Oklahoma

A Native American elder performs a ritual ceremony using a feather.

COVID-19 deaths among tribal elders threaten cultural loss

To lose an elder is like burning a textbook, says Jason Salsman, a spokesperson for the Muscogee (Creek) nation in Oklahoma. For Native Americans, the overall COVID-19 mortality rate is nearly twice that of white Americans.

COVID-19 deaths among tribal elders threaten cultural loss
A 1790 Treaty of Muscogee (Creek) Nations and the US, written with elegant cursive script

Supreme Court recognizes Native sovereignty in much of Oklahoma

Supreme Court recognizes Native sovereignty in much of Oklahoma
A group of protesters stand in a line holding signs protesting family separation and incarceration of migrants

Oklahoma's Fort Sill has a history of jailing minority groups. Migrant children could be next.

Oklahoma's Fort Sill has a history of jailing minority groups. Migrant children could be next.
Lucia Lucas

This opera singer says the ‘hype’ should be on her voice, not her transgender identity

This opera singer says the ‘hype’ should be on her voice, not her transgender identity
dedication

The Choctaw of Oklahoma stepped up to help the Irish during the potato famine

The Choctaw of Oklahoma stepped up to help the Irish during the potato famine
Texas wind farm

Congress boosted spending on science and the environment, even as Trump administration tried to cut

Billions of dollars in additional funds for scientific research, including renewable energy research, earth systems observations and sea level monitoring were tucked inside the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending measure that passed on March 23, but the Trump Administration is still working to gut environmental regulations.

Congress boosted spending on science and the environment, even as Trump administration tried to cut
A woman in a factory

In one Oklahoma county, the number of women in prison is falling. This treatment program might be why.

In 2015, 40-year-old Ronna Stone was looking at another prison sentence until she was offered a way out and a new life.

In one Oklahoma county, the number of women in prison is falling. This treatment program might be why.
Cherise Greer in the backyard of her home in Duncan, Oklahoma.

'I don't want to miss any more': One woman tries to stay clean and out of jail

Oklahoma has had the highest female incarceration rate in the nation. It's been that way for the last 25 years. The state imprisons 151 out of every 100,000 women, according to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics — more than double the national rate. Cherise Greer is out of the system but is now faced with the challenges of life on the outside.

'I don't want to miss any more': One woman tries to stay clean and out of jail
Teacher Suzanne Sutton takes a selfie in front of rows of empty desks at her classroom.

In Oklahoma, some teachers try to make ends meet. Others move out of state for better pay.

Suzanne Sutton watches her money carefully and works a second job after school. But Shawn Sheehan, who was named Oklahoma’s 2016 teacher of the year, took a teaching job in Texas.

In Oklahoma, some teachers try to make ends meet. Others move out of state for better pay.
The Tiangong-1 space station passes over the moon in this photo taken in September 2013. The station is scheduled to make a crash landing in Europe within the next few weeks.

Chinese space station likely to land in Europe in a few weeks

Scientists know that a Chinese space station will be re-entering the Earth's atmosphere within a couple of weeks. The exact time of that happening, though, is a little fuzzy.

Chinese space station likely to land in Europe in a few weeks
A cow

The Quapaw tribe hopes a cattle slaughterhouse will provide jobs in rural Oklahoma

Native American tribes in Oklahoma contribute billions of dollars to the state's economy, including the cattle industry. One tribe in Oklahoma is providing a much-needed service in that industry — a processing plant where other ranchers can take their cattle to get grocery-store ready.

The Quapaw tribe hopes a cattle slaughterhouse will provide jobs in rural Oklahoma
Helicopter dropping water on wildfire

2017 was the costliest US natural disaster year on record

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that America suffered a record amount of damage in 2017 from natural disasters, with a tab of more than $306 billion.

2017 was the costliest US natural disaster year on record
rally

In the 45 years since Roe v. Wade, states have passed 1,193 abortion restrictions

"Back then, you just took your chance," said Barbara, about abortion in the mid-1950s in Oklahoma.

In the 45 years since Roe v. Wade, states have passed 1,193 abortion restrictions
A woman

Singing in Choctaw, Samantha Crain aims to create new traditions

By singing and writing a song in Choctaw, singer-songwriter Samantha Crain is trying to push the culture past its colonial influence.

Singing in Choctaw, Samantha Crain aims to create new traditions
Women marching

Why Oklahoma has the highest female incarceration rate in the country

In Oklahoma, 151 out of every 100,000 women are in prison — more than any other state in the nation and twice the national average.

Why Oklahoma has the highest female incarceration rate in the country