even Cuba and Canada are just some of the places lawmakers went using taxpayers' money.More >>
State Tax Delinquent Says Government Took $200M, Government Says $4.4M
State Tax Delinquent Says Government Took $200M, Government Says $4.4M
The Oklahoma Impact Team is discovering more about the finances surrounding one of Oklahoma's top tax delinquents.More >>
The Oklahoma Impact Team is discovering more about the finances surrounding one of Oklahoma's top tax delinquents.More >>

Oklahoma Impact TeamMore>>
Billionaire Investor Blasts Chesapeake Energy Board Of Directors
Billionaire Investor Blasts Chesapeake Energy Board Of Directors
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has purchased 7.56 percent of Chesapeake Energy stock and blasted the board of directors, demanding they be replaced.More >>
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has purchased 7.56 percent of Chesapeake Energy stock and blasted the board of directors, demanding they be replaced.More >>
Chesapeake Shares Jump On Reports Of Renewed Investor Interest
Chesapeake Shares Jump On Reports Of Renewed Investor Interest
Shares of Chesapeake Energy stock jumped about five percent in late afternoon trading today, fueled by reports that two powerful investors had taken large stakes in the company.More >>
Shares of Chesapeake Energy stock jumped about five percent in late afternoon trading today, fueled by reports that two powerful investors had taken large stakes in the company.More >>

More InvestigationsMore>>
Governor Issues Statement Concerning GRDA Audit, Oklahoma Impact Investigation
Governor Issues Statement Concerning GRDA Audit, Oklahoma Impact Investigation
The performance audit into the Grand River Dam Authority, released Thursday, December 8, 2011 was done at the request of Governor Mary Fallin.More >>
The performance audit into the Grand River Dam Authority, released Thursday, December 8, 2011 was done at the request of Governor Mary Fallin.More >>
GRDA Bidding Process Under Fire In New Audit
GRDA Bidding Process Under Fire In New Audit
A new audit touches on a relationship some call the good old boy network gone bad - using a state agency to line the pockets of the well-connected.More >>
A new audit touches on a relationship some call the good old boy network gone bad - using a state agency to line the pockets of the well-connected.More >>

UnemploymentMore>>
Oklahomans on Food Stamp Program Up 46 Percent
Oklahomans on Food Stamp Program Up 46 Percent
The number of people receiving food stamps to buy groceries has risen by 46 percent in Oklahoma in just three years. Oklahoma is on track to receive almost $1 billion in federal food stamp funding this year.More >>
The number of people receiving food stamps to buy groceries has risen by 46 percent in Oklahoma in just three years. If the trend continues, Oklahoma will receive almost $1 billion in federal food stamp funding this year alone.More >>
Faces of Unemployment: Tulsa Woman Still Jobless More Than 1 Year Later
Faces of Unemployment: Woman Still Jobless More Than 1 Year Later
Economists say the recession ended in June of 2009, but that doesn't mean the unemployment crisis is over. The recession has taken an irreversible toll on many unemployed Oklahomans.More >>
Economists say the recession ended in June of 2009, but that doesn't mean the unemployment crisis is over. The recession has taken an irreversible toll on many Oklahomans.More >>

EducationMore>>
Oklahoma School Districts Accused Of Wasting Tax Dollars
Oklahoma School Districts Accused Of Wasting Tax Dollars
Every building has to have one, but some school districts may not follow the law when they put on a new roof. That's the accusation at the center of a special audit state auditor Gary Jones is conducting right now.More >>
Every building has to have one, but some school districts may not follow the law when they put on a new roof. That's the accusation at the center of a special audit state auditor Gary Jones is conducting right now.More >>
Oklahoma School Districts Frustrated By New Background Check Law
Oklahoma School Districts Frustrated By New Background Check Law
A 14-month-old law intended to tighten up the process school districts use to screen prospective hires may actually be making it easier for predators to work in schools.More >>
A 14-month-old law intended to tighten up the process school districts use to screen prospective hires may actually be making it easier for predators to work in schools.More >>

