Jaci Statton's pregnancy threatened her life but two Oklahoma hospitals would not perform an abortion, citing state law. It's an example of the confusion the state's multiple abortion bans have caused for doctors and patients.
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Ben Felder
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Political enterprise reporter at The Oklahoman
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In a hearing at the state Capitol, state Superintendent Ryan Walters described his agency as diligently pursuing federal grants.
Three former employees say the opposite: grants stalled, deadlines blown and staff told to avoid any support for DEI, LGBTQ.
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"All too often the government will only tell you what they want you to know, not what you need to know"
FULL STORY -See just how much the💰 (and tone) varies among spokespeople for our elected leaders. There's also a link to see pay for all OK employees.
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Quite the thriller from as "There Will Be Fire" chronicles the 1984 IRA bombing that nearly killer Margaret Thatcher, a story unknown to me. Also highlights another would be bombing campaign across England.
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When and I ran into Ryan Walters at the #okleg, we did an impromptu interview that somewhat deviated from his political talking points.
In my mind, I articulated the origin of the term "woke" a bit more eloquently, but here's the transcript.
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Hey everyone! We rolled out with looking for Oklahoma's greatest BBQ experiences and found some pretty stellar food as well as pitmasters with a deep devotion to connecting with people through their culinary creations.
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Five transgender youths and their families file lawsuit challenging Oklahoma ban on gender affirming care the day after it's signed into law, reports. oklahoman.com/story/news/pol via #LGBTQ #LGBT
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On the BBQ side, we teamed up with The Oklahoman's to meet with five pitmasters across the state who make their meals with a passion. Also, Curbside vendors took part in a potato salad competition and judged some of the best sides in the city.
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I just ate and wrote words about the experience. Nathan drove (in dangerous conditions, at times), took photos, did the layout, and reminded me of deadlines. He's the real Meat King.
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Despite what @Arbys advertises, it’s us who has the meats. twitter.com/benfelder_okc/…
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Tasty new issue of is out as and I take you on a BBQ journey through Oklahoma. Nathan's photos will have you jumping in your car this weekend.
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Former players say the locker room fighting happened so regularly it had its own name and coaches sometimes bet on the outcomes.
"It's called 'The Ring,'" the plaintiff told an OSBI agent last year, reports
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This is a tough and terrifying read. But it’s necessary journalism. Good work by showing how Oklahoma’s abortion laws are affecting patients whose lives are at risk:
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A powerful story about the confusion over Oklahoma’s hastily assembled abortion laws: “My baby's not gonna make it and neither am I’; Women flee Okla. for life-saving abortions oklahoman.com/story/news/pol via @theoklahoman_
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Thank you for bringing different perspectives, art and history to me at every age of my life thus far. I'm grateful.
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I've been revisiting the article by all week- it's really well done. He handled Jaci's complicated story with such respect and grace, while still painting a full picture of how devastating the situation is for those experiencing pregnancy complications in #Oklahoma
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Jaci Statton's pregnancy threatened her life but two Oklahoma hospitals would not perform an abortion, citing state law. It's an example of the confusion the state's multiple abortion bans have caused for doctors and patients. oklahoman.com/story/news/pol
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Probably worth noting that Oklahoma News Report, a news show on OETA, is currently seeking funding to enable them to hire an investigative reporter at the capitol.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoes OETA renewal, questioning public broadcaster's long-term value oklahoman.com/story/news/pol
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Doug spent time with Mykell Jones and her chaotic family but also captured some brief moments of peace that really told the story.
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My favorite work from Doug was several years ago when I wrote about the lack of paid sick leave and the challenge that is for many families.
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Last year, Doug spent time with Mashilah Powell for a story I did on life after prison and, again, gave humanity to the story with his photos
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Stories like this are made by the photos and Hoke captured Jaci's story perfectly ...
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I was grateful to tell Jaci's story this week but a big part of that responsibility was also with photographer Doug Hoke who I've been fortunate enough to work with on these types of stories. ...
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Our nation's extreme poverty is no mystery to Matthew Desmond () in his book "Poverty, by America." The affluent gain from the poor's demise. Can we afford to fix the problem. "What a sinful question."
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A powerful story about the confusion over Oklahoma’s hastily assembled abortion laws: “My baby's not gonna make it and neither am I’; Women flee Okla. for life-saving abortions oklahoman.com/story/news/pol via
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“I was so mad because I should have been with my own doctor. I absolutely love her. My husband should have been by my side when I woke up. I shouldn't have to be in this clinic to do this.”
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Oklahoma has undertaken a renewed recruitment effort towards firearm makers as many manufacturers are looking to leave Democratic states that have imposed tighter regulations in response to the nation’s gun violence epidemic.
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McCurtain County becomes the latest pox for Oklahoma on the national stage, writes columnist Clytie Bunyan.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt called on Oklahoma's House and Senate leaders to "break the logjam" in negotiations over education funding and private school/homeschool tax credits.
He proposed an $800 million plan merging priorities from both chambers.
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A similar situation here at The Oklahoman would have involved lawyers and multiple meetings of several editors and staff weighing in. Many of these community papers are on their own but still have the courage and confidence to do their jobs.
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Good insight here into the legal issues of recording public officials. Also a reminder of the guts these journalists had. They rightfully got legal advice but I'm sure there was still a moment of panic right before sending off the pages.
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The McCurtain County sheriff said an explosive recording was illegally obtained. Was it? oklahoman.com/story/news/202
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Reese is a true newshound and proof of tenacity's importance in this business.
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Some personal news: Tomorrow will be my last day at @readfrontier which means today is my last legislative Friday here in Oklahoma. I’ve absolutely loved my time covering the state Capitol for The Frontier; it’s been a dream come true
I’m excited to announce what’s next later on
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"It is absolutely unusual to have an exhibition of one painting, and it was really very much about creating a space where people could sit and contemplate it and look at it, to be alone with it or be with friends with it."
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Allowing affluent families to have part of their private school tuition covered with state funds represents a shift within the school choice effort that had previously built its campaign around helping low-income families. #oklaed
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Oklahoma self-defense laws often don't protect women who kill their abusers. One bill hopes to change that
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“It truly was a confidence builder."
Happy birthday to The Brick, via
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In Oklahoma, where gun and property rights blend to form a “romanticized” image of self-defense, women are often ignored.
My latest on an effort to help women who kill a partner who is abusing them.
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As someone who devoted a lot of his youth trying to get baseballs at ballparks like they were gold, it's a special pride when your son snags his own ball.
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“Frankly, the Chinese did us a favor by floating that spy balloon over Montana when they did."
Montana is a preview of what the U.S. might confront at a national level if lawmakers or the White House tries to enact a nationwide ban of TikTok, via
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Allowing affluent families to have part of their private school tuition covered with state funds represents a shift within the school choice effort that had previously built its campaign around helping low-income families. #oklaed
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"You have to push and push and work unlivable hours, miss out on spending time with your kids, miss out on being a human, and you live just to get that half step forward and be knocked back again."
on the impact of smaller SNAP stipends
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New tonight:
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