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Assistant Dean of Students O.L. Kelly, Chancellor Sean Burrage, Cora McKinney, Carson Joe Veenstra, and Rodger Nixon are shown at the Oklahoma’s Promise program. Photos provided

Assistant Dean of Students O.L. Kelly, Chancellor Sean Burrage, Cora McKinney, Carson Joe Veenstra, and Rodger Nixon are shown at the Oklahoma’s Promise program. Photos provided

Southeastern students participate in 2026 Higher Education Day and Oklahoma’s Promise Day at the State Capitol

News Staff
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Three Southeastern Oklahoma State University students traveled to Oklahoma City recently to participate in the 2026 Higher Education Day and Oklahoma’s Promise Day at the State Capitol.
Dr. David Whitlock presents J. Scott Crain, Chase Crain (far left), and Drew Crain (far right) with a plaque honoring their 2026 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award.

Dr. David Whitlock presents J. Scott Crain, Chase Crain (far left), and Drew Crain (far right) with a plaque honoring their 2026 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award.

CrainCo honored with Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award for collaboration with Southeastern

News Staff
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Southeastern Oklahoma State University alumni-owned local business CrainCo has been honored with the 2026 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award (RBPEA) as announced recently.
Mark Mesiti-Miller of the Durant Sustainability coalition was one of the volunteers who removed invasive species from the stream near Schuler Park. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Mark Mesiti-Miller of the Durant Sustainability coalition was one of the volunteers who removed invasive species from the stream near Schuler Park. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Mortenson partners with DSC to remove invasive species from stream

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Mortenson team members from the Twelvemile Solar project in Bryan and Johnston counties teamed up with the Durant Sustainability Coalition to remove invasive species and clean up the stream running along the north side of Schuler Park in Durant on April 17.

Annual Earth Day is Saturday

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The Durant Sustainability Coalition’s annual Earth Day Festival is Saturday, April 25 at Dixon Durant (Rocket) Park with many activities scheduled for people of all ages. Morning activities and breakfast start at 9 a.m.
Northwest Heights Elementary School Principal Taylor Downs talks about NWH STEM teacher Kasey Bennett, who is a top 10 finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. Bennett was recognized at a Durant Board of Education meeting. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Northwest Heights Elementary School Principal Taylor Downs talks about NWH STEM teacher Kasey Bennett, who is a top 10 finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. Bennett was recognized at a Durant Board of Education meeting. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

State TOY candidate recognized at Durant School Board meeting

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Northwest Heights Elementary School STEM teacher Kasey Bennett, who is a top 10 finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, was recognized during a recent meeting of the Durant Board of Education. Bennett was the Durant School District’s Teacher of the Year for the 20242025 school year.

COMING EVENTS

News Staff
Friday, April 17, 2026
April 21 The Bryan County Federation of Democratic Women (BCFDW) meeting will be held Tuesday, April 21 at noon at the Donald W Reynolds Library in Durant. Craig McVay, candidate for OK Superintendent of Public Education will be the guest speaker.
Lawmakers Advance Accountability Package to Protect Taxpayer Dollars

Lawmakers Advance Accountability Package to Protect Taxpayer Dollars

Lawmakers Advance Accountability Package to Protect Taxpayer Dollars

News Staff
Friday, April 17, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — After months of study and collaboration, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, advanced a package of government accountability bills aimed at protecting taxpayers and strengthening ethical standards in state and local government.
Bills Aimed at Ethics and Transparency

Bills Aimed at Ethics and Transparency

Bills Aimed at Ethics and Transparency

News Staff
Friday, April 17, 2026
HOUSE BILL 3413 Expands transparency in state agency contracting by requiring agencies to publicly list contractors, contract values and project status. It also mandates posting consultant reports and disclosing whether contracts are for outside services or to supplement staffing.
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