StateImpact Oklahoma

Scientists expect this winter to be influenced by what could become the strongest El Niño on record as ocean temperatures soar. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Tuesday, voters will have the opportunity to choose Oklahoma’s next state superintendent. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis talked with Republican candidate Robert Franklin about the future of education in the Sooner State. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The Oklahoma general election is days away, and education issues are at the top of voters’ minds. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis sat down with the Democratic nominee for state superintendent, Jennettie Marshall. Marshall is a pastor and former Tulsa Public Schools board member. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

A new formula from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education positions the state’s colleges and universities to compete for a percentage of their state funding allocations. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Millions of birds have flown over the state’s night skies in recent months. But finding food can be difficult in urban areas and vast agricultural land. To help Oklahoma’s wildlife, some are spending their free time repairing natural habitat. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

A hospital in Northwest Oklahoma is reopening its labor-and-delivery unit more than a decade after it closed, amid a new federal investment focused on rural healthcare. It hopes the model it’s building can sustain access despite looming reductions to federal Medicaid spending signed into law last year alongside the investment fueling its project. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

With President Donald Trump stumping in our state this evening, StateImpact’s Logan Layden talked with OU political science professor Allyson Shortle about the politics of the visit. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Two Oklahoma mothers are challenging state abortion bans in a new lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights last week. The women are seeking to prevent the laws from applying to pregnant Oklahomans who receive fatal fetal diagnoses, which means a pregnancy is likely to end in miscarriage or stillbirth or, in the event of live birth, the infant will not survive with or without medical sup...

Oklahoma schools are scrambling to find ways to continue serving students after the State Department of Education recently ended a federally funded school meal program. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Oklahoma City Public Schools and Metro Technology Centers are teaming up to help students explore healthcare careers without leaving their high schools. The partnership will support students in meeting new graduation requirements. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

For decades, community-based organizations have been on the front lines of providing HIV prevention, receiving funding directly from the federal government. Now, the Trump administration is changing course. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The Republican runoff election for the state superintendent is Aug. 25. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis sat down with candidate Robert Franklin to talk Oklahoma education. Candidate James Taylor’s campaign canceled his interview with StateImpact and did not respond to requests to reschedule. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Nostalgic Oklahomans may reminisce about running through their backyards on hot summer evenings, cupping their hands to catch the flying, glowing insects twinkling in the air. On a muggy evening in late July, supervisor Miranda Adams led a small group of citizen scientists through the dense forest at the Ray Harral Nature Center to search for the glowing beetles. Mentioned in this episode: Social...

Oklahoma passed a law last year allowing energy-hungry facilities to build their own power. But as data center announcements sprout up across Oklahoma, most include plans to work with local utilities. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Ascension St. John is seeking federal approval to turn its Nowata hospital into a rural emergency facility, which would mean ending acute inpatient and swing-bed services. The model provides enhanced support to hospitals to maintain local access to emergency and outpatient services. The nonprofit health system said the move would support the long-term viability of local health care. But many resid...

The Oklahoma City metro is growing at a rapid pace. But public transportation is lacking. ONE Transit aims to transform how residents move around the city. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

An out-of-state anti-abortion group successfully lobbied to change Oklahoma law after it was rejected for public funding from a program to encourage women to keep their unplanned pregnancies. The Texas-based nonprofit Human Coalition lobbies for anti-abortion programs and gets millions of dollars in funding from other states. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

As the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, Oklahoma musicians of all ages took to the stage in commemoration. Inside a performing arts center at scenic Quartz Mountain State Park in late June, the 145th Army Band warmed up before a concert. Outside, students with the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute played frisbee, caught up with friends or awaited their turn to hit the stage later that night....

Tribal nations in Oklahoma are navigating an influx of corporate interest in Indian Country. Thomas Pablo reports on their leaders’ responses to an A-I data center development boom. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

A new law is restricting gender-affirming care for Oklahoma adults if those services were covered by Medicaid and public funds, or provided on state property. Transgender Oklahomans and the already-limited providers offering gender-affirming care in the state are now being forced to adapt to the new policy with little time to prepare. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Oklahoma's natural world is the subject of a new book from author Priscilla Crawford. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Childcare costs are soaring. Infant care at childcare centers rose 27% from 2023 to 2025, according to the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. As daycare prices skyrocket to all-time highs, state lawmakers are deploying a patchwork of measures to change the industry. But some Oklahomans say the state should do more to prioritize affordability for families. Mentioned in this episode: Social...

Scientists use long-term monitoring of natural areas to help them understand environmental changes. Oklahoma surveyors are keeping track of local species, including a rare salamander that could offer clues into the well-being of its environment. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The 2026 legislative session has come to end. Logan Layden talked with StateImpact Oklahoma reporters about their takeaways on legislation impacting education, health, science and the environment. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Three years ago, a new federal designation for rural hospitals went into effect, allowing facilities to receive enhanced support for outpatient and emergency services if they gave up their more expensive inpatient care. The rural emergency hospital provider type is meant to support small rural facilities amid challenges like lower volume, aging populations and rising costs. As the designation gain...