Tulsa World Opinion

"Every day is the birthday of a victim of gun violence." Ginnie Graham hosts Tulsa resident Lisa Kennedy Lawrence, who created the Facebook page called The Birthday Fairy Project. It brings celebratory tribute to victims of mass shootings by bringing attention to when their lives began, rather than when they ended.

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The Birthday Fairy Project on Twitter

Ginnie Graham: Birthday Fairy Project brings celebratory tribute to victims of mass shootings

On 10th anniversary of Sandy Hook, Biden cites 'societal guilt' over lack of action on guns

Mother of Uvalde school shooting victim files federal lawsuit

Editorials Editor Ginnie Graham’s most memorable stories of 2022

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Ginnie Graham hosts author Barry Friedman to wrap up 2022, whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or any/all holidays this month. A look back at the year's inspirations (son's graduation), disappointments (low Oklahoma voter turnout, Elon Musk, politics in general, lack of movement on climate change and other major issues) and more.

Note: Barry Friedman is an essayist, political columnist, petroleum geology reporter and comedian living in Tulsa. In addition to “Funny You Should Mention It,” “Road Comic,” “Four Days and a Year Later” and “The Joke Was On Me,” his first novel, “Jacob Fishman’s Marriages,” a book about the worst love story ever, was published by Balkan Press in February. His sites are barrysfriedman.com and friedmanoftheplains.com.

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Ginnie Graham: Is domestic violence in Oklahoma's DNA?

Ginnie Graham: Stressing out over the annual health care enrollment plans

Ginnie Graham: Getting love lessons from a 50-year-old news series

Column: A judgmental guide to Christmas lights

Weather Wednesday: What are our odds of a white Christmas in Tulsa?

15 Jewish holiday recipes for everyone to try

At Hanukkah event, Biden condemns 'venom' of antisemitism

Six interesting facts you may not have known about Hanukkah

Editorials Editor Ginnie Graham’s most memorable stories of 2022

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PlaniTulsa is the latest group to get hit by a disturbing trend: The disruption (leading to shutdowns) of public meetings. In this week's episode, Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette talk about public meetings now needing security and more due to those seeking a stage to perform. Also, the Oklahoma constitution does not currently allow for religious charter schools (public schools and receive taxpayer dollars). Could that change soon?

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Tulsa planning meeting disrupted by crowd alleging global conspiracies, officials say

Tulsa World Opinion podcast episode from July: School board's shameful sideshow of antics

Oklahoma AG opens door for tax dollars for religious charter schools

New statewide survey shows Oklahoma teacher shortage growing

Political notebook: Lawmakers begin filing 2023 legislation

Tim Chamberlin: NASA's latest Moon mission a stepping stone toward Red Planet

Column by Bixby superintendent: How would health care fare if outcomes were treated the same as public schools?

Editorial Writer Bob Doucette’s most memorable stories of 2022

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham’s most memorable stories of 2022

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Editorial Writer Bob Doucette: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette talk about the Club Q tragedy, which included a victim with local ties. Can the latest mass shooting change anyone's minds about gun control laws? Is anti-LGBTQ rhetoric responsible for incidents like this? Also, hope and optimism with the Project Santa holiday assistance drive and the Oklahoma Eagle turning 100.

Related

Editorial: Grieving for Broken Arrow man killed in latest mass shooting

Loved ones in Tulsa mourn Club Q slaying victim: 'This is the worst nightmare'

Local LGBTQ allies respond to Colorado Springs shooting that killed former Tulsan

Suspect in gay bar shooting that killed 5 facing murder, hate crime charges

Editorial: Oklahoma Eagle turns 100

Editorial: Donate to the Project Santa holiday assistance drive

Landmark same-sex marriage bill wins Senate passage

NATO promises future Ukraine membership and commits more aid

LIV Golf tournament expected in May at Broken Arrow’s Cedar Ridge

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Editorial Writer Bob Doucette: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette talk about the homeless problem in Tulsa. They were both encouraged by recent remarks by Mayor G.T. Bynum on this issue, but Ginnie points out, too, that the public has a responsibility as well. Also discussed were great movies (Plains, Trains and Automobiles) and TV episodes (WKRP in Cincinnati, Friends) that contain a Thanksgiving theme.

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Mayor announces $500M housing initiative during State of the City address

Ginnie Graham: Fix dark money and Electoral College problems with one solution

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Editorial Writer Bob Doucette: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ginnie Graham hosts author Barry Friedman and David Blatt, professor of public policy at OU-Tulsa and former executive director of Oklahoma Policy Institute, to discuss the state's election results. How much did the three Bs (Biden, borders and bathrooms) impact state voters to choose Republicans over Democrats? Why was voter turnout so low? How was polling seemingly so inaccurate?

Note: Barry Friedman is an essayist, political columnist, petroleum geology reporter and comedian living in Tulsa. In addition to “Funny You Should Mention It,” “Road Comic,” “Four Days and a Year Later” and “The Joke Was On Me,” his first novel, “Jacob Fishman’s Marriages,” a book about the worst love story ever, was published by Balkan Press in February. His sites