OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt’s inauguration festivities will include three balls, a swearing-in ceremony and a prayer service.
Stitt will be sworn in for his second four-year term at the State Capitol at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 9.
The event is free and open to the public.
“Gov. Kevin Stitt and I are humbled by the opportunity to continue serving the people of the great state of Oklahoma,” first lady Sarah Stitt said in a press release.
“These events will celebrate all who are making this the best state to live, work and raise a family for generations to come. Together we will continue Oklahoma’s pursuit of a bright future where freedom, opportunity and hope abound for all people.”
A Tulsa inaugural ball is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at the BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. Tickets are required. The cost is $200 a ticket, and sales begin Thursday.
People are also reading…
An Enid ball is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Stride Event Center, 301 S. Independence St. Tickets are required. The cost is $100, and sales begin Thursday.
The Oklahoma City ball is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 N.W. 63rd St. Tickets are required. The cost is $250, and sales begin Thursday.
Tickets for the three balls may be purchased at oklahomainaugural.com.
An inaugural prayer service is set for 5 p.m. Jan. 8 at Oklahoma City’s Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 S. Pennsylvania Ave. The service is free and open to the public.
Stitt, a Republican businessman from Tulsa, secured a second term on Nov. 8 with 55.45% of the vote in a four-way race. He defeated Democrat Joy Hofmeister, Libertarian Natalie Bruno and independent Ervin Yen.
Stitt is expected to deliver his State of the State address to a joint session assembled in the House chamber on Feb. 6.
Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette discuss pre-election poll inaccuracy in statewide races; the low voter turnout compared to other states; and 42% of Oklahoma voters choosing straight-party voting.
Staff Writer Barbara Hoberock’s most memorable stories of 2022
Legislative staffers see raises as lawmakers fail to provide inflation relief in special session
The Oklahoma State Senate gave out more than half a million dollars in raises to employees, despite not having provided inflation relief for constituents during a special session called to do just that.
Veterans Affairs power struggle leaves agency with ‘serious problem’ paying its bills

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs couldn’t pay its bills because Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Cabinet secretary wouldn’t sign off on them, the agency’s head said.
OSBI launches criminal investigation into Commissioners of the Land Office administration

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation launched a criminal probe into the Commissioners of the Land Office administration after reports of conflicts of interest and other issues.
Stitt’s dismissal of two Oklahoma Veterans Commission members called ‘political retaliation

A long-time member of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission said he is “going to sue the s—-” out of Gov. Kevin Stitt after the governor ordered the Purple Heart recipient, along with a retired general, dismissed from the commission.
Internal auditor at school land office ousted amid questions about Stitt appointee

An internal auditor at the state agency that oversees $2.7 billion in real estate and other investments to support public education was fired less than a week after looking into conflict of interest concerns raised by another top employee about their boss, a gubernatorial appointee.
Stitt expresses confidence in Pardon and Parole Board

While critics took aim at the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, Gov. Kevin Stitt was not among them.
Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now: Tulsaworld.com/subscribe