Stimulus CoverageStimulus CoverageMore>>
Stimulus Weatherization -- One Bad Apple Doesn't Spoil The Bunch
Stimulus Weatherization -- One Bad Apple Doesn't Spoil The Bunch
Updated: Wednesday, April 13 2011 4:44 PM EDT2011-04-13 21:44:07 GMT
Federal stimulus dollars have weatherized more than 4,000 low-income homes in Oklahoma to date. So why is the FBI asking questions about it?More >>
In slightly less than two years, federal stimulus dollars have weatherized the homes of more than 4,000 low-income families in Oklahoma. It's a program, mostly, of success stories, and yet the FBI is investigating one of the agencies in Oklahoma tasked with managing it.More >>
Oklahomans Face Flooding Risks With Proposed Budget Cuts
Oklahomans Face Flooding Risks With Proposed Budget Cuts
Oklahoma's aging flood control dams need repairs but, federal budget cuts could mean no federal dollars to fix them.More >>
Oklahoma's aging flood control dams need repairs but, federal budget cuts could mean no federal dollars to fix them.More >>

Oklahoma LegislatureMore>>
Oklahoma Lawmaker Hopes To Reform Corrections Again
Oklahoma Lawmaker Hopes To Reform Corrections Again
Oklahoma's female incarceration rate is the highest in the country. Violent crime is on the rise and the state is spending more and more money to lock people up. Now, some Oklahoma lawmakers want to change the system.More >>
Oklahoma's female incarceration rate is the highest in the country. Violent crime is on the rise and the state is spending more and more money to lock people up. Now, some Oklahoma lawmakers want to change the system.More >>
Changing Oklahoma's Liquor Laws: No Easy Task (Force)
Changing Oklahoma's Liquor Laws: No Easy Task (Force)
Lawmakers will set up a task force this summer that could lead to the most significant changes in the state's liquor laws since liquor-by-the-drink in the 80s. Just don't hold your breath.More >>
Oklahoma lawmakers are expected to approve legislation this session that could, potentially, lead to the most significant changes in the state's liquor laws since liquor-by-the-drink was approved in the mid-1980s. More than likely, it won't.More >>

Special Features

Live Radar

Current Conditions change location

Interactive Features

Medical Examiner's Office Timeline
Follow the developments in what many call a dysfunctional agency.
Find & Contact Your Lawmaker
Enter your address to find your federal and state legislators.
Find Projects in Your Neighborhood
Search for stimulus projects by ZIP code.
Oklahoma Watch
Learn about our partnership for in-depth reporting on important issues.
Stimulus Spending
Track Oklahoma’s stimulus spending by county.
Turnpike Timelines
View a historical road map of Oklahoma's turnpike system.
Unemployment Tracker
Use this interactive map to track unemployment numbers in Oklahoma.

News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Oklahoma Impact Team: Keeping Them Honest

Top Headlines

HeadlinesMore>>

Oklahoma Impact TeamMore>>

More InvestigationsMore>>

UnemploymentMore>>

EducationMore>>

Stimulus CoverageStimulus CoverageMore>>

Oklahoma LegislatureMore>>

Helpful LinksHelpful LinksMore>>

Special Features

Live Radar

Current Conditions change location

Most Popular

Tuesday Evening Forecast

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 6:49 PM CST

OKC Man Well Known On National Comedy Scene Reported Missing

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 12:00 AM CST

Teen Hit By A Boat On Lake Arcadia

Posted: Mon, 28 May 2012 11:47 PM CST

Metro Mother: Doctor Refuses To Treat Daughter Who Was Rape Victim

Posted: Mon, 28 May 2012 8:31 PM CST

Thunder Discusses Importance Of Winning Game Two

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 10:19 AM CST

Police: Suspicious Package Found In OKC Is Suitcase Filled With Clothes

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 4:03 PM CST

Woman Killed In Boating Accident In Southern Oklahoma

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 8:09 AM CST

OKC Man Well Known On National Comedy Scene Reported MissingVideo

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 7:06 AM CST

Man's Musical Marriage Proposal Becomes YouTube Hit

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 1:43 PM CST

Boat Hits Teen On Lake ArcadiaVideo

Posted: Tue, 29 May 2012 7:00 AM CST

Interactive Features