Immigration advocates continue pushing for conversations on the roles law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) serve locally. Several community members attended the two most recent Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority (jail trust) meetings to request trustees kick ICE out of the county jail. Since 2015, two ICE agents have been stationed at the […]
Miguel Rios
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Abortion ruling
An Oklahoma judge made history by upholding a law banning a second-trimester abortion procedure. District judge Cindy Truong’s ruling affects a 2015 bill that bans dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortions in the second trimester. Reproductive rights activists are calling the decision “rogue” because other states — including Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky and Texas — passed similar […]
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Northeast housing
The third phase of development in the Page Woodson area is set to begin soon. Local developer Ron Bradshaw already created more than 200 affordable and market-rate apartment units through new construction and redevelopment at the former Page Woodson school building, 600 N. High Ave. The newest phase of development will usher in more rental […]
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Jails on ICE
Oklahomans are tackling a national immigration issue at the local level. Activists are urging state and municipal law enforcement agencies to not assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid reports of immigration raids and detained asylum seekers. Last Saturday, immigration advocates gathered outside Fort Sill, a military base near Lawton set to house more than […]
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Chief enforcer
Oklahoma City Police Department’s (OKCPD) new police chief is a 30-year police veteran. Wade Gourley is the 50th police chief, succeeding former chief Bill Citty, who retired May 2 after 15 years on the job. City manager Craig Freeman announced the selection of Gourley at a July 8 press conference. He thanked Ward 7 councilwoman […]
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Project proposals
Members of Oklahoma City Council spent more than 10 hours hearing presentations on MAPS 4 proposals last week. On Tuesday, council heard presentations on Palomar Family Justice Center; parks; sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights; and Freedom Center. On Thursday, presentations were on youth centers, beautification, State Fair coliseum, senior wellness centers and an animal […]
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Immigration rally
Immigration activists will meet in Lawton on Saturday to demand closures of camps where immigrant children and families are detained. Dream Action Oklahoma (DAOK) is hosting the event in conjunction with organizations such as Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice (OCRJ), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oklahoma and Black Lives Matter Oklahoma. “The overall purpose […]
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Zealous defender
Clay Curtis found law school much easier than high school or college. An aspiring attorney since third grade, Curtis felt that the law almost always made sense. Because of his understanding, practice and advocacy of law, he was given the Clarence Darrow Award last month and named Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year by his […]
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Cover: Paper cuts
The sound of folded copies of The Oklahoman slapping concrete in the pre-dawn hours was once familiar, but repeated cuts to the size, coverage, advertising and distribution have left many wondering not only if they will receive their newspaper that day but whether there soon will no longer be a daily newspaper at all. Mary […]
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Strong STEM
The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools (FOKCPS) is seeking community partners to help place science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) centers in all of the district’s elementary schools before classes start Aug. 14. Though foundation partners have contributed more than half the money needed, there is still a significant gap to fill. The initiative […]