It caught the New York Times’ attention (paywall) in 2023, the little town in Oklahoma created on the back of Airbnb.

It’s the cabin capital of the Sooner State if not the entire Southern Plains region. It’s Hochatown, near Broken Bow in southeastern Oklahoma — and it’s turning into our version of Gulf Shores.

Minus the beaches.

Our version of Branson.

Minus the singing acts.

We rented a cabin last weekend as part of a birthday celebration for my stepdaughter and her friend, who share the same birthdate.

It had been a few years since my wife and I had stayed in a Beaver’s Bend cabin. It was definitely pre-pandemic. While it was beautiful then, there wasn’t nearly as many people there then as there are now.

The pizza place, “Grateful Head,” was packed on a Friday night. We ordered takeout pies. It took an hour and 45-minutes to get our supreme, pepperoni and cheese pizzas with salad — and I assure you the employees there were moving full speed. It was hustle city. The guy who rang us up had been there for 12 hours, but the smile on his face from a great day of business was palpable.

I know that most of you have probably been to southeastern Oklahoma at least once over the past couple of years, so I’m not breaking any news here — but if you haven’t been, it’s probably way nicer than you’re expecting.

And it tells a tremendous story about Oklahoma tourism and its future.

Message me anytime at [email protected].

***

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Last day without rain chances for a while.

🌡️ Wednesday's high in OKC 78°
🌡️ Wednesday’s high in Tulsa 79°

By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Over 680,000 Oklahomans could have their food assistance benefits cut off next week if the federal government shutdown doesn’t end, state leaders said Tuesday. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified state leaders that federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be suspended beginning Nov. 1 if Congress has not reached an agreement to fund the program also known as food stamps. 

“I think there is a real concern on what that looks like from a hunger security perspective, from a malnutrition perspective, from a vulnerable adult or child perspective, in the month of November because you’re talking about significant impacts to over 600,000 Oklahomans,” said Jeffrey Cartmell, Oklahoma Department of Human Services director. His agency administers Oklahoma’s program.

Cartmell said beneficiaries who currently have SNAP funds for October can continue to use those through the end of the month, but the agency doesn’t know if any carryover funds can be used in November nor if funds will be retroactively available once the shutdown ends. 

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 because Congress failed to find a bipartisan path forward on a stopgap spending bill by the start of the federal fiscal year. A Republican proposal seeks to temporarily keep the government open through Nov. 21. Democrats back a separate plan to permanently restore health subsidies for those who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. 

Cartmell said communication from Oklahoma Human Services about the cuts was set to be sent to SNAP beneficiaries on Tuesday. 

Jessica Dietrich, director of government relations and public policy for Hunger Free Oklahoma, said there is a lot of anxiety about SNAP funding, especially because no one knows the answers to beneficiaries’ questions. 

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After 20 years leading hundreds of benefit meetings across Oklahoma, I’ve seen how employees tune out when things get too complex — and that’s where real dollars are lost.

At Bigbie Insurance & Benefits, we make renewals clear, personal, and human again — helping employers cut through the noise so their people actually understand their benefits.

For more information: [Start a Conversation] or [Info + Watch]

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On the latest Bedlam Buds podcast, Oklahoma Memo founder Ryan Welton (OU) and Jeremy Cook (OSU) broke down a pivotal weekend for both state flagships: Oklahoma’s 26–7 road win—fueled by a stingy defense and a revived running game—and Oklahoma State’s closer-than-it-looked 49–17 loss to Cincinnati that turned on two brutal fourth-quarter swings.

Welton said his postgame view of OU’s offense improved after a second look at the numbers. Quarterback John Mateer posted an 87.5 QBR—“above average” by most benchmarks—while the ground game finally popped: Tory Blaylock ran 19 times for 101 yards and Xavier Robinson added 58. The Sooners didn’t take many deep shots, which Welton attributed to Mateer’s apparent discomfort on longer throws, but the unit sustained drives and protected a defense that “is top-tier right now.”

Co-host Cook agreed: the offense did “just enough” to control tempo and let Brent Venables’ defense take over. That formula, they argued, is OU’s clearest path as the Sooners host Ole Miss—a matchup that could flip on explosive plays. If Oklahoma keeps the Rebels under 24, Welton likes the Sooners’ chances. If it turns into a track meet, OU may need those missing deep shots to land.

For Oklahoma State, Cook described a night that pivoted twice early in the fourth quarter. Down 28–17 with momentum building, OSU had Cincinnati at 3rd-and-16 deep in Bearcats territory; the conversion set up a score. On the next drive, the Cowboys pushed inside the 20 before a 100-yard interception return erased points and hope. Up to that point, the game and stats were largely even, Cook said, and RB Rodney Fields Jr. was a revelation: 163 yards on 21 carries (7.8 YPC). The late avalanche turned a one-score fight into a lopsided final.

Looking ahead, the Buds see progress as OSU’s north star. Heading to Texas Tech, Cook isn’t focused on the outcome as much as replicating Fields’ burst, cleaning up drops, and stacking competent quarterback play.

Beyond college football, the episode hit quick notes on the Thunder—praising Mark Daigneault’s rotation chops and a roster that buys into roles—and a World Series where the Dodgers’ depth and chemistry feel “inevitable” against Toronto, rust permitting.

What’s next

Have a pick or a hot take? The Buds want your comment—and an occasional guest fan—on future episodes. Message me anytime at [email protected].

🎧 LISTEN: Spotify | Apple | YouTube

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

• Judge rules lawsuit over Ryan Walters' alleged violations of Open Meeting Act can continue (The Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma's new superintendent clarifies end of controversial education policies (KOSU)

• Two sets of remains exhumed in Oaklawn as Tulsa Race Massacre graves search resumes (Tulsa World)

• New Oklahoma law toughening DUI penalties takes effect Nov. 1. Here's what will change. (The Oklahoman)

• 17-year-old boy dies after taking off-duty officer’s gun, shooting himself at Tulsa Boys' Home (News On 6)

• 211 hotlines call on Oklahoma lawmakers for state funding (The Frontier)

• Base Oklahoma Legislature pay held flat again, but leaders get stipend hikes (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma legislative salaries to stay the same, for now (Oklahoma Voice)

• Protections for the lesser prairie chicken have ended. What does that mean for Oklahoma's population? (KOSU)

• Parole board seeks binding opinion on medical parole statute (Oklahoma Watch)

• Oklahoma Health Care Authority appoints Melissa Miller as state Medicaid director (KGOU)

• ‘So complicated’: Uncommon Ground art park secures more public funding as Edmond questions remain (NonDoc)

• Berry Tramel: Thunder begins defense of title with a chance to become a legendary team (Tulsa World)*

• So you want to be a Thunder fan in Tulsa. It’ll cost you about $700 to watch (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• OSSAA announces future plans for state basketball, wrestling tournaments (Tulsa World)

• Caddo, Texas leaders reach agreement to protect tribal nation's ancestral sites (KOSU)

The ‘Oklahoma Memo’ mission is simple: Reignite the daily local news habit by connecting Oklahomans and those who love Oklahoma to quality sources of news and vetted information.

✅ Save you time.
✅ Make you smarter.
✅ Protect Democracy.