A recent study shows Oklahoma women among the lowest full-time average earnings in the nation.

On the low end of the scale, Oklahoma and Louisiana women had average earnings of $591 per week, compared to Massachusetts at $900 per week, the state with the highest median earnings.

The information is found in The Southwest Information Office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, Women’s Earnings in Oklahoma – 2013.

New State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister faces big challenges in the effort to improve Oklahoma’s public education.

A recently released report ranks Oklahoma 48th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia for the quality of education provided to students.

Oklahoma education faces financial challenges and growing teacher shortages.

-----

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) Commissioner Terri White said she is hopeful the agency will be one of the few not receiving budget cuts this legislative session at a board meeting on Friday.

White hopes the support from Governor Mary Fallin will ensure a stable budget for the agency in the nest fiscal year.

In her inaugural speech, Fallin noted three of her priority areas: educational attainment, over-incarceration and health.

Officials at Fort Sill have dedicated the post's new Terminal High-Altitude Air Defense training facility.

The Lawton Constitution reports that U.S. Army dignitaries cut the ribbon on the new facility on Friday.

The THAAD air defense system intercepts ballistic missiles. The Patriot missile system is designed for short-range missiles, while THAAD is designed to defeat longer-range ballistic missiles from various threats around the globe.

Oklahoma lawmakers will have more than 2,000 bills and resolutions to consider when they convene next month.

Thursday afternoon was the deadline for filing bills to be considered by the 2015 Oklahoma Legislature. Legislative officials say 1,219 bills and 26 joint resolutions were filed in the House. A total of 815 bills and 32 joint resolutions were filed in the state Senate by the deadline.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt says his office will defend the constitutionality of the state's method for executing death row inmates as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a challenge by three death row inmates.

Pruitt says Oklahoma's method has been deemed constitutional by two federal courts and has been successfully implemented in the state as well as in Florida.

Pruitt says his office will work to preserve the Department of Corrections' ability to proceed with death sentences given to each inmate by a jury of their peers.

The state of Oklahoma wants to become a bigger tourist destination, but its plans to attract visitors with a major museum of Native American culture have remains incomplete because of financial issues.

But Gov. Mary Fallin and project supporters are pushing to salvage the museum, which is projected to draw 225,000 visitors annually.  

After nearly 10 years and $90 million spent, the museum is unfinished and the Legislature is balking at providing another $40 million for the project.