Ben Felder
The Frontier
Oklahoma City, OK, United States
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Past articles by Ben:
Gov. Stitt complained to hospital leaders about interviews with media on COVID-19 crisis
Frustrated with recent news stories on the crisis facing hospitals, Gov. Kevin Stitt has asked health care leaders to limit their criticism. → Read More
Longevity bonus offered to Oklahoma City superintendent
AUG 5, 2016 - In its contract with Aurora Lora, who was named permanent superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools last month, a $10,000 bonus is offered if she reaches her two-year anniversary. Lora is eligible for another $15,000 if she makes it three years. → Read More
Longevity bonus offered to OKCPS superintendent
AUG 4, 2016 - Aurora Lora stands to benefit financially if she can bring some stability to the superintendent position at Oklahoma City Public Schools. Lora, who became the 11th superintendent since 2000 when she was hired last month, signed a three-year contract with a base salary of $220,000. But Lora will earn a $10,000 bonus if she reaches her two year anniversary. A bonus of $15,000 is… → Read More
Summer reading: Get caught up on the state of Oklahoma schools
AUG 1, 2016 - A look at some of the recent education articles from The Oklahoman's watchdog desk. → Read More
Close GOP primary vote has heated up runoff in Edmond
JUL 31, 2016 - Adam Pugh and Paul Blair are in the Aug. 23 runoff election for the Republican nomination in Edmond’s state Senate District 41. → Read More
Oklahoma City's downtown streetcar logo and design unveiled
JUL 27, 2016 - Oklahoma City’s future streetcar system will add a splash of color to downtown as the six cars the city plans to use will each carry either a redbud, Bermuda green and clear sky blue color theme. → Read More
Minority students set to become new majority in Oklahoma schools
JUL 22, 2016 - Last year, the number of white students in Oklahoma's public schools outnumbered nonwhite students by just 26, according to Oklahoma's Department of Education. This coming school year, nonwhite students in public schools are expected to outnumber white students for the first time. → Read More
Camera phones are a new reality for police, community
JUL 17, 2016 - Oklahoma City police launched a body camera pilot program last year but those cameras were recently removed after objections from the police union. Negotiations on the issue continue. → Read More
OKC police posture praised by Black Lives Matter protest organizers
JUL 12, 2016 - Black Lives Matter organizers said the posture of Oklahoma City police helped keep tensions down. → Read More
Oklahoma City School Board offered permanent job to Aurora Lora to keep her in district
JUL 12, 2016 - Oklahoma City Public Schools' Board of Education voted earlier this month to hire Aurora Lora as the district's new superintendent. The board took that action after Lora reportedly told multiple members she would not be interested in staying on in an interim capacity while it conducted a formal hiring and interview process to replace former Superintendent Rob Neu. → Read More
Oklahoma City's Black Lives Matter rally calls for systemic change, understanding
JUL 10, 2016 - Many at the Black Lives Matter rally Sunday in Oklahoma City held signs showing support for police, and several speakers said it was important to work with law enforcement agencies to solve problems. But there were still cries for change, including a call for the Oklahoma City Police Department to return body cameras to use. → Read More
Low pay sends teachers out of Oklahoma, profession
JUL 10, 2016 - Public school teachers across Oklahoma either are leaving the state or the profession entirely as they search for more-rewarding salaries. Frustrations over budget cuts and the use of education as a political football also are reasons some teachers cite as they look to improve their lives and careers. → Read More
Oklahoma City's homeless seek voice, representation through voting
JUL 4, 2016 - Susan Geurin, the program coordinator with Community Health Centers, Inc., was helping register people to vote at the Homeless Alliance’s day shelter in Oklahoma City. → Read More
School choice efforts could be decided in Oklahoma elections
JUL 3, 2016 - Candidates running under the public education banner were able to knock off two Oklahoma incumbents Tuesday and dozens more advanced in other primaries for open legislative seats. → Read More
Lora named permanent superintendent of OKC schools
JUL 1, 2016 - Aurora Lora was made the permanent superintendent of the state's largest school system Friday following a unanimous vote by the school board. Lora had been acting as interim superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools since April when the board approved a separation agreement with Rob Neu. Lora was interviewed for the superintendent position before Neu was hired in 2014. She was… → Read More
With Oklahoma primary over, hopefuls get 'back on the campaign trail'
JUN 29, 2016 - Candidates knock on doors, get to know voters as prelude to November general elections in Oklahoma. → Read More
Interesting races to watch in the metro
JUN 28, 2016 - Here are a few interesting, local races we're keeping an eye on during Tuesday's primary election. → Read More
DC PAC spends thousands against public ed candidates
JUN 28, 2016 - A Washington D.C.-based political action committee has pumped nearly $90,000 into legislative races over the last month in direct opposition to a slate of candidates running on a public education platform. Running under the unofficial title of the “teacher caucus,” nearly 30 candidates with ties to public schools are running for Oklahoma House and Senate seats. At least 18 of… → Read More
Tuesday's primary election could pack some surprise results
JUN 27, 2016 - After a challenging legislative session in Oklahoma, voter frustration appeared to reach high levels across the state, which might have led to a decade-high number of candidates seeking office. → Read More
Oklahoma voters set to decide primary races
JUN 26, 2016 - June 28 is Oklahoma's primary election when Republicans and Democrats will select their candidates for state Legislature and U.S. Congress. → Read More