Tulsa Local Pulse

Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Friday, August first, and we're starting off with several big stories shaping our community today.

First, Tulsa police have made a significant breakthrough in a six-year-old cold case. Jerrell Jones has been arrested and charged with felony murder related to a deadly robbery attempt back in 2019. Police say a new witness came forward, leading to Jones's arrest. The incident took place when two men mistakenly broke into the wrong apartment, leading to the tragic shooting death of Ben Montgomery. Jones is being held on a hefty one point five million dollar bond, and detectives indicate that more arrests may follow.

Staying with public safety, another disturbing case unfolded late last night near Seventy-first and Mingo, where a man surrendered after admitting he shot his mother multiple times in their apartment complex. The woman is hospitalized. Tulsa police acted fast, but the family and neighbors are shaken. These cases are reminders of the ongoing work our first responders do each day.

Meanwhile, there's debate at City Hall and State government over a new Oklahoma Highway Patrol plan that will send more troopers from metro areas like ours to work rural highways. Some Tulsa leaders, including Representative Ross Ford, are voicing concern that the move could leave local highways under-patrolled, potentially affecting both response times and public safety.

Turning to the weather, after a stormy few weeks, things are starting to settle. Around seventy-five degrees early, we’re looking at highs in the upper eighties with only a slight chance of lingering showers. The heat alert has been lifted, providing much-needed relief. Weekend events from River Parks to Guthrie Green should have pleasant weather, so get outside and enjoy it.

Culturally, there's conversation over a planned protest set for this weekend just across the street from the Jewish Community Center on South Lewis. The Jewish Federation and State Senator Jo Anna Dossett have raised concerns about its location, emphasizing both safety and sensitivity.

In the courts, attention is on Tulsa woman Norma Jane Lumpkin, who is seeking sentencing relief under the Oklahoma Survivors Act after forty years in prison for the murder of her husband. The hearing drew powerful testimony from both sides of the family. The judge is set to announce her decision in September.

Switching gears, the local job market is still running tight in some sectors, especially health care and skilled trades, where listings are up around ten percent from last quarter. For anyone considering a move, the Tulsa real estate market continues to hold steady, with home values mostly unchanged from earlier this summer.

New business activity gives us plenty to cheer for. There's a new Latin bakery opening this weekend on Cherry Street, while a longtime Midtown cafe is closing its doors for good after thirty years—making way for redevelopment.

On the sports front, congratu

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Thursday, July thirty first. We start with breaking news overnight as Tulsa police and first responders were called to the intersection of 61st Street and Memorial Drive just after three a.m. following a two-vehicle collision. One person is recovering from injuries, and Memorial Drive is back open this morning, but drivers in south Tulsa are reminded to stay alert and use caution at busy intersections.

Shifting over to city hall, our leaders last night held a packed public hearing about plans for a new tax increment financing district in the Crutchfield neighborhood, just northeast of downtown. The proposal aims to bring as much as two hundred million dollars in development over the next twenty five years, dedicated mostly to new and rehabilitated housing, better streets, and small businesses. Some residents spoke up, sharing concerns that other neighborhoods with longstanding needs are still waiting their turn for city investment. The council has set another hearing for August twenty seventh before the final vote.

Weather is giving us a true taste of summer. It’s a warm morning with temperatures kicking off near seventy five degrees. We are heading into another hot day, with highs expected to hit ninety nine and humidity making it feel even warmer through the afternoon. We could see patchy clouds, but rain is not likely to bring relief. If you are planning to be out at Gathering Place or along Riverside, pack water and seek shade when you can.

In the jobs sector, Tulsa continues to feel the nationwide trend of steady but competitive hiring. Openings in health care and logistics remain strong, with a number of local hospitals and Amazon’s distribution center currently posting for dozens of new positions. On the real estate front, buying interest in central and midtown Tulsa is picking up again, with homes typically listing for just under three hundred thousand and averaging about two weeks on the market.

