Category Archives: Local

B.A. Player Convicted of Dog Fighting

By David Arnett

The United States Department of Justice Monday released the results of a multi-day trial by a federal jury in Oklahoma last week which convicted former NFL player Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on six felony counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures.

Following the verdict, Johnson surrendered to the government the 190 dogs seized in this case, the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.

Leshon Eugene Johnson in better days (Photo: aol.com)
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Lady Usha Vance Summer Reading Challenge

By Staff Report

On Monday, August 4, 2025, Second Lady Usha Vance traveled to Houston, Texas, where she visited with over two hundred Space Center Houston “Space Campers” and children of NASA employees for a day filled with out-of-this-world activities, reading, and adventure.

Ms. Vance was joined by astronaut Suni Williams. Together, they read Margaret and the Moon to highlight the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge and the science behind space travel.

Second Lady Usha Vance and Astronaut Suni Williams
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Data Center Zoning Approved

By David Arnett

Reporter Opinion: The aftermath is the story

Today, the Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting to continue a public hearing and vote on a zoning application (CZ 565, PUD 871) for Project Clydesdale. There was no legal reason to deny the zoning change requested by the landowner. More citizens objected to this development than any other Tulsa County has faced, but it was approved.

Multiple local trade unions, including the Northeast Labor Council, voiced strong support, citing the creation of high-wage jobs and paid apprenticeship programs. For iron workers alone, the project is estimated to represent $1.5 million in wages and nearly $1 million in benefits annually. They wore identifying shirts and caps and jackets.

Everyone was polite until the crowd began to file out.

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Data Center Water Usage Detailed

By David Arnett

The proposed and opposed Tulsa County Data Center (click here for previous story) will require massive amounts of water, a precious resource Oklahoma has suffered without historically. Tulsans in particular, have invested huge amounts of public funds over decades to secure long-term access to water.

Online research returns a wide range of perspectives of Data Center water usage and the 500 acre Tulsa County project suffers from nondisclosure agreements which limit details the community should know. County Commissioner Stan Sallee (Dist. 1) asserts that additional information will be delivered in a public meeting this coming Wednesday July 16th, but in advance, Tulsa Today suggests a comprehensive guide for public consideration.

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Freedmen Urge Choctaw Protection

By David Arnett

Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association (DF5CTA) sent United States Secretary of Interior Burgum a letter seeking Choctaw freedmen treaty rights protection.

“The letter was sent to stress U.S. government requirements to enforce 1866 treaty rights of Choctaw freedmen and that retaining Federal oversight of Choctaw nation tribal constitutional amendments is critical,” said Marilyn Vann, president of the DF5CTA.

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