Alongside the passage of billions of dollars in Medicaid spending reductions over a decade, Oklahoma is also vying for an opportunity available to all 50 states to fund sustainable rural health care initiatives. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Flying mammals of the night have been under threat of white-nose syndrome in the U.S. for years. Oklahoma researchers are tracking their populations and finding positive results. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The ground-dwelling bird’s preferred grassland habitat overlaps with agricultural and energy-rich regions, putting the species’ future in the hands of private landowners. In the second installment of a two-part series, StateImpact’s Chloe Bennett-Steele reports on continued conservation efforts for the species. Mentioned in this episode: Social Med…

Inflation compounds an already tough situation for Oklahoma’s highway infrastructure. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Intergenerational programs are working throughout the state in small numbers to bring different age groups together through ongoing, mutually beneficial activities. As Oklahoma’s aging population grows, officials are looking to expand the model to accomodate them. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

The beloved orange butterfly is imperiled due to habitat loss, insecticides and climate change. Growing certain plants along their route can help. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Elected state officials voted to require the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to investigate whether the Sooner State could generate nuclear energy or hold off on welcoming the industry. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Crossroads Mall – a once dominant shopping destination in South Oklahoma City – has sat relatively empty for years. A new faith-based nonprofit is hoping to change that and serve an entire community with a resource hub. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The Oklahoma State Fair officially starts Thursday. But for young 4-H members from across Oklahoma, Wednesday was the most important day of the year. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Federal incentives to lessen the financial burden of solar panel installations are ending earlier than originally planned after the July 4 passage of the tax and spending law. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

More Oklahoma children are entering kindergarten with exemptions from vaccines. This data comes as preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough have seen record spreads nationally. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

As schools across the state are starting classes, students and parents may notice some changes this year, thanks to the legislature. StateImpact’s Logan Layden and Beth Wallis discuss what’s new for Oklahoma students this school year. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther was an oasis for people of color traveling through Oklahoma during the Jim Crow era. A monument dedicated to preserving that history was unveiled last week. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

This summer saw immense river flooding that resulted in more than 130 deaths in Texas and heavy rainfall that blocked roadways in Oklahoma. Disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation are becoming more important as climate change causes more severe and unpredictable weather, scientists say. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

Pending federal approval, Oklahoma schools could recoup more Medicaid dollars from providing school-based services to eligible students, like occupational and physical therapy, and behavioral health supports. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Every state saw a decline in its fertility rate in 2023, according to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Oklahoma saw a nearly 12% drop from just a decade prior. StateImpact’s Jillian Taylor spoke with Dave Hamby, the Oklahoma Policy Institute's communications director, about what Oklahomans can learn from the report. Mentioned in this ep…

Foresters are using parasitoids to reduce the spread of the emerald ash borer beetle, following the lead of many states to the east. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

A program promising much-needed mental health professionals for rural Oklahoma schools is on the chopping block of funding cuts from the Trump Administration. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

A program reimbursing nonprofits with state money to support abortion alternatives has expanded, despite past challenges with dollars reaching the women it hopes to serve. Meet the new organization that plans to distribute funds to pregnancy resource centers and churches. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

The 2025 legislative session is over. Our StateImpact Oklahoma reporters were following several bills and issues related to education, healthcare and energy policy. StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden looks back with them as they discuss the highlights. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

Lawmakers attempted to secure more financial support for Oklahoma foster parents this legislative session. While they weren't successful, other resources are available. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

In south central Oklahoma, a rural school is having to consider what more than a hundred Oklahoma districts have before it when enrollment drops below sustainability: annexation. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

More than a fifth of Indigenous Oklahomans are counted by the U.S. Census Bureau as uninsured – including those who solely use the Indian Health Service as health care coverage. For some, having no insurance can be costly. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Legislative efforts to reform the judicial selection process in Oklahoma have gone on for the better part of the last decade. And this year, just like in years past, they’ve failed, even with the support of the governor. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Norman is a nexus of national weather and climate science. But swift layoffs and deep budget cuts could disband it and other organizations nationwide. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond case next week. The case will decide whether the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School can be a state-funded public school. The lawsuit was brought by Oklahoma’s attorney general against the state charter school board that approved St…

As the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing approaches, a group of young musicians is connecting with the tragedy through performing themes of resilience. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

April 19, 2025 marks 30 years since a bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 people were killed — including 19 children — and hundreds more were injured. It forever shaped our community. "That April Morning: The Oklahoma City Bombing" is a production of KOSU, KGOU, StateImpact Oklahoma and our partners w…

