News

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Tiara Blue, Southeastern adjunct instructor at Southeastern in the Department of English, Humanities, and Languages, communicates with her students during a class last semester. Blue is hearing impaired and with help from her students, discovered unique ways to teach her classes.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Tiara Blue, Southeastern adjunct instructor at Southeastern in the Department of English, Humanities, and Languages, communicates with her students during a class last semester. Blue is hearing impaired and with help from her students, discovered unique ways to teach her classes.

Hearing impaired Southeastern instructor finds ways to communicate with her class

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Southeastern instructor Tiara Blue is hearing impaired and has taught online courses for three years at Murray State College after working as a teacher’s assistant at OU for two years.
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police and Choctaw Security participated in the Polar Plunge last Saturday at Choctaw RV Park.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police and Choctaw Security participated in the Polar Plunge last Saturday at Choctaw RV Park.

Taking the plunge for Special Olympics

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Twenty-seven plungers jumped into water that was 51 degrees at the Choctaw RV Park during the 24th annual Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics last Saturday.
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Calera Fire-Rescue has 51st annual chili dinner

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Calera Fire-Rescue served bowls of chili last Saturday at the fire station to raise funds for scholarships and to purchase different things. Calera Fire Chief Brian Norton said it was the 51st annual chili dinner.

ICE is lawless

Jane Hicks
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Traditional law enforcement officers identify themselves, patrol in marked cars, show their faces, and in many cities have worked diligently to gain public trust, especially in traditionally over-policed communities.

Republican state lawmakers oppose SQ 836

Ray Carter
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
More than 90 percent of Oklahoma House Republicans, and 95 percent of Oklahoma Senate Republicans, have jointly signed a letter urging Oklahomans to reject State Question 836, saying the proposal is “bad policy and bad for Oklahoma.”

COMING EVENTS

News Staff
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Feb. 7 Calera Fire-Rescue is having its 51st annual chili dinner from 11 a.m.
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