What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Monday, June 30, and I’m feelin’ all sorts of Red, White and Blue!

It’s an annual tradition for us — a trip to the Independence Day (ish) celebration in Newcastle. They call it the Red White & Blue Fest, and it’s always a good time. A local cover band called Drive played, and they were excellent.

Kristi made us a little picnic with chicken curry salad, and the folks at Mosquito Joe made sure we didn’t become dinner ourselves. There’s no money changing hands here, but I didn’t get a single mosquito bite and wasn’t wearing anything but a little sunscreen. Them doing that for the festival was the best ad they could have possibly bought.

Anyway, I love small town things like this.

Festivals. Carnivals. Parades. Football games.

High school football is coming up. Maybe there’s a small town that doesn’t yet have a broadcast that would like Oklahoma Memo to step in and make that happen.

Whatever is happening in your small town, all it takes is an invite — and if I can possibly make it happen, I will. My vision for Oklahoma Memo is as much about the smaller towns as it is reaching the masses.

Anyway, if you see this and you have an idea, hit me up.

Let’s have a great week!

Celebrate Independence Day 2025 in Oklahoma: Fireworks, festivals, and fun

Oklahoma is gearing up for an exciting Fourth of July week, with fireworks shows and family-friendly celebrations across the state. Whether you’re in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or one of our state’s awesome small towns, you’ll find something to make your holiday memorable.

Here’s your guide to the best events happening between June 30 and July 6, 2025. (Editor’s Note: This list was compiled with the help of AI. However, ‘Oklahoma Memo’ checked each website to make sure the events were legit.)

Oklahoma City Metro Area

Oklahoma City Philharmonic Concert & Fireworks at Scissortail Park
Date: July 3, 8:30 p.m.
Kick off your Independence Day weekend with a free concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, followed by a dazzling fireworks display at Scissortail Park. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy a night under the stars with the whole family.

This is a free concert. No ticket is required.

(Click here for more!)

OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark Star-Spangled Bash
Date: July 4, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.-plus
OKANA Resort is hosting a full day of festivities, including live performers, games, a hot dog eating contest, and a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. It’s a perfect spot for families looking for a mix of excitement and relaxation.

Cost for the bash is $69.99.

(Click here for more!)

Oklahoma City Comets Baseball & Fireworks
Date: July 4, 7:05 p.m.
Enjoy America’s favorite pastime with a baseball game at the Oklahoma City Comets stadium, followed by a brilliant postgame fireworks display. It’s a classic way to celebrate the holiday.

Good chance ‘Oklahoma Memo’ will be there!

(Click here for more!)

Frontier City Star-Spangled Nights
Date: July 4–5, 9:30 p.m.
Frontier City is lighting up the night with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. both nights, accompanied by patriotic music. The event is included with park admission, making it a great choice for thrill-seekers and families alike.

(Click here for more!)

Buck Thomas Park Fireworks Show (Moore)
Date: July 4, live music starts at 5 p.m.
Moore’s Buck Thomas Park is hosting food trucks, live music, and a grand fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. It’s a local favorite for a laid-back, festive atmosphere.

(Click here for more!)

LibertyFest (Edmond)
Date: July 4, parade at 9 a.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Edmond’s LibertyFest is a multi-day celebration featuring a parade, spectacular fireworks, and a 5K run. The 5K run is happening at 8 a.m. on July 5.

(Click here for more!)

Yukon Freedom Fest
Date: July 3–4
Yukon’s Freedom Fest offers live concerts, kids’ activities, and a massive fireworks show at 10 p.m. on July 4. The festival atmosphere is sure to delight visitors of all ages.

(Click here for more!)

Norman’s Fourth Fest at Reaves Park
Date: July 4, starts at 4 p.m.
Norman’s Reaves Park is the place to be for live music, a BBQ Smoker Smackdown, and a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Bring your appetite and your dancing shoes!

(Click here for more!)

Blanchard’s Independence Celebration
Date: July 3
Blanchard’s celebration features live music, food, helicopter rides, and fireworks at dusk. It’s a unique, small-town experience perfect for families.

(Click here for more!)

Tribute to Liberty (Midwest City)
Date: July 4, 7 to 10 p.m.
Midwest City’s Tribute to Liberty includes live music, food trucks, and a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. It’s a community-focused event with plenty of fun for everyone.

(Click here for more!)

Tulsa Metro Area

Jenks Boomfest
Date: July 4, fireworks to start around 9 p.m.
Jenks Boomfest is a beloved Tulsa-area event featuring fireworks and family activities. It’s a great spot for those looking to celebrate outside of Oklahoma City.

(Click here for more!)

Folds of Honor Freedom Fest
Date: July 4, festivities start at 6 p.m.
This patriotic event supports a great cause and features fireworks and patriotic celebrations throughout the day. The fireworks display will be carried live by News On 6 starting at 10 p.m.

