Listen Frontier

The Omicron variant has not been found in Oklahoma as of this recording, though state health officials are certain it’s already spreading here. 

The variant has the potential to cripple hospitals if health officials are right about its extreme transmissibility, and it is hitting the country right before millions plan to gather for the holidays.

On today’s Listen Frontier Podcast, I talk with Tulsa County Health Department Director Bruce Dart about the Omicron variant – What we know about it and what we don't, and what you can and should do to keep yourselves safe over the holidays.

Bigler Stouffer is set to be executed on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. 24 hours before his execution, he spoke with The Frontier about his feelings about being the second person to be executed this year following a six-year moratorium on usage of the death penalty in Oklahoma.

Dylan Goforth and Ben Felder discuss the execution of John Grant on Oct. 28, which included details that raised questions about the state's ability to resume executions without problems.

Ben Felder and Dylan Goforth discuss the parole board's recent vote to commute Jones' sentence from death to life. Jones will now wait on the governor to ultimately decide on whether to accept the commutation request.

Kassie and Ben discuss the Oklahomans behind Covid-19 death statistics, including one man who blazed a trail for Hispanic media. We also discuss the continued rollout of the vaccine and how state health officials can't account for more than $20 million in protective equipment spending, which you can read about here.

Oklahoma City police lead the state in fatal shootings and have one of the nation’s highest rates. But while police say the use of deadly force is often necessary, more charges have been filed against Oklahoma City police officers in the last 18 months than in perhaps any other time in recent history. 

Recently, five Oklahoma City police officers were charged with first-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Stavian Rodriguez, a 15-year-old robbery suspect who was killed by police after he had placed his gun on the ground outside a convenience store. 

Dylan Goforth, The Frontier’s editor and chief, and Ben Felder discuss the recent charges and whether it represents a turning point.

Julius Jones has spent the last 22 years on death row but his case has drawn increasing attention from advocates who say he was wrongly convicted. On this episode of Listen Frontier, Ben Felder and Dylan Goforth discuss the Jones case and his appeal for commutation, which will go before the state Pardon and Parole Board on March 8.

Recent coverage of Jones' case:

Julius Jones' co-defendant admitted in prison to Paul Howell slaying, inmate says

DA asks Pardon and Parole Board member to recuse from Julius Jones' case over 2019 retweet of Kim Kardashian

A snow storm last week stretched utility companies, delayed action at the state capitol and impacted Oklahoma’s rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. On today’s episode of Listen Frontier we will discuss all those issues, plus an effort by some lawmakers to change the state’s initiative petition process.

Kassie, Kayla and Ben discuss the start of a new legislative session, Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State address and the latest with the governor's push for managed care.