Oklahoma News
Tulsa mayor unveils historic $105 million reparations plan for Greenwood: Exactly 104 years after Tulsa's local government deputized white men to loot, bomb, burn, kill and kidnap Black residents of the Historic Greenwood District, the city's first Black mayor announced the creation of a historic plan for reparations on Sunday. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Private trust to be created to aid Greenwood District, those harmed by Tulsa Race Massacre, Nichols says [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa mayor unveils plan for $100M trust to address effects of 1921 race massacre [The Hill]
- Tulsa's new Black mayor proposes $100M trust to 'repair' impact of 1921 Race Massacre [NBC News]
- $105 Million Reparations Package for Tulsa Race Massacre Unveiled by Mayor [New York Times]
- Greenwood Rising hosts candlelight vigil honoring victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre [Fox 23]
- $105 million trust to be built for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre reparations, city says [Public Radio Tulsa]
The Tulsa Race Massacre was a taboo subject when Ed Wheeler's story published in 1971: Ed Wheeler, a retired Oklahoma National Guard brigadier general and former Tulsa Community College history instructor, reflected in 2021 on the experience behind a writing project on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Published in Impact Magazine in 1971, his "Profile of a Race Riot" is considered the first serious contemporary look at the events of May 31-June 1, 1921. [Tulsa World]
State Government News
'Pretty frustrated': Stitt video leads lawmakers to override extra vetoes to end session: While most of the 2025 regular session had seen Gov. Stitt and legislative leaders co-exist more harmoniously than in years past, the relationship reverted Thursday like a pet raccoon that can't stay out of the trash. With Stitt's feisty veto pen already inking and irking influential lawmakers, his social media videos upped the temperature on smoldering embers. [NonDoc]
- Legislative session mixed bag for Oklahoma governor who 'got everything he wanted' until very end [Oklahoma Voice]
- 'Unified' legislative session ends with sparks flying in the Capitol [Tulsa World]
- An agreement, then a surprise: How a video spurred lawmakers to override Gov. Stitt vetoes [The Oklahoman]
- Legislature Overrides Most of Stitt's Vetoes [Oklahoma Watch]
- The Oklahoma Legislature Spent Its Last Day of Session Overriding Gubernatorial Vetoes [Governing]
- Oklahoma's female lawmakers celebrate overriding Stitt's mammogram bill veto [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma lawmakers override record number of vetoes, remove Stitt appointee in dramatic end to legislative session [KFOR]
- Lawmakers voted to override most of Gov. Stitt's vetoes. Here's a look at some of them [The Oklahoman]
- Here are the 47 bills for which the Oklahoma Legislature overrode Gov. Stitt's vetoes [Tulsa World]
- Capitol Insider: Tumultuous final hours as lawmakers conclude 2025 Legislative Session [KGOU]
Can the Oklahoma Legislature legally fire Allie Friesen, the mental health commissioner?: The embattled leader of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is officially out of office, after lawmakers voted to oust her in an exercise of their constitutional power. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma made child rape eligible for the death penalty, shirking a Supreme Court ruling: Oklahoma has opened the door for prosecutors to seek the death penalty against someone convicted of rape involving a child under 14 years old, even though capital punishment in such cases has been ruled unconstitutional. Senate Bill 599 was signed into law and becomes effective in November. [The Oklahoman]
A bill increasing wrongful conviction compensation is now law — but with last-minute changes: Legislation increasing compensation for wrongfully convicted Oklahomans based on the number of years they were imprisoned has now officially been signed into law. The governor line-item vetoed individual portions of the bill that would have allowed exonerees access to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' group health insurance plan and would have issued higher education tuition waivers for exonerees and their children. [The Oklahoman]
Rage and resignation: Purcell, Norman crowds confront loss of homes to new toll road path: A week after the Purcell meeting, the same turnpike engineers faced a rage-filled Norman crowd angered over years of what they believe was a purposeful effort to force through toll roads that will wipe out their homes. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Oklahoma Legislature finally found its spine: Oklahomans now know where the line of decency is for legislators: at baseless corruption allegations against their spouses. The Legislature found its spine last week, and the state is better for it. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Oklahoma's legislative session went Gov. Kevin Stitt's way, even with minor revolts at the end: If there's one thing that defined Oklahoma's 2025 annual legislative session, Gov. Kevin Stitt finally played a starring role after six years in a row of lackluster performance. The Republican adroitly exercised his power to relegate even lawmakers from his own party to supporting roles in their own production. For better or worse, pretty much every major policy passed during the 60th legislative session had his fingerprints all over it. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: The Legislature strikes back. The governor attacks the wives of legislators: After getting what he wanted in a badly timed tax cut that we can't afford and vetoing bills that would actually help Oklahomans, Gov. Kevin Stitt decided to bully with personal attacks as the Legislature worked to cancel those vetoes. He even went so far as to go after the wives of legislators. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
- Lawmakers upset after Gov. Stitt brings family member into Friesen fallout [KFOR]
Federal Government News
Trump sends detailed budget request cutting spending by $163 billion to Congress: The Trump administration released significantly more detail about its budget request Friday evening, giving Congress the information it needs for lawmakers to draft the annual government funding bills. The 1,224-page document sheds light on where exactly President Donald Trump and White House budget director Russ Vought want lawmakers to cut federal spending during the upcoming fiscal year. [Oklahoma Voice]
Sen. Ernst doubles down on bleak response to Medicaid grilling: Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst faced intense questioning from her constituents during a Friday town hall, eliciting shouts and boos from community members over her support for President Trump's contentious One Big Beautiful Bill Act. One dismissive comment drew particularly intense ire: In response to constituents' concerns over Medicaid cuts, Ernst said, "We all are going to die." [NPR via KOSU]
