STILLWATER –– The Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE) announced that genome sequencing capabilities for COVID-19 will be up and running this week. “We are excited to get our sequencing capability fully operational, as COVID-19 variants are spreading rapidly throughout our global communities,” said Dr.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– State Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye issued the following statement regarding the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: “The approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use provides an exciting opportunity for our state as we continue to get Oklahomans vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.

WASHINGTON –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period, which had previously been announced as ending on Feb. 12, 2021. USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. Under the previous Administration, incentives and rental payment rates were reduced resulting in an enrollment shortfall of more than 4 million acres. The program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for 10 to 15 years for land devoted to conservation purposes, as well as other types of payments.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 on Thursday to encourage and invite exhibitors, breed associations and partners to return to Oklahoma in 2022 and again participate in the second annual Cattlemen’s Congress show. The resolution was authored by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.

As President Joe Biden continues to adjust to his new life in the White House, Democratic lawmakers are asking him to cede control of nuclear codes. “As president, two of your most critical and solemn duties are the security of the country and the safeguarding of its nuclear arsenal,” reads a letter from California Reps.

Great news for the Kiamichi River! Under the guidance of The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Kiamichi River has been chosen to be the first river system in Oklahoma to be studied under the “Sustainable Rivers Program.”