Feb 01 A new federal program helps provide meals to kids when school is not in session. These states opted out By Adam Kemp Oklahoma is one of 15 states that declined to administer the program, though three of the state’s Native American tribes have announced their intent to offer the benefits to any child on their reservations. Continue reading
Jan 30 Oklahoma asks teachers to return up to $50,000 in bonuses the state says were paid in error By Sean Murphy, Associated Press Kristina Stadelman said she's crushed to learn she's being forced to repay $50,000, much of which she already spent on home improvements and a down payment for a new car. Continue reading
Jan 22 Supreme Court will review Richard Glossip's case a second time. Here's why that matters By Adam Kemp After more than 26 years in prison and three “last” meals, Oklahoma death row prisoner Richard Glossip’s appeal over his claim of his innocence will be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. Continue reading
Jan 10 Oklahoma is the latest state to target DEI programs. What's next? By Adam Kemp Oklahoma has now joined other states, like Florida and Texas, that have moved to limit DEI programming in higher education institutions. Continue reading
Dec 27 Watch 5:09 Why thousands of congregations are leaving the United Methodist Church By Amna Nawaz, Adam Kemp, Dorothy Hastings One of the dominant Christian denominations in the U.S., the United Methodist Church, is experiencing a major split. Since 2019, more than 7,000 congregations have received approval to leave the church. The factions have disagreements in theology, namely how the… Continue watching
Dec 21 A lifetime in the United Methodist Church, and the complicated process of breaking away By Adam Kemp In the last four years, more than 7,600 congregations across the U.S. have received approval to leave the United Methodist Church. Nearly three-quarters of those exits occurred this year. Continue reading
Nov 30 Oklahoma executes Phillip Hancock for a double murder despite state board recommendation for clemency By Adam Kemp Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt's decision to deny clemency comes as some state Republicans and advocates call to pause executions. Continue reading
Nov 14 WATCH: Oklahoma senator challenges Teamsters president to a fight during Senate hearing By Adam Kemp The Tuesday hearing in the Senate devolved into an angry confrontation between Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien. Continue reading
Nov 09 Oklahoma board recommends the governor spare the life of a death row inmate who argued self-defense By Sean Murphy, Associated Press The board voted 3-2 on Wednesday to recommend that Gov. Kevin Stitt spare the life of Phillip Dean Hancock. Hancock was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2001 shooting deaths after an argument at a home in south Oklahoma City. Continue reading
Oct 31 Why some Republicans in Oklahoma want to pause executions By Adam Kemp Oklahoma and Texas accounted for more than half of all executions in the U.S. last year. These Republicans say the death penalty cases need to be reexamined… Continue reading