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.

Friday, March 5 Fish Baked Potato Salad Hush Puppies Strawberry Cake Wednesday, March 10 Chicken-Fried Steak Mashed Potatoes Corn Celery Sticks Rolls German Chocolate Cake.

Variants of COVlD-19 from Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom are circulating in the U.S. With vaccinations up and case numbers down nationwide, will the mutations undo recent progress? Not if we stay vigilant, say experts at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Through With Chew Week, Feb. 21-27, focuses on offering those Oklahomans who use smokeless tobacco the opportunity to quit, with free help from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, a program of TSET.