HOW TO WATCH: KTAB's ‘Change a Child's Story' special & forum featuring volunteers
ABILENE, Texas () – When children are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, they face an uncertain journey through the child welfare system. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of these children.
Our 'Change a Child's Story' special will highlight the impact of Big Country CASA volunteers through powerful testimonials, real-life legal resolutions, and an inside look at the dedicated individuals who give children a voice.
KTAB's 'Change a Child's Story' special will air at 6:30 p.m. on March 26, offering valuable insights into Big Country CASA's role in the community.
The panelists for the special include:
Kasey Leavell – A one-year volunteer and member of the CASA Board of Directors.
Rob Davidson – A volunteer since 2019, Air Force veteran, and active member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
Jonathon Leverton – Recently sworn in as a volunteer; has experience in foster care.
Lee Ann Millender – Executive Director of Big Country CASA.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rogers County raises most money for CASA through Paper Doll Project
For the second consecutive year, Rogers County raised the most money in a six-county drive to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma. CASA, an organization of volunteers who advocate in court for kids in difficult situations, gathers donations each spring from its Paper Doll Project. Individuals or groups in Rogers, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Ottawa and Washington counties give anywhere from $100 to $1,000 to receive child-sized wooden dolls to dress, name and display. Marketing Coordinator Mark Ogle came to the Rogers County Commissioners' meeting Monday to present a trophy to Rogers County for financing the most dolls. Ogle said in addition to funding CASA's operations, the dolls help foster kids because the kids will now receive the clothes donors bought for their dolls to wear. "It is a collaboration among the communities and all the counties," Ogle said. "It does get competitive, so you all won and for a second year over, so that's quite an accomplishment, and a lot of credit to Rogers County and all the businesses and organizations that joined in." Donors funded about 200 dolls this year, Ogle said. Also at Monday's meeting, the commissioners put out to bid a project to build a storage facility for Rogers County Emergency Management. District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Steve Hendrix said the project is part of an American Rescue Plan Act award that also funded a command center trailer for Emergency Management. Bid documents call for a 5,500-square-foot, one-story structure adjacent to the Rogers County 911 Center on State Highway 88. "Finally," Hendrix said after the commissioners voted to approve letting the bid. "Emergency Management has equipment strung out everywhere. We're going to finally get a place to put it." Anyone interested in submitting a bid should contact Samantha Sherman, purchasing clerk for the Rogers County Clerk's Office, at 918-923-4429 or purchasing@ Developers may purchase or view a set of the building plans at the Rogers County Clerk's office, 200 S. Lynn Riggs Blvd. in Claremore. The commissioners also chose Burgess Co. to replace a malfunctioning accordion fire door on the fourth floor of the Rogers County Courthouse. The county had previously let this project but received no bid offers. Doug Presley, director of the Rogers County Maintenance Department, instead sought phone bids and received three. Burgess' $49,412 offer was the low bid.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Veterans gather in recognition of 40 years of B-1B Lancer at Dyess
ABILENE, Texas () – Veterans across the nation gathered at Dyess Air Force Base (AFB) to recognizing 40 years of the B-1B Lancer. The first ever B-1B Lancer was named the Star of Abilene and was delivered to Dyess AFB on June 29, 1985. The B-1B Lancer was developed as a supersonic nuclear bomber to replace the B-52 Stratofortress following the Cold War. Dyess has been the home of the B-1. Veterans at the event spoke with KTAB/KRBC on how they felt about the event. Major Bryan Zak was in the U.S. Air Force and also served as the Defensive System Officer. He also served as the mayor of Homer Alaska. He shared with KTAB/KRBC that he also survived brain cancer. The event's anniversary held a special meaning to him. 'I feel totally connected at everything surrounding me, spiritually,' said Zak. The 7th Wing Bomb Wing Commander from Dyess AFB also Colonel Seth Spanier how exciting the event was. 'It's a really special weekend, we're lucky to do these about every 2 years… you have the first people to ever a fly a B1B back from 40 years ago. And you have some of the U.S. copilots that are learning how to fly today,' Spanier said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Supreme Court Might Kill Nationwide Injunctions
