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The dozens of independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news organizations that make up the Rural News Network are developing the broadest news alliance reporting on rural America. These newsrooms are pursuing coverage that provides a more complete picture of what it means to live and work in these communities.
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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‘Life-changing health care’: After contentious lease decision, renovated McAlester cancer center reopens
December 10, 2025
Several McAlester residents doubted that a full partnership with OU Health would ever happen, with a sign proclaiming its promise drawing skepticism as time dragged on.
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House District 35: Vacant seat draws 5 Republicans, 1 Democrat for special election
October 08, 2025
The HD 35 special GOP primary election will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9, with a runoff slated for Jan. 13. The general election will be held Feb. 10. There will be no Democratic primary.
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Cherokee Nation Tribal Council election results: All incumbents win another term
June 09, 2025
As the nation’s legislative branch, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council features 15 physical districts and two at-large seats for citizens residing outside of reservation boundaries.
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SD 8 election: Bryan Logan wins eastern Oklahoma seat
May 13, 2025
Logan will become the 40th member of a Senate Republican Caucus that is nearly split between a more hardline conservative faction and a more moderate faction.
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In fiery testimony, Friesen says ODMHSAS has ‘likely’ been plagued by ‘corruption’
May 05, 2025
Testifying for the second time in front of a House investigative committee examining the agency she leads, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen went on the attack.
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Departing Biden commutes Leonard Peltier sentence
January 22, 2025
Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation did not sign the letter, nor did members release statements following Biden’s decision to commute Peltier’s sentence.
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As 30 legislators seek reelection, harassment case resurfaces in HD 83
November 04, 2024
An overview of all races for the Oklahoma Legislature, including one that has drawn controversy for a candidate’s termination by a state agency.
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Langston students, faculty frustrated as infrastructure issues push classes online
September 09, 2024
Broken air-conditioning units, newly-found asbestos and water outages in Langston University have forced the school in the tiny town north of Oklahoma City to revert to Zoom.
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War in Ukraine hurting Oklahoma wheat farmers
April 13, 2024
Russia has reopened ports out of the Black Sea, and Ukraine is exporting low-priced wheat, which means American farmers are struggling to match those prices and still make a profit. Some Oklahoma farmers are looking toward alternate crops.
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‘Not a drill’: Vian High School scare reminds rural Oklahoma of gun violence
December 15, 2023
The Vian Police Department has implemented more regulations in local schools as students and parents in the small town of 1,300 people in eastern Oklahoma deal with the aftermath of a gun violence threat in their community.
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Two western Oklahoma cities work to preserve their hospitals
August 24, 2023
Keeping each hospital open is vital for both communities, as losing one could create a domino effect of diminished health care services with physicians leaving a community and clinics and pharmacies closing. Rural hospitals in Oklahoma also stand as key economic engines and often are leading employers in their communities.
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‘Frustrated as hell’: Blackwell teacher quits after trying to take maternity leave
July 14, 2023
The district said it was simply following its policies, a claim that highlights the significance of a new state law that took effect July 1 mandating paid maternity leave for full-time employees of school districts.
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As Broadband Board chairman, Mike Fina pushed $20 million Motorola project with college roommate
July 06, 2023
Fina is the second appointee Stitt has removed from the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board, which is poised to disburse as much as $1.6 billion to internet service providers to establish high-speed internet for underserved areas of Oklahoma.
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Two long-awaited SCOTUS decisions underscore fight for tribal rights
June 24, 2023
This month, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down two decisions concerning tribal sovereignty and the federal government’s obligations to tribal nations.
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EPS lawsuits: Vape search, bathroom fight, COVID-19 quarantine policy
June 20, 2023
Edmond Public Schools is the defendant in three lawsuits that have garnered substantial media attention.
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