What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Friday, August 8, and I’ve got Jimmy Webb in my head.

The legendary songwriter from Elk City, Okla., is responsible for classics like “Wichita Lineman,” but he also wrote a song from my childhood, “Up, Up and Away,” popularized by the 5th Dimension in the late 60s. I remember the tune from my early childhood.

Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?
Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?
We could float among the stars together, you and I
For we can fly (we can fly)

And if that’s something you’d like to see in person, this is your lucky weekend!

This newsletter hits your inbox at 7 a.m. CT on Friday. If you live in Shawnee, look out your window, because that’s about the time hot-air balloons will be launched as part of Fireflight Balloon Fest.

From a press release I received earlier this week:

Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) is hosting its eighth annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest. The free event offers activities for the entire family to enjoy, including hot air balloon rides, DockDogs competition, kid-friendly activities, live country music and a market with nearly 100 vendors. 

The Outdoor Nation Expo will take place a few feet away at FireLake Arena for festival attendees who are interested in hunting and fishing. 

So, if you’re not here on Gordon Cooper Drive when you open your Oklahoma Memo on Friday, you will have missed the first day of launches — but there’s always Saturday. They’ll be launching again at 0700 hrs.

And I should note: This isn’t nearly the only thing going on at this festival. If you’ve got kiddos headed back to school next week and need one more family fun event to round out the summer, this one sounds like it’s got everything.

But take proper caution: It will be hot, hot, hot. Drink lots of water, and wear sunscreen.

Here’s a list of events:

Friday, Aug. 8 

• 7:00 a.m., Morning balloon launch* 

• 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Outdoor Nation Expo at FireLake Arena 

• 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., Dock Dogs competition 

• 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., Vendor market and food trucks 

• 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., Helicopter rides 

• 7:00 p.m., Tethered balloon rides begin* 

• 7:00 p.m., Performance by Cam Allen 

• 8:30 p.m., Balloon glow* 

• 9:00 p.m., Drone show* 

 Saturday, Aug. 9 

• 6:30 a.m., 5k race and Fun Run 

• 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Outdoor Nation Expo at FireLake Arena 

• 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Touch A Truck 

• 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Dock Dogs competition 

• 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., Vendor market and food trucks 

• 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., Helicopter rides 

• 5:00 p.m., Performance by Craig Wayne Boyd 

• 7:00 p.m., Tethered balloon rides begin* 

• 7:00 p.m., Performance by Jesse Keith Whitley 

• 8:30 p.m., Balloon glow* 

• 9:00 p.m., Headline performance by Ricochet 

The band Ricochet is taking me back to my 20s, the mid-to-late 90s and the hit song, “Daddy’s Money.”

She's got her daddy's money, her mama's good looks
And look who's lookin' at me

If you happen to go to the festival, send me a photo or two.

Especially if you go up in a balloon! 👀

You can message me anytime at [email protected].

Weather Update ☀️

Could be the hottest day of the year so far in OKC. Dangerously hot!

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 100°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 98°

Out-of-state landlord buying low-income housing, booting out low-income tenants

By Elizabeth Caldwell, Oklahoma Watch
Click here to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Watch.

A father and son from Texas are buying up restricted housing meant for low-income Oklahoma tenants. Then they’re booting the tenants out.

When 36-year-old Sylvia Aguilar moved to Gable Hills Apartments in 2022, she couldn’t have been more relieved. With the help of an affordable housing voucher, she was finally out of the domestic violence shelter she’d been living in with River, her young son. In the complex near Sand Springs, Aguilar quickly bonded with her neighbors.

“There’s so many people that I love out here,” Aguilar said. “We’ve been out here for three years and I’ve become very close to some of these people.”

She settled in, working part-time as a home health aide to an elderly woman. River, who needs extra attention due to health issues, started kindergarten at a local elementary school. They both got into counseling. 

But Aguilar’s life took a turn when she came home to find a poorly written letter on her door that said she had 60 days to find a new home. The letter claimed Aguilar was not being evicted, but instead was the victim of an unfortunate matter out of the hands of the Texas-based corporation that bought the apartments in 2024.

