From the Newsroom: The Oklahoman Podcast

As COVID-19 numbers are on the rise in Oklahoma, the Omicron variant spreads across the nation. While the state has not detected the variant within its borders, Oklahoma ranks last in COVID-19 sequencing. Health reporter Dana Branham joins hosts Nuria Martinez-Keel and Dale Denwalt to discuss. 

The Oklahoma County jail has been at the center of controversy in recent years. This week, Oklahoma County commissioners voted unanimously for a new $300 million jail. Host Nuria Martinez-Keel and reporter JaNae Williams discuss the proposed facility and non-binding vote. 

Native American graves –– and items buried alongside them –– were dug up by archeologists in Oklahoma tribes' ancestral homelands. The University of Alabama's Jones Archeological Museum showcases dozens of objects and human remains from these graves. Now, tribes are working to repatriate these remains. 

Inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary on Nov. 18, Julius Jones was to be executed at 4 p.m. With less than four hours before he was to be put to death, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced he was commuting Jones' sentence to life without the possibility of parole. Host Nuria Martinez-Keel and reporter Josh Dulaney discuss. 

Oklahoma City Public Schools terminated the employment of six teachers who refused to wear masks after the district announced a requirement for teachers. Hosts Nuria Martinez-Keel and Dale Denwalt discuss. 

Death row inmate Julius Jones was recommended for clemency by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board Monday, and his fate now lies with Gov. Kevin Stitt. Last week, Oklahoma executed John Grant and even more questions have lingered about the state's lethal injection process. 

Kit Lorelied, an Oregon resident born in Oklahoma, was issued a gender neutral birth certificate after reaching a settlement with the Oklahoma State Department of Health. More news came from the department the following day as Dr. Lance Frye, Oklahoma's health commissioner, resigned. The Oklahoman's Carmen Forman joins hosts Nuria Martinez-Keel and Dale Denwalt. 

Last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder played in an empty arena while other NBA teams welcomed at least some fans. Thunder writer Joe Mussatto, who was at the infamous March 11, 2020, game against the Utah Jazz, talks about what has changed since then. 

State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, a life-long Republican, announced she will challenge Gov. Kevin Stitt as a Democrat in the 2022 gubernatorial race. The Oklahoman's Nuria Martinez-Keel, Dale Denwalt and Carmen Forman discuss. 

The co-founders' company, Epic Youth Services, failed to meet a Thursday deadline to turn over money and bank records owed to Epic Charter Schools. The Oklahoman's Nuria Martinez-Keel and Dale Denwalt discuss.