Category Archives: Local

Forbes covers OK shame in civil forfeiture

PoliceCivilForfeitureAnalysis: The story on Forbes.com posted February 18 and continues national interest in an Oklahoma issue hotly debated and previously covered (here, here and here) by Tulsa Today. Civil forfeiture is how Oklahoma district attorneys can take your cash, guns and vehicles (top three seized) without a criminal conviction. It is literally both highway and home robbery.

Forbes begins: Without ever having to file criminal charges, police are routinely seizing (and keeping) cash, cars and other valuables. Known as “civil forfeiture,” the practice has netted law enforcement billions of dollars in revenue nationwide. Determined to end unjust forfeitures, an unusual coalition of libertarians, constitutional conservatives and civil-rights activists have banded together to press for reform in state legislatures across the country.

And nowhere has that battle raged fiercer than in Oklahoma.

Continue reading →

Tulsa DA requests Sheriff Office audit

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler

Late Tuesday afternoon, Tulsa District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler confirmed by email to local media that he asked the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to perform a special audit and investigation into irregularities found in the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Trust Account.

Continue reading →

Bartmann pleads for Sanders/Clinton alternative

Bill Bartmann

Bill Bartmann

Analysis:  Reuters reports, “A prominent Democratic donor worried about the party’s chances of winning the presidency emailed dozens of fans of Vice President Joe Biden on Friday, urging them to remain prepared to donate if Biden jumps into the race.”

Yes, Tulsan Bill Bartmann, never known to shy from hubris, apparently understands enough history to warn fellow Democrats that proud Socialist Bernie Sanders and closet Socialist Hillary Clinton cannot win the next presidential election in the United States of America.

Continue reading →

Tulsa Republicans hold debate watch party

ElectionDebateThe Republican Party of Tulsa County will be hosting a watch party for the next televised presidential debate tonight, Thursday, January 28th to be aired on FOX News Channel. 

Local voters are invited to come out and support their favorite candidate (if they have one), or check out all of them and become more informed about the many candidates they have to choose from. This is the last debate before Iowa votes on Monday, and is expected to be a lively one. Everyone is welcome and the event is free, featuring padded theater seating and freshly popped, complimentary popcorn and bottled water. (Soft drinks available for purchase.)

Continue reading →

Parents invited to discover school choices

Regina Bircham (right) informs a family about education options available, including a proposed Catholic high school at the ChoiceMatters table at a recent education event. ChoiceMatters is hosting a free School Choice Expo on Jan. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Greenwood Cultural Center.

Regina Bircham (right) informs a family about education options available.

Tulsa parents and students have an opportunity to learn more about their education options at a free community-wide event on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Greenwood Cultural Center at 322 North Greenwood Avenue.

The School Choice Expo is open to all metro area students and their families who want to hear about the different types of schools that are available. Schools represented will include public, charter, online, home, private, faith-based and magnet.

Vendors who are supportive of education also will have exhibits.

“We are answering the call from parents to showcase the marketplace of options available to students and families,” said Renee Porter, executive director of ChoiceMatters. “Also this is a great way to locally celebrate National School Choice Week, Jan. 25-29.”

Continue reading →