What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Tuesday, August 19, and I’m officially in Chicago for the week. That’s right, I’m in the Windy City for LMA Fest 2025, a conference of Local Media Association.

But on Monday, Chicago was more like Stormy City. This radar image from right when we landed is more like something we’re used to in Oklahoma!

And I saw that it stormed tonight back home as well, at least in the western part of the state.

Speaking of stormy, have you read about what’s happening in Okemah? This is from Okemah News Leader, and it’s a big story. Here’s the headline: “Drummond responds to request in Okemah with unprecedented deployment of state agents.”

Here’s what you need to know about what’s happening in Okemah:

• Okemah Police Department crisis — Five police officers, including the police chief, resigned or were terminated, leaving the city without a functioning police force.

• Attorney General Gentner Drummond intervention — The Oklahoma Attorney General deployed agents from his office to provide law enforcement services in Okemah.

• Temporary policing solution — State agents will patrol Okemah and maintain law and order until the city can recruit and hire enough new police officers.

• Return to local control planned — The Attorney General’s Office will work with Okemah city officials to transition policing duties back once the local police department is fully staffed again.

Eden Jones from News On 6 also did a story from Okemah on Monday night.

You can message me anytime at [email protected].

Weather Update ☀️

Dangerous heat on Tuesday.

🌡️ Tuesday's high in OKC 96°
🌡️ Tuesday’s high in Tulsa 98°

Oklahoma scholarship program for single parents awards most recipients to date

By Audrey McClour, KGOU
Click here to read the story.
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The Oklahoma Single Parent Scholarship Program held an award ceremony this weekend to help single parents stay in college. 48 single parents received $1,200 in flexible funds to be used for school expenses or life necessities.

The Oklahoma Single Parent Scholarship Program is a volunteer-led nonprofit with the goal of helping low-income single parents gain self-sufficiency through postsecondary education.

On Sunday, the program awarded the largest number of recipients ever for one semester. Ellen Ingram, one of the program’s founders, said the program has the potential to change the trajectory of families for generations.

“What our research shows is that every scholarship they receive has a dramatic and almost immediate impact on their post-graduation salaries,” Ingram said. “Changing that changes the outcome of those kids.”

The recipients are all full-time students raising children alone while struggling to make ends meet. After the ceremony, some recipients shared their stories of balancing parenting, school and working.

Click here to finish the story.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Integris security officer killed at hospital; gunman slain by police (Enid News & Eagle)

• Security guard's 'selfless actions' led him to confront suspect during Enid hospital shooting (KOCO)

• Oklahoma AG signs letter questioning legality of net-zero carbon emissions standard (Oklahoma Voice)

• Woman ‘shoved’ by Edmond officer at jail files lawsuit over ‘objectively unreasonable’ broken leg (NonDoc)

• Former Moore athletic facilitator charged with embezzlement, accused of gambling school funds (The Oklahoman)

• Report finds California’s insurance regulations cheaper than Oklahoma’s (Oklahoma Watch)

• Person of interest found in Arkansas; questioned on Lincoln Co. death (KFOR)

• Protesters criticize Lankford 's lack of accessibility outside private luncheon (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Fatal work zone crash on I-35 reminds dangers of drowsy driving (Guthrie News Page)

• Key to Home successfully houses 45 people living along OKC's General Pershing Blvd (KOSU)

• Despite tribal citizenship, traffic tickets for Freedmen descendants to remain in city court (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Another OKC brewery announced its closure: What we know (The Oklahoman)

• Woodward County leaders successful in striking wind development on public land (Woodward News)

• Central, Webster alumni speak against proposed mascot branding policy at TPS board meeting (Tulsa World)

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Today’s photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash