Public Radio Tulsa

Nichols pushes for vote on city sales tax increase If the proposal is tentatively approved by council, Tulsans would vote yay or nay on the increase in an election Feb. 10.

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols is pushing for a citywide vote on a slightly increased sales tax rate.
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Organizers share 'a lot of enthusiasm' as signature gathering for open primaries kicks off Organizers need to get more than 172,000 signatures by Jan. 28 in order to get SQ836 on the next ballot.

Tulsans may see groups of signature gatherers around town until January.
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Mayor wraps latest community conversations by focusing on neighborhood needs Mayor Monroe Nichols was joined by four panelists to discuss some of north Tulsa's most critical issues and hear questions from concerned residents.

City officials gathered Thursday night at the Tulsa Dream Center to conclude the latest round of community conversations.
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Lawmaker pushing sports betting still supportive despite NBA scandal The state senator who’s boosting sports betting says he still believes legal gambling on professional games is a good idea for Oklahoma.

The state senator who’s boosting sports betting says he still believes legal gambling on professional games is a good idea for Oklahoma.
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At Philbrook, this portrait of a long-time Tulsa queen is finding new meaning A decade after its creation, Patrick Gordon’s painting of Mrs. Lennox still speaks to viewers.

A decade after its creation, Patrick Gordon’s painting of a long-time Tulsa drag queen still speaks to viewers.
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Why public media giants NPR and CPB are fighting in court this week NPR is accusing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in federal court of reneging on a contract to appease the White House.

The chasm is widening between NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the nonprofit that funneled federal dollars to public media until Congress killed that funding earlier this year.

'Founder of antifa was Woody': Annual Guthrie prize honors musicians critical of Trump Bono and The Edge accepted the award on behalf of their Irish rock group for decades of activism tied to their music careers.

Bono has criticized Trump for causing "unbelievable carnage" and in May defended Bruce Springsteen as "the only Boss in America" after the president blasted the New Jersey native for critical comments.
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Protest planned at TU as unproven rumor of new president spreads A persistent rumor has been circulating on campus claiming that Tulsa’s U.S. representative would become the university’s next president. TU and the congressman have responded with a mixture of denial...

Students at the University of Tulsa have taken to a large group chat to organize a campus demonstration set for Thursday afternoon.
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‘Safe to who?’: Service providers blast governor’s Operation SAFE homeless sweeps Representatives from organizations that help the homeless gathered at Tulsa Day Center Wednesday to blast Gov. Stitt’s homeless encampment sweeps that began last month.

Representatives from organizations that help the homeless gathered at Tulsa Day Center Wednesday to blast Gov. Stitt’s homeless encampment sweeps that began last month.
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'You can’t drink data': Oklahoma lawmakers analyze costs of growing data center industry Lawmakers on Tuesday held an interim study at the Oklahoma State Capitol to examine the growing impact of large-scale data centers on the state’s power grid and water resources.

Lawmakers on Tuesday held an interim study at Oklahoma's State Capitol to examine the growing impact of large-scale data centers on the state's power grid and water resources.
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Over half a million Oklahomans could be cut off from SNAP at the end of the month Over 680,000 Oklahomans could have their food assistance benefits cut off next week if the federal government shutdown doesn’t end, state leaders said Tuesday.

Over 680,000 Oklahomans could have their food assistance benefits cut off next week if the federal government shutdown doesn’t end, state leaders said Tuesday.

Trump hosts GOP senators at White House as shutdown effects worsen President Donald Trump is welcoming Republican senators for lunch in the newly renovated Rose Garden Club.

President Donald Trump is welcoming Republican senators for lunch in the newly renovated Rose Garden Club.

Amazon cloud outage takes down many online services around the world A problem at Amazon's cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world early Monday, taking down dozens of online services, including social media site Snapchat, the Roblox and Fortnite...

A problem at Amazon's cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world early Monday, taking down dozens of online services, including social media site Snapchat, the Roblox and Fortnite video games and chat app Signal.

Tulsa Botanic Garden unveils gift from Mexican sister city Tulsa received a symbol of international friendship this weekend with the unveiling of a replica of the historic Caja de Agua fountain, a gift from the city's Mexican sister city, San Luis Potosí.

Tulsa received a symbol of international friendship this weekend with the unveiling of a replica of the historic Caja de Agua fountain, a gift from the city's Mexican sister community, San Luis Potosí.
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Tulsans participate in nationwide No Kings protest against Trump administration Several city blocks in Tulsa were packed with protestors Saturday.

