This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Indigenous Affairs reporter Sarah Liese about Westwin Elements, a nickel refinery in southern Oklahoma built on land near the Kiowa Comanche Apache Tribe. The plant was built and is currently operating despite opposition from the tribe as well as local residents.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Agriculture and Rural Issues Reporter Anna Pope about a waiver request from Oklahoma leaders to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. The waiver comes as the federal government is also seeking changes to the food program. 

Despite a valiant effort by KOSU listeners and public media supporters nationwide, Congress has voted to rescind $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

This money had already been promised and budgeted for at KOSU and public media stations across the country. Losing it is devastating, and one NPR estimate shows that roughly 18% of the country’s public radio stations will close imminently, and nearly a third of listeners would lose access to NPR programming.

The rescission package is expected to be signed by President Trump soon, as he initially requested the move from Congress.

To be clear, this does not mean KOSU is going away. Thanks to you, KOSU is set up well for the future. However, this loss of foundational funding will likely result in a reduction of programming or local news without additional support.

Still have questions about how you can help?

Please reach out to us at [email protected].

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with mental health and addiction reporter Sierra Pfeifer about $1B in cuts from President Trump to schools across the country to hire mental health professionals and how it will impact Oklahoma's rural districts

In the next few days, the U.S. Senate will consider a package that would devastate many public radio stations by clawing back two years of previously approved funding. At KOSU, it would significantly impact our ability to provide emergency alerts and Oklahoma news.

You can help by calling Senator Lankford and Senator Mullin to ask them to resist the rescission because of the impact it would have on Oklahoma. Here is a sample script.

Sen. James Lankford: 202-224-5754

Sen. Markwayne Mullin: 202-224-4721

Don't live in Oklahoma? Check this listing for your Senator's contact information.

Find out more on how you can make a difference at kosu.org/cuts.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with KOSU State Capitol reporter Lionel Ramos about his story regarding 29-year-old Cesar Reyes who was deported earlier this year after a crackdown by President Trump on undocumented workers.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics is taking a break over the summer months.

 We will return in the first week in September.

 In the meantime, you can keep up to date on the latest news at KOSU.org.

 And make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram.

 Thank you for listening to This Week in Oklahoma Politics and we’ll see you again in September.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former State House Democratic Leader Emily Virgin about a state Supreme Court ruling on House Bill 1775 to limit discussions of race and sex in schools, the state's high court justices considering oral arguments against a state question to open Oklahoma's primary elections and a new legal challenge to a 2007 law requiring a "sex offender" tag on drivers' licenses.

The trio also discusses an agreement on jurisdiction between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation along with the impact of the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA Championship.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about the "No Kings" rally in cities across the state, an animal rights group showing leaders of the Gamefowl Commission involved in illegal cockfighting and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission moving forward with prosecution against Oklahoma City Democratic Representative Ajay Pittman.

The trio also discusses the win for State Superintendent Ryan Walters' controversial social studies standards after a favorable ruling from the court and Governor Stitt signing two bills designed to keep veteran educators in the classroom.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about Governor Stitt picking a new leader for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the state's sweeping immigration law remains on hold after a federal judge's ruling and Attorney General Gentner Drummond calls for the removal of refugees from Afghanistan.

The trio also discusses the resignation of Epic Virtual Charter School's superintendent amid cuts and the Heartland Flyer looks to end service on or before October First.