Since Oklahoma’s near-total abortion ban went into effect, providers and thousands of people who have left the state to receive care have experienced its impacts. A new group hopes to educate Oklahomans on those continued effects by bringing people from all walks of life together to have conversations about reproductive health care. Mentioned in th…

Thanks to a new law, schools across the state are now required to allow off-campus religious instruction during elective courses. Those courses are currently operational or in the final stages of development in at least six Oklahoma schools. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

A report released this month states at least a third of the nation’s birds are in peril. Local community scientists are contributing information critical to understanding the decline. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Last week, wildfires raged across Oklahoma, claiming thousands of acres of land and hundreds of buildings. KOSU’s Sarah Liese reports for StateImpact that the flames also destroyed a historic church in Kiowa County, leaving a congregation to rebuild. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

New Oklahoma Human Services rules approved this year require non-accredited five-star child care programs to provide proof of an accreditation application submission by April 10 and get nationally accredited by Sept. 1 — or face a star reduction tied to their reimbursements. Providers said the timeframe to comply with a process that typically takes…

A book coming out next month argues the way states perform executions is inhumane. KOSU's Sierra Pfeifer talks to University of Richmond Professor Corinna Barrett Lain about her new book Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, and Oklahoma's role in how the condemned are executed for StateImpact. Mentioned in this episod…

The state expected millions of dollars to plug wells abandoned by their owners. But the funds are in limbo under a new federal administration. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Over the next four years, the Well Done Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife will plug more than 100 orphan wells on public land. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

ECU debuted its first-ever doctoral program this January, which focuses on administrative issues in rural education. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

None of Oklahoma’s rural counties have enough primary and mental health care providers. A federal grant is training University of Oklahoma physician assistant students to serve rural communities in both areas. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Oklahomans are using more and more electricity. But as energy companies meet with landowners to build the needed infrastructure, opposition is growing. KOSU’sAnna Pope reports for StateImpact on one transmission project troubling Oklahomans. This story was co-reported by KOSU’s Graycen Wheeler. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

Nationally, college enrollment has declined over the last 15 years. But Oklahoma’s land-grant institutions managed to avoid the post-COVID fallout and are now at all-time highs. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Change and uncertainty abound as 2025 begins. But you have the StateImpact Oklahoma team to guide you through and keep you informed about the seismic shifts coming in education policy, healthcare and the climate crisis. StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden and the StateImpact reporters to preview what’s to come. Mentioned in this episode: Socia…

More students with disabilities than ever before are spending at least 80 percent of their school day in general education classrooms. Federal data show that share of students has more than doubled in the last 35 years. But how are teacher prep programs at universities changing to meet the needs of more inclusive classrooms? Mentioned in this episo…

The federal government is increasing funding for a program that offers families free, voluntary home visits by health professionals from pregnancy to kindergarten. The state hopes to use those dollars to fill maternal and infant health care gaps. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden introduces us to new science and environment reporter Chloe Bennett-Steele. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

Four years ago, lawmakers passed a bill requiring all Oklahoma public schools to offer at least four Advanced Placement courses. It went into effect this fall. But, according to data analyzed by StateImpact, most schools still aren’t teaching four AP courses — and rural schools say the law has had little impact. Mentioned in this episode: Social Me…

Oklahoma nursing homes are working to meet federal staffing rules, which require them to have a registered nurse on site 24/7 and employees to spend a minimum amount of time with each resident every day. Facilities say the unfunded mandate asks them to find staff they can’t afford and that doesn’t exist. Oklahoma is one of about 20 states that rece…

Oklahomans took to the polls Wednesday for the first day of early voting. Oklahoma has four early voting days this year — that's two more than in the 2020 Presidential general election. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX

A growing list of Oklahoma colleges and universities are offering their workers paid parental leave. But it’s still a minority. The momentum comes after Oklahoma mandated maternity leave for state employees and teachers last year. Lawmakers say it's time for the state to intervene for higher education workers. Mentioned in this episode: Social Medi…

Oklahoma schools use technology apps to manage everything from attendance to grades to parent communications. And now, a growing number of districts are updating hall passes to the digital age. They say the new tech is helping them curb behavioral issues that have spiked since the pandemic. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

He was 15 when he killed his sister’s abuser. Even after years of good conduct, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has rejected recommending him for release. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsAv OPMX