On the cultural side, the BOK Center is gearing up for a weekend of live music, with an outdoor summer concert series kicking off Friday night—including performances from several local bands. Music fans should mark their calendars as tickets for next month’s Center of the Universe Festival are nearly sold out. In personal achievement news, congrats go to Tessa Durrell of Broken Arrow, who was just named Miss Oklahoma twenty twenty five. She’s planning a yearlong statewide campaign focused on community service, and will make her first televised interview Monday morning.

For our schools, Booker T. Washington High School’s girls track team capped off their preseason by taking top spots in the Tulsa Metro Relay. Coaches are calling this a strong sign that our local athletes will contend statewide this fall. Parents and students alike are also prepping for the upcoming school year, with district leaders reminding everyone to check new bus routes released online this week.

Turning briefly to crime and p

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Sunday, July 27th, 2025. We’re waking up to a hot and mostly sunny day, with the high pushing up to around 95 degrees and only a slim chance of rain, so let’s keep that sunscreen handy if we’re heading outside. Winds out of the south will bring just a bit of relief, but let’s all remember to stay hydrated, especially if we’re out at the markets or local events this afternoon.

Let’s start downtown, where there’s new energy buzzing. The Downtown Tulsa Partnership is calling for local artists to bring color to the alleyways off West 5th Street. This project is shaping up to be a celebration of local creativity and could change the feel of our city blocks as early as next month. Meanwhile, business leaders are sounding the alarm about public safety concerns in downtown. They’re in discussion with city officials, hoping to see more patrols and resources for groups working toward safer streets. These talks come just as city hall is weighing how to invest in neighborhood improvements and public safety for the next year’s budget.

In state news with a direct impact here in Tulsa, lawmakers have advanced Senate Bill 304, which could soon replace our current tiered income tax with a flat 4.75 percent rate. Supporters say this will simplify life for all of us at tax time and save Oklahomans about one hundred twenty million dollars. Opponents argue it will leave gaps in state funding for key programs, especially education and health services, so we’re watching the debate closely as it heads to the House.

Saturday brought some traffic trouble to our north. In Owasso, a serious motorcycle crash shut down North Garnett Road at one hundredth street North for hours as first responders worked the scene. Authorities say the rider remains in critical condition. If you were in the area and saw what happened, Owasso Police are asking witnesses to reach out as they piece together exactly how the crash unfolded.

Turning to real estate and job news, Tulsa renters are still feeling the squeeze. The latest housing report finds that making minimum wage here means having to work nearly two and a half full-time jobs just to cover a modest one-bedroom apartment. Vocal neighbors near sixty-first and Memorial are now pushing back against a new redevelopment proposal for the old Vista Shadow Mountain complex, worried that the changes won’t deliver the promised improvements. On the job front, our labor market remains steady, with several new postings in tech, education, and health services, but entry-level wages still haven’t caught up to living costs for many in the city.

Tulsa music fans have some fun to look forward to this week. Concerts at Guthrie Green and the BOK Center are bringing everything from jazz to country, not to mention the new West 5th Street mural project in the arts scene. For families, there’s the Tulsa Drillers’ home stand starting Tuesday and free story time at the Central Library tomorrow morning, which is alw

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Saturday, July twenty-sixth. The heat is front and center this weekend as our city braces for highs just shy of triple digits. We wake up to clear skies and a steady eighty-three degrees, but by afternoon, we’re staring at ninety-seven, so if you’re heading outside—hydrate, seek shade, and keep an eye out for those heat advisories wandering through the city. Overnight, we only cool down to the mid-seventies, so don’t expect much relief until the workweek returns.

We’re starting with breaking news from city hall: Tulsa 911 services are back online after a short but disruptive outage yesterday morning. Emergency officials report that response times are back to normal and the city is reviewing system upgrades to avoid future disruptions. Also out of city hall, there is buzz around the proposed reinterment of historic remains managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers at the Tulsa District. Federal officials say a plan is expected to be published for community feedback early next week, which could impact several parcels around Riverside and Tulsa's waterway trails.

