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Oklahoma Voice
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We provide independent, nonpartisan reporting that holds officials accountable and expands knowledge of the political process. Read our content at oklahomavoice.com or subscribe to our newsletter at https://oklahomavoice.com/subscribe.
An Oklahoma City nonprofit is aiming to reduce homelessness among teens aging out of the foster care system, one tiny home at a time.
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Tiny homes eyed as solution to reduce homelessness for Oklahoma teens aging out of foster care • Oklahoma Voice
An Oklahoma City nonprofit is aiming to reduce homelessness among teens aging out of the foster care system, one tiny home at a time.
oklahomavoice.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Bill filing for Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session began in earnest early this month, and more than 100 new laws have already been proposed, KOSU reports.
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Early Oklahoma bills focus on protecting taxpayers, investing in schools and excluding immigrants • Oklahoma Voice
Bill filing for Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session began in earnest early this month, and more than 100 new laws have already been proposed.
oklahomavoice.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence. But I already had a death sentence before last week too — we all do,” Sasse wrote.
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Former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse announces terminal stage-four cancer diagnosis • Oklahoma Voice
Former Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is dying of “metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer," he announced Tuesday.
oklahomavoice.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The news, rumored for days, was greeted with shock and despair in Missouri, where hopes were high that a $1.5 billion incentives package approved by state lawmakers would be enough to keep the team in Arrowhead Stadium.
‘Painful day’: Missouri officials react to Chiefs announcing move to Kansas • Oklahoma Voice
Missouri learned Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs are moving across the state line to Kansas.
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December 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The leader who oversaw Oklahoma’s chapter was among those let go amid a structural realignment that jettisoned 14 state-level leaders.
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Social workers question spending, standards and 'harmful dynamics' at national association • Oklahoma Voice
Social workers nationwide directed furious complaints toward their national association, demanding accountability, transparency.
oklahomavoice.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Kansas legislative leadership voted unanimously Monday to issue STAR bonds to build a stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs, following a short meeting behind closed doors.
Kansas to build Chiefs stadium with STAR bonds in deal approved by lawmakers • Oklahoma Voice
Kansas legislative leadership voted unanimously Monday to issue STAR bonds to build a football stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs, following a short meeting behind closed doors.
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December 22, 2025 at 11:00 PM
In an unusual move, Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote a letter leaning on a state ethics board ahead of a key vote to take action on the future of Oklahoma’s campaign finance system after it had been offline for months.
Governor pushed for Oklahoma ethics board to act on issues with election reporting system • Oklahoma Voice
In an unusual move, Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote a letter leaning on a state ethics board ahead of a key vote to take action on the future of Oklahoma’s campaign finance system after it had been offline…
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December 22, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Oklahoma and Arkansas officials are denouncing a federal judge’s decision that found poultry companies responsible for polluting a key watershed in both states and also ordered them to pay millions to remediate it.
Officials decry judge’s ruling against poultry companies in Oklahoma and Arkansas • Oklahoma Voice
Oklahoma and Arkansas officials are denouncing a federal judge’s decision that found poultry companies responsible for polluting a key watershed in both states and also ordered them to pay millions…
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December 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Kansas legislative leaders will meet Monday to take one of the final steps toward luring the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line, floating bonds worth hundreds of millions so the team can build a domed stadium and an entertainment district.
Kansas legislators to meet Monday about deal to bring Kansas City Chiefs across the state line • Oklahoma Voice
Kansas legislative leaders will meet Monday to take one of the final steps toward luring the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line, floating bonds worth hundreds of millions so the team can build…
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December 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
For the first time in years, no recognized political party in Oklahoma will allow independent voters to participate in their partisan primaries. And while that’s their choice, it’s probably going to have some pretty oversized implications in the new year.
Barring independents from Oklahoma primaries promises to make an even messier 2026 election season • Oklahoma Voice
For the first time in years, no recognized political party in Oklahoma will allow independent voters to participate in their partisan primaries. And while that’s their choice, it’s probably going to…
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December 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The state will have about $692 million less to spend in crafting a budget for the next fiscal year, a state panel was told Friday.
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Leaders will have 5.6% less to spend on Oklahoma’s next budget • Oklahoma Voice
The state will have about $692 million less to spend in crafting a budget for the next fiscal year, a state panel was told Friday.
oklahomavoice.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The DOJ is expected to release records Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but questions remained over whether officials will meet the requirements of a law overwhelmingly backed by both Republicans and Democrats and signed by President Donald Trump.
