Monday, February 9, 2026 • Incredible weather. Highs in the upper 70s! ☀️

View from your phone: We want to share your photos! Message them as attachments to [email protected], and include location and photo credit.

By Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch
Click here to support their newsroom.

In one of the most vulnerable moments of Constance Bear’s life, a caseworker handed her a packet. 

That pile of papers and minimal support from a caseworker was all she received after her children were removed from her home. A lack of communication and up-close encounters with others who had similar experiences in the child welfare system left her with no hope.

In Oklahoma, a child is legally considered deprived when they lack proper parental care, have been abused or neglected, or their home is unsafe due to issues like substance abuse or domestic violence.

Limited parent representation in deprived child cases has left many in Bear’s situation: their child has been taken, they have little help and no legal representation.

Several courts in Oklahoma struggle to find attorneys to represent parents who are indigent. And the attorneys who are assigned are often spread thin and unable to provide quality representation, let alone peer support.  

👉 Click here for the full story.

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:

• INTEGRIS Health could be ‘out-of-network’ for some Oklahomans starting March 9 (News On 6)

• Devon's HQ move raises questions about Oklahoma City’s economic future (The Oklahoman)*

• Nonprofit builds 'villages' of community, help for Black families (The Oklahoman)*

• Oklahoma lawmakers move quickly as 2026 session begins (News 9)

• 2 people found dead inside Logan County home, deputies say (KOCO)

• Tulsa police shoot and kill man with gun near 51st and Sheridan (2 News Oklahoma)

• Man with machete shot and killed by Tulsa police near Archer and Denver downtown (2 News Oklahoma)

• Two boys from Avant die in Osage County drowning (News On 6)

• Woman stabbed at NE Oklahoma City Sonic files lawsuit (News 9)

• TPS addresses lunch concerns raised at board meeting (Tulsa World)*

• Durant first responders dive into icy water for Oklahoma Special Olympics (KXII)

• OU Iranian Student Association holds vigil in honor of victims of Iranian internet blackouts (OU Daily)

• OSU professors attempt to improve rural journalism (The O’Colly)

• Oklahoma State fined $50,000 for inappropriate fan chants referencing Mormon religion (Tulsa World)*

• Two Oklahoma schools win national titles at UCA cheer championships (Fox 23)

• Jalen Williams set to return to OKC Thunder lineup against Lakers (KOCO)

Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.

It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses — tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

The ‘Oklahoma Memo’ mission is simple: Reignite the daily local news habit by connecting Oklahomans and those who love Oklahoma to quality sources of news and vetted information.

✅ Save you time.
✅ Make you smarter.
✅ Strengthen your community.

Now booking 2026 sponsors
Oklahoma Memo offers sponsorship and advertising opportunities in this newsletter.
📩 [email protected]

Want a newsletter like this one for YOUR business?
I build high-open-rate newsletters for Oklahoma businesses and organizations.
Monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly.
📩 [email protected]

Oklahoma Memo is on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. There is also a YouTube channel—and it’s growing day by day.

Oklahoma Memo is reader-supported. You can buy me a coffee, or pitch in monthly on Patreon and Substack.

Message me anytime at [email protected].