USDA announces $1 billion in disaster aid for livestock producers: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $1 billion dollars in disaster assistance to cover grazing losses from eligible drought and wildfire events in 2023 and 2024. [KOSU]
Oklahoma's historic sites at risk as federal funding cuts loom under Trump's budget: Efforts to preserve historic sights and structures in Oklahoma could be at risk if President Trump's budget proposal goes through. "The state historic preservation office in Oklahoma is looking at closing sometime late this summer," said Lynda Ozan, a Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. [Fox 25]
Opinion: Trump's chaotic approach to tariffs ramping up anxiety on farms across Oklahoma: Tariffs promised, proposed and implemented by President Donald Trump ― and then in some cases canceled, postponed and then reimposed ― are causing chaos in the marketplace. Apprehension over tariffs is high because it's déjà vu for many in Oklahoma's agricultural community. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Oklahoma legislature overrides Stitt's veto of funding bill for OSBI Missing and Murdered Indigenous People unit: The Oklahoma legislature overrode a veto against a funding bill for the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. [KOSU]
An Egregious Backlog: Interior Department Searches for Ways to Speed Up Native American Probate Court: A backlog in probate court at the Bureau of Indian Affairs has some Native Americans waiting months, years or generations for their cases to be decided. [Oklahoma Watch]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma adopts pay-per-signature ban, residency requirement, signature distribution requirement, and funding disclosure rules for citizen initiatives: On May 27, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed Senate Bill 1027 (SB 1027), approving changes to the state's initiative and referendum processes. The bill passed in the Oklahoma Legislature with all Democrats voting against it and all but six Republicans voting for it. [Ballotpedia]
Political notebook: Special election early voting begins Thursday: Early in-person voting is Thursday and Friday for the special general elections in state House Districts 71 (Tulsa County) and 74 (Tulsa and Rogers counties). A third legislative special election, a Democratic primary in Oklahoma County's HD 97, is also scheduled for June 10. [Tulsa World]
Education News
Oklahoma parent asks court to dismiss lawsuit over Ryan Walters' Bible mandate: A Locust Grove parent who filed the first lawsuit challenging state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters' Bible-teaching mandate for Oklahoma schools is asking a judge to dismiss the case. In his filing, the parent said his youngest child graduated from high school in May and that he "no longer has any children attending Oklahoma public schools." [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: CareerTech ready to embrace President Trump's commitment to career training: In a fast-changing economy, one thing remains constant: the value of skills. Whether it's advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology or the skilled trades, the need for trained professionals has never been greater. [Brent Haken / Tulsa World]
Health News
How does Oklahoma City's new emergency mental health response team work?: In Oklahoma City, a new program is diverting emergency mental health calls to trained social workers, peer support specialists and paramedics, instead of police officers. The city's Mobile Integrated Healthcare program, which officially launched in May, is housed in the Oklahoma City Fire Department and provides alternatives for 911 calls related to behavioral or mental health needs. [KOSU]
Opinion, Oklahoma County DA: Mental health belongs at the center of Oklahoma justice reform efforts: Providing community-based treatment options and intervention programs enhances public safety and ensures that our justice system upholds the dignity of every individual. [Vicki Behenna / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma Enacts Fines and Fees Reform, Tougher Sentencing Laws: Bills aimed at reducing fines and fees that burden criminal defendants and boosting statewide participation in a county-level mental health and diversion program have become law. [Oklahoma Watch]
Man claims illegal detention in Tulsa jail as ICE, sheriff dispute responsibility: A man detained on an immigration hold in the Tulsa County jail says he's imprisoned illegally, but officials say he won't be going anywhere until the courts determine if that's the case. [Public Radio Tulsa]
As new facility remains unfunded, Oklahoma County Jail deaths on pace to match worst year: Nearly halfway through 2025, the Oklahoma County Jail is on pace to break its grim record for detainee deaths while still struggling with staffing shortages, failed inspection reports and doubts among those tasked with overseeing the facility's day-to-day operations. [NonDoc]
Oklahoma County diversion courts need a new governing board, DA says: Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna wants a new governing board to oversee county diversion courts, which emphasize treatment and counseling over incarceration. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa police fatally shoot person who reportedly fired at first responders, others: Tulsa police fatally shot a 30-year-old man who reportedly shot a jogger and then fired shots at emergency personnel and others who responded on Sunday afternoon, the department said. [Tulsa World]
Economic Opportunity News
Tulsa Job Corps to close as part of federal cuts: A longtime residential education and job training program with locations in Tulsa and other parts of Oklahoma is among the latest casualties of federal cutting. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Oklahomans kick off Pride Month in the metro with packed parade on 39th Street: June is Pride Month and Oklahomans from near and far gathered across the metro to celebrate. Joy and freedom is what many at Sunday's Pride parade say it's all about. [KFOR]
- Oklahoma Pride 2025: Here's 10 festivals, events to celebrate statewide through June [The Oklahoman]
- See photos of people celebrating at OKC Pride on 39th Saturday afternoon [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Actions of the Trump administration will foster corruption, will not promote civility: Many in the United States consider Donald Trump to be a savior. To the contrary, he and the actions of some in his administration will foster corruption and ongoing incivility in our society. [Nancy E. Snow / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- New Edmond City Council tackles budget reform with budgeting in progress: What's changing? [The Oklahoman]
- City to pay $700,000 to settle lawsuit filed by woman arrested outside Trump's Tulsa rally [Tulsa World]
