Cover Stories
Top 10?
Part slogan, part campaign promise and part road map for his work as governor, the promise to push Oklahoma into the upper rankings of health care, education, economic growth and nearly every other metric was made by Kevin Stitt when he was elected in 2018. “It’s time for Oklahoma to take its rightful place as…
2024 in film
In the wake of a pandemic, an uncertain future for multiplexes, and strikes in 2023 by the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild, Hollywood prognosticators and self-appointed observers presumed 2024 would be dismal for film. Thankfully, such pronouncements proved unfounded. While box office receipts saw a slight dip from the previous year, there…
Last call?
Hailey McDermid is widely known as the heart and soul of Uptown’s The Pump Bar, but she sees it quite differently. As we sat in the darkened pub on a dreary afternoon at the very end of the year, she explained the small bar is her heart and soul. “It’s more than a bar, more…
Modern Ephemera
There’s a brief scene in Alfonso Cuarón’s still-terrifying dystopian masterpiece Children of Men where Jasper (Michael Caine) and Theo (Clive Owen) take advantage of a small break in the onslaught of horrors to smoke pot and hang out. Jasper suggests “a little zen music” before pressing play on a track created specifically for this scene:…
Artistic summer
The state’s most illustrious arts program is nestled in the Wichita Mountains. For almost 50 years, the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute (OSAI) has offered a sanctuary for high school students to refine their respective art forms, freely explore their craft and experience an unforgettable educational opportunity. From now until Feb. 17, OSAI is accepting online…
Cozy vibes
Raven 4200 N. Western Ave. ravenokc.com 405-724-7012 What works:Dessert was much more than an afterthought and undoubtedly worth the wait. What needs work:The salt content across dishes was noticeable, and not in the way you’re hoping. Tip:Try entering the restaurant through the south doors to help ensure you’re seen and seated quickly. Occupying the former…
Lite bites
Resolution or no, the new year naturally brings a desire to eat a bit lighter after the bacchanal that is the period of time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. There’s something here for everyone, and we’re happy to report that you need not sacrifice a single morsel of flavor in the name of eating better.…
Local tracklist
Aeyvo (@aeyvomusic) Lots of people used their time at home during the pandemic to pick up new hobbies. After Abby Navarro used her first and last name to create “Aeyvo,” she found new passion in DJing and has quickly made big noises in the local house and electronic dance music scene. In a few short…
Blood ties
As a newly elected president prepares to deliver his inaugural speech, he doesn’t manage to utter a single word. Instead, his closest Secret Service agent fires two shots into his head. As the nation spirals from the shock and cascades into chaos, the fallout lands at the feet of Gianni Simonelli, a second-generation Italian American…
New Year’s resolutions for Oklahoma
Heading toward the 2025 Oklahoma legislative session, lawmakers can reflect on last year’s session, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.” After seeing over 3,000 potential bills filed for consideration, the session boiled down to a handful of meaningful issues and scored few real points for Oklahoma. The good: progress on grocery taxes for seniors…
OG weekly email newsletter signup giveaway
WINNER: Savannah Hague Want a night full of laughs? Sign up for The OG’s Weekly Email Newsletter and you could WIN TWO TICKETS to see the hilarious Jo Koy live on Friday, January 17 at the Paycom Center. It’s easy to enter: Just head over to bit.ly/ogjokoy and sign up today! Our newsletter is your go-to…
Key coordination
An Oklahoma City police officer leaned against his car, watching as a two-man crew tossed a shopping cart, empty suitcase and other items into the back of a trailer. A homeless encampment in a north Oklahoma City park was being dismantled on a windy fall afternoon, a visible show of the city’s effort to decrease…
Toll hikes
Sweeping down the plains along the Turner Turnpike (and other toll roads across the state) just got more expensive as Oklahoma Turnpike Authority recently imposed a rate increase. The trip from OKC to Tulsa was raised by 90 cents starting Jan. 1. State officials quickly pointed out that Oklahoma’s toll rates are lower than most…
Educational precedent
In 2023, an Oklahoma board approved the nation’s first religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. As a charter school, St. Isidore would have been entitled to public funding, but the state Supreme Court later called it unconstitutional. You know, the whole separation of church and state thing. Now, this church/school is…
Government waste
The Oklahoma House has created a new website where residents are asked to submit complaints about government waste. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said the website is modeled after efforts by President Donald Trump to create a more efficient government. That makes sense because the president’s first term was simply a model of efficiency and competence.…
Nuclear turmoil
The Children Jan. 12- Feb. 2 Carpenter Square Theatre 1009 W. Reno Ave. 405-232-6500 carpentersquare.com $10-30 Imagine you’re a retired nuclear scientist living with your partner in a remote seaside cottage. There’s a post-apocalyptic sense of foreboding in the air, although you’re happy to live out the rest of your days right there — until…
