It’s the mission of Oklahoma Memo to connect Oklahomans to vetted sources of journalism — and that’s why I’m excited about the debut of Tulsa Flyer. In combination with The Oklahoma Eagle, this new newsroom is adding to the rich fabric of 21st Century journalism in Oklahoma.

Long gone are the days when local news is dominated by two daily newspapers and a handful of local TV stations. We’ve got Oklahoma Voice, Oklahoma Watch, KOSU, KGOU, Public Radio Tulsa, The Frontier, NonDoc and many others — and now we have Tulsa Flyer.

Full disclosure: I’ve known Executive Editor Gary Lee for a few years as part of our membership in Oklahoma Media Center, a collaborative of Local Media Association. I was a member during my time as director of digital content at Griffin Media, and he’s long been a member in his role with The Oklahoma Eagle.

I’ve befriended Judd Slivka, Tulsa Flyer’s managing editor, and I’ve gotten the pleasure to connect with the great Ziva Branstetter, Tulsa Flyer’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning CEO — and one of Oklahoma’s real heavy hitters in the journalism world.

They’re ready and capable to lead a newsroom filled with great Oklahoma journalists to make an impact in Tulsa County, and you’ll see their stories amplified here in Oklahoma Memo. But this story is all about the origin story of how Tulsa Flyer was born of some listening sessions conducted by the Tulsa Local News Initiative.

Hope you’ll watch the video or listen to the podcast (wherever you get your podcasts).

Enjoy, and share!

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

We’ve got a chance for storms on Friday, especially in central and north central Oklahoma. Today though will be warm and partly cloudy.

🌡️ Thursday's high in OKC 81°
🌡️ Thursday’s high in Tulsa 81°

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s new education chief said Wednesday he has “no plans to distribute Bibles” or a biblical curriculum in public schools, reversing course from his predecessor, Ryan Walters.

State Superintendent Lindel Fields, who was appointed to the position this month, indicated Wednesday he will not fight in court to defend Walters’ order that Oklahoma public schools teach from the Bible and keep a copy of it in every classroom. 

A lawsuit, which 32 Oklahomans filed with the state Supreme Court last year, challenged the mandate and Walters’ attempt to purchase 55,000 Bibles and a biblical curriculum through a public bidding process.

“We plan to file a motion to dismiss, and have no plans to distribute Bibles or a biblical character education curriculum in classrooms,” Fields announced in a statement Wednesday. “If resources are left to be allocated, the timing is fortunate since the team and I are currently reviewing the (Oklahoma State Department of Education) budget.”

The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday gave Fields until Oct. 28 to decide whether to resolve the lawsuit by withdrawing the Bible directives. 

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By Anna Colletto, Tulsa Flyer
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Hundreds of students are suspended from Tulsa County school districts each year, but they aren’t limited to high schoolers starting fights. In fact, hundreds of 4-year-old children are being suspended too — some for serious offenses, like assault.

Records show Tulsa Public Schools issued 462 suspensions to 212 preschool students in the last three years. Together, those students missed 912 days of school. Some of the more common offenses include unacceptable physical contact, disruptive or disorderly conduct, abusive behavior toward school personnel and assault.

While pre-K programs are smaller at Broken Arrow, Union and Bixby Public Schools, those districts are suspending preschoolers at comparable rates — between 2% and 4% of the student population — and for similar offenses. 

Suspensions in early elementary classrooms are high nationally, a trend families and education professionals want to turn around. 

“As a district we’re super aware that suspending pre-K students is certainly sensitive,” said Stephanie Andrews, executive director of student and family support services for Tulsa Public Schools. “It’s upsetting to families — it’s upsetting to the school district.”

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

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

• State can expect millions in fines over detainees' mental health needs, Slavonic says (Tulsa World) *

• Judge asked to fine Oklahoma Mental Health Department in competency restoration settlement (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma lawmakers explore impacts of federal cuts to Medicaid in interim study (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• Your City of Tulsa utility bill went up this month. We explain the new rates (Tulsa Flyer)

• Former Seminole County investigator flagged in federal Giglio letter for theft, use of narcotics (NonDoc)

• Tulsa City Council looks to modify downtown youth curfew (Tulsa World) *

• Freedmen ask Supreme Court to enforce citizenship ruling (2 News Oklahoma)

• Ardmore officials says no need to panic after elevated lead levels in drinking water (KXII)

• Tulsa DA drops charges against man accused of Hunter Park assault (2 News Oklahoma)

• Doctor speaks on rare 'cryptic pregnancy' after woman gives birth at QuikTrip (News On 6)

• Tulsa library breaks ground on new Owasso branch with apartments (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Stormy weather expected for Oklahoma later this week (KOCO)

• Fire destroys Afton cafe that's been in business for nearly 50 years (News On 6)

• More businesses, more traffic: Waterloo Road growth brings new challenges along I-35 (Guthrie News Page)

• OU Turning Point USA members make public comments on council member’s remarks about Charlie Kirk (OU Daily)

• Oklahoma City panel explores patriotism vs. nationalism (KOCO)

• After years of waiting, Tulsa Botanic Garden will soon be home to Mexican water fountain (Tulsa Flyer - La Semana)

• Luther’s Threatt filling station eyes revival with zoning change (The Luther Register)

• Former Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Bradshaw entertains crowd at NOC Tonkawa lectureship (Kay News Cow)

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.
✅ Protect Democracy.