NBA Finals | Indiana leads series 1-0
Pacers 111, Thunder 110

5 things to know:
• Oklahoma City led the entire game, every second of it, until the final play.
•  SGA led all scorers with 38 points.
•  Indiana shot the ball better from both inside the arc and outside — significantly better.
• Pacers significantly out-rebounded OKC as well, 56-39.
• Game 2 is Sunday night at 7:30 from Paycom Center.

What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Friday, June 6, and I’m headed to London with the Oklahoma Ambassadors of Music. This newsletter will continue to get done M-F while I’m gone, but I’ll have to do it at what will amount to 4-5 p.m. Oklahoma time — but I promise to share some photos from Europe!

Headlines from a big national news story that broke on Thursday — Trump vs. Musk.

• President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are fighting publicly, and the feud has turned particularly venomous (CNN)

• Musk calls for Trump’s impeachment, says the president is named in the ‘Epstein files.’ (Axios)

• Elon Musk says SpaceX will decommission Dragon spacecraft after Trump threat (CNBC)

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Weather Update ⛈️

Storms early in OKC, and through mid-morning in Tulsa. Rain chances return on Saturday, too.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 84°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 83°

Oklahoma’s Heartland Flyer to suspend service after funding not forthcoming

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
Click to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth is expected to end on or before Oct. 1, transportation officials said Thursday.

The announcement comes after the Texas Legislature declined to continue funding for its share of the 206-mile route. 

The Heartland Flyer is jointly funded by Oklahoma and Texas.

The service, operated by Amtrak, was reestablished in 1999 after ending in 1979.

In a statement Thursday, Amtrak said the Heartland Flyer faces imminent suspension no later than Oct. 1 unless Texas secures its share of funding. 

A more specific suspension date is expected to be announced later.

“Reliable rail service provides a vital transportation option for residents and visitors alike, strengthening regional mobility, economic development, and tourism,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “With service that supports Texas’ continued economic growth and the region’s connectivity, sustaining the Heartland Flyer is essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring long term mobility in the region.”

The Heartland Flyer makes stops in Oklahoma City, Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, Gainesville and Fort Worth.

Click to finish the story.

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12 Oklahoma leaders named to fellowship focused on strengthening Oklahoma’s smaller cities

Oklahoma Memo

Twelve civic and community leaders from Ada, Muskogee, and Stillwater have been selected for the 2025 cohort of the 1050 Forward Fellowship, a statewide program focused on strengthening Oklahoma’s micropolitan cities through leadership development and collaborative problem-solving.

The fellowship is part of 1050 Forward, an initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation aimed at cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. Fellows will participate in leadership intensives, community site visits, and strategy sessions throughout the year, tackling issues such as housing, infrastructure, and economic development.

Fellows from Ada include Drew Adams, Kara Berst, Karen Hudson, and Brenda Ware. From Muskogee: Earnie Gilder, Keith Harlin, Eric Wells, and Kimberly Williams. Stillwater participants include Ruth Cavins, Bryan Larison, Michelle Nabors, and Denise Webber.

The 2025 cohort will meet in Muskogee on June 5, with additional gatherings planned in Stillwater and Ada later this year.

More information is available at 1050forward.com.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Pie Junkie brings back Thunder pie and "emotional support" cookie cakes for NBA Finals (News 9)

• Oklahoma woman's homemade signs help bring Thunder spirit to NBA Playoffs (KOCO)

• Bill to Make the Tulsa Race Massacre Site a National Monument Faces Uncertain Future (Oklahoma Watch)

• Tulsa mayor says city should consider changes to highway over Greenwood (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Enforcement of Oklahoma immigration law blocked indefinitely (Oklahoma Voice)

• Green Country family warns about Alpha-Gal Syndrome (News On 6)

• Osage Nation seeks full control of minerals estate amid federal cuts (KOSU)

• 'We're so grateful!': OKC Thunder courts build community in Tulsa (2 News Oklahoma)

• Federal aid extended for Oklahoma wildfire survivors (KTUL)

• New affordable housing development under construction in downtown OKC (KFOR)

• ODOC to purchase Lawton Correctional Facility, take over operations in July (KGOU)

• New safety guidelines available for major Oklahoma events (Oklahoma Voice)

• Texas Tech evens WCWS championship series with 4-3 win over Texas. (Yahoo! Sports)

🗣️ Story Tips, Ideas, Feedback

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