Latest news with #HereComestheBride
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OSU regents shouldn't live high on the hog while serving the public interest
The melodious sounds of a string quartet. The delightfulness of a smoky whiskey. Open bars. More flowers than you'd see at a funeral. It has all the makings of a lavish, big-budget wedding. But don't cue 'Here Comes the Bride.' These luxurious accommodations and the spending that goes with them are happening in conjunction with public board meetings A nine-member oversight board Oklahoma has entrusted to ensure that many of our public colleges and universities are spending money wisely apparently feels entitled to live high on the hog while doing so. It would be delightfully ironic, but for the fact that an Oklahoma Voice analysis of receipts provided in response to an open records request found that the sumptuous tastes of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges have resulted in over $69,000 in combined costs connected to just 13 meetings. And, that excludes mileage reimbursement requests, which adds another $11,000 to the tab. In short, every time these regents meet, it costs an average of over $6,100, including mileage. These board members are entrusted to oversee the Oklahoma State University system, along with Connors State College, Langston University, Northeast Oklahoma A&M College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. This spending is problematic in part because our regents are doing nothing to curtail the expectation that presidents and schools must pay dearly for board members to attend obscenely expensive junkets and entertain them while they're doing the taxpayers' business. Records indicate that most often the bulk of those tabs are born by the college or university that is hosting them. That means our tax dollars are paying for them to hold elaborate feasts that serve dozens of unnamed people items like 8 oz. filet, salmon, boneless beef short ribs, pit ham and stuffing, roasted garlic whipped potatoes and gravy and cast iron butter cake. Somehow when the regents met over two days in September, officials managed to spend close to $6,600 on dinner, $250 on breakfast and almost $1,100 on lunch. Most cost-conscious boards would order a few pizzas, get a box of doughnuts or a fruit tray from the local grocery store, or bring their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This king- and queen-like gluttony is tone-deaf to the fact that over 1 in 5 college students are food insecure, meaning they're skipping meals or eating less because they can't afford it. OSU's fundraising arm reports that the university's food insecurity rate is actually closer to 1 in 2 students. The spending is also outrageous given the struggles many Oklahoma families currently face to pay their bills. And while these officials are living large, four of the five schools that these regents oversee increased tuition. While OSU did not, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, which hosted one of these board meetings, increased its tuition 5.5%. So while some of these campuses are forking out thousands to wine and dine their governing board, students are suffering with higher tuition rates or fees. How is that a good use of money? It's further troubling that none of the sitting members could be bothered to answer specific questions about the expenditures. Only one, now a former member, was willing to talk with a reporter about the rationale behind the spending. Additionally, we discovered that these regents don't have individual public email addresses clearly listed on their governing board's website. That sends a clear signal that they have very little interest in being accountable to the public they're tasked with representing. More: The safety of groundwater is in danger with EPA's proposed closure of Oklahoma lab | Opinion The board has faced increased scrutiny in recent days following the abrupt resignation of OSU's former President Kayse Shrum in February. And while there are no specific receipts related to alcohol purchases, the former board member said they have access to open bars, and records show we've paid for them to have a bartender. There's no reason people should be drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in state business. If that's not gross enough, some of our board attended a 'Board of Regents Night Cap' 'social,' and records show the OSU Foundation, which is supposed to use donor dollars 'to make a lasting impact on the students, faculty and programs that inspire us,' imprudently used funding to buy regents shot glasses and other items to facilitate a 'Whiskey Tasting.' They also paid over $1,000 to host a hospitality suite for these regents and even bought them personalized cookies. Is that what donors intended their money to pay for? If I were a donor, I wouldn't want my money spent on that. Enough is enough. There's a certain sick humor to the situation given the fact that this D.C. swamp-level of extravagance is apparently happening under the noses of Republicans who are on a quest to reduce waste. Gov. Kevin Stitt, who appointed all these folks, in particular is focused on it. This is not an acceptable way to spend money. Board members should certainly be compensated for their mileage, and possibly a reasonable hotel stay if they live two hours or more away from a meeting site. And perhaps they should get a $30 meal voucher. But these meetings should not be wracking up over $50,000 in catering costs and thousands more in other expenses like purchasing fresh flowers. If regents don't want to serve without all the frippery, that's fine. Stitt can find someone else who will. Janelle Stecklein is editor of Oklahoma Voice. An award-winning journalist, Stecklein has been covering Oklahoma government and politics since moving to the state in 2014. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU regents should avoid excessive spending for meetings | Opinion
