Oklahoma Memo

Oklahoma Memo

By Ryan WeltonSportsNewsDaily News
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Oklahoma Memo episodes

  • Why is Oklahoma Education Dept. mum on resignations? + $3B tribal grant warning | Oklahoma Memo

    On this special half-birthday episode of Oklahoma Memo, host Ryan Welton reflects on six months of connecting Oklahomans to quality journalism—and previews the platform’s next evolution. Then it’s into today’s top stories: Why is the Oklahoma State Department of Education keeping senior staff resignations under wraps? Plus, how a proposed Trump-era federal grant freeze could cost Native communities in Oklahoma up to $3 billion.

    Also in this episode:

    • Jena Nelson’s congressional campaign kickoff

    • Blake Shelton’s surprise concert with his stepson

    • The $2 billion Vinita theme park… still in limbo

    • Chicken fried steak worth a New York Times write-up

    • Why OU Football might be facing a make-or-break season

      • 13 min
    • Youth housing crisis & public media cuts | Oklahoma Memo, July 18

      🎧 Show notes: Here's what's happening in Oklahoma news for July 18, 2025.

      In this episode of Oklahoma Memo, host Ryan Welton highlights pressing issues in Oklahoma, including the youth housing crisis and recent political decisions impacting public media funding.

      Stories from nonprofit newsrooms The Frontier and Oklahoma Watch reveal the growing number of homeless youth and the correlations between housing instability and school absenteeism.

      Additionally, Ryan discusses the broader implications of defunding public media and emphasizes the value of public radio.

      The episode also features a rundown of notable news across Oklahoma and ends with a call to support quality journalism by donating to local public radio stations and leaving reviews for this podcast.

      And be sure to subscribe to Oklahoma Memo at https://www.oklahomamemo.com.

      Chapter times:

      00:00 Introduction and Headlines Overview

      01:06 Public Media Funding Crisis

      03:26 Supporting Public Radio

      05:59 Youth Housing Crisis in Oklahoma

      07:37 Business Podcasting Strategy

      09:04 Oklahoma Rundown

      13:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

      15 min
    • New Oklahoma City Thunder Arena Unveiled + Glossip Deal Dispute | July 17, 2025

      New Thunder Arena Unveiled + Glossip Deal Dispute | July 17, 2025

      Summary:

      Mayor David Holt debuts bold new renderings for OKC’s $1 billion Thunder arena. Plus, Richard Glossip claims AG Drummond agreed to let him go free — but the state says no deal. We break it all down, plus your top 10 stories across Oklahoma.

      Sources:

      • Oklahoma Voice: Arena story by Ylleana Berryhill

      • Oklahoma Voice: Glossip story by Barbara Hoberock

        • CTA:

        Subscribe to the newsletter at oklahomamemo.com. Follow Oklahoma Memo on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Email feedback to [email protected].

        10 min
      • Oklahoma News: State Steps Up for Texas & New Mexico — While OKC Ponders New Arena Name | Oklahoma Memo

        🎙 Show Notes — Oklahoma Memo Podcast (July 16, 2025)

        🚨 Today on the pod:

        • Oklahoma sends aid to flood-ravaged New Mexico and more teams to Texas.

        • Paycom’s big arena bombshell: What will OKC’s new arena be called — and what happens to the old one?

        • Plus, the best journalism from across Oklahoma in your daily rundown.

          • 🏟 Arena talk:

          Oklahoma City is buzzing over arena news. Paycom announced it’ll drop naming rights in 2028, just as the new arena opens. That leaves a big question: Who’ll snag the next sponsorship deal? Listeners weighed in with ideas like Devon Energy Arena, Sonic Thunderdome, and even Life Church.arena. Meanwhile, Paycom’s CEO may redevelop the current site — think entertainment district like you see in Arlington or Atlanta. What would you want there? Email us at [email protected].

          🌊 Flood response:

          Oklahoma’s sending a 10-person team to help New Mexico recover from catastrophic flooding, plus more swift water rescue crews to Texas, where the death toll is staggering. Gov. Stitt says it’s all about standing by neighbors when they need it most.

          📰 The Oklahoma Rundown:

          • Bob Funk Sr., co-founder of Express Employment Professionals, dies.

          • OKC Police release bodycam from Midtown mass shooting.

          • Voters will weigh a $2.7 billion bond in October.

          • Charter board greenlights Epic audit.

          • Ryan Walters fights order to pay journalists’ fees.

          • No charges for officer in SE OKC fatal shooting.

          • 400+ dogs rescued in Stroud cruelty case.

          • Why did Oklahomans get a ‘Blue Alert’ from Texas?

          • More: Cleveland County jail contract ends, paid leave report, disability jobs rethink.

          • Ardmoreite small-town scoop: former principal says district ignored discipline, child struck.

            • 👉 Subscribe to our free daily newsletter at OklahomaMemo.com and follow us on TikTok, YouTube & Instagram for more.

            10 min
          • Trump’s Medicaid cuts, EPA vs chemtrails, & MLB draft 1st round dominated by Oklahoma players

            🎧 Trump’s Medicaid cuts, EPA vs chemtrails, & MLB draft 1st round dominated by Oklahoma players

            In this episode of Oklahoma Memo, host Ryan Welton breaks down what President Trump’s new healthcare bill could mean for nearly a quarter of Oklahomans on Medicaid, plus how the EPA is once again shutting down chemtrails conspiracies. We also celebrate a huge weekend for Oklahoma baseball with three players going in the first round of the MLB Draft.

