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Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 • Sunny, and much warmer. Upper 40s. ☀️
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In today’s Memo:
Tulsa MLK Parade: More than 125 groups marched through Greenwood for Tulsa’s 47th MLK Day Parade — one of the nation’s largest — under the theme “New Day. Same Dream,” despite near-freezing temps.
Local control at risk: A stalled Oklahoma bill would limit cities’ power to block controversial developments, fueling concerns that lawmakers are siding with developers over residents.
TOP STORY:
Tulsa’s MLK Day Parade celebrates a ‘New Day. Same Dream.’
A scene from the 2026 MLK Day Parade Jan. 19, 2026. More than 125 participants took part in the 47th annual parade that had a theme of “New Day. Same Dream.” (PHOTO by Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer)
By Tim Landes, Tulsa Flyer
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Tulsa’s 47th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade was held Monday in the Historic Greenwood District. The motto for this year’s event was “New Day. Same Dream.”
There were more than 125 participants ranging from businesses, churches, dance troupes, nonprofits, schools and more. Hundreds of people waved and tossed candy to bundled up paradgoers lining the streets as the temperature hovered around 30 degrees.
According to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society, Tulsa hosts the third largest MLK Day Parade in the nation.
Oklahoma bill raises the question: Are lawmakers champions of local residents or developers?
Photo by Samuel Cruz on Unsplash
By Janelle Stecklein, Oklahoma Voice
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I’ve been watching with considerable interest as hundreds of Broken Arrow residents fight against a plan that would rezone a parcel of agricultural land to make way for a proposed mosque and retail development in their community.
It’s not the project itself that’s captured my interest. It’s the fact that this is the second such high profile fight pitting developers against residents in just a few months.
Late last year, Edmond residents were fighting against a developer who wanted to build a Walmart on a piece of undeveloped land in the north part of the city. The Walmart developer plans to erect a neighborhood market on a busy two-lane road that already suffers from traffic congestion and flooding. The store would sit alarmingly close to an existing housing development and is not far from a major natural gas junction.
It was during that Edmond fight that I learned about Senate Bill 647, which would weaken a city’s ability to deny developments, neuter the input of residents and voters and empower developers to get their way regardless of whether their project is welcome or a good fit.
The Republican-led measure was one of those bills that flew under the radar during the 2025 session, but alarmingly cleared both legislative chambers. It would have made it to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk but for the fact that, thankfully, the House and the Senate could not agree on the final language.
Insultingly, the measure contains a clause that “decisions on land use application shall not be based solely upon the presence, numbers or magnitude of opposition or protests in the absence of objective and relevant facts.”
Quick national links:
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
Norway’s PM says Trump sent letter tying Nobel prize snub to Greenland ambitions (Politico)
‘The struggle continues’: MLK Day celebrated amid tense political climate (The Guardian)
Jerome Powell to attend Supreme Court arguments in case on Trump's power to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook (NBC News)
'Severe' geomagnetic storm could make northern lights visible in southern US (ABC News)
Indiana caps magical, undefeated season with college football title (ESPN)
The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:
• Timeline: Significant winter storm expected to bring heavy snow across Oklahoma this weekend (KOCO)
• Tulsa celebrates 47th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade (2 News Oklahoma)
• Photos: Tulsans observe a new day with the same dream at the MLK Parade (Tulsa World)*
• Oklahoma City honors Martin Luther King Jr. with silent march, annual parade (KOCO)
• Annual MLK Day parade powers through cold weather, celebrates legacy (The Oklahoman)*
• Legendary KVOO radio DJ Billy Parker dies at 88, shaped country music for decades (News On 6)
• Hern announces re-election bid, ending TU speculation (Tulsa World)*
• Russell Ray enters Corporation Commission race (Tulsa World)*
• Oklahoma legislator files bill to repeal state teacher salary minimums (KSWO)
• #oklaed roundup: Epic investigation, PTPLA termination, trial continuation and retention legislation (NonDoc)
• Jay man pleads guilty to threatening Congressman Josh Brecheen (Tulsa World)*
• Healdton firefighters looking for information about recent grass fires (KXII)
• OBI asking for donations amid region-wide blood shortage (News On 6)
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