On the crime beat, Tulsa Police made a swift arrest early Friday following a break-in at a local vape shop on South Peoria Avenue. Officers credit quick-acting neighbors for alerting authorities and helping prevent further property loss. In another case that’s drawn citywide attention, Tulsa law enforcement have also charged a man with murder after a shooting near a well-known pawn shop on Admiral. Community safety remains a top concern and police encourage everyone to stay alert, especially as summer nights get longer.

In the courts this week, two descendants of the Muscogee Freedmen celebrated their legal victory as the Muscogee Supreme Court ruled that Black Creek citizens unjustly denied tribal citizenship must be reinstated. This decision not only impacts the more than one hundred thousand Freedmen descendants but broadens the community’s understanding of legacy and belonging.

Jobs and the real estate markets show steady growth as we end July. Local recruiters say new business openings downtown and in Brookside have added over one hundred jobs since the start of the month, particularly in health care and retail. On the real estate side, home inventory is still tight, hovering just below eight hundred active listings, which is keeping sale prices firm and timelines short. Prospective buyers should be ready to move quickly, with most homes under contract in under two weeks.

Tulsa schools continue to make us proud. Booker T. Washington’s robotics team just ranked first in regional qualifiers, securing a spot in the state finals this fall. Meanwhile, public school leaders remind parents that vaccination clinics are starting up across the city ahead of the school year.

Culturally, Tulsa’s alive with options this weekend. The Drillers host Mascot Mania and a youth brass band concert at ONEOK Field, welcoming dozens of local student musicians

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Friday, July twenty fifth. We start with breaking news that’s been on everyone’s mind. Tulsa police have apprehended Jesse James Brown, the man wanted for the violent stabbing of a jogger on the Turkey Mountain trails early Wednesday morning. According to Tulsa police, Brown approached a 25-year-old woman on the trail, attacked her in the face and head, then fled into the woods. She was taken to the hospital and is currently recovering, and police confirm that Brown, who has a previous criminal history, was detained yesterday evening near 68th Street. Authorities believe mental illness played a role in the attack. Tulsa Police emphasize that public safety is their top priority and community members are relieved to hear the suspect is now in custody.

Turning to City Hall, Tulsa has just approved a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with over three hundred million dollars dedicated to public safety. Public Safety Commissioner Laurel Roberts says this ten million dollar increase will go towards addressing police and fire staffing shortages, funding new academy classes, and improving animal services. The city’s commitment means more officers and firefighters on our streets and new initiatives targeting violent crime hotspots downtown. However, officials point out that collective bargaining talks with police and fire unions are still ongoing, so there may be future adjustments.

The Tulsa Fire Department is making headlines as well. The city has agreed to pay five hundred thousand dollars to end a lawsuit brought by two women who claimed they were passed over for promotion in favor of less qualified male candidates. Their attorney calls this settlement historic, and it has brought renewed attention to hiring practices inside city departments.

On the real estate front, we’re seeing a steady market. Homes near Woodward Park and along Cherry Street are averaging about three hundred fifty thousand dollars. The job market continues to show improvement, with several local companies, especially in tech and distribution, posting openings for mid-level roles.

In local business news, listeners can look forward to the soft opening of two new restaurants downtown this weekend—one on Archer Street and another on Boston Avenue. Meanwhile, a long-standing coffee shop near 21st and Harvard is closing its doors after more than thirty years in business, citing rising rents.

Weather today is classic Tulsa summer—hot and humid. We’ll see highs near ninety-eight, lows around seventy-seven, and a slight southerly breeze. If you are planning outdoor activities, stay hydrated and keep an eye out for those heat advisories.

