Rancher Bud Beaston and District Attorney Mike Fisher (Osage and Pawnee Counties) may not agree on anything except that Osage County disputes have raged for a long time. Beaston says corruption in Osage County begins with zoning and planning efforts, extends to questionable land and building sales, construction of public facilities, and even elected officials intimidating citizens and ignoring votes. DA Fisher calls the allegations “baseless with no evidence to support it.” Beaston counters he has the evidence and awaits lawful authority willing to hear the case.

Early in September Beaston sent a registered letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. He also sent copies of that letter to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, various additional officials including the US Department of Justice, and thirty legacy media outlets throughout the state. As of today, no one other than this reporter has called in response, Beaston said.

Last week, the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force published their report, making several recommendations to the legislature for immigration-related bills. Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, spoke forthrightly against the recommendations and encouraged his fellow legislators to do likewise.

“As legislators, we must look out first and foremost for the well-being of Oklahomans,” Sen. Deevers said. “I’m afraid these recommendations fail to do that.”