As the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, Oklahoma musicians of all ages took to the stage in commemoration.

Inside a performing arts center at scenic Quartz Mountain State Park in late June, the 145th Army Band warmed up before a concert. Outside, students with the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute played frisbee, caught up with friends or awaited their turn to hit the stage later that night.

It is OSAI’s 50th anniversary, which also coincides with America’s 250th.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Tribal nations in Oklahoma are navigating an influx of corporate interest in Indian Country. Thomas Pablo reports on their leaders’ responses to an A-I data center development boom.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

A new law is restricting gender-affirming care for Oklahoma adults if those services were covered by Medicaid and public funds, or provided on state property. Transgender Oklahomans and the already-limited providers offering gender-affirming care in the state are now being forced to adapt to the new policy with little time to prepare.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Oklahoma's natural world is the subject of a new book from author Priscilla Crawford.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Childcare costs are soaring. Infant care at childcare centers rose 27% from 2023 to 2025, according to the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness.

As daycare prices skyrocket to all-time highs, state lawmakers are deploying a patchwork of measures to change the industry. But some Oklahomans say the state should do more to prioritize affordability for families.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Scientists use long-term monitoring of natural areas to help them understand environmental changes. Oklahoma surveyors are keeping track of local species, including a rare salamander that could offer clues into the well-being of its environment.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

The 2026 legislative session has come to end. Logan Layden talked with StateImpact Oklahoma reporters about their takeaways on legislation impacting education, health, science and the environment.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Three years ago, a new federal designation for rural hospitals went into effect, allowing facilities to receive enhanced support for outpatient and emergency services if they gave up their more expensive inpatient care.

The rural emergency hospital provider type is meant to support small rural facilities amid challenges like lower volume, aging populations and rising costs.

As the designation gains traction in Oklahoma, some providers said it has become a lifeline for their facilities, which would otherwise close. But critics argue there is a need for other solutions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Oklahoma is again ground zero for a battle over publicly funded religious education as a proposed Jewish charter school looks to the courts for vindication. That’s despite members of the state’s Jewish community saying they weren’t consulted and are “deeply concerned” about the threat to the separation of church and state.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags

Oklahoma Republicans want to send Medicaid expansion back to voters so lawmakers can have more control in addressing spending. But medical and policy experts worry the effort is shortsighted.

Mentioned in this episode:

Social Media tags