Lionel Ramos
State Government ReporterLionel Ramos covers state government at KOSU. He joined the station in January 2024 after covering race and equity as a Report For America corps member at Oklahoma Watch, a nonprofit investigative newsroom in Oklahoma City.
Born into the circus, Ramos traveled across the country in an RV with his family for the first half of his life. He eventually landed in San Antonio, Texas, where he attended high school and community college before transferring to Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He holds a bachelor's degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing from Texas State, where he covered local and student government for the school's newspaper, The University Star.
At Oklahoma Watch, Ramos reported statewide on the rising political capital of Latinos in Oklahoma, the resettlement of Afghan refugees, the stakes for Indigenous Oklahomans in the Supreme Court's 2023 Brackeen v. Haaland decision, unemployment, housing, and veterans issues.
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A federal judge said Friday that Oklahoma’s new immigration law cannot take effect because it undermines federal authority by allowing local police to engage in immigration enforcement. It’s a ruling that aligns with how federal courts in other states have handled legal action over similar laws.
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Local law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma are preparing for the implementation of the state's new law criminalizing people without legal immigration status. Some agencies refuse to implement it, others say they have no choice — but all agree unauthorized immigration is a problem.
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In his June 13 court filing in the Western District Court of Oklahoma, Drummond took aim at each of the federal government’s complaints about the state’s new law criminalizing anyone in the country without legal permission.
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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is preparing the state for possible conflict between the United States, its Into-Pacific allies and The People's Republic of China.
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Oklahoma lawmakers return to the state capitol for a special session this week. The goal: confirm Governor Kevin Stitt’s nomination for the newest member of the Board of Regents for Agricultural and Mechanical colleges.
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Before Oklahoma voters cast their ballots for primaries on June 18, more than a third of the legislative offices are already decided. Uncontested races are a trend nationwide, especially in Republican-led states.
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An income tax cut isn’t happening this year. Gov. Kevin Stitt has agreed to give up on his demands and not veto a budget proposal by lawmakers, as long as they can ensure funding for some of his top priorities.
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The U.S. Department of Justice is warning Oklahoma officials: enforce the state’s new sweeping immigration law, and you’ll be sued for overstepping your authority.
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Hispanic Day at Oklahoma’s state Capitol has traditionally been a day of celebration for Oklahoma’s Latino population since it started eight years ago. But this year, the event looks different.
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The measures approved were House Bills 2912 and 2913. One creates the “Disaster-impacted Local Economies Revolving Fund,” and the other appropriates $45 million to seed it with enough money for places like Sulphur, Barnsdall and other impacted communities to pay for rebuilding costs.