Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Wendy Suares

@wsuares.bsky.social

2.4K followers 1.5K following 460 posts

Evening news anchor at KOKH FOX25 in Oklahoma City. Stay curious.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 3h

The former Supt claimed Boismier distributed pornography to students and alleged she caused harm and shame to the entire profession of teachers by "sexualizing her classroom." Boismier has not stopped fighting to get her OK teaching license back. Here's what she told me today ⬇️

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 3h

One name NOT on tomorrow's agenda is Summer Boismier, the Norman teacher who resigned after sharing with students a QR code to access the Brooklyn Public Library's "Books Unbanned" project. Ryan Walters called for her license and made allegations online.. okcfox.com/news/local/e...

Ex-educator loses defamation lawsuit; court dismisses claims against Ryan Walters

On Thursday, April 10, a federal judge ruled in favor of State Superintendent Ryan Walters in a lawsuit filed by Summer Boismier, a former Norman High School En

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 4h

CLEARING THE BACKLOG- OSDE tells me it's no accident. It's part of an effort by new leadership to act as 'quickly as possible' on outstanding issues that are holding people's lives in limbo. BTW, The agency has a new spokesman, Tara Thompson, who responded immediately. BUT... #OKLAED #Oklahoma

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 4h

ACTION ITEMS FOR 32 TEACHERS are on the agenda for tomorrow's #Oklahoma Board of Education meeting. It's their first time to meet since Lindel Fields became superintendent. 32 is far more than on any other agenda in at last a year.🧵 #oklaed
*agenda here- oklahoma.gov/content/dam/...

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 1d

ICYMI- A former OSDE employee says staff under Ryan Walters' leadership were told special needs students are "hard to handle in the classroom. Let's just move them down to the bottom of the investigation list." (2/2) #Oklahoma #oklaed
okcfox.com/news/local/e...

Ex-OSDE employee reveals turmoil under former Supt. Ryan Walters, investigations resume

They were coming into work at the Oklahoma Department of Education, terrified that each day might be their last."In the last six months, the culture has been 'I

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 1d

ICYMI- From heartbreaking💔- being told "complaints that come in about our special education students aren't priority..."
To bizarre - "We stood there with our hands over our heart."
More details emerge about the culture at OSDE under the former superintendent. (1/2) #oklahoma #oklaed

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 6d

How'd this one slip my mind?! I spent MANY months investigating the Dept. of Corrections under the leadership of Stitt appointee Steve Harpe. Here's a playlist of my reports- www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 6d

Last but not least (and I may be forgetting others), we can't forget the man in charge during the Swadley's Foggy Bottom Kitchen scandal. Jerry Winchester was a
Governor Stitt appointee to the Tourism Dept.

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 6d

Other #oklahoma Gov. Stitt appointees who resigned or were pushed out amid controversies and investigations- Mental Health Commissioner Allie Friesen, Tourism Dir. Shelley Zumwalt, Secretary of Science and Innovation Kayse Shrum, who went on to become (now former) OSU President.. AND...

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 6d

Remember, Governor Stitt appointed Ryan Walters as Sec. of Education in 2020, giving him the platform (and endorsement) to win in the race for state superintendent. He campaigned on banning race and gender conversations from schools, supporting vouchers and rejecting fed funding...

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 6d

MORE GOVERNOR POWER? Gov. Stitt is using the Ryan Walters debacle and his appointment of interim state supe Lindel Fields as evidence OK law needs to change-allowing governors to appoint more statewide positions, instead of letting voters decide. But wait... 🧵

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 7d

JUST IN- Auditor Byrd’s office found the email, but still says they should have been directly contacted by the AG in person or by phone.

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 7d

The AG’s office is denying that claim, and says they absolutely sent the formal request BEFORE the press release. 🤷‍♀️ So yeah- fun times between 2 state agency heads as everyone awaits that audit of OSDE.

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 7d

Here’s the statement I got from Cindy Byrd’s office, which apparently still hasn’t gotten that formal request. #oklahoma

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 7d

OSDE AUDIT- ‼️State Auditor Cindy Byrd tells me she only learned about this from the AG’s press release, calling it “peculiar.” 🧵 #Oklahoma
okcfox.com/news/local/d...

Drummond orders audit of Oklahoma education department after Walters resigns

Attorney General Gentner Drummond has ordered an audit into the Oklahoma State Department of Education following Walters resignation.

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 7d

THIS. WILL. KEEP. HAPPENING. all over. It's only just begun-
Paycom laying off over 500 Oklahoma workers amid AI-driven tech workforce reconstruction. #ai #paycom #layoffs #oklahoma okcfox.com/news/local/p...

Paycom laying off over 500 Oklahoma workers amid AI-driven tech workforce reconstruction

Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE: PAYC)(“Paycom”), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, today announced a workforce r

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 8d

CURRENT MOOD👇Still processing everything I just learned from records and former employees detailing what went on behind the scenes at the #Oklahoma State Dept of Education under #RyanWalters.🤯 No, this story isn't over yet. Lots to share in the coming days -impacting your💰and your children. #oklaed

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 8d

📪INBOX- Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters closes out an email just sent to parents about his departure and what he considers his successes with this- “This chapter may be closing, but our fight for strong schools and strong families is far from over.” #oklaed

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 8d

🍌This ad before coffee👀
McCall’s new ad for #oklahoma gov says “That’s why we outlawed sex change surgeries for minors and banned boys from girls’ sports… I have a simple message for any lunatic pushing sex change for kids—you first.”
‼️Oklahomans, election season is here.

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 12d

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 12d

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 12d

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 12d

Local businesses are ready to cash in (and donate to #oklaed) following @RyanWalters_’s resignation announcement. If you see any I’ve missed, send them my way and I’ll add them to this 🧵 #oklahoma

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 13d

Hi! I’m the reporter you may have seen trying to question Ryan Walters after he resigned. I’ve been extensively investigating his office (along with other Oklahoma state agencies) the last couple years. Here’s a look back at my coverage-

youtube.com/playlist?lis...

INVESTIGATIONS on Ryan Walters - YouTube

After years of my investigative reports, including a focus on misuse of money, the controversial state superintendent resigned.

Wendy Suares @wsuares.bsky.social · 13d

Thank you!