“We, agent for the owners, regret to inform your household that due to rental increases not being accepted your lease must terminate,” the letter said. “The unit you reside in has a rent amount of $1,085 which we cannot charge without the agency that offers rental assistance to you approves the increase.” 

Click to finish the story.

See Also 👀

Two Texans are buying up restricted low-income housing in Oklahoma and booting out tenants (Public Radio Tulsa)

Federal court upholds Oklahoma ban on gender-affirming care for minors

By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A federal appeals court has upheld Oklahoma’s ban on gender-affirming procedures for minors. 

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, which represents the region of Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, found Wednesday that the Oklahoma Legislature’s 2023 ban was not intended to discriminate against transgender children. 

The unanimous ruling relied on a recent Supreme Court decision, United States v. Skrmetti, which upheld a similar Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. 

The Oklahoma Legislature passed the ban with Senate Bill 613 in May 2023. The law bans gender-affirming medical treatments for Oklahomans under 18 years old and creates a felony for health care providers who violate the ban.

A group of transgender youth, their families and a medical professional sued the state over the law with the support of Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma. The plaintiffs contended the ban violated their rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

Oklahoma Attorney Gentner Drummond celebrated the decision in a statement Thursday and said he’s “grateful the battle is now won.”

“Thanks to this critical victory, our children will no longer be subjected to the lifelong consequences of these damaging procedures,” he said. 

The Northern District of Oklahoma previously upheld the ban in October 2023, allowing the law to be enforced. 

In a joint statement Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Oklahoma said they are considering next steps but will “never stop fighting” for the future of transgender people. 

“Yesterday’s ruling is a devastating outcome for transgender youth and their families across Oklahoma and another tragic result of the Supreme Court’s errant and harmful ruling in Skrmetti,” the statement read. “Oklahoma’s ban is openly discriminatory and provably harmful to the transgender youth of this state, putting political dogma above parents, their children, and their family doctors.”

The ban “unjustly and unfairly” targets transgender youth and violates their rights, the statement said. 

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Tulsa Area Emergency Management director accused of possessing child pornography (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma Supreme Court puts TSET law on hold (Oklahoma Voice)

• Former Muskogee County Sheriff charged with 6 felony counts (Fox 23)

• 10th Circuit: Federal courts lack jurisdiction over Indian-on-Indian misdemeanor assault (NonDoc)

• Wilson Fire Chief and wife accused of embezzling $380,000 (News 9)

• Oklahoma pediatrician accused of daughter's death in Florida faces lesser manslaughter charge (KOCO)

• Oklahoma emergency management director on disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation (KOSU)

• Independent living facility in OKC metro battles bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease (KGOU)

• Story of Survival: After traumatic brain injury, Glenpool teen fights her way back to life (News On 6)

• With eyes on Texas, how did Oklahoma Republicans redraw congressional maps in 2021? (KOCO)

• OKC bar that's home to 'best double cheeseburger in America' is closing (The Oklahoman)

• BeHeard homeless service hosts Tulsa mayor: 'This partnership has been phenomenal' (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma Children’s Hospital extends clinic vaccination hours ahead of school year (KGOU)

• Moore woman gets 9 years for fentanyl death in Norman (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• New movie filmed in Oklahoma highlights America's youngest millionaire (News 9)

• Lou Ferrigno and Jimmie Walker Filming New Movie in Sapulpa (News On 6)

• Rock Creek Entertainment District takes next steps following Cleveland County services request approval (OU Daily)

• Miami Regional Airport opens new terminal (KTUL)

• OKC's Rodeo Cinema is rounding up a free new film and discussion series on civics and democracy (The Oklahoman)

• Broken Arrow leaders ask for feedback on $12M south library expansion (2 News Oklahoma)

• ‘Scared and sad’: OKC neighborhood left with bills after teen vandals target pools (KFOR)

• Waurika couple arrested after sick, dead dogs found in unsanitary conditions, police say (KSWO)

• Roman Nose 1 of 3 state parks celebrating Smokey Bear’s birthday (Enid News)

• Upcoming hunter safety courses across Western Oklahoma (KECOfm.com)

• Tulsa Air & Space Museum seeks donors to restore legendary A‑10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" (Fox 23)

• Heavener Rodeo this weekend (Poteau Daily News)

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