Two major stories continue to unfold across Oklahoma — the widening fallout from the federal shutdown, as reported by KOSU, and a high-stakes death penalty case covered by The Frontier.

The latter centers on Tremane Wood, who is scheduled to be executed next Thursday. A state board has already recommended clemency, and The Frontier’s reporting lays out why: Wood received the death penalty while his brother — who confessed to the killing — was sentenced to life. Now, the jury foreperson from that 2004 trial is speaking out to stop the execution.

As always, show some love to the outlets doing this work — subscribe, share, donate, or just read and stay informed.

Have a great Friday, Oklahoma. Cold front gets here Sunday.

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By Anna Pope, KOSU
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For residents experiencing the effects of the federal government shutdown, the City of Tulsa is extending the utility grace period. This comes as Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt told CNN his city is working on a similar program due to the stalemate in Washington, D.C.

Tulsa will implement a temporary utility grace period until the end of January, officials from the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority announced today.

Tulsans who are furloughed employees or participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and are struggling to pay bills due to the shutdown won’t lose water service. Qualifying Utility Billing Services customers will have extra time to make payments without interruption to their service.

In a press release, Tulsa City Mayor Monroe Nichols said that although the city can’t fix things federally, it can ensure people are looked after locally.

“We know many Tulsans are caught in the middle of something they didn’t cause,” Nichols said. “People who work hard, serve their country, and care for their families shouldn’t have to worry about losing water because their paycheck or benefits are delayed.”

The federal shutdown has created uncertainty in SNAP funding, and federal employees across the country are furloughed or working without pay.

Tulsa County’s overall food insecurity rate was 16.7% in 2023, according to data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap.

City officials say bills are not being waived, but disconnections will be paused, and they will work with customers on payment plans once incomes or benefits resume. Additional penalties or service interruptions will stop during the shutdown.

Furloughed employees must present their personalized furlough letter, and SNAP shoppers will need to show their benefits letter. More information on the requirements can be found on the City of Tulsa’s website.

This comes as Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt told CNN his city is working on a similar program for people feeling the impact of the shutdown. He told the cable news channel the city will be stopping utility cutoffs.

He said the lapse of SNAP benefits is impacting everything from the nonprofit sector and sales to businesses, as well as city and state budgets.

Holt is president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which has called on Congress to restore food assistance funding and reopen the federal shutdown.

“I mean, we may be able to fade the heat here for a few more days, but this is going to cause significant impacts across the country and in people’s lives if this goes on for weeks,” Holt told CNN.

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By Ashlynd Baecht, The Frontier
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Prosecutors only had to show that Tremane Wood took part in a robbery for him to be convicted of murder. The case haunts Jera Burton, who was 24 years old when she served as the jury foreperson in 2004 in Oklahoma County District Court. 

The court sentenced Wood to death, even though his brother confessed to the killing. 

Evidence presented at Wood’s trial was minimal, Burton told The Frontier.

Burton said that she walked into the courtroom crying after four hours of deliberations because she felt pressured to change her vote to guilty. 

“I don’t feel like that is a call that any human should be able to make. I don’t feel like justice is being served by ending another person’s life just because we lost one, especially if the other surviving victim is totally against it,” Burton said. 

Now Burton is trying to stop Wood’s execution. She said she regrets voting in favor of sentencing Wood to death and wishes she had stood up for what she felt 20 years ago.  If she had, Wood might not be facing death next week. 

Wood’s case has sparked controversy across the state as supporters try to save his life, claiming his case highlights problems with Oklahoma’s death penalty.

Click here to finish the story.

Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.

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

• ‘We’re heartbroken’: Pittsburg County communities mourn loss of 3 men at street racing event (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma City, Tulsa airports not on FAA’s air traffic pullback list; 3,300 flights daily to be canceled (Oklahoma Voice)

• Cancer patients' treatment 'in limbo' as they await repairs at Oklahoma Proton Center (The Oklahoman)*

• Ethics Commission weighs in on Oklahoma candidates’ banking practices (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma is seeking part of a $50 billion rural health fund. Could it transform care amid other cuts? (KGOU)

• Oklahoma utility regulators delay vote on OG&E’s request to charge customers during new construction (KGOU)

• 9 more individuals unearthed at Oaklawn could be 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre victims (Public Radio Tulsa)

• New state superintendent focused on ‘united front’ with schools after contentious Walters term (Tulsa Flyer)

• Oklahoma mental health agency won't be sanctioned for 'halting progress' with consent decree (KOSU)

• Oklahoma food banks make plans for weekly $1 million influx of state funds (KOSU)

• Oklahoma tribal nations feel strain of historic government shutdown (News 9)

• ‘I’m heartbroken’: Facing rent increase, Tulsa airport massage business closes after 30 years (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• City touts clearing of homeless camp along Arkansas River (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Starbucks Workers United authorizes a strike, Oklahoma workers are prepared to join (KGOU)

• Here’s where to find a free turkey, groceries and meals in Tulsa before Thanksgiving (Tulsa Flyer)

• Survivor breaks the cycle as domestic violence leaves long-lasting impact on Oklahomans (KOCO)

• “We haven’t heard anything at all.” Family of missing Durant woman still holding onto hope (KXII)

• Oklahoma landowners’ firm, pipeline company battle in court (News 9)

• Eden Village unveils 'Restoration Farm' to create jobs, income for residents (2 News Oklahoma)

• Yukon cancels six city events due to low attendance (KOCO)

• BOK Financial offers NIL money guidance to college athletes (News On 6)

• With Oklahoma State football head coach interviews ongoing, a look inside the search (The Oklahoman)*

Sunny and very pleasant. Cold temps arrive on Sunday.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 72°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 73°

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