🧵 To cut costs, the Oklahoma County jail terminated a contract for 'safety checkers' who checked on detainees. There are now just 74 detention officers monitoring an avg. of 1,500 detainees. That's a 45% drop in DOs since late Aug.
www.readfrontier.org/stories/okla...
It will be up to detention officers at the understaffed jail to monitor detainees as county officials look to cut costs. The jail is “running with a skeleton crew,” an administrator said earlier this year.
Three first-place awards recognized The Frontier’s in-depth coverage of environmental violations, illicit marijuana networks and gaps in care for vulnerable Oklahomans.
Nearly 50 immigration bills were filed in Oklahoma this year.
Most are dead.
The ones still moving forward target:
• in-state tuition
• welfare benefits
• foreign land ownership
We break it down:
The Pardon and Parole Board rejects recommending clemency for a man sentenced to death for killing his ex-girlfriend and her baby in 2007.
Dozens of bills targeting illegal immigration did not advance this legislative session, but a few proposals have survived.
One of the companies behind a planned Oklahoma smelter has a history of air pollution violations
www.readfrontier.org/stories/one-...
Century Aluminum wants to build a new smelter in Oklahoma.
In other states:
• Residents reported headaches, nosebleeds
• Regulators cited pollution violations
• The company paid to settle claims
Now Inola residents are raising concerns.
Our latest:
Data centers are still coming to Tulsa.
But momentum has hit a pause. Listen to our podcast to find out what happens next.
The Pardon and Parole Board rejects recommending clemency for a man sentenced to death for killing his ex-girlfriend and her baby in 2007.
On this episode of Listen Frontier, we’re talking with Tulsa City Councilors Phil Lakin and Laura Bellis about why they supported the moratorium, what questions still need answers, and what it would take for them to feel comfortable moving forward with data center development in Tulsa.
Join us virtually April 28 for a discussion on how failures to properly regulate oilfield wastewater disposal now threaten public health and the environment.
Abill that would create state oversight of homeless shelters and several other measures addressing housing and homelessness have survived a key deadline in the Oklahoma Legislature.
Tulsa city officials are blocking access to records that could answer basic questions about events leading up to detainee deaths.
Some funding for mental health services has been restored since state officials announced millions in spending cuts last year. But providers say they have still had to reduce services and seek funding elsewhere to fill budget gaps.
After George Floyd’s murder, national bail funds routed millions to a small OKC protest group. An indictment alleges the Rev. T. Sheri Dickerson spent donations on houses and travel. The charges come as progressive groups face increased scrutiny under the Trump administration.
Story linked below.
“I think when the Department of Mental Health makes these cuts, sometimes they don’t realize the domino effect that organizations have to deal with,” said Mental Health Association Oklahoma CEO Carrie Blumert.
After the state mental health agency slashed contracts to address overspending, nonprofits say they’ve had to eliminate programs and scramble for new funding.
How millions raised for Black Lives Matter OKC ended up in one woman’s bank account. | via @briokc.bsky.social
How millions raised for Black Lives Matter OKC ended up in one woman’s bank account | via @briokc.bsky.social
In the weeks after George Floyd’s murder, national bail funds routed millions to a small Oklahoma City protest group. A federal indictment now alleges the Rev. T. Sheri Dickerson spent donations on houses and travel.
When he was an officer for the Clinton Police Department, Emanuel Ruiz allegedly lied in court and kept expensive equipment after leaving the department. He later got a job as a police officer in Weatherford, where he's now accused of beating a man during a traffic stop in 2024.
Hey everyone. @readfrontier.bsky.social is nearing our 11th anniversary. I would be lying if I said I thought that was likely back when we launched.
You all know the situation journalism is in. But our newsroom is growing. Our budget is growing. I think we've hit on a model that works.
So...
Great reporting from @readfrontier.bsky.social about the state law blocking access to basic police employment history data in Oklahoma.
It's one of just a handful of states where @invisible.institute hasn't been able to access data for the National Police Index.
Like most other members of Congress, Sen. Markwayne Mullin has a leadership PAC.
Unlike most other members of Congress, most of his PAC's spending hasn't been on political contributions.
@readfrontier.bsky.social examines where the money has gone instead
www.readfrontier.org/stories/mark...