For community events, the Black Creek Coalition is hosting an information day Saturday at the Greenwood Cultural Center, and the Summer Beats Music Festival kicks off tonight in the Blue Dome District, featuring several local bands and food trucks. If you’re looking for activities with the kids, the Tul

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Thursday, July 24. We’re starting another scorcher in Green Country. The National Weather Service has a heat advisory in effect with a forecast high near 98 degrees today and a heat index that could push 107. If you’re headed out along I-44 or up Riverside Drive, remember to hydrate and check on your neighbors, especially the elderly. The heat and humidity will stick around through the end of the work week, with mostly sunny skies and only a slim chance of late-day storms just outside the metro.

Let’s start with breaking news from downtown. Tulsa County Courthouse employees are still dealing with noise and dust as $28 million in renovations continue. Judges sometimes pause court because of the din, and there are concerns about air quality, but county officials say asbestos abatement wrapped up successfully and all health checks come back clean. To ease the chaos, courthouses have opened five more courtrooms a few blocks away in the Old Sheriff’s Office. Commissioners are weighing whether to shift construction to late evenings, but that could cost taxpayers over half a million dollars.

Now to City Hall, where the city agreed this week to pay five hundred thousand dollars to settle a high-profile gender discrimination lawsuit brought by two of Tulsa Fire Department’s highest-ranking women. Greta Hurt and Julie Lynn allege they were passed over for promotions in favor of less qualified men and then retaliated against for speaking up. While both have moved on, they’re hoping their case drives change in city hiring practices.

Turning to community impact, access to food remains tough for many families. Tulsa food pantries are bracing for more visitors after news of possible cuts to SNAP benefits in Washington. As the head of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma put it, every piece matters in getting meals to those in need, with more than 250,000 Oklahoma kids and nearly 70,000 seniors relying on SNAP for groceries.

In legal news, the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court just confirmed that descendants of Freedmen, who are people whose ancestors were enslaved by the Muscogee Nation, are entitled to tribal citizenship under an 1866 treaty. This decision could shape tribal and city relations, especially in areas touching on law enforcement and jurisdiction.

For jobs and real estate, hiring saw a small bump in warehouse and construction roles this month, with several employers on Admiral Place and near Highway 169 still advertising open positions. On the housing side, move-in ready homes around Maple Ridge and Florence Park are staying on the market a little longer but prices remain steady. New business announcements have been light this week, but local favorite spots along Cherry Street are planning extended hours for the summer.

Sports fans, Union High School’s girls track team took home gold at last night’s meet, and Edison’s summer basketball camp reports record attendance. In pro sports, the Tulsa Drillers are

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Sunday, July twentieth.

We start with the weather because it plays a role in all our plans today. Tulsa is under a brutal heat wave with a triple-digit heat index expected across Green Country. If you are heading out, especially if you're driving along US 169 or working outside, make sure to stay hydrated and check in on neighbors and pets. The heat will stay with us all day, so many outdoor events may be scaled back or rescheduled. As we move into the evening, we might catch a light breeze, but don’t expect major relief.

In city news, there is a point of pride for all of us. The City of Tulsa has just earned its forty-third consecutive award from the Government Finance Officers Association for its outstanding financial reporting. It is rare for any city to reach that level, and this recognition highlights our city’s leadership in transparency and giving us residents a clear view of how our tax dollars are managed. Tulsa continues to be a benchmark for responsible governance.

On the public safety front, Tulsa Police are asking for our help this morning. Authorities are looking for a missing child after a Department of Human Services case worker reached out late Friday. Anyone with information should connect with Tulsa Police, so keep an eye out and help bring peace to that family. Wallets and purses also on alert — no reports of major violent crime overnight, but with the heat and summer events, officers remind everyone to stay aware of their surroundings downtown and in busy public spaces.

Turning to local business, though no major store openings or closings were announced this weekend, Tulsa’s retail and hospitality sectors are bracing for the heat, adjusting hours and staffing to meet demand. Realtors are reporting that about four hundred homes are currently on the market, with summer sales still brisk. For job seekers, local hospitals and schools are hiring, and the hospitality sector on Riverside is looking to bring on over one hundred seasonal workers starting this week.

Community events are happening with a summer twist. Today at nine, the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture is holding drop-in clinic hours on South Fulton. Later tonight at the Hilton Garden Inn in Broken Arrow, catch the Dinner Detective True Crime Mystery show—tickets are still available and it’s a unique experience for date night or friends. Looking ahead, the Summer Sizzler 5K is set for August third at West 23rd Street. And for families with school-age kids, local districts have wrapped summer school and are reporting a record number of students attending reading enrichment programs, a win for the community.

Let’s close with some feel-good news. Tulsa’s Finance Department staff, fresh off their award for transparency, are volunteering for Habitat for Humanity next weekend, proving our public servants really do go the extra mile both in and outside of city hall.

Thanks for spending your morning with us. We ho

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Saturday, July 19.

Our top story today is the city’s safety efforts in the Greenwood District. After last month’s tragic shooting during the Juneteenth Festival that injured more than twenty and claimed one life, Greenwood neighbors and business owners have submitted a comprehensive new security plan to City Hall. The plan includes stricter event security requirements, more visible law enforcement, and better crowd management. With more police patrols already showing up in Greenwood, local leaders say they’re watching to see if the city adopts these new measures before the next city council meeting.

Turning to overnight developments, Tulsa police responded in the early hours yesterday to a deadly crash near East 15th Street and Sheridan. Officers pulled a trapped passenger from a burning car, but the 21-year-old man later died at the hospital. The driver, who had also been taken to the hospital, is expected to recover. Police say the vehicle was speeding before it struck a concrete building. The crash is still under investigation, and authorities are reviewing the details before submitting their final report to the District Attorney.

As for the weather, it's a classic Oklahoma July morning. Skies are clear, and we’re starting off warm at 81 degrees. Expect highs to reach near 96 with a low tonight in the upper seventies. Sunday brings even hotter temperatures, peaking around 100. If you’re heading outside, stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.

The real estate market remains active, with the state’s mental health agency moving forward with the sale of two properties in North Tulsa. Auction signs are up for a ten-acre site that houses the Palmer Addiction Recovery Services center on North Peoria. The property is valued near $900,000, and revenues are expected to help shore up critical infrastructure needs.

In the job market, Tulsa’s in the national spotlight thanks to a booming demand for electricians and skilled trades. Experts at the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s State of Workforce event shared that the city is set for massive investments in new data centers, driving wages for experienced electricians upwards, in some cases topping $400,000 a year. With energy needs projected to double in coming years, workforce leaders are encouraging more Oklahomans to consider the trades.

Celebrating our culture, Guthrie Green comes alive today with MAS Tulsa: A Caribbean Carnivale Experience, an all-day free event hosted by Sisserou’s Restaurant to showcase Caribbean food and music. Festivities run noon to ten, with live drum performances, dance, a fashion show, and a real taste of the islands right in the Arts District.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, a heads-up: Floating on the Illinois River is off-limits this weekend due to high water, according to the Grand River Dam Authority. Be sure to double-check with your river outfitters if you had paddling plans.

In local sports, congratulations are in order for Booker

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Friday, July 18th, 2025.

We start today in the SOBO District near 18th and Boston, where two major projects are reshaping the heart of Tulsa’s nightlife and entertainment scene. There’s a city-led road improvement underway, part of the Improve Our Tulsa bond package, bringing new sidewalks, resurfaced streets, and improved lighting. Just steps away, a $2.8 million private redevelopment is rising from the ashes of the old Burn Co. BBQ, which was lost in the 2022 fire. When that project wraps up this November, we’ll see a brand-new restaurant and retail space, more than doubling the footprint of the old building. Business owners like Sonny Dalesandro say access is a challenge right now, but there’s real excitement for the final result coming this fall.

From City Hall, the big story today is public safety. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol announced plans to reassign troopers away from both Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas, prompting questions about how that might affect local response times and visible patrols. Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton plans to clarify the move, and we’ll keep an eye on any fallout in coming days.

On the weather front, we’re hot and humid again, with afternoon highs touching 98 along Riverside and a heat index well over 105. Stay hydrated if you’re heading out, especially for today’s noon outdoor concerts around Guthrie Green. A chance for isolated storms lingers later this evening, but skies are staying mostly clear through the weekend.

Tulsa’s job market is holding steady, with the Chamber’s latest State of Workforce and Talent report showing unemployment in Tulsa County at just under 3.8 percent. Health care, logistics, and construction are leading new job openings, with a few dozen new postings along 61st and Memorial. Real estate activity is brisk—median home sales now edge above $265,000, a two percent bump from last month as buyers keep searching for homes near Brookside and Midtown.

Looking ahead, this weekend brings the Tulsa Arts District’s Summer Jam with live music on Main starting tonight and carrying through Saturday. Philbrook hosts its family garden movie night Saturday at sundown. Don’t forget, the Tulsa Drillers face Springfield tonight at ONEOK Field. Last night, Booker T. Washington High’s robotics team captured first place in the state STEM challenge, giving the Hornets another trophy for their showcase.

Crime reports show a relatively calm night in Tulsa. However, we’re monitoring the situation in nearby Owasso, where two people were found dead in a home this morning. Police are investigating, and we’ll bring you more as facts become available. Meanwhile, Tulsa Police are reminding everyone to lock up valuables after car break-ins were reported along 21st Street overnight.

For a feel-good story, local volunteers working at the Tulsa Community Food Bank say they distributed over 7,000 meals yesterday, breaking their summer record and helping families

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Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Thursday, July 17th, 2025.

We wake up today to a brilliant Oklahoma sunrise and another hot summer day ahead. Temperatures are already pushing past eighty, and forecasters expect a high near ninety-four. It’s looking dry and mostly clear, so if you have outdoor plans, you’ll just want to make sure to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade. Tomorrow, we’re headed even warmer, with highs creeping toward ninety-six and just a slight wind picking up in the afternoon.

Major news this morning centers on a big decision from our Tulsa County Commission. Yesterday, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rezoning of a five hundred acre stretch just south of Owasso between 76th and 86th Streets North for a new data center project. That meeting drew a packed house, with more than a hundred neighbors and advocates crowding county headquarters downtown—some eager about the potential for hundreds of new high-paying jobs and others worried about water use and environmental impact. The developer hasn’t officially named which company will run the center, but says it’ll be focused on cloud computing and data storage. Both the Tulsa and Owasso Chambers of Commerce are behind the project, while neighbors continue to push for transparency on everything from lighting to runoff.

Meanwhile, we want to take a moment to recognize some of our finest. A group of Tulsa Police officers, including Lieutenant Patrick Stephens and Adam Woodard, are on the ground in Ruidoso, New Mexico this morning, helping that community manage dangerous flash floods following devastating wildfires. Oklahoma’s own experience with tornadoes and floods made our crew a key part of coordinating emergency response and relief for exhausted local teams.

Turning to public safety closer to home, Tulsa officers and federal agencies shut down a makeshift dental office discovered inside an apartment on East 61st Street Wednesday. Two people are now in custody following an investigation by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Homeland Security, and the Dental Board. Investigators stress how important it is to seek care from licensed professionals, especially with reports of unregulated drugs and unsafe procedures putting residents at risk.

Staying with crime, Tulsa police are investigating a crash involving an SUV and an ATV near Newton Street that resulted in the hospitalization of a local teen driver. More encouraging, officers recently tracked down a stolen Chevy Camaro from 2022, finding it submerged but thankfully intact out at Lake Sahoma—just another reminder of the dedication our law enforcement shows every day.

Our city continues to focus on safety for our young people. Last month, the Tulsa City Council imposed a youth curfew downtown to cut down on late-night incidents. That curfew, which remains in effect until October, hopes to keep our streets safer as we continue this busy summer.

Looking to Tulsa’s job market, today the Regional Chamb

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