Thursday, March 5, 2026 • Low 70s, and storms late. There is a low tornado risk. ⛈️

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By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY – While an investigative audit found that the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority had broken no laws, the Legislature needs to slap some guardrails on the agency, said Oklahma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd said Wednesday.

“My team found that for the most part, OTA has acted within its legal rights,” Byrd said in releasing the first ever investigative audit of the agency. “Many of the public’s most pressing concerns about OTA can only be resolved by amending legislation.”

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond in March 2023 requested the audit of the agency, which had become a target of criticism after it announced plans for a new turnpike in the Norman area as part of a larger expansion and improvement project.

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A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:

• Lawmakers move to protect Oklahoma ratepayers from effects of data centers (Oklahoma Voice)

• 'Strike while the iron is hot': Bill to alter OSSAA fails, administrators seek change (2 News Oklahoma)

• BancFirst attempts foreclosure on The Campbell, developers allege forced default (NonDoc)

• These Iranian Tulsans are thankful for U.S. intervention in Iran (Tulsa Flyer)

• No sirens, no video: Tulsa mayor says no police footage exists of deadly shooting (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• ‘We made a mistake:' Rogers County releases wrong inmate, inmate found short time later (News On 6)

• Marietta schools first in Oklahoma to install new active shooter technology (KXII)

• Changing Oklahoma property valuation structure would create disparities, critics say (Oklahoma Voice)

• Union Public Schools using home visits to fight chronic absenteeism among students (News On 6)

• Legal roundup: Talihina Title IX suit pending, former sheriff charged, drug ‘proceeds’ conviction upheld (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma governor repeals rules allowing sex marker change on state driver's licenses (KGOU)

• Oklahoma Elder Parole Eligibility Act passes through committee (KGOU)

• City Council adds impound option to drag racing, excessive speeding enforcement (Tulsa World)*

• Coweta Casino Hotel open for business (Mvskoke Media)

• OU softball schedule adjusted for Okana Invitational due to weather (The Oklahoman)*

By Angelica Perez, Tulsa Flyer
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Matt Nelson is the lead pastor at City Church in midtown Tulsa. He’s watched the Trump administration employ what he describes as a powerful weapon: rhetoric that makes people turn immigrants into enemies instead of neighbors. 

“Jesus was not indifferent about loving your neighbor and the immigrant and we turn them into enemies because we’re now fearful of things,” Nelson said. 

It’s one of the reasons Nelson decided to join a group of more than 30 Oklahoma pastors and church representatives in signing a February letter calling for compassion toward the immigrant community. Several called on state lawmakers to take action. 

Roughly 500 individuals from across the state have signed the letter since it was released, including Edurne Pineda, head consul over the Mexican consulate’s Oklahoma City office, and Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City.

The letter comes on the heels of growing Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in Tulsa and as Oklahoma agencies sign agreements to collaborate with ICE. 

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