Criticism erupts after DOJ official says some Epstein files will emerge after deadline • Oklahoma Voice
The Department of Justice is expected to release records Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but questions remained over whether officials will meet the requirements of a law.
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December 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The $1,776 “warrior dividend” checks President Donald Trump announced during Wednesday’s prime-time address will come from basic housing allowance funds approved by Congress and signed into law in July, according to a senior administration official.
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‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ provided funds for $1,776 dividend checks for military • Oklahoma Voice
The $1,776 “warrior dividend” checks President Donald Trump announced during Wednesday’s prime-time address will come from basic housing allowance funds approved by Congress and signed into law in…
oklahomavoice.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Thursday in a campaign to block minors’ access to gender-affirming care nationwide.
Trump health agency proposes rules to limit gender-affirming care for youth • Oklahoma Voice
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Thursday in a campaign to block minors’ access to gender-affirming care nationwide.
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December 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
An 800-student school district in a rural eastern Oklahoma town has scored 16 overall A's on state report cards since 2013.
How this small Oklahoma school district became one the state’s top performers • Oklahoma Voice
A major turnaround more than a decade ago set this eastern Oklahoma school district on track toward the top.
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December 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, which Trump said reflected the drug’s potential medical benefits while discouraging recreational use.
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Trump signs order to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, but it’s still illegal • Oklahoma Voice
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, which Trump said reflected the drug’s potential medical benefits while discouraging recreational…
oklahomavoice.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Appellate judges seemed skeptical Thursday during oral arguments that the Trump administration erred in relying on a decades-old statute to require millions of noncitizens to register with the federal government and carry documentation.
Judges hear case on requiring immigrants without legal status to register and carry documents • Oklahoma Voice
WASHINGTON — A panel of appellate judges seemed skeptical during Thursday oral arguments that the Trump administration erred in relying on a decades-old statute to require millions of noncitizens to…
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December 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A new report found that Alabama put more people to death in 2025 than all but one other state.
Alabama 2nd in nation for executions in 2025, according to report • Oklahoma Voice
Alabama tied with South Carolina and Texas for executions conducted in 2025, even as death penalty support declines.
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December 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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Donate • Oklahoma Voice
Oklahoma Voice brings free, independent journalism to people like you. A nonprofit newsroom, our journalists are committed to all Oklahomans having access to quality state government news. Our…
oklahomavoice.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Measles cases are continuing to grow, reaching 1,958 confirmed cases in 43 states through Dec. 16 and threatening to undo next year the United States’ status as a nation that has eradicated the disease, according to a report.
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Measles cases rise amid holiday travel • Oklahoma Voice
Measles case are continuing to grow, reaching 1,958 confirmed cases in 43 states through Dec. 16 and threatening to undo next year the United States’ status as a nation that has eradicated the…
oklahomavoice.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is considering privatizing four of its behavioral health facilities.
Oklahoma mental health department explores privatizing some behavioral care centers • Oklahoma Voice
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is considering privatizing four of its facilities.
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December 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed a new head of a major state agency.
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Stitt appoints new OMES director to lead core state functions • Oklahoma Voice
A new director will take the lead at an Oklahoma agency that functions as the state government's backbone.
oklahomavoice.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:50 PM
It’s been nearly two decades since Ruby Welch was released from prison, but she’s “still not free,” she said, because financial and emotional burdens remain.
Overcrowded: Arkansas' prison system costs inmates, taxpayers • Oklahoma Voice
Expenses that accumulate inside and outside prison can keep formerly incarcerated Arkansans who may struggle to find employment stuck in the carceral system for years.
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December 17, 2025 at 9:15 PM
When Yraida Faneite was on trial for drug-related charges, the judge had to halt proceedings at one point because her period was so heavy that blood was running down her legs.
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Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products • Oklahoma Voice
Many incarcerated women face challenges accessing menstrual products, even in facilities that provide them for free.
oklahomavoice.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A state law aimed at forcing some immigrants to leave the state has created fear, uncertainty and tension, and left families worried about what future enforcement might mean for their safety and stability, advocates say.
Law targeting Oklahoma immigrants creating fear, uncertainty • Oklahoma Voice
A state law aimed at forcing some immigrants to leave the state has created fear, uncertainty and tension, and left families worried about what future enforcement might mean for their safety and…
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December 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM