StateImpact Oklahoma

A hospital in Northwest Oklahoma is reopening its labor-and-delivery unit more than a decade after it closed, amid a new federal investment focused on rural healthcare.

It hopes the model it’s building can sustain access despite looming reductions to federal Medicaid spending signed into law last year alongside the investment fueling its project.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

With President Donald Trump stumping in our state this evening, StateImpact’s Logan Layden talked with OU political science professor Allyson Shortle about the politics of the visit.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Two Oklahoma mothers are challenging state abortion bans in a new lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights last week. The women are seeking to prevent the laws from applying to pregnant Oklahomans who receive fatal fetal diagnoses, which means a pregnancy is likely to end in miscarriage or stillbirth or, in the event of live birth, the infant will not survive with or without medical support.

StateImpact’s Jillian Taylor spoke with lead plaintiff Magon Hoffman about her experience.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Oklahoma schools are scrambling to find ways to continue serving students after the State Department of Education recently ended a federally funded school meal program.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Oklahoma City Public Schools and Metro Technology Centers are teaming up to help students explore healthcare careers without leaving their high schools. The partnership will support students in meeting new graduation requirements.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

For decades, community-based organizations have been on the front lines of providing HIV prevention, receiving funding directly from the federal government. Now, the Trump administration is changing course.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

The Republican runoff election for the state superintendent is Aug. 25. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis sat down with candidate Robert Franklin to talk Oklahoma education.

Candidate James Taylor’s campaign canceled his interview with StateImpact and did not respond to requests to reschedule.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Nostalgic Oklahomans may reminisce about running through their backyards on hot summer evenings, cupping their hands to catch the flying, glowing insects twinkling in the air.

On a muggy evening in late July, supervisor Miranda Adams led a small group of citizen scientists through the dense forest at the Ray Harral Nature Center to search for the glowing beetles.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Oklahoma passed a law last year allowing energy-hungry facilities to build their own power. But as data center announcements sprout up across Oklahoma, most include plans to work with local utilities.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Ascension St. John is seeking federal approval to turn its Nowata hospital into a rural emergency facility, which would mean ending acute inpatient and swing-bed services. The model provides enhanced support to hospitals to maintain local access to emergency and outpatient services.

The nonprofit health system said the move would support the long-term viability of local health care. But many residents oppose the change, arguing that inpatient care is essential for Nowata County.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags