Oklahoma News Crisis center aims to fill mental health care gap for youths in Tulsa: Until recently, Tulsa didn't have Youth Evaluation Services, either. CRSOK launched the city's first YES crisis center last June at Saint Francis' Laureate psychiatric hospital. But the program quickly outgrew the space and has now moved to a larger facility at 9912 E. 21st St. The current location, however, likely will remain open only for 18 months while CRSOK plans to build an even larger facility. [Tulsa World] State Government News Court rules against man who sued over Oklahoma's abortion law: The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected a lawsuit filed by a New Jersey man challenging Oklahoma's abortion ban. Mac Truong claimed the citizen enforcement aspect of Senate Bill 612, which allows any individual to sue someone who helps a woman obtain an abortion, is a copyright infringement upon his original idea. [Journal Record] Federal Government News Oklahoma's Frank Lucas could be key congressman in cryptocurrency regulation: 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas is in an unusual position to influence legislation arising from the FTX cryptocurrency collapse. When the 118th Congress gavels in on Jan. 3, Lucas expects to be a senior member of the majority on two committees with the potential for significant crypto responsibilities. [Tulsa World] Tribal Nations News Podcast: OSU Research Matters: Oklahoma State University professor studies health inequities in Indigenous populations: Many American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience high rates of health inequities including tobacco-related health conditions, alcohol and substance use disorders, suicide deaths, and more recently, negative impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic. These health inequities have catastrophic mental health and public health impacts; yet, these research areas remain largely understudied among AI/AN populations. In this episode, Meghan Robinson speaks with Dr. Ashley Cole to learn more about existing prevention and intervention efforts to improve the health of AI/AN communities. [KOSU] Economy & Business News Keystone Pipeline System shutdown affects Oklahoma: A temporary shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline System following an oil leak last week in Kansas already has had a ripple effect on Oklahoma revenues related to oil and gas production. The leak of an estimated 14,000 barrels near the Nebraska border in north-central Kansas fouled a creek running through the area, and pipeline operator TC Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have begun to address environmental impacts. [Journal Record] OU charts course for role after fusion breakthrough: Leaders at the University of Oklahoma have set sights on being part of a new future for energy production and commercialization after breakthrough news this week that scientists have for the first time produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to spark the reaction. [Journal Record] Historic Beacon Building in downtown gets new owner: An investment group called West Family Beacon Building LLC purchased the Beacon Building, 406 S. Boulder Ave., from Beacon Building Properties, LLC, for $5.753 million, according to online Tulsa County property records. [Tulsa World] Education News Editorial: Keep teacher pay competitive, and don't forget per-pupil expenditures: An encouraging sign emerged last week as several Tulsa-area Republican lawmakers signaled support for a teacher pay increase. The exact amount wasn't discussed at the annual Jenks Public Schools legislative forum, but it's promising that conservative legislators recognize the need for competitive salaries, according to a story from reporter Andrea Eger. [Tulsa World] 'It takes a lot': Stillwater teachers receive OSDE grant for classroom supplies: The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is helping to fight back against the crisis in the classroom. In Stillwater, nearly a dozen teachers received a much-needed gift before Christmas. [KTUL] General News Oklahoma 2SLGBTQ+ advocate reacts to passage of Respect for Marriage Act: President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which guarantees federal protections for same-sex and interracial couples across the nation, earlier this week. Nicole McAfee is the executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, which advocates and organizes for the state's 2SLGBTQ+ community. They were in Washington, D.C. when the president signed the bill. They say there was palpable joy in the crowd that gathered that day. [KOSU] Homeless veteran tiny homes on pause as group looks to compromise with neighborhood: A proposal to build tiny homes for homeless veterans in Oklahoma City has been put on pause after the organization heard from members of the surrounding community last week. The Kansas City-based nonprofit Veterans Community Project had applied to rezone four acres at NE 28 and Phillips — a property on the edge of the Capitol View neighborhood just northeast of Oklahoma's state Capitol — in order to build 35 tiny homes and a community center. But Friday's scheduled zoning commission meeting has been canceled after the nonprofit withdrew its zoning application. [The Oklahoman] | 
