News
Three cities, three approaches: how Oklahoma's homeless encampment sweeps played out differently
7+ hour, 19+ min ago (843+ words) It is a tale of three cities. On the morning of May 22, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers cleared a homeless encampment on vacant state-owned property in Norman under Gov. Kevin Stitt's Operation SAFE initiative. Service providers said there was no warning…...
That's not a visit: How pricey video calls replaced human contact in Oklahoma jails
1+ day, 6+ hour ago (1611+ words) More than two-thirds of Oklahoma county jails no longer allow families or friends to visit in-person, making costly phone calls and video messages the only way to stay in touch with detainees. Oklahoma Watch surveyed all 77 county jails and found…...
Federal bill would ban stay-to-play and force private equity out of youth sports
2+ week, 1+ day ago (256+ words) A federal bill proposes cracking down on private equity firms" control of youth sports and banning practices such as stay-to-play, where out-of-town teams" participation in tournaments is contingent on booking certain hotels. The Let Kids Play Act, introduced on May…...
Automatic expungement, easier medical parole and better good-time credits: Oklahoma's criminal justice reforms
2+ week, 5+ day ago (811+ words) Corri Williams completed probation for burglary five years ago, but the punishment didn't seem to end there. "Even though you're not getting in any trouble, because the charge is still there, they think you're a liability," Williams said. "It's like…...
How one Oregon city has raised a billion dollars for climate change
3+ week, 4+ hour ago (1010+ words) These projects have all been made possible due to an innovative billion-dollar climate fund. The Portland Clean Energy Fund is a first-of-its-kind racial, social and climate justice fund aimed at helping the city's most vulnerable residents adapt to climate change…...
Record highs, bottom rankings: Oklahoma's education spending gap explained
4+ week, 1+ day ago (1052+ words) State lawmakers are touting historic education spending levels, but Oklahoma's per-pupil spending rate is still dead last among surrounding states. New state-by-state comparisons show that recent investments have boosted Oklahoma's spending to about $12, 519 per student, with additional increases expected for…...
What to know about State Question 832 and gradually raising Oklahoma's minimum wage to $15 per hour
1+ mon, 4+ day ago (1020+ words) A long-overdue raise for low-income workers struggling to make ends meet? Or a burdensome mandate on small businesses that will lead to reduced hours for workers and higher consumer prices? Since it qualified for the ballot in 2024, there's been no…...
Senate kills Stitt-backed proposal to make state superintendent appointed role
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (124+ words) OKLAHOMA CITY " A proposal that could make the state's top education office an appointee of the governor, rather than an elected position, has failed in the state Senate....
Oklahoma lawmakers unveil plan to tap $1 B in voter-restricted fund
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (407+ words) OKLAHOMA CITY " A legislative panel on Thursday passed a measure asking voters to let lawmakers access $1 billion in public funding that voters have stored in a lockbox out of their reach. The Senate Rules Committee passed House Joint Resolution 1077 that…...
Tips on 'How to Start' your life's work from journalist Jodi Kantor
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (510+ words) JODI KANTOR: Thank you for having me. KELLY: So this book was born, as you put it, with an invitation onto a battlefield. Say more about what that felt like you were walking into, delivering the commencement address. KANTOR: Oh,…...