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 […]
Carrie Blumert
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Seeking justice
Julius Jones has spent nearly half of his life on death row. He was convicted for the 1999 murder of Paul Howell but always maintained his innocence and has now filed for clemency. He cites his innocence, inadequate representation and racism as the reasons for requesting commutation, a type of clemency. “I have spent the […]
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Dream state
The future of thousands of Oklahomans is at stake. Nov. 12, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear arguments over Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which gives roughly 700,000 immigrants work permits, social security numbers and relief from the threat of deportation. Plaintiffs are suing president Donald Trump’s administration over its decision […]
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Powerful women
Before flipping Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional district, Kendra Horn served as executive director of Sally’s List. She helped recruit and train women who considered running for elected positions before jumping into the mix herself. “Sometimes you have to take your own advice,” she previously told Oklahoma Gazette. “I was hearing woman after woman tell me that […]
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Trust discussions
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 […]
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Meeting agendas
MAPS 4 public meetings 9 a.m. various dates Oklahoma City Hall 200 N. Walker Ave.
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Public trust
County commissioners unanimously voted last week to create Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, a trust to oversee the Oklahoma County jail’s operations and finances. They also appointed trustees, including District 3 commissioner Kevin Calvey. While there are still many questions about how the jail trust will work, whether the sheriff’s office will continue operating the […]
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One OKC
One of the newest city council members is making history and giving a voice to people who have gone without representation at the city level. Ward 2 councilman James Cooper is the first openly gay member of the council, first biracial representative, first black representative outside Ward 7 and the first teacher on the council […]
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Voices heard
Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office recently announced its intent to form a citizens advisory board (CAB). The board will advise the sheriff’s office with regard to “community-police relations and best practices,” according to a press release. Members of Voices Organized in Civic Engagement (VOICE), a coalition of churches, nonprofits and schools, came up with the idea […]
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Jail suits
Recently elected Oklahoma County’s District 1 commissioner, Carrie Blumert ran for office after learning about the number of deaths in the county jail. Now, she’s hoping to provide as much information to the public as possible to pave the way for change. “That’s been a big focal point for me during the campaign, and now […]