Several city blocks in Tulsa were packed with protestors Saturday.
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New children's biography explores life of Ralph Ellison A new children’s biography about famed Oklahoman and "Invisible Man" author Ralph Ellison is now on bookshelves.

A new children’s biography about famed Oklahoman and "Invisible Man" author Ralph Ellison is now on bookshelves.
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Domestic violence calls in Tulsa decline, but one expert worries about what the decrease means Domestic violence-related 911 calls in Tulsa have dropped significantly over the past several years, falling from 23,441 in 2016 to 15,649 last year.

Domestic violence related 911 calls in Tulsa have dropped significantly over the past several years, falling from 23,441 in 2016 to 15,649 last year.
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Officials, experts still considering feasibility of future excavations in search for 1921 Race Massacre victims As crews hope to uncover more evidence of massacre victims at Oaklawn Cemetery, potential mass grave sites elsewhere in Tulsa could prove more difficult.

Crews have begun digging at Oaklawn Cemetery in Tulsa for a fifth time in the hopes of uncovering more victims of the 1921 Race Massacre.
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Muscogee Freedmen object to transfer of sacred tribal land as citizenship bids languish Relatives of former slaves owned by the Muscogee Nation are objecting to a transfer of city land to the tribe.

Relatives of former slaves owned by the Muscogee Nation are objecting to a transfer of city land to the tribe.
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Supreme Court seems inclined to limit race-based electoral districts under the Voting Rights Act The Supreme Court appears inclined to limit the use of the Voting Rights Act to force states to draw electoral districts favorable to minority voters.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared inclined to limit the use of the Voting Rights Act to force states to draw electoral districts favorable to minority voters.

Raising the minimum wage could reduce eviction rates, data shows Nearly half of Oklahoma households struggled to afford necessities in 2023, according to a new report. The limited income of 45% of households in the state has priced many families out of their homes,...

Nearly half of Oklahoma households struggled to afford necessities in 2023, according to a new report.

Muscogee Nation opens traffic court in Jenks Tulsans needing to handle a Muscogee Nation traffic ticket are getting a break with the opening of the tribe’s first local traffic court.

Tulsans needing to handle a Muscogee Nation traffic ticket are getting a break with the opening of the tribe’s first local traffic court.

Tulsa celebrates Native American Day with messages of unity and tribal sovereignty Tulsa celebrated Native American Day on Monday with its ninth annual event at Dream Keepers Park.

Tulsa celebrated Native American Day on Monday with its ninth annual event at Dream Keepers Park.
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Law may need ‘tweaking’ after Oklahoma inmate files for sentencing relief, officials say OKLAHOMA CITY – A recent state law meant to provide some abuse victims sentencing relief in criminal cases may need tweaking, two of the measure’s authors said.

A recent state law meant to provide some abuse victims sentencing relief in criminal cases may need tweaking, two of the measure’s authors said.

Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs forces many retailers to be cautious on holiday hiring Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs is forcing retailers to pull back or delay plans to hire seasonal workers who pack orders at distribution centers, serve shoppers at stores and build holiday d...

Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs is forcing retailers to pull back or delay plans to hire seasonal workers.

Developer tackles another iconic property: Price Tower Rotary Club of Tulsa President Carl Vincent opened Wednesday’s meeting with a story from the past, recalling the days when the club met at the Mayo Hotel in the 1960s.

Developer tackles another iconic property: Price Tower

Tulsa launches fifth excavation for 1921 Race Massacre victims The city has uncovered the identities of previously unknown victims through DNA thanks to excavations at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Tulsa officials announced Wednesday a fifth excavation in search of 1921 Race Massacre victims. It will once again take place at Oaklawn Cemetery starting next week.

Tulsa ICE protesters take their message to county jailhouse At least 40 demonstrators rallied outside the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center calling for the sheriff’s office to end a contract agreement with immigration enforcement.

At least 40 people gathered outside the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center in downtown Tulsa Wednesday evening to protest Tulsa County’s contract agreement with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement to hold immigration detainees.

OSU agricultural economy professor cites ‘black swan’ events behind industry’s bailout need The Trump administration is expected to announce a bailout plan for U.S. farmers this week as soybean producers in Oklahoma and across the country struggle with falling prices and rising costs.

Amy Hagerman, a professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University, said farmers are dealing with the impacts of multiple "black swan" events, rare and unpredictable disruptions.

Indigenous environmental advocates say data centers risk water, culture and informed consent As massive data centers begin popping up across Oklahoma, Indigenous organizers are sounding the alarm.

As massive data centers begin popping up across Oklahoma, Indigenous organizers are sounding the alarm.