The Ponca City News

09/18/2026

The Ponca City News is seeking a Marketing Consultant.
Please send your resume to [email protected]

09/03/2026

Printing Press Operator Wanted
Kay County Media, LLC is seeking a full-time press operator to join our printing team based in Ponca City, OK.
Solid work ethic along with mechanical skills and the ability to react quickly to print related issues is a must.
We are willing to train the right person.
Salary negotiable based on experience.
Job requirements include: Current valid driver’s license with clean driving record, color vision and depth perception, ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, ability to read and comprehend written and/or oral English instruction along with an ability to communicate effectively with team members.
If interested, please send a resume with references included to [email protected]. EOE

08/26/2026

Tuesday, Aug. 25 was host to a number of run-off elections, as well as a pair of state questions. The following are the unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board website. Unless a contest of election or a petition for recount has been filed, results will be certified by county election boards not earlier than 5 p.m. Friday, August 28. State and federal election results will be certified Tuesday, September 1.
The following are the results:

Oklahoma Governor (Republican)
Gentner Drummond - 184,517 votes (49.73%)
Mike Mazzei - 186,502 votes (50.27%)

Superintendent of Public Instruction (Republican)
Robert Franklin - 196,880 votes (54.64%)
James Taylor - 163,466 votes (45.36%)

Commissioner of Labor (Republican)
Kevin West - 203,780 votes (58.28%)
John Pfeiffer - 145,862 votes (41.72%)

Insurance Commissioner (Republican)
Bob Sullivan - 194,784 votes (55.14%)
Marty L. Quinn - 158,484 votes (44.86%)

State Representative District 38 (Republican)
Madison Bolay - 3,521 votes (58.05%)
Danielle Deterding - 2,544 votes (41.95%)

United States Senator (Democrat)
N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas - 79,164 votes (61.21%)
Jim Priest - 50,169 votes (38.79%)

State Question 844
Yes - 138,581 votes (26.25%)
No - 389,435 votes (73.75%)

State Question 846
Yes - 292,167 votes (54.60%)
No - 242,903 votes (45.40%)

08/24/2026

BE AN INFORMED VOTER!

SQ 844:
Why this matters:
The underlying manufacturing tax break was approved by voters in 1985 to attract manufacturers and the jobs and investment they bring by temporarily eliminating local property taxes for qualifying manufacturers.

However, the Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund has not consistently had enough money to fully reimburse schools and other local entities for the property-tax revenue they lose under the program. As a result, the state has had to make up the shortfall through additional appropriations.

The key political question is: Should the Legislature have more flexibility to decide how this money is divided, or should local governments continue to have stronger protection that they will be reimbursed for the revenue they lose?

What proponents are likely to say:
A YES voter might think:
• The current system isn't sustainable.
• One county shouldn't be able to consume an unusually large share of the reimbursement fund.
• The Legislature needs flexibility to manage the program as Oklahoma's economy and revenues change.
• A new formula could distribute the money more fairly among Oklahoma's counties and schools.
• Give the Legislature more power to change how manufacturing-tax-break reimbursements are calculated and distributed.

What opponents are likely to say:
A NO voter might think:
• The state promised to make local governments whole when it created the manufacturing tax exemption.
• Giving legislators greater control could mean schools and local governments receive less than the property-tax revenue they otherwise would have received.
• Local governments depend heavily on property taxes to fund schools and public services.
• The constitutional guarantee shouldn't be weakened simply because the state hasn't adequately funded the reimbursement system.
• The Legislature could eventually reduce reimbursements or create winners and losers among counties.

SQ 846:
Why this matters:
If SQ 846 passes, a future Oklahoma Legislature couldn't simply repeal the constitutional voter-ID requirement with an ordinary law. Changing the constitutional requirement would require another constitutional amendment approved by voters. However, future legislators would still have substantial authority over what counts as acceptable proof of identity.

The key political question is: Should voter ID be locked into the Constitution, while allowing future legislators to decide the details?

What supporters are likely to say:
A YES voter might think:
• Voter ID is already Oklahoma law, and putting it in the Constitution protects it from being repealed by a future Legislature.
• Election rules should provide confidence that the person casting a ballot is the eligible voter.
• If voters approved voter ID before, voters—not legislators alone—should ultimately decide whether that basic requirement goes away.
• Constitutionalizing the requirement provides a permanent safeguard for election integrity.

What opponents are likely to say
A NO voter might think:
• Oklahoma already has voter ID requirements, so this amendment isn't necessary.
• The existing system has not demonstrated a widespread voter-fraud problem requiring a constitutional amendment.
• The amendment gives future legislators broad power to determine what identification voters must provide.
• If future lawmakers make the requirements more restrictive, putting voter ID in the Constitution could make those changes harder to challenge.
• Changing voting requirements should remain flexible enough for lawmakers to address unforeseen problems.

The Chamber is encouraging all voters to stay informed beyond the ballot wording to understand the implications of approving or rejecting the State Questions. Here are some links to help you learn more so you can make an informed decision about SQ 844 and SQ 846:

Oklahoma Policy Institute

Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs Overview

View your ballots here for the Oklahoma Primary Runoff & Special Election on August 25, 2026.

07/23/2026

As the follow-up investigation continued with the missing person case yesterday from the Kaw City area, we developed enough probable cause to arrest Jason Lee Rogers (40) from his residence on 07-23-2026 at approx. 3:30 pm following charges:
Domestic A&B in the presence of minors and
Attempting, conspiring, or endeavoring to perform acts of violence involving serious bodily harm or death.
He was transported to the Kay County Detention, which was booked and jailed.

07/23/2026

Update:
The Kay County Sheriff's Office has confirmed early this morning that Amanda Rogers has been located and is okay. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank all of the police, fire and the public for their assistance in the case.

07/22/2026

The Kay County Sheriff's Office is looking for Amanda Rogers.

Missing/endangered just because of the heat index. Last seen at home with husband and kids 9:15am.
Kids and husband found the truck not far from their home about 1 hour later on Rockyridge Road south of Coleman Road, Kaw City area.
It is believed she left on foot wearing a blue tie-dye t-shirt, red/pink shorts, and flip flops.
The area is heavily wooded and the Sheriff's Office have about a 1 square mile of area to cover.
The Kay County Sheriff's Office personnel, Ponca Police, Kaw Nation, Newkirk Fire, Kaw City Fire and numerous fire volunteers out searching the area.
Multiple drones with advanced equipment are being used, an advanced search team from Payne County Sheriffs Office is enroute and multiple volunteers are walking the area. Cell phones have been located data is being used for the search. Search is continuing without any leads as of yet.

If anyone has information or has seen Amanda Rogers please call the Kay County Sheriff's Office or dial 911

Update:
The Kay County Sheriff's Office has confirmed early this morning that Amanda Rogers has been located and is okay. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank all of the police, fire and the public for their assistance in the case.

07/08/2026

04/23/2026

04/08/2026

The election for Ponca City Public Schools Board of Education Seat No. 1 was held today on April 7. The following are the results of the election according to the OK Elections website with all 18 precincts reporting in. It should be noted that these are unofficial results:

Jeffrey MacKinnon – 415 votes (54.46%)

Apryl Moore – 347 votes (45.54%)