StateImpact Oklahoma

As the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing approaches, a group of young musicians is connecting with the tragedy through performing themes of resilience. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

April 19, 2025 marks 30 years since a bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 people were killed — including 19 children — and hundreds more were injured. It forever shaped our community. "That April Morning: The Oklahoma City Bombing" is a production of KOSU, KGOU, StateImpact Oklahoma and our partners with the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange.

Since Oklahoma’s near-total abortion ban went into effect, providers and thousands of people who have left the state to receive care have experienced its impacts. A new group hopes to educate Oklahomans on those continued effects by bringing people from all walks of life together to have conversations about reproductive health care. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Thanks to a new law, schools across the state are now required to allow off-campus religious instruction during elective courses. Those courses are currently operational or in the final stages of development in at least six Oklahoma schools. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

A report released this month states at least a third of the nation’s birds are in peril. Local community scientists are contributing information critical to understanding the decline. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Last week, wildfires raged across Oklahoma, claiming thousands of acres of land and hundreds of buildings. KOSU’s Sarah Liese reports for StateImpact that the flames also destroyed a historic church in Kiowa County, leaving a congregation to rebuild. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

New Oklahoma Human Services rules approved this year require non-accredited five-star child care programs to provide proof of an accreditation application submission by April 10 and get nationally accredited by Sept. 1 — or face a star reduction tied to their reimbursements. Providers said the timeframe to comply with a process that typically takes one to two years is too short and could...

A book coming out next month argues the way states perform executions is inhumane. KOSU's Sierra Pfeifer talks to University of Richmond Professor Corinna Barrett Lain about her new book Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection , and Oklahoma's role in how the condemned are executed for StateImpact. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The state expected millions of dollars to plug wells abandoned by their owners. But the funds are in limbo under a new federal administration. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Over the next four years, the Well Done Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife will plug more than 100 orphan wells on public land. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

ECU debuted its first-ever doctoral program this January, which focuses on administrative issues in rural education. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

None of Oklahoma’s rural counties have enough primary and mental health care providers. A federal grant is training University of Oklahoma physician assistant students to serve rural communities in both areas.  Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Oklahomans are using more and more electricity. But as energy companies meet with landowners to build the needed infrastructure, opposition is growing. KOSU’sAnna Pope reports for StateImpact on one transmission project troubling Oklahomans. This story was co-reported by KOSU’s Graycen Wheeler. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Nationally, college enrollment has declined over the last 15 years. But Oklahoma’s land-grant institutions managed to avoid the post-COVID fallout and are now at all-time highs. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Change and uncertainty abound as 2025 begins. But you have the StateImpact Oklahoma team to guide you through and keep you informed about the seismic shifts coming in education policy, healthcare and the climate crisis. StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden and the StateImpact reporters to preview what’s to come. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

More students with disabilities than ever before are spending at least 80 percent of their school day in general education classrooms. Federal data show that share of students has more than doubled in the last 35 years. But how are teacher prep programs at universities changing to meet the needs of more inclusive classrooms? Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The federal government is increasing funding for a program that offers families free, voluntary home visits by health professionals from pregnancy to kindergarten. The state hopes to use those dollars to fill maternal and infant health care gaps. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden introduces us to new science and environment reporter Chloe Bennett-Steele. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Four years ago, lawmakers passed a bill requiring all Oklahoma public schools to offer at least four Advanced Placement courses. It went into effect this fall. But, according to data analyzed by StateImpact, most schools still aren’t teaching four AP courses — and rural schools say the law has had little impact. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Oklahoma nursing homes are working to meet federal staffing rules , which require them to have a registered nurse on site 24/7 and employees to spend a minimum amount of time with each resident every day. Facilities say the unfunded mandate asks them to find staff they can’t afford and that doesn’t exist. Oklahoma is one of about 20 states that recently joined a lawsuit against the federal governm...

Oklahomans took to the polls Wednesday for the first day of early voting . Oklahoma has four early voting days this year — that's two more than in the 2020 Presidential general election. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

A growing list of Oklahoma colleges and universities are offering their workers paid parental leave. But it’s still a minority. The momentum comes after Oklahoma mandated maternity leave for state employees and teachers last year. Lawmakers say it's time for the state to intervene for higher education workers. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Oklahoma schools use technology apps to manage everything from attendance to grades to parent communications. And now, a growing number of districts are updating hall passes to the digital age. They say the new tech is helping them curb behavioral issues that have spiked since the pandemic. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

He was 15 when he killed his sister’s abuser. Even after years of good conduct, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has rejected recommending him for release. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

As the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on, Ukrainian physicians are tending to a historic volume of patients with complex head and neck injuries from missile attacks and rocket blasts. OU Health is teaching some of these surgeons reconstructive techniques they can take back home. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags