House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – A law establishing the True Grit Trail in Southeast Oklahoma takes effect Nov. 1. House Bill 1411 is authored by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain. "'True Grit' is such a classic American story," Grego said. "It's a tale of determination, a fight for justice and to see wrong's righted, and it contains a fascinating cast of characters from the young and fiery Mattie Ross to the onery and cantankerous but effective Marshall Rooster Cogburn. And much of the story was set right here in Oklahoma. This new trail will give us a way to show off the places made popular in the story and hopefully will draw new visitors to this area of the state. This could positively impact our local hotels, restaurants and other businesses." "True Grit," a novel written by Charles Portis, has since been turned into several movie adaptations. It follows the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross who hires U.S. Marshall Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn and a Texas Ranger to avenge the murder of her father. The trio trace the murderous gang into what was known as "Indian Territory" in 1878. The movie role of Rooster Cogburn was first played by John Wayne in 1969 and in a 2010 remake by Jeff Bridges. Kim Darby played the original Mattie Ross. Hailee Steinfeld played the character in the 2010 film. Towns and places of interest along the trail include: Sallisaw, Spiro, Bokoshe, McCurtain, Kinta, Quinton, Krebs, McAlester, Hartshorne, Wilburton, Red Oak, Bengal, Talihina, Robbers Cave State Park, and the Talimena National Scenic Byway. "I'm thankful to all those behind the scenes who have worked on establishing the trail so that when the law takes effect, we can get on our way to welcoming visitors" Grego said. Mike Cathey is one of those who has aggressively worked on the trail for the past three years, as the state designation was finding its way through the legislative process. Cathey, a constituent of Grego, provided much of the inspiration for HB1411. He writes a weekly newspaper column and an annual tourism column. This year, with the passage of the True Grit Trail bill, he encouraged readers to find their way to Dardanelle, AR, the fictional home of Mattie Ross, and then traverse the near 260 miles along Arkansas State Highway 22 to Fort Smith, were Mattie travels to engage Deputy Cogburn to help find the man who killed her father. Rooster and Texas Ranger LeBoeuf cross the Arkansas river into Indian Territory (now Oklahoma, traveling through what is now Sallisaw to Spiro and then Oklahoma State Highway 31 as they head toward McAlester, in search of the murderer Tom Chaney as he has been recently seen at J.J. McAlester’s Store. "This journey finds the traveler in the beautiful San Bois Mountains valley, in the now Lake Eufaula region, and following a visit to J.J. McAlester’s Olde Town stomping grounds, into the outlaws’ Robbers Cave and finally in the Winding Stair Mountains of the Ouachita National Forest of southeastern Oklahoma," Cathey writes. "And there is so much more as Charles Portis, I believe, purposely set his novel to parallel the Trail of Tears and the Butterfield Trail." HB1411 was ceremonially signed into law by the governor in August. Cathey and others from Southeast Oklahoma came in costume to the bill signing at the Capitol, each person representing a different character in the story of "True Grit." Cathey said since that time, some dialogue has occurred between the True Grit Trail in Oklahoma group, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department related to signage.  HB1411 requires ODOT to post signs along Oklahoma state highways directing visitors to sites along the new trail. ODOT and the Tourism Department are then required to collaborate to maintain information regarding the True Grit Trail on an online platform. "This is a work in progress," Cathey said.  Cathey and others also have been working on some local events highlighting the trail, such as taking part in the Haunted Homestead Treasure Hunt, which runs again from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, At the Edwards Store and Edwards-Hardaway Homestead, eight miles northeast of Red Oak, along the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail. The group also has worked with the Latimer County Tourism Authority to promote the trail both in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The group also hosts a monthly podcast: "Tales of the True Grit Trail." An additional exciting accomplishment for the group is the integration into the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System's Big Read program , which this year is honoring 250 years of the American story by coming together to read the novel "True Grit" by Charles Portis . The program kicked off Sept. 26 but features many events through the remainder of this year and into 2027. A current primary focus of the True Grit Trail is the population of data and information along the trail from all of the local communities, towns, and cities across Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Cathey said. More information about the trail can be found on the website, truegrittrail.com .

OKLAHOMA CITY – A new law designating the Oklahoma 211 Collaborative as the lead entity for all statewide 211 call centers and placing it under the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will take effect Nov. 1. House Bill 4095 , authored by Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, also reduces the collaborative's membership from 15 to nine members, including three public-sector representatives and six private-sector representatives. Members will serve staggered initial terms followed by three-year terms, with the option for reappointment. All members will serve without compensation. "The new structure to improve coordination and long-term sustainability of our state's 211 hotline which is vital for Oklahomans," Norwood said. "Behind every phone call is a real person or family facing hardship and searching for hope. This new governance structure for 211, paired with the creation of the revolving fund, will help secure critical services for Oklahomans when they need them most while promoting responsible use of taxpayer dollars." The 211 hotline provides 24/7 access through phone, text and web-based services. The hotline connects Oklahomans with local and statewide resources during times of need and plays an important role in emergency response. Senate Bill 1290 , a companion measure to HB4095 also carried in the House by Norwood, was signed into law in 2026. The measure established the 211 Hotline Revolving Fund and took effect July 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, and Sen. Kelly Hines, R-Oklahoma City, recently hosted an interim study examining the growth of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility in Oklahoma and what the state can do to remain competitive as the technology continues to develop. Aerospace and defense currently contributes $52.5 billion in economic impact to Oklahoma and supports more than 250,000 jobs. As the advanced air mobility environment becomes increasingly significant and evolves rapidly, the study examined how Oklahoma can build on that foundation while protecting critical infrastructure, supporting emerging technologies and positioning the state for continued growth. "The advanced mobilities environment in Oklahoma is changing quickly, and there is a real opportunity for us to be intentional about how we grow with it," Miller said. "This study gave us a chance to look more closely at where Oklahoma is positioned today and what we should be paying attention to as these technologies continue to develop. I want us to be thoughtful about the decisions we make now so we are ready to support the opportunities ahead." "Advanced air mobility has the potential to open new doors for Oklahoma’s aerospace industry, particularly when it comes to manufacturing and job creation," Hines said. "We want to see more of these technologies developed, tested and built right here in our state. Growing that kind of industry means more opportunities for Oklahoma businesses and workers, while strengthening an industry that is already a major part of our economy." The study highlighted investments already underway in western Oklahoma, at Camp Gruber and in the Tulsa area to support testing, radar systems and other infrastructure needed for emerging aviation technologies. The discussion also focused on the role of research, testing and infrastructure in attracting additional development and manufacturing to Oklahoma. Presenters said those efforts can help position the state for long-term growth in aircraft and component manufacturing. Federal regulations were another major part of the discussion. Participants discussed anticipated Federal Aviation Administration rules that could expand commercial drone operations and the importance of having infrastructure and policies in place so Oklahoma is prepared as those opportunities become available. Public safety and airspace protection were also addressed, including how increased unmanned aircraft activity could affect critical infrastructure and other sensitive locations. Hines said at the beginning of the study that he and Rep. Miller wanted to better understand how Oklahoma can continue expanding its presence in the industry and whether ideas from the discussion could help shape policy in the upcoming legislative session.