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma State University regents shouldn't live high on the hog while serving the public interest
The Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents gather for a meeting at the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater on March 7. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) The melodious sounds of a string quartet. The delightfulness of a smoky whiskey. Open bars. More flowers than you'd see at a funeral. It has all the makings of a lavish, big-budget wedding. But don't cue 'Here Comes the Bride.' These luxurious accommodations and the spending that goes with them are happening in conjunction with public board meetings A nine-member oversight board Oklahoma has entrusted to ensure that many of our public colleges and universities are spending money wisely apparently feels entitled to live high on the hog while doing so. It would be delightfully ironic, but for the fact that an Oklahoma Voice analysis of receipts provided in response to an open records request found that the sumptuous tastes of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges have resulted in over $69,000 in combined costs connected to just 13 meetings. And, that excludes mileage reimbursement requests, which adds another $11,000 to the tab. In short, every time these regents meet, it costs an average of over $6,100, including mileage. These board members are entrusted to oversee the Oklahoma State University system, along with Connors State College, Langston University, Northeast Oklahoma A&M College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. This spending is problematic in part because our regents are doing nothing to curtail the expectation that presidents and schools must pay dearly for board members to attend obscenely expensive junkets and entertain them while they're doing the taxpayers' business. Records indicate that most often the bulk of those tabs are born by the college or university that is hosting them. That means our tax dollars are paying for them to hold elaborate feasts that serve dozens of unnamed people items like 8 oz. filet, salmon, boneless beef short ribs, pit ham and stuffing, roasted garlic whipped potatoes and gravy and cast iron butter cake. Somehow when the regents met over two days in September, officials managed to spend close to $6,600 on dinner, $250 on breakfast and almost $1,100 on lunch. Most cost-conscious boards would order a few pizzas, get a box of donuts or a fruit tray from the local grocery store, or bring their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This king- and queen-like gluttony is tone-deaf to the fact that over 1 in 5 college students are food insecure, meaning they're skipping meals or eating less because they can't afford it. OSU's fundraising arm reports that the university's food insecurity rate is actually closer to 1 in 2 students. The spending is also outrageous given the struggles many Oklahoma families currently face to pay their bills. And while these officials are living large, four of the five schools that these regents oversee increased tuition. While OSU did not, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, which hosted one of these board meetings, increased its tuition 5.5%. So while some of these campuses are forking out thousands to wine and dine their governing board, students are suffering with higher tuition rates or fees. How is that a good use of money? It's further troubling that none of the sitting members could be bothered to answer specific questions about the expenditures. Only one, now a former member, was willing to talk with a reporter about the rationale behind the spending. Additionally, we discovered that these regents don't have individual public email addresses clearly listed on their governing board's website. That sends a clear signal that they have very little interest in being accountable to the public they're tasked with representing. The board has faced increased scrutiny in recent days following the abrupt resignation of OSU's former President Kayse Shrum in February. And while there are no specific receipts related to alcohol purchases, the former board member said they have access to open bars, and records show we've paid for them to have a bartender. There's no reason people should be drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in state business. If that's not gross enough, some of our board attended a 'Board of Regents Night Cap' 'social,' and records show the OSU Foundation, which is supposed to use donor dollars 'to make a lasting impact on the students, faculty and programs that inspire us,' imprudently used funding to buy regents shot glasses and other items to facilitate a 'Whiskey Tasting.' They also paid over $1,000 to host a hospitality suite for these regents and even bought them personalized cookies. Is that what donors intended their money to pay for? If I were a donor, I wouldn't want my money spent on that. Enough is enough. There's a certain sick humor to the situation given the fact that this D.C. swamp-level of extravagance is apparently happening under the noses of Republicans who are on a quest to reduce waste. Gov. Kevin Stitt, who appointed all these folks, in particular is focused on it. This is not an acceptable way to spend money. Board members should certainly be compensated for their mileage, and possibly a reasonable hotel stay if they live two hours or more away from a meeting site. And perhaps they should get a $30 meal voucher. But these meetings should not be wracking up over $50,000 in catering costs and thousands more in other expenses like purchasing fresh flowers. If regents don't want to serve without all the frippery, that's fine. Stitt can find someone else who will. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bobby Sherman's Wife Says Singer's Stage 4 Cancer Has ‘Spread Everywhere': ‘Everything's Shutting Down'
