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PRESS RELEASE Oklahoma Blood Institute faces its most critical challenge

Facing the single greatest challenge to the blood supply it’s ever seen, the Oklahoma Blood Institute is urging all Oklahomans to donate blood immediately.

By press release May 20, 2020

Oklahoma Blood Institute blood donation donate blood blood bank Oklahoma Medical Association George Monks John Armitage

PRESS RELEASE Capitol access to be partially restored Monday when Legislature returns

Access restrictions to the State Capitol will be partially loosened Monday to restore public access, with requirements such as entry point screenings, masks, appointment only office visits, social distancing, disinfection and more remaining in place for health and safety.

By press release May 4, 2020

Oklahoma Capitol Oklahoma Capitol COVID-19 coronavirus public access University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center OU Health Sciences Center social distancing masks U.S. Centers for Disease Control

‘There just aren’t enough vouchers’: COVID-19 stresses Oklahoma’s already threadbare affordable housing system

Section 8 waitlists are in the thousands, and they’re expected to grow during economic fallout from the pandemic.

Off and on for the last 11 years, Curbside Chronicle vendor Cathy Conner was homeless.

By Mollie Bryant for Big If True May 1, 2020

Big If True The Curbside Chronicle Curbside Chronicle homelessness Cathy Conner U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 vouchers Section 8 coronavirus COVID-19 Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Wade Delgadillo HUD Deborah Jenkins Mark Gillett CARES Act Upward Transitions Marilyn Patchen Periann Pulliam The Homeless Alliance Mental Health Association Gregory A. Shinn HUD waiver social distancing United Way National Low Income Housing Coalition Sarah Saadian eviction

PRESS RELEASE Attorney General Hunter clarifies governor's executive order regarding law enforcement action for non-compliance

Attorney General Mike Hunter today released the following information regarding law enforcement action relating to individuals or business owners that do not comply with the governor’s March 24 executive order.

By press release Mar 27, 2020

executive order law enforcement COVID-19 Mike Hunter

Gov. Stitt issues Safer at Home order for 19 Oklahoma counties

Today, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a Safer at Home order saying all vulnerable Oklahomans should avoid leaving home except to get essentials like groceries and medicine through April 30.

By Brittany Pickering Mar 24, 2020

Safer at Home Kevin Stitt shelter-in-place Canadian County Cleveland County Custer County Garvin County Grady County Jackson County Kay County Logan County Mayes County McClain County Muskogee County Noble County Oklahoma County Pawnee County Payne County Pontotoc County Tulsa County Wagoner County Washington County

PRESS RELEASE Experts warn Oklahomans to prevent community spread of virus

With Gov. Kevin Stitt announcing this week that Oklahoma is “critically low” on COVID-19 tests, state health experts say we need to presume that anyone could have the virus – and behave accordingly.

By press release Mar 19, 2020

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation OMRF COVID-19 Hal Scofield Stephen Prescott

PRESS RELEASE Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma continues its response to COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is using innovative methods to meet all food assistance needs while also adhering to safe social distancing practices.

By press release Mar 17, 2020

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma COVID-19 food assistance

PRESS RELEASE Integris medical director of infection prevention makes public plea

With community spread of COVID-19 now in Oklahoma, David Chansolme, M.D., the Medical Director of Infection Prevention at INTEGRIS Health, is making a plea to the public to take the threat seriously. Instead of reacting in fear and panic, he is encouraging Oklahomans to exercise caution and common sense by following these steps:

By press release Mar 16, 2020

coronavirus COVID-19 press release Integris David Chansolme infection prevention INTEGRIS Health

Gov. Kevin Stitt declares Oklahoma is in a state of emergency

March 15, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued executive order 2020-07 declaring Oklahoma in a state of emergency. In a video posted on Facebook, Gov. Stitt explained that the emergency declaration "ensures our state has all the resources available to manage the effects of COVID-19."

By Brittany Pickering Mar 16, 2020

Oklahoma of emergency Kevin Stitt COVID-19 coronavirus

Conversion ban

A bill that would ban conversion therapy for minors passed out of committee this year after not receiving a hearing last session.

For the first time ever, Freedom Oklahoma lobbied at the capitol in support of a bill with momentum that would protect LGBTQ+ individuals.

By Miguel Rios Mar 13, 2020

News news Legislative session Legislature legislation Capitol news Oklahoma Capitol capitol Jason Dunnington Allie Shinn conversion therapy Youth Mental Health Protection Act House Bill 3872 House of Representatives Freedom Oklahoma LGBTQ LGBTQ+ gay rights youth protection lobbying advocacy Chelsey Branham Kelly Albright

Alcoholmanac Sunday spirits

Many liquor stores were open for the first time this past Sunday after seven counties across the state voted to approve Sunday liquor sales.

Oklahoma’s liquor laws have come a long way in a matter of years.

By Miguel Rios Mar 11, 2020

News county news liquor laws liquor law alcohol law Oklahoma County liquor liquor stores alcohol Alcoholmanac Question 792 Retail Liquor Association of Oklahoma Bryan Kerr House Bill 2325 customer consumer convenience Lisette Barnes Oklahoma Beer Alliance Moore Liquor Tulsa County Cleveland County Muskogee County Creek County Kingfisher County Washington County

Cover: Governor’s fight

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s ongoing dispute with Oklahoma’s tribal nations continues to unfold without much support from his allies.

