Category Archives: Local

Lady Usha Vance Summer Reading Challenge

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

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

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

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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Cherokee Nation Lessons for All

Tahlequah, OK: Former Cherokee Nation Chief Chadwick Corntassel Smith has released a new book on the Cherokee Nation. Proceed Undaunted is a legal commentary on Cherokee Nation’s constitutional history, violations, corruption, and moments of hope for the Cherokee people. It tells the story of the development of the Cherokee Nation Constitution, how it guided the survival of the Cherokee Nation during horrific circumstances, and how its violation jeopardizes its legal existence. However, the lessons shared in Proceed Undaunted apply to everyone and to all governments.

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