In a new update, Bobby Sherman's wife, Brigitte Poublon, opened up about the singer's health and life away from the spotlight. Brigitte told Fox News Digital that Bobby, 81, is "terminally ill' with stage 4 kidney cancer that has 'spread everywhere" in an interview that was published on Wednesday, April 2. "He was doing crossword puzzles with me in the last few days. And then all of a sudden Saturday, he turned around and … he's just sleeping more and his body's not working anymore. It's not. Everything's shutting down," she told the outlet of her husband's condition. She said that the 'Little Woman' singer would like "to be left in peace" and spend time with his loved ones amid his cancer battle. "His last words from the hospital last night were, 'Brig, I just want to go home,'" Brigitte revealed. On March 25, she publicly revealed Bobby's cancer diagnosis in a post on Facebook and thanked fans for their support. 'To all of Bobby Sherman's cherished fans,' Brigitte wrote in the post. 'As many of you know, Bobby has been retired for some time and is no longer able to participate in cameos, sign autographs, or make appearances.' 'It is with a heavy heart that we share Bobby has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,' the post continued. 'During this challenging time, we kindly ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy. Thank you so much for still remembering him. We really appreciate it.' Fans of the star gathered in the comments section of the Facebook post to show their support for Bobby. 'My heart breaks for Bobby and his family. He has been such a positive influence on my life from that Bobby concert when I was 7 sitting in the balcony, waving the peace sign - to exchanging a few letters with him about my writing — to meeting him in 1998 at a teen idol concert in Myrtle Beach - to singing along with Hey Mr. Sun every morning of the pandemic to get me through — Bobby, thank you so very much for being you and for sharing your talent and your character with us. Praying for you,' one person commented on the post. 'So very sorry to hear this. Will keep him in my prayers. He's been so gracious to so many over the years,' another person wrote. 'Thank you for letting us know. I loved him in Here Comes the Bride. He has given so much of himself to so many fans over the years; sharing his gifts, talents and kindness with us,' someone else commented on the post. The couple has been married for over a decade and have worked together on philanthropic efforts over the years, including launching the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children's Foundation, 'a Ghana-based youth center dedicated to blending music and education together.' Brigitte said that Bobby has received support from his famous friends, including Full House alum John Stamos, who became an ambassador for the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children's Foundation. "John's been very great about giving support the last few years too," she told the outlet.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Teen Idol Diagnosed With Stage IV Cancer
Former teen idol Bobby Sherman has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer at the age of 81. His wife, Brigitte Poublon shared the news on Facebook on Tuesday, March 25. "To all of Bobby Sherman's cherished fans," Poublon began. "As many of you know, Bobby has been retired for some time and is no longer able to participate in cameos, sign autographs, or make appearances." "It is with a heavy heart that we share Bobby has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. During this challenging time, we kindly ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy. Thank you so much for still remembering him. We really appreciate it," she added. Sherman was a singer and actor, best known for his role on the Western series Here Comes the Bride that aired in the late '60s. His music career was also a success, with hit singles including "Little Woman" and "Easy Come, Easy Go." After leaving the entertainment industry, Sherman trained to become a paramedic. He later accepted a position at the Los Angeles Police Academy before joining the LAPD as a technical Reserve Officer in the '90s. He retired from the force in 2010. Dozens of fans commented on Poublon's post. "Oh no, this is terrible. He has always had the kindest heart, he does not deserve to suffer like this. Bless you Bobby, you still have millions of fans who love and pray for you," one comment read. "So sorry to hear, I have been a fan for 56 years, truly love Bobby and all he has done for everyone, all those years out in the field, your charity work for children in Africa, amazing singer and actor wonderful father, grandfather, husband and friend. I'm a cancer survivor myself, may God be with him now and always. God bless you Brigette," someone else wrote.