Seven months ago, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced his plans to negotiate a new tribal gaming compact through an op-ed in Tulsa World.

By Miguel Rios Feb 28, 2020

News news Kevin Stitt Matthew Morgan tribes Native American tribal nations tribal casinos gaming compact gaming compact dispute Scott Meacham William Norman Jr. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chuck Hoskin Bill Anoatubby Gary Batton Cherokee Nation Chickasaw Nation Choctaw Nation Perkins Cole Citizen Potawatomi Nation Muscogee (Creek) Nation Quapaw Nation Delaware Nation Comanche Nation Seminole Nation Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Otoe-Missouria Tribe Timothy DeGiusti Layn Phillips Tulsa World Model Tribal Gaming Compact -Tribal Gaming Act Class III tribal leaders Five Civilized Tribes Lisa Billy Mike Hunter Charles McCall casinos casino gaming United for Oklahoma Anadarko Canton Durant tribal contributions education infrastructure emergency services law enforcement hospitals rural Oklahoma Kyle Dean Native American & Urban Studies

Serious challenger

A former journalist presents the biggest challenge to Sen. Jim Inhofe’s seat in over a decade.

Abby Broyles has spent most of her life either wanting to be a journalist or being one.

By Miguel Rios Feb 26, 2020

News election news senate seat national news senate senate race senator senate election Abby Broyles KFOR Jim Inhofe U.S. Senate US Senate Midwest City journalist attorney health care health insurance rural hospitals student loan debt higher education cannabis mental health farmers immigration DACA dreamers border

Black state

Oklahoma has a long, rich history of successful black communities, but much of its black history has been hidden and left out of textbooks.

Before statehood, Oklahoma was seen nationally as a promised land for black people.

By Miguel Rios Feb 21, 2020

Edward McCabe Langston Tulsa Race Massacre 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tulsa Race Riot Greenwood Cultural Center Greenwood District Tulsa Mechelle Brown Black Wall Street Dick Rowland Sarah Page Buck Franklin Jim Crow laws Senate Bill One Ada Lois Sipuel Clara Luper George Henderson University of Oklahoma sundown towns Norman Human Rights Commission Barbara Henderson

2020 state

Oklahoma Gazette talked with House Minority Leader Emily Virgin to get her response to the governor’s State of the State address.

The governor's FY 2021 executive budget is attached below. Gov. Kevin Stitt kicked off the 2020 legislative session last week by delivering his second State of the State address, discussing education, health care, the disagreement with tribes on casino gambling and criminal justice reform.

By Miguel Rios Feb 12, 2020

News Capitol news news Oklahoma Capitol governor Kevin Stitt House of Representatives Minority Leader Emily Virgin legislative sessio Legislature 2020 session education health care tribe gaming compact criminal justice reform Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Medicaid expansion block grant Healthy Adult Opportunity private schools public schools Washington DC DC Donald Trump Model Gaming Compact tribal sovereignty Oklahoma Legislature Developmental Disability Services Digital Transformation Fund Department of Public Safety REAL ID OSU Medical Authority Veterans Administration bureaucracy red tape Department of Corrections Pardon and Parole Board Office of Emergency Management Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Department of Transportation Joe Newhouse Senate Senator 2020 session Rainy Day Fund

Animal companions

More than 20 organizations are working on a statewide initiative to increase Oklahoma’s animal shelter save rate significantly over the next five years.

Common Bonds is made up of about 25 organizations with the shared goal of increasing the state’s animal save rate to 90 percent.

By Miguel Rios Jan 30, 2020

News Common Bonds news wide initiative animal welfare animal wellbeing pet wellbeing animal shelters save rate euthanasia live release rate no-kill shelters Kelly Burley Save Lives. Unite Oklahoma. Best Friends Animal Society adoption Brent Toellner Jonathan Gary Jon Gary MAPS 4 animal shelter

Oklahoma justice

Following major moves to reduce the state’s prison population, Oklahomans continue pushing to further reform the state’s criminal justice system.

Oklahomans continue pushing for legislation to lower the state’s prison population and prevent people from entering into the criminal system in the first place.

By Miguel Rios Jan 22, 2020

criminal justice reform criminal justice mass commutation Damion Shade Oklahoma Policy Institute House Bill 2286 parole Question 780 SQ780 Nicole McAfee ACLU of Oklahoma American Civil Liberties Union Criminal Justice Reentry Supervision Treatment and Opportunity Reform RESTORE RESTORE Task Force OK Policy sentencing reform Oklahomans for Sentencing Reform nonviolent offenders House Bill 2009 sentence enhancements incarceration

Sentencing reform

Signatures are being collected for a ballot initiative that would prohibit sentence enhancements in nonviolent cases.

Criminal justice reform advocates want to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to prohibit sentence enhancements based on previous felonies for nonviolent offenders.

By Miguel Rios Jan 9, 2020

News ballot initiative Question Question 805 SQ805 Oklahoma Constitution sentence enhancements criminal justice criminal justice system criminal justice reform Oklahoma Statute nonviolent offenders Oklahomans for Sentencing Reform Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform OCJR Kris Steele FWD.us incarceration incarceration crisis Kevin Stitt District Attorneys Gene Rainbolt Roy Williams Rev. Dr. Ray Owens Ryan Kiesel Mike Neal Tom Ward Sue Ann Arnall Arnall Family Foundation Oklahoma County jail trust jail trust ACLU of Oklahoma