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Measles exposure in OKC, reproductive health care education — and an NYC helicopter crash update

This is your round-up of the best in Oklahoma journalism for April 11, 2025

What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is April 11, and here are a few quickies:

NYC sightseeing helicopter plunges into river, killing 6, including family of Spanish tourists

Day 2 of the 2025 Masters. Click here for Friday tee times.

Tariff anxiety fuels slide in stock futures. Click here for live updates.

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Weather Update ☀️

This is a call-out-of-work Friday if there ever was one!

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 74°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 72°

Allergy Report for April 11 🤧

Tree pollen will be Very high today.
Grass pollen will be high.
Ragweed pollen won’t be an issue.

For more depth on Friday’s allergy news, click here.

How one group is educating Oklahomans on reproductive health care amid state abortion ban

A crowd gathers Jan. 23 at Circle Cinema in Tulsa for a repro46 launch event. PHOTO by Lily Siemens

By Jillian Taylor, StateImpact Oklahoma
Click here to read the story.
Donate to KGOU.

Magon Hoffman said she never saw herself as someone who would choose to terminate a pregnancy.

In 2022, the Oklahoma City resident went through fertility treatment to conceive her second daughter, Lottie. She said she was excited.

But around 14 weeks, Hoffman said she woke up bleeding. What she worried was a miscarriage turned out to be a large blood clot that had developed because a portion of her placenta had lifted from her cervix. She said this basically put her on bed rest for weeks.

Later, Hoffman received news at her anatomy scan that Lottie had anencephaly, meaning her brain and skull never developed. She was told there was no chance of survival and said she was given two options: carry to term and deliver in Oklahoma – risking Hoffman's health and watching her daughter die – or leave the state to terminate the pregnancy.

When Oklahoma providers combed through the state’s laws at the time, Hoffman said they determined they could only read off a list of abortion clinics to her – a list she already had found online. She traveled to New Mexico and spent about $6,000 to end her pregnancy.

Over time, and with support, Hoffman gathered the courage to tell her story.

Bill to increase funding for fixing Oklahoma’s abandoned wells advances

An abandoned well in Oklahoma. PHOTO from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

By Chloe Bennett-Steele, StateImpact Oklahoma
Click to read the story.
Donate to KGOU.

The Senate Energy Committee passed the proposed legislation in a Thursday meeting.

In an effort to address tens of thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells statewide, lawmakers in the Oklahoma legislature are considering a bill to increase funds to plug them.

The state uses an excise tax on oil and gas producers to cap the wells with the help of private contractors. House Bill 1370 adjusts the plugging fund with the hope of expanding it from around $2.5 million annually to up to $20 million, said state Sen. Grant Green (R-Wellston), who co-authored the bill with Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow).

It now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Click to finish the story.

OSDH identifies potential measles exposure site in OKC connected to confirmed case

By Xavier Richardson, KFOR
Click to read the story.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma State Department of Health has identified a grocery store in northwest Oklahoma City as a potential exposure site connected to a confirmed measles case.

OSDH says anyone who visited the Aldi Grocery Store at 6965 NW Expressway on April 6 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. may have been exposed.

Come see KOSU in Stillwater!

KOSU is partnering with Red Dirt Relief Fund each day before the Cross Canadian Ragweed stadium concert to feature Oklahoma singer-songwriters play live in Eskimo Joe’s parking lot. Featured musicians include Hosty, Cassie Latshaw, Jacob Tovar, Monica Taylor and Red Dirt Rangers, among others.

The event takes place Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. It’s all ages and open to the public.

More info about that event can be found on KOSU’s events calendar.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A concise summary of the latest news from across the state.

• The Boys from Oklahoma concert event is set to kick off. What you need to know (KOCO)

• LIVE COVERAGE: Thousands gather in Stillwater for 'The Boys from Oklahoma' concert (News 9)

• Bill to trigger Oklahoma tax cuts moves closer to law (Tulsa World)

• Stitt: Order addresses 'rumors' about costly contractors replacing state employees (Tulsa World)

• Tulsans finding unique ways to combat rising prices, plan for tariffs (2 News Oklahoma)

• Motorcycle rider killed in crash with Tulsa school bus at South Harvard & E. 56th St. (News On 6)

• FOX23 Investigates: Concerns about broken escalators at Woodland Hills Mall (Fox 23)

• New renewable natural gas facility in Sand Springs to transform waste into clean energy (KTUL)

• Osage Nation Congress passes resolution to join Coalition of Large Tribes (Osage News)

• Bill disagreement leads to split vote and arguments between National Council members (Mvskoke Media)

• Trooper who saved colleague's life gets OHP award (KTEN)

• Medical insurance spikes for City of Purcell employees (Purcell Register)

• University, state leaders respond to international student visa revocations across Oklahoma (OU Daily)

• Chapel a beacon of light ahead of 30th anniversary of Oklahoma City bombing (KOCO)

• Norman's The Virtue Center grapples with sudden budget cuts (News 9)

• Peanut's story: Oklahoma toddler’s inspiring recovery after tragic fire (News 9)

• Fires Symposium wraps up in Lawton with global military, industry collaboration (KSWO)

• Stolen forklift leads law to it, guns and 2 arrests (Lawton Constitution)

SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

• Sammy Omosigho, Taylor Heim pushing for bigger roles in OU linebacker corps (Tulsa World)

• Norwegian Thunder superfan treks to Oklahoma City ahead of playoffs (KOCO)

🗣️ Story Tips, Ideas, Feedback

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