Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 • Sunny and a dab cooler, but still warm. ☀️

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In today’s Memo:

By Jake Ramsey, Oklahoma Watch
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Years ago, Reese Hundley learned firsthand what it felt like to be homeless.

After finding black mold in his rental property, Hundley packed up and left the property with his wife and their child. During that time, Hundley and his family stayed with relatives, but the emotional stress of not knowing where they would live opened Hundley’s eyes: homelessness was often not a personal failing; it could happen to anybody.

“It stuck with me how easy it was for people to become homeless,” Hundley said. “Every single one of us is one event away from homelessness.”

Hundley is now a teacher at Vanguard Academy High School in Broken Arrow, a suburb of Tulsa, where 9% of residents live in poverty, compared to the state average of 14.9%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Last spring, a representative from the City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma, a nonprofit homeless support group, visited the school and spoke with the students about ways to prevent homelessness.

Inspired by City Lights and his own experience, Hundley approached Vanguard Academy administrators with an idea. Ultimately, he wanted students to learn about the reality of homelessness while helping create solutions.

Click here to read the full story.

By Tim Landes, Tulsa Flyer
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We’ve got the scoop on your weekend. Here’s the Flyer’s top five.

Tulsey Town Two-Step

7:15 p.m. Friday

VFW Post #577, 1109 E. 6th St., hosts an evening of classic country music from Cactus Blossoms and dancing for all ages. One doesn’t need to know how to two-step or waltz to take part, with lessons provided to attendees. 

Windchimes & Wine Class

10 a.m. to noon Saturday

Sip on wine as you unleash your creativity in a fun and laid-back atmosphere as Garden Deva instructors lead a windchime workshop. Pre-registration is required to secure your spot in this popular class, so don’t wait to sign up.

Bobby Eaton and the Eaton Out Band

9 p.m. Saturday

Bobby Eaton is back and bad as ever with his “Eaton Out Band,” which takes over LowDown for a full night of soul, R&B and funk sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s. The first show quickly sold out, so a second performance has been added.

WHiRLiGiG at Thelma’s Peach

9 p.m. Saturday

It’s a musical evening of post-Christmas and pre-New Year’s Eve festivities at the Kendall-Whittier music venue. 

Hot Chocolate Social 

6 to 8 p.m. Sunday

Warm up with your pup at Tails & Ales Hot Chocolate Social. There will be fire pits and heaters on the patio, a cozy hot chocolate station with fun toppings and a full bar for seasonal cocktails, beer and wine.

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

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

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

• Thunder 'failed' to solve Spurs riddle on Christmas as OKC falls to 0-3 vs San Antonio (The Oklahoman)*

• Surprise military homecoming brings Christmas miracle to Thunder game (KOCO)

• 'Santa loves you. Santa loves Oklahoma,' President Trump tells child during Christmas Eve call (KOCO)

• FBI report in released Epstein files linked to Kiefer suicide (Tulsa World)*

• Tulsa on track for warmest Christmas in recorded history (Tulsa World)*

• Oklahoma teen credits faith with recovery from 2024 Christmas Eve crash (News 9)

• Where you can celebrate Kwanzaa and other winter holidays in Tulsa (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Black Wall Street license plates supporting Juneteenth festival now available for motorcyclists (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• ‘Music lives here': From Bob Wills to Red Dirt, Cain’s Ballroom endures in Tulsa (News On 6)

• Newcastle police seek help identifying armed burglary suspects (KFOR)

• 1 dead following shooting in Stephens County, authorities investigate (KSWO)

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