To the ballot Oklahomans have filed four statewide initiative petitions and one referendum in 2019. The referendum, filed in August, was to let voters decide whether or not they wanted “permitless carry,” the first bill signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt to go into effect. The referendum did not gain enough signatures. Ultimately, the law, which […]
Miguel Rios
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Final actions
Councilmembers set a date on a new sales tax vote, amended policies and approved more spending, among other actions at Oklahoma City Council’s final meeting of the year. Park tax Three weeks ago, former councilman Ed Shadid submitted a petition with enough signatures to allow residents to decide whether or not they want to implement […]
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Sunday liquor
Oklahoma County will decide whether or not to approve Sunday liquor store sales early next year. The Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to let residents decide at a special election March 3, which will coincide with the state’s presidential primary. Tulsa County commissioners decided in November to let residents vote on the issue. After […]
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Cover: New Year’s glee
We’re miles away from the hustle and bustle (and record-breaking crowds of revelers) of Times Square, but from food halls to runways, listening rooms and barcades, the Oklahoma City metro has the perfect spot for everyone to ring in 2020. Cheers! The Fashion Art & Beauty Gala 8 p.m. Tuesday to 1:30 a.m. Wednesday Castle […]
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Cover: Beyond preservation
Before Michael Schwarz could even fully process the orange flames jumping on the television screen, he jumped in his car and made his fastest-ever drive on a familiar trek down to Spencer where the historic Dunjee School — a place he had visited 20 to 30 times after getting involved with the group Abandoned Oklahoma […]
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Fresh Suites
After taking the building down to steel and concrete and undergoing a massive renovation, a former Marriott hotel is reopening as Embassy Suites. New signage went up last week, and the hotel is set to open Thursday or Friday at 3233 Northwest Expressway. “Oklahoma City’s growing economy provides the perfect opportunity to expand our already-strong […]
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Food inequality
The biggest health risk affecting certain communities is inequality. That’s what experts said last week during a symposium on northeast Oklahoma City’s lack of food security. Ward 7 councilwoman Nikki Nice, along with a panel of three experts, discussed the various components that play into food insecurity at the event hosted by Urban Land Institute […]
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Protecting employees
Oklahoma City Council voted to update the city’s personnel policies to extend nondiscrimination protections for gender identity and expression. Ward 2 councilman James Cooper introduced the amendment at Tuesday’s Oklahoma City Council meeting where it passed 7-2. “What this resolution does is it shows where The City of Oklahoma City recognizes and supports policy of […]
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Improving health
A potential Healthy Neighborhood Overlay for the 73111 ZIP code is among the first things Oklahoma City Council will decide in 2020. The ordinance to establish the zoning overlay has made its way through the Planning Commission and is set for public hearing Dec. 17 and final hearing Jan. 7. The new zoning would provide […]
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Park milestone
The rebirth of Manuel Perez Park has officially begun. Last week, city leaders hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the 27-acre park, which will span several blocks east from S. Robinson Avenue along the Oklahoma River. “The community has been behind this to get this recognition but also to work with the city to get funding, […]