My favorite holidays are Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day, the former because it’s a time for gratitude and the latter because it’s a time for reflection and refreshment. And I’m grateful this year, especially for the accomplishment of getting Oklahoma Memo off the ground.

To be clear, it’s very small.

But I’ve learned a ton about the independent journalist journey and the world of news creators — and somehow I’m doing well enough that 860+ of you are subscribed. THANK YOU!

I’ll address my thoughts about what’s worked this year and what hasn’t in a New Year’s Eve post, and then my Oklahoma Memo plans for 2026 in the first edition of the new year.

But I want you to know that my door is always open for feedback. In fact, I’d be downright grateful to receive it.

✅ What you like, and what you don’t.
✅ What you want to see more of.
✅ What would be super useful to you daily.
✅ What would make this a truly must-open newsletter.

The email is [email protected].

Our cover photo today is from Megan Watson on Unsplash.

By Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa, Oklahoma Voice
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WASHINGTON — Two National Guard members from West Virginia were in critical condition Wednesday evening after being shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., officials said.

FBI Director Kash Patel, a Metropolitan Police Department leader and Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized during a press conference the investigation was in the preliminary stages, but said the shooting was “targeted” and that one suspect, who was also shot, was in custody. 

“At approximately 2:15 this afternoon, members of the D.C. National Guard were on high visibility patrols in the area of 17th and I Street Northwest when a suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged at the National Guard members,” MPD Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll said. 

“There were other (National Guard) members that were in the area. They were able to, after some back and forth … subdue the individual and bring them into custody,” Carroll added. “Within moments, members of law enforcement in the area were also able to assist and bring that individual into custody.”

Carroll said there were no other suspects at the time of the press conference, in the early evening, and that law enforcement officials had reviewed video footage from the area where the shooting took place. 

“It appears, like I said, to be a lone gunman that raised the firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard, and he was quickly taken into custody by other National Guard members and law enforcement members,” he said. 

The guardsmen were armed, but Carroll said investigators had not yet determined if they shot back or how the suspect, whom he did not name, was shot. 

“At this point, we’re still investigating exactly who shot the individual. It’s not clear at this time,” he said. 

Click here to finish the story.

By Ryan Welton & Jeremy Cook, Oklahoma Memo
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Thanksgiving took center stage on the latest episode of Bedlam Buds, as Ryan and Jeremy ditched football talk to rank their favorite holiday foods — and things got opinionated quickly.

Listeners are invited to weigh in with their own favorites — especially the weird ones — for a possible follow-up episode.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? Leave a comment on the YouTube video or message me at [email protected].

This conversation is available on YouTube and wherever you get podcasts. Please subscribe, follow, and leave ‘Oklahoma Memo’ a 5-star review to help the podcast reach more people.

Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.

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

• These Tulsa-area restaurants are open Thanksgiving Day (Tulsa Flyer)

• What is open on Thanksgiving in OKC? (News 9)

• Two memorial services scheduled for Tulsa Race Massacre survivor Viola Fletcher (Tulsa World)*

• Former Oklahoma state parks restaurant operator now facing lawsuit (The Oklahoman)*

• Stallings recuses from EPIC case after defense attorney backs her judicial opponent (NonDoc)

• Gravesite mismanagement forces 2 Cheyenne and Arapaho children to remain at former Carlisle boarding school (KOSU)

• Thousands of migrating cranes will stop at an Oklahoma wildlife refuge this fall. Here's how to see them (KGOU)

• Dementia caregiver course offers practical guidance for supporting loved ones (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 40 points while ill, leads Thunder to 10th straight win (KOCO)

A dab warmer, but will get much colder this weekend!

🌡️ Thursday's high in OKC 55°
🌡️ Thursday’s high in Tulsa 53°

Black Friday is here, but these deals won’t last long! Shop Medik8 and save 30% off your must-have products*

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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.
✅ Strengthen your community.

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Message me anytime at [email protected].