(Click here for more!)

If there is a local Independence Day event not listed here, message me at [email protected], and we’ll get it added!

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Weather Update 🌩️

Storm chances in the evening. Cloudy and hot otherwise. As of Monday, July 4 is still looking dry.

🌡️ Monday's high in OKC 91°
🌡️ Monday’s high in Tulsa 89°

‘No time to plan’ for fallout of potential Medicaid cuts in Oklahoma, hospital officials say

By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
Click to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Cuts to Medicaid being considered by Congress will affect access to health care for “all Oklahomans” and harm the state economy, state hospital leaders warned Friday. 

Members of the Oklahoma Hospital Association said the proposed federal cuts to Medicaid could eliminate nearly 15,000 jobs and over the next decade reduce federal reimbursements to Oklahoma hospitals by $8.7 billion. 

“This is happening at such a breakneck speed,” said Denise Webber, president and CEO of Stillwater Medical. “There’s not ample time to plan and create a strategy that can serve Oklahomans and U.S. citizens in a manner that we can plan for.”

Cuts to Medicaid as part of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” are being considered in the U.S. Senate as part of Congress’ budget reconciliation process. The bill passed through the House, but has faced resistance in the Senate due in part to concerns about its expected negative impact on rural hospitals. Also the chamber’s parliamentarian ruled several proposed Medicaid changes can’t proceed. Senate leaders hope to vote on the bill before July 4. 

Webber said the proposed Medicaid cuts are unlike anything she’s seen in modern history. She chairs the Oklahoma Hospital Association board. “Big cuts” will have to be made for hospitals to be able to provide some services, she said. The Oklahoma Hospital Association advocates at state and federal levels on behalf of hospitals and works to promote health policy issues. 

If cuts are made because hospitals can no longer afford staff, it doesn’t only affect Medicaid patients but all Oklahomans seeking care, Webber said. 

“If we don’t have enough nurses and hospital beds and we have to put in (patient) caps, that can mean that you’ll be held kind of in a limbo land, waiting for a hospital bed,” Webber said. “And then what potentially happens, because this is happening statewide and nationwide, is we may not even understand, because I don’t believe we do, how bad that could get.”

The most expensive services, like oncology and neonatal, are likely to be cut first, she said. 

Rich Rasmussen, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Hospital Association, said the hospital group has spent time in D.C. advocating directly to Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and their staff, warning them of the potential effects of these cuts. 

If the bill were to pass and immediately affect the existing reimbursement models beginning this summer and fall, hospital boards will need to “wrestle” with the reductions, he said. 

“I think it’s something that nobody looks forward to,” Rasmussen said. “So hopefully our senators will stand in the gap for us and ensure that we aren’t hit with these types of cuts.”

Ten hospitals in Oklahoma have closed since 2005, he said. But more hospital closures, especially in rural Oklahoma, could be looming if the Senate approves the Medicaid cuts.

Stilwell Hospital announced its closure this month, raising concerns about rural health care access.

Click to finish the story.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Fake AI Audio Used in Oklahoma Democratic Party Election (Black Wall Street Times)

• Thunder championship shows power of public investment, senators say (News 9)

• Investigation underway after suspect in child's abduction dies in high-speed crash (KTUL)

• Police investigating the deaths of two people found at a Bethany residence after 911 call. (The Oklahoman)

• 1 dead, 3 detained after reported shooting in Marshall County (KTEN)

• 1 person killed in head-on collision in Bryan County (KTEN)

• 'Not good': Residents concerned about Stilwell hospital closing (2 News Oklahoma)

• Energy Secretary and Congressman say it’s time to end green energy subsidies (OK Energy Today)

• Oklahoma man sentenced to 20 years for COVID-19 relief fraud amid Colorado funeral home abuse case (KFOR)

• Body recovered from Lake Arcadia after two-day search for man (KOCO)

• Thunder signs Jaylin Williams to multi-year contract extension (News 9)

• Executive order targets food additives and fluoride to improve health (KGOU)

• Cherokee Nation earmarks $255M for Claremore health facility (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Osage Nation pulls together after devastating storm (Osage News)

• Edmond's original YMCA up for sale as construction continues on replacement branch (The Oklahoman)

• State leaders face lawsuit over creation of business courts (Oklahoma Voice)

• Leaning into tourism: Lt. Governor talks about impact for state, Ardmore (Ardmoreite)

• Moore first responders mourn death of dispatcher following cancer battle (KOCO)

• Johnston County deputies investigate after teenager is shot in Ravia (KXII)

• Oklahoma GOP leaders say open primaries are a bad idea (KOSU)

• ‘Behind the meter’ legislation sparks industrial park, data center development in Chickasha (NonDoc)

• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker exhorts unusually large turnout for Democrats' Carl Albert Dinner (Tulsa World)

• 4 new Oklahoma books to check out this June (KOSU)

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