            Also in this episode:

            • A quick ad on how Oklahoma Memo can help turn your event or keynote into a podcast.

            • The Oklahoma Rundown: 10 top stories from Guymon to Idabel, including record state revenues, SNAP impacts, and a tragic house fire in Logan County.

              • Links & sources:

              • StateImpact Oklahoma on Medicaid: KGOU.org

              • Oklahoma Watch on the EPA & contrails: OklahomaWatch.org

              • MLB Draft coverage via The Oklahoman: Oklahoman.com

                • 👉 Subscribe to our newsletter at oklahomamemo.com and follow us on social for daily Oklahoma stories.

                15 min
              • Heartland Flyer Saved (For Now) + Walters’ New Teacher Test | Oklahoma Memo

                Today on Oklahoma Memo:

                • The Heartland Flyer gets a last-minute funding boost to keep running between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth — with long-term hopes of expanding into Kansas.

                • State Superintendent Ryan Walters announces a PragerU-backed ideology test for teachers from “woke” states like California and New York, stirring debate as Oklahoma continues facing a teacher shortage.

                • Plus, The Oklahoma Rundown — flash flood risks, a raccoon that took out the power, Paul McCartney heading to Tulsa, and more top stories from across the state.

                  • Show notes:

                  • 🎙 Hosted by Ryan Welton

                  • 📰 Stories sourced from Oklahoma Voice, StateImpact Oklahoma (KGOU, KOSU), The Oklahoman, KFOR, News 9, KTUL and more — support local journalism!

                  • 🚂 Full Heartland Flyer story by Barbara Hoberock at Oklahoma Voice

                  • 🏫 Teacher certification story by Beth Wallis at StateImpact Oklahoma

                  • 📧 Want a turnkey podcast for your business? Email [email protected]

                  • 👉 Subscribe to the Oklahoma Memo newsletter at OklahomaMemo.com

                  • 🎥 Follow us on TikTok & YouTube @OklahomaMemo

                  • ⭐ Rate & review this podcast to help more Oklahomans find us!

                    • 12 min
                  • Oklahoma Memo News Update: July 10

                    🎧 Episode Notes: Oklahoma Memo — July 10, 2025

                    Today on Oklahoma Memo:

                    • A fringe anti-government militia claims it took down News 9’s weather radar — and warns more Oklahoma radars could be targeted.

                    • State Superintendent Ryan Walters says schools must serve free meals starting next year — but a top lawmaker calls it an “empty threat.”

                    • Plus, a fast spin around the state: mountain lions, stolen heifers, a Turner Turnpike travel stop closing for good, and more.

                      • 📰 Full story list + sources in today’s newsletter at OklahomaMemo.com

                      👉 Follow, rate & review the podcast wherever you listen. It really helps more Oklahomans find us.

                      🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel by searching Oklahoma Memo.

                      📩 Sign up for the free daily newsletter at OklahomaMemo.com

                      Questions or want to sponsor an episode? Email [email protected] or [email protected].

                      14 min
                    • Oklahoma Memo News Update: July 9

                      This is the first episode of Oklahoma Memo, a podcast dedicated to Oklahoma news. If you're unfamiliar with the Oklahoma Memo, it's a newsletter published daily at 7 a.m. You can subscribe to it at OklahomaMemo.com.

                      📝 Top stories:

                      ✅ Trump plan to close key weather labs draws ire of Rep. Tom Cole

                      The Trump administration is proposing the shutdown of the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, which is responsible for major radar forecasting breakthroughs.

                      Oklahoma Watch’s Em Luetkemeyer reports this move would threaten more than 900 local jobs and critical severe weather research.

                      Rep. Tom Cole is pushing back, calling the lab a “national asset.”

                      Read more at Oklahoma Watch

                      ✅ Oklahoma state park restaurants closed after financial dispute

                      The Oklahoma Voice’s Barbara Hoberock reports that The Lookout Kitchen restaurants at several state parks have closed.

                      The vendor reportedly owes the state $254,943 and hasn’t provided required financial assurances.

                      Closures impact Beavers Bend, Lake Murray, Roman Nose, and more.

                      Read more at Oklahoma Voice

                      🗞 The Oklahoma Rundown:

                      Highlights from around the state’s top outlets:

                      Tragedy in OKC: man arrested after death of 3-year-old (KFOR)

                      Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to be NBA 2K26 cover star (KOCO)

                      Oklahoma’s Rylie Jeffries joins Big Brother 27 cast (The Oklahoman)

                      Severe flooding hits Sallisaw (KTUL)

                      Bojangles expanding to OKC (The Oklahoman)

                      Muscogee Nation marks Sovereignty Day on McGirt anniversary (Mvskoke Media)

                      Lawsuit could make part of Will Rogers Turnpike free (Tulsa World)

                      Medicaid & SNAP cuts could impact thousands (The Oklahoma Eagle)

                      …and much more.

                      ❤️ Special note:

                      Remembering Michael Dean — longtime Sooner football broadcaster and former Griffin Media colleague. A true gentleman who loved to talk OU hoops under Billy Tubbs. Boomer Sooner.

                      💌 Support local journalism:

                      Donate to Oklahoma Watch

                      Donate to Oklahoma Voice

                      📬 About Oklahoma Memo:

                      We’re here to reignite your daily news habit by connecting you to quality local reporting — stress-free.

                      👉 Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

                      👉 Questions or story tips? Email: [email protected]

                      Have a great Wednesday — halfway to the weekend!

                      18 min

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