Long Story Short

Lionel Ramos reports on how two rural Oklahoma hospitals used a new federal law to get in the black, Jazz Wolfe exposes the alarming spike in marijuana overdoses, and Ainsley Martinez covers how savings derived from State Question 780 will be calculated and dispersed under State Question 781. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies reports on the state's blacklisting of financial institutions that aren't fossil-fuel friendly, Keaton Ross explains that 60% of Oklahoma jails failed health inspections last year, and Jennifer Palmer talks about the education department's delays in filling open records requests. Ted Streuli hosts.

Instead of taking him to a hospital for evaluation or taking him to jail, an Oklahoma City police officer took Ernest Antwine to no man’s land. And that’s where he died. Whitney Bryen reports. Also: Jennifer Palmer explains the state audit that found more than $29 million in misspent federal funds, plus an introduction to intern Yasmeed Saadi. Ted Streuli hosts.

Jennifer Palmer analyzes a proposal to add the Ten Commandments to public school classrooms, Keaton Ross reports on an uptick in lobbyist spending at the state Capitol, and in her second segment, Palmer reports on the state education department's proposed new-teacher bonuses of up to $50,000.

Keaton Ross reveals that the state Ethics Commission is operating with less money than it was six years ago despite being charged with regulating a huge influx of dark money campaign spending. Lionel Ramos covers the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act, and listeners meet Oklahoma Watch intern Ainsley Martinez. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross reports on the governor's fundraising for his inaugural celebrations, Ainsley Martinez talks about what she learned reporting on the state supreme court's overturning of two abortion ban laws, and we introduce Oklahoma Watch intern Jazz Wolfe. Ted Streuli hosts.

Jennifer Palmer explains the virtual charter school board's vote to fund an online Catholic charter school; Whitney Bryen updates her investigation into Tulsa police's handling of a mental health crisis and Oklahoma Watch's resultant lawsuit, and Paul Monies reports on the state's financial institution blacklist. Shaun Witt hosts.

The Indian Child Welfare Act's future is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. Lionel Ramos reports on how overturning the 1978 law would affect Oklahomans. Also: Whitney Bryen updates her investigation into a federally funded statewide nonprofit that auditors say misspent $585,000. Paul Monies delivers a wrap-up of the Oklahoma Legislature's regular session. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts...

Whitney Bryen reports on the Cleveland County jail's failure to conduct required checks on detainees at the time Shannon Hanchett and two others who died were held there. Paul Monies talks state budget details and Executive Editor Mike Sherman dishes with host Ted Streuli about the tradition of journalism internships and what Oklahoma Watch readers can expect this summer.

Ashlynd Huffman reports on allegations of sexual abuse at a women's prison, Paul Monies explains $600 million in tax credits for private-school families, and Keaton Ross explores the Legislature's $785 million education funding plan. Ted Streuli hosts.

Education reporter Jennifer Palmer spent the day in a middle school social studies classroom to check out a new curriculum first-hand and reports what she saw. Keaton Ross talks about Oklahoma's about-face on joining the Electronic Registration Information Center, and Ari Fife updates her story about childcare center restrictions in light of a newly signed law. Executive editor Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies reports on the Choosing Child Birth Act's failure to get off the floor House floor, Keaton Ross discusses the impasse between the governor and the Senate, and Ari Fife looks into the end of a federal food program affecting Oklahomans. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Reporter Whitney Bryen explains why, four years after a jailhouse homicide, no one has been charged with a crime. Keaton Ross reports on a resolution to add term limits at the federal level. And Lionel Ramos reviews a bill meant to prevent landlord retaliation against tenants. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies reports on a new border dispute between Oklahoma and Texas. Also: Jennifer Palmer updates the status of a proposed publicly funded Catholic virtual charter school. Keaton Ross gives a status report on the wave of election-related bills in the state Legislature. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

The state's central purchasing law, meant to prevent brother-in-law deals and other forms of corruption, is only used for one out of seven purchases an independent audit found. Reporter Paul Monies (12:10) shares the findings from a legislative watchdog report on how many state agencies claim exemptions to state rules when they buy goods and services. Also: *Jennifer Palmer, who covers education f...

Keaton Ross examines why young voter turnout in Oklahoma is lagging and what could be about it. Jennifer Palmer details a new report that criticizes Oklahoma's tax credits for private school scholarships. Ashlynd Huffman discusses a district attorney's effort to shutter the Hughes County jail. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Reporter Paul Monies has been following legislation at the Capitol in the aftermath of the 2021 winter storm and the higher costs showing up on utility customer bills. He discusses (0:38) a bill that would change how electric utilities get rate increases. Ari Fife (6:13) covers race and equity for Oklahoma Watch. Her latest story details how rules in some Oklahoma cities could make it harder for i...

Jennifer Palmer has been following new rules proposed by the State Education Department addressing school library content and student identity at school. Jennifer (11:55) shares what she heard last week from public hearings on the rules. Also: *Reporter Paul Monies (0:37) has been following the money on the state’s $1.87 billion share of federal coronavirus relief funds under the American Rescue P...

Oklahoma state Rep. Mauree Turner has been stripped of committee assignments by the GOP House leadership, which alleges Turner impeded a law enforcement investigation at the Capitol. Lionel Ramos (10:44) covers race and equity for Oklahoma Watch. He's been looking into the censure of Turner, the state's only openly nonbinary legislator, and contrasts between Turner’s treatment and that of two sitt...

As significant changes are being proposed to K-12 education in Oklahoma, there is a lack of experience on the Oklahoma State Board of Education. Jennifer Palmer, (5:00) who covers education for Oklahoma Watch, discusses the board's future and news that one recently appointed board member resigned before ever attending a meeting. Also: Fallout continues from the massive charges to most Oklahoma uti...

Oklahoma Watch reporter Paul Monies has been following the campaign for the Tuesday, March 7 special election on State Question 820, which would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older. Paul (0:33) discusses the provisions of 820 and how it got to a March special election. Also: *A Mexican consulate is expected to open this spring in Oklahoma City. Lionel Ramos (6:03), a race and eq...

Oklahoma Watch's Whitney Bryen reports on the mental health care problems at the Cleveland County jail in the wake of two women's deaths. Paul Monies discusses his Q&A with Attorney General Genter Drummond. Keaton Ross discusses state Sen. Julie Daniels' bill that would add new hurdles for Oklahomans trying to get a state question on the ballot. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch's Democracy reporter Keaton Ross details a bill that would separate state and federal elections if national voting rights are enacted. Also: Ashlynd Huffman talks about slowing down Oklahoma's execution rate, and Lionel Ramos discusses Black History Day at the Capitol. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch reporter Paul Monies reviews the governor's State of the State speech. Ari Fife previews a spate of bills targeting LGBTQ Oklahomans, and Paul Monies comes back to talk about our joint investigation with KWTV News 9 into the higher energy bills Oklahoma consumers will be paying for decades. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch reporter Whitney Bryen discusses the video, released after four years, that shows how a Pottawatomie County prisoner died while in custody. Also: * Keaton Ross reports on legislative proposals that would change the initiative petition process and others that would affect the election process. * Jennifer Palmer discusses a viral Tik Tok video, filmed by the leader of a Tennessee hate...