DURANT –– The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) Healthy Lifestyle Team is excited to announce the start of the Trail of Tears Chahta Nowvt Aya (Choctaw Journey). The journey is a three-month, 620-mile virtual team walking challenge open to everyone touched by the Choctaw Nation.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a significant step in modernizing regulations of agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be moving forward with an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input and feedback on a contemplated regulatory framework that would modernize our system into a scientifically-sound, risk-based, and predictable process that facilitates the development and use of these technologies for U.S. farmers and ranchers under USDA’s authorities. This initiative follows President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on agricultural biotechnology that called upon federal agencies to make regulatory improvements to rectify some of the long-standing barriers to innovation for U.S. agriculture.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– The next set of grants and loans are now available from the Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification Program. This program helps fund qualified, agriculture-related projects across the state with zero percent interest loans and grants.

• Increased access points to be available for larger population groups in communities across the state OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced its strategic plan to transition into phase 2 by offering the COVID-19 vaccine to first responders and healthcare workers outside the inpatient setting by utilizing designated distribution points across the state of Oklahoma. To provide increased access to the COVID-19 vaccine for Oklahomans, OSDH is initiating vaccination “PODS” or Points of Dispensing Sites across the state where individuals who are set to begin receiving the vaccine can do so safely in the coming weeks.

• Majority of Oklahomans believe vaccines are safe and effective; plan to receive COVID-19 vaccine once available OKLAHOMA CITY — Most Oklahomans believe vaccines are safe and effective, and plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recent statewide survey conducted by Amber Integrated. Approximately 78% of Oklahomans believe that vaccines, generally speaking, are safe and effective.

The Museum of the Red River invites young artists age 11-19 to submit artwork for its biennial youth art competition. Submissions will be accepted from Jan. 19-23; artists may bring their pieces by the Museum during regular business hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).