Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a Commerce. “While that’s great news, since 2010 and is currently estimated to thorough count of the nation’s population. That it’s not necessarily surprising given our be 93,025 2020 census is not yet complete, but the bureau has reputation for great schools and a high The Census Bureau now lists Tulsa’s completed its annual estimates of city populations. quality of life here in Edmond. population as 401,190, up more than 2% Those estimates, which are as of July 1, 2019, “We have shopping, dining — pretty from 2010, and Broken Arrow’s popula- were the numbers released recently and they con- much everything you want to do, you tion at 110,198, which was an increase tained some interesting revelations. can do here without leaving our city of more than 11% during that same time For example, they show Edmond has surpassed limits. We have a low cost of living and period. Lawton to become Oklahoma’s fifth largest city. a high quality of life here.” Meanwhile, the state’s population has Edmond now has an estimated 94,054 residents, Jordan said Edmond officials remain grown from 3,751,351 to 3,956,971, an which is an increase of more than 15% over the hopeful the city will pass the 100,000 increase of nearly 5.5%. 81,405 residents reported in the official April 2010 mark when the the 10-year census Oklahoma City’s population has census. count is completed. grown by more than 12% since that That makes Edmond the fastest growing city in Oklahoma City, Norman and time, enabling it to pass Louisville, Mem- Jordan Oklahoma with a population of at least 50,000 Moore have all grown more than 12% phis, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Portland and and the 108th fastest growing city in the nation in since 2010, the Census Bureau reported. It listed Las Vegas in the population rankings. Oklahoma that category. Norman’s updated population as 124,880 and City now has an estimated 655,057 people. “That’s great news,” said Sherry Jordan, presi- Moore’s population as 62,055. dent and CEO of the Edmond Area Chamber of Lawton’s population has dropped about 4% ---- From www.Oklahoman.com
Meat processors have cattle ranchers concerned
An Oklahoma beef task force designed to ana- ing the financial squeeze as production costs con- will represent the packing plant concerns. William lyze problems in marketing and processing beef tinue to climb along with farm debt. Chapter 12 Payne, Saint Louis, will explain the packing plant has been organized by State Rep. Justin Humphrey, bankruptcies are up 24% over last year. The beef to consumer issues. Steve Combs, Chester, is a fed- R-Lane, and State Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. supply chain has been challenged nationwide be- eral meat inspector and will outline slaughter regu- The two legislators have invited independent cause of the closure of 75% of American feedlots lations. Meat buyer Paul Cochran, Crowley, Texas, ranchers, meat buyers, meat processors, livestock and 48 packing plants. The pandemic has also had will provide information and data relating to the auction owners and meat inspectors to convene a negative impact. Times are tough for American packaging and marketing process. Stockyards and identify financial obstacles and structured solu- agriculture in all sectors, they said. owners Jerry Nine, Woodward, and Jeff Hazaleus, tions that will provide a process for long-term fi- Sen. Bullard stated, “We are extremely pleased Durant, will outline the spot-buying process, cattle nancial gain for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. that practitioners in Oklahoma agriculture have futures and pricing cattle. Consultants to the task “Four major meat packers, Tyson Foods, Cargill, agreed to participate in the examination of prob- force are rancher Andy Chain Hutchinson, Canton; JBS (Brazilian owned) and National Beef are con- lems in raising and selling cattle. We also are Lobbyist Rex Duncan, Pawnee; and rancher Gary trolling about 87 percent of beef processing and happy to learn that Senator Murdock (R-Felt) and Greene, Tishomingo. sales,” Humphrey said. “They have considerable Representative Ty Burns (R-Pawnee) have agreed Brad Hutchinson, president of the Oklahoma In- control over what ranchers are paid for cattle and to join the task force.” dependent Stock growers Association, stated, “The what consumers pay for meat. The beef price is Ranchers agreeing to serve on the task force are future of our children, grandchildren and our west- very low for ranchers and extremely high for con- Evan Rowland, Durant; Pamela Livingston, Seiling; ern lifestyle are at risk. We appreciate Oklahoma sumers while meat packers are making millions of Jim Robinson, Boswell; Brad Hutchinson, Canton; legislators stepping up to help solve major prob- dollars. This is not acceptable.” and Tim Bryant, Ardmore. Meat processors are Bill lems, which are impacting our economic wellbe- The Lawmakers said Oklahoma ranchers are feel- Johnston, Clarita and Steve Swigert, Durant. They ing.”
Martin joins Crowe & Dunlevy
Edmond attorney Martin is a member Maggie K. Martin has of the firm’s Health- joined Crowe & Dun- care Practice Group. levy as a director in About the firm’s Oklahoma Crowe & Dunlevy City office. For more than 100 A former in-house years, Crowe & Dun- legal counsel for Inte- levy has been a re- gris Health, Inc., Mar- gional leader in tin has extensive innovative and effec- experience with a wide tive legal solutions for range of health law is- businesses and individ- Maggie Martin sues. She received her uals. Offering compre- Juris Doctor from the University of hensive transactional and litigation Oklahoma College of Law and her services from early mediation to alter- undergraduate degree from DePauw native dispute resolution via our University. Martin has also served as nearly 30 practice groups, we work an adjunct faculty member for the with diverse clientele to meet even University of Oklahoma College of the most challenging legal objectives. Public Health, teaching Healthcare For more information, visit crowedun- Law and Ethics. levy.com.
Social Security unveils
tweaks to its website The Social Security Administration about Social Security retirement ben- announced the first of several steps efits, with fewer pages and con- the agency is taking to improve the densed, rewritten, and clearer public’s experience on its website. information. The portal also is opti- The newly redesigned retirement mized for mobile devices so people benefits portal, at www.socialsecu- can learn and do what they want rity.gov/benefits/retirement, will help from wherever they want, and the millions of people prepare for and portal now includes the ability to sub- apply for retirement. scribe to receive retirement informa- “We are working hard to continue tion and updates. improving our website to provide Click on people with clear, helpful information www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/re- and easy access to our online serv- tirement to find out how to Learn, ices,” said Andrew Saul, Commis- Apply, and Manage retirement bene- sioner of Social Security. “Our new fits, and learn how to create a per- retirement portal is more user-friendly sonal my Social Security account and easier to navigate, whether online. someone is ready to learn about, More improvements to Social Secu- apply for, or manage their retirement rity’s website are planned for later in benefits.” 2020 as the agency seeks to continu- The redesigned portal will make it ously improve the public experience easier for people to find and read at www.socialsecurity.gov.