StateImpact Oklahoma
StateImpact Oklahoma reports on education, health, environment, and the intersection of government and everyday Oklahomans. It's a reporting project and collaboration of KWGS, KGOU, KOSU and KCCU, with broadcasts heard on NPR Member stations.
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Last week, wildfires raged across Oklahoma, claiming thousands of acres of land and hundreds of buildings. KOSU’s Sarah Liese reports for StateImpact that the flames also destroyed a historic church in Kiowa County, leaving a congregation to rebuild. Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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New Oklahoma Human Services rules approved this year require non-accredited five-star child care programs to provide proof of an accreditation application submission by April 10 and get nationally accredited by Sept. 1 — or face a star reduction tied to their reimbursements.Providers said the timeframe to comply with a process that typically takes one to two years is too short and could cost them thousands.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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A book coming out next month argues the way states perform executions is inhumane. KOSU's Sierra Pfeifer talks to University of Richmond Professor Corinna Barrett Lain about her new book Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, and Oklahoma's role in how the condemned are executed for StateImpact.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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Over the next four years, the Well Done Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife will plug more than 100 orphan wells on public land.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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The state expected millions of dollars to plug wells abandoned by their owners. But the funds are in limbo under a new federal administration.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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ECU debuted its first-ever doctoral program this January, which focuses on administrative issues in rural education.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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None of Oklahoma’s rural counties have enough primary and mental health care providers. A federal grant is training University of Oklahoma physician assistant students to serve rural communities in both areas. Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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Oklahomans are using more and more electricity. But as energy companies meet with landowners to build the needed infrastructure, opposition is growing. KOSU’sAnna Pope reports for StateImpact on one transmission project troubling Oklahomans. This story was co-reported by KOSU’s Graycen Wheeler.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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Nationally, college enrollment has declined over the last 15 years. But Oklahoma’s land-grant institutions managed to avoid the post-COVID fallout and are now at all-time highs.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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Change and uncertainty abound as 2025 begins. But you have the StateImpact Oklahoma team to guide you through and keep you informed about the seismic shifts coming in education policy, healthcare and the climate crisis. StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden and the StateImpact reporters to preview what’s to come.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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Students with disabilities are spending more time in general education. Are teachers being prepared?More students with disabilities than ever before are spending at least 80 percent of their school day in general education classrooms. Federal data show that share of students has more than doubled in the last 35 years.But how are teacher prep programs at universities changing to meet the needs of more inclusive classrooms?Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags
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The federal government is increasing funding for a program that offers families free, voluntary home visits by health professionals from pregnancy to kindergarten. The state hopes to use those dollars to fill maternal and infant health care gaps.Mentioned in this episode:Social Media tags