Latest news with #Muskogee
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge tosses lawsuit filed by Ryan Walters against Freedom From Religion Foundation
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters against the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group with which he's had multiple public disagreements. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III in Muskogee issued his ruling on Wednesday, Aug. 13, saying Walters and the taxpayer-funded agency he leads, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, had failed to demonstrate standing to file the lawsuit. Heil also found the court lacked jurisdiction. The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled. In the lawsuit, filed March 31, Walters complained about the foundation sending letters to two Oklahoma school districts concerning public prayer being held in one, Achille Public Schools, and the hiring of an athletic team chaplain in another, Putnam City Schools. The foundation believed those situations to be unconstitutional. Walters, who has pushed to include the teaching of the Bible in Oklahoma classrooms, disagreed. Heil said the lawsuit 'does not allege that (the agency) has stopped executing its duties or ceased administration of Oklahoma's public schools because of defendant's letters. Nor does the complaint allege that the schools have ceased any policies or practices because of defendant's letters. For these reasons, the court finds that plaintiffs have failed to show an injury in fact,' Heil wrote. He added: 'Plaintiffs' generalized statement of injury is nothing more than conjecture.' The Madison, Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation called Heil's ruling 'a win for freedom of speech.' Annie Laurie Gaylor, the co-president of the foundation, said it would 'continue to work to protect the constitutional rights of students and families in Oklahoma.' Megan Lambert, the legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, which helped represent the foundation in the lawsuit, said the decision underscores the right to speak out for change. 'The right to dissent is now more important than ever, and we remain committed to ensuring that people can continue to advocate for better governance and equity in Oklahoma public schools," Lambert said. "The Oklahoma State Department of Education is without the power to silence dissent.' Walters responded to a request to comment on Heil's ruling Thursday, Aug. 14, by issuing a statement reiterating his support for Christian values. 'For years and, at the behest of Democrats, Christianity is under attack in America,' Walters said. 'And during this all out assault on Christian values, all we hear from the Left is applause. There will NEVER be a day where I allow these values to be trampled on in Oklahoma.' In a letter to Achille Superintendent Rick Beene dated Dec. 17, the foundation said it had learned from a complainant that their child's history teacher 'now begins class by picking a Bible verse for the day and asking a student to read the verse to the class' and that the district 'has a custom and practice of beginning each school day with 'mandatory student-led prayer' over the schools' intercom system.' Achille, located in Bryan County in southeastern Oklahoma, has about 300 students in its district. An attachment to the lawsuit included a February 2018 letter sent from the foundation to the Putnam City district concerning the football team chaplain, but the lawsuit did not ask for any relief regarding that letter. Walters' suit claimed the foundation's letters had interfered with 'Superintendent Walters's and OSDE's statutory duty to oversee Oklahoma's public schools and their duty to implement curricular standards, investigate any complaints levied against an Oklahoma school and advocate for its students and parents.' Walters and the Freedom from Religion Foundation have clashed before, over issues including prayer over the school intercom at a Prague school and a Bible-verse-themed poster inside a Putnam City middle school. The foundation has cited the long-standing court precedent establishing a separation between church and state. This article has been updated because a previous version had an inaccuracy. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Judge tosses suit filed by Ryan Walters over letters sent to schools Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stardust Power Advances Lithium Refinery Plans and Raises $4.5 Million in Q2
Stardust Power Inc. (Nasdaq: SDST) reported progress on its Oklahoma lithium refinery project in Q2 2025, securing $4.52 million from a public offering, advancing engineering studies, and forging a research partnership with Ohio University. During the quarter ended June 30, 2025, Stardust Power closed a $4.52 million underwritten public offering, completed major steps in its FEL-3 definitive engineering study, and partnered with Ohio University to accelerate lithium extraction and refining technology development. The FEL-3 study is now under third-party validation and internal review, a key milestone toward a Final Investment Decision for the company's proposed 50,000 metric ton per annum battery-grade lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Context The U.S. lithium supply chain remains constrained, with most refining capacity located abroad. Policy incentives and demand growth from the EV sector are driving domestic investment in lithium production. Stardust Power's strategy focuses on processing lithium from brine sources, offering a potentially lower-cost and sustainable route to battery-grade material. The partnership with Ohio University aims to bolster research capabilities and enhance processing efficiency—both critical in a market where technological and environmental considerations shape project viability. Financial Performance: Net loss: $3.7M (Q2 2025) vs. $2.7M (Q2 2024) Loss per share: $(0.06) vs. $(0.07) year-over-year Cash and equivalents: $2.6M as of June 30, 2025 Debt: None Operating cash outflow: $4.5M in H1 2025, reflecting higher investments, staffing, and administrative costs Investing cash outflow: $2.2M, largely for initial refinery capital expenditures Financing inflow: $8.4M, primarily from equity raises and warrant inducements, partially offset by loan repayments CEO Roshan Pujari said the company is 'well positioned' to meet the growing need for U.S.-based lithium refining, citing favorable policy trends and early signs of recovery in lithium markets. Read this article on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
04-08-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Stardust Power Announces Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release Date, Conference Call
GREENWICH, Conn., Aug. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stardust Power Inc. (NASDAQ: SDST) ('Stardust Power' or the 'Company'), an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, today announced that it will release its second quarter 2025 financial results after market close on Wednesday 13 August, 2025. Roshan Pujari, Founder and Chief Executive Officer and Uday Devasper, Chief Financial Officer will host a conference call at 5:30pm ET on Wednesday 13 August, 2025 to discuss the Company's results. Participants may access the call by clicking the participant call link to ask questions: You can also access the call via live audio webcast using the website link to listen in: About Stardust Power Inc. Stardust Power is a developer of battery-grade lithium products designed to bolster America's energy leadership by building resilient supply chains. Stardust Power is developing a strategically central lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma with the anticipated capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium. The Company is committed to sustainability at each point in the process. Stardust Power trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'SDST.' For more information, visit Stardust Power Contacts For Investors: Johanna Gonzalez [email protected] For Media: Michael Thompson [email protected]
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Flavors of Oklahoma returns Saturday
Women in Safe Home is hosting its biggest fundraiser of the year Saturday. The fifth annual Flavors of Oklahoma returns to Muskogee Civic Center and WISH assistant director Jaime Stout said there will be some new vendors available to attendees. 'We have Morgan Distilleries, we have Meredith Maple Liqueurs,' Stout said. 'Chili's is joining us this year. Olive Garden has donated something for the silent auction.' Stout said that most of the event mainstays will be returning for attendees to sample. 'We have Mahylon's, Mattie Jane's, Mama Tigs and Golden Corral,' she said. 'Are regular staples will be there.' The doors open at 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Boone Mendenhall and the Warhorse Band. 'They are very popular,' she said. 'We have lots of cool silent auction items from a fire pit to a ride-on car for a kid. We have lots of different baskets, an inflatable rental. Lots of items people don't want to miss.' Stout said about 34,000 was raised last year — an increase of $1,000 from 2023. She said the money goes for shelter needs 'from utility costs to buying food.' 'We get donations that help supply clothing for our clients,' Stout said. 'All the funds raised go to support the needs of the shelter.' Shelter and WISH employees are paid with monies from a different source. 'The court advocate at the shelter is funded through the City of Muskogee Foundation grant,' she said. 'We have nine employees altogether — seven workers plus myself and Evelyn Hibbs (executive director).' Stout said in the past two years, funding has been reduced. 'Last year we got cut about $78,000 from our federal funding,' she said. 'We'll find out in August if our federal funding is going to be cut anymore.' Tickets are $20. They can be purchased at the Civic Center, by one of the WISH board members or online at Stout said there are several donation options for anyone unable to attend. 'We have a link on our Facebook page (WISH Muskogee),' Stout said. 'They can make a donation off our zeffy link — it's a new site that nonprofits use where the individual covers the fees. Or they can mail in a donation to P.O. Box 487, Muskogee, 74402.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Muskogee police reports 07.10.25
Assaults 109 Cary Place, July 8, threats. Burglaries 1201 Foxcroft Circle, July 5-6, property removed from residence. 3300 E. Hancock St., July 7-8, property removed from vehicle. Thefts Dollar General, 323 Callahan, July 9, shoplifting. 2301 Columbus St., July 9-10, vehicle. Vandalism City of Muskogee, Shawnee Bypass and Chicago Street, July 6, signs. 545 N. Sixth St., July 8, property damaged.