The Supreme Court heard arguments this week that could reshape how federal courts block executive actions. On the surface, the justices seem prepared to rein in nationwide injunctions, the increasingly common tool used by lower courts to halt policies not only for the plaintiffs before them, but across all 50 states. In just the first five months of 2025, federal judges have issued such injunctions to block President Trumps executive order on birthright citizenship, his attempt to defund hospitals hospitals providing "gender-affirming" care to minors, and his sweeping pause on federal grants tied to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Conservatives have long criticized the practice as lawless and unmoored from the limits of Article III of the Constitution. Progressives, now more reliant on such relief to block Trump-era policies, argue its sometimes the only way to prevent constitutional harm from spreading while litigation unfolds. Whats likely to emerge, though, is not a bold doctrinal ruling but a narrow, compromise opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts. If that happens, the decision will offer a cautionary tale in judicial self-protection, in which institutional preservation is masked as constitutional principle, leaving the underlying structural problem untouched. The case, Trump v. CASA, centers on President Trumps executive order to limit birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. Lower courts have blocked the policy through nationwide injunctions, prompting the administration to challenge their legitimacy. During oral argument, Roberts and several justices expressed concern about the expanding use of nationwide relief. Justice Alito called it a "disease" spreading through the federal courts. Justice Gorsuch warned about turning single judges into de facto national policymakers. But what was just as telling were the breadcrumbs dropped about a likely off-ramp: class certification. That means that instead of issuing an order that halts a federal policy "nationwide," a district judge could define a class - say, all U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants - and enjoin enforcement of the policy against the entire group. The end result would be practically identical. If the court rules that nationwide injunctions are unconstitutional, lower courts may simply respond by certifying plaintiff classes broad enough to justify system-wide relief. In effect, judges will achieve the same outcome under a different procedural theory. Executive policies will still be blocked nationwide, but the mechanism will be dressed in new robes. Thats not judicial restraint. Thats a judicial workaround. And the impulse to allow it without acknowledging it seems likely to come from the courts center. Roberts, ever the institutionalist, is clearly sensitive to the perception that the judiciary is inserting itself into national policymaking. But his instinct is to manage appearances, not confront structure. The problem with nationwide injunctions is not just that theyre controversial. Its that they enable a single unelected district judge to dictate federal policy far beyond their jurisdiction. Thats not a political complaint; its a constitutional one. When trial courts routinely bind nonparties and issue system-wide relief, they exceed the role Article III envisions. A real ruling would address that head-on. It would clarify whether and when courts can bind the federal government outside the scope of the parties before them. It would not tinker with the tools while ignoring the incentives. Whats needed is not just a change in doctrine. Its a change in expectations. The first federal judge to issue a sweeping order shouldnt dictate national policy while appellate review drags on. A healthier structure would encourage narrow, party-specific relief until questions of law are settled by circuit courts or, ultimately, the Supreme Court. Instead, Roberts seems poised to split the baby. Hell signal disapproval of nationwide injunctions in form, while leaving the door wide open to class-wide relief that functions identically. The court will protect its image without restoring the actual boundaries of judicial power. To be clear, institutional legitimacy is worth caring about. But it doesnt come from a neutral tone or procedural sleight of hand. It comes from the courage to decide structural questions clearly, even when the result is politically uncomfortable. Roberts wants to preserve the courts reputation - but preservation isnt the mission. Judgment is. In the short term, the Trump administrations birthright order may still be blocked, just not by a "nationwide injunction." In the long term, lower courts will read between the lines. Theyll continue to halt national policy from the trial bench, using slightly different procedural tools, with a nod and a wink from the Supreme Court. The court may technically strike down nationwide injunctions. But it wont stop them. Justin Evan Smith is a law student, business strategist, and contributor with Young Voices. Follow him on X @thejustinevan.
