Oklahoma’s biennial moratorium on switching political party affiliation is fast approaching. Tuesday, March 31 is the deadline to request a party change ahead of the June primary and August runoff elections. Requests received from April through August won’t be processed until Sept. 1. The state has long enforced the rule in even-numbered years to prevent […]
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Oklahoma’s Housing Paradox: Vacant Units Everywhere, Affordable Ones Nowhere
Oklahoma has more than 220,000 vacant housing units, yet faces a shortage of 80,000 rental homes affordable to its lowest-income residents. Rising construction costs, aging housing stock and a broken financing system mean empty buildings coexist with a housing crisis — and experts say there is no single fix.
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Thunder, OKC break ground on new downtown arena
Oklahoma City is set to take a major step toward its next chapter in professional sports as city leaders and the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to break ground on a new downtown arena later this week. The ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, marks the official start of construction on what officials describe […]
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Walker Avenue project aims to boost safety, connectivity in central OKC
The City of Oklahoma City has begun a $5 million improvement project along North Walker Avenue, targeting a key stretch between NW 23rd Street and NW 32nd Street. The effort is designed to enhance safety and strengthen the connection between two of the city’s most active districts—Uptown 23rd and the Paseo Arts District. Funded through […]
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Community survey launched to help guide future of Downtown OKC
The City of Oklahoma City is inviting people to share their input as part of the Downtown Oklahoma City Strategic Plan, a long-range effort to shape the future of Downtown and Bricktown. The 10-month process will develop an implementable vision to guide land-use, public infrastructure and private development decisions in the urban core. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged […]
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Oklahoma House proposal would add 7 school days for $175 million
House lawmakers proposed extending Oklahoma’s minimum school year by seven days and pledged $175 million to make it happen. House Bill 3151 passed off the House floor 62-28 Wednesday evening and heads to the Senate, where leadership has endorsed the measure. The bill is the first firm proposal from the House this session for increasing public […]
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Behind the Rankings: How WalletHub Determined Oklahoma is 50th in Education
Oklahoma’s 50th-place finish on WalletHub’s ranking on states’ education systems got everyone talking. But a closer look finds some of their measures spot-on, some are misleading and others are flat-out wrong.
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House advances measure limiting some pay raises at Oklahoma agencies
Raises and bonuses for some state employees would be capped under a bill approved by the Oklahoma House on Tuesday. House Bill 3024, authored by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, would limit pay raises and bonuses for executive branch employees at 10% of their base pay, barring a substantial title or responsibility change or a performance […]
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Oil Tycoon and GOP Donor Harold Hamm Asked Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt for Senate Appointment
Oil tycoon and major GOP donor Harold Hamm has reportedly approached Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to request an appointment to the state’s newly vacant U.S. Senate seat. The founder of Continental Resources and close ally of Donald Trump is one of several candidates being considered as the governor weighs his options for the high-profile opening.
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MAPS 4 Animal Welfare Center Hits Halfway Mark in Construction
Construction on the new MAPS 4 Louisa McCune Animal Welfare Center has reached its halfway point, officials announced Tuesday with a ceremonial “topping out.” The $42-million, 70,000-square-foot facility is on track for completion this fall. Funded through MAPS 4, the center will play a key role in making Oklahoma City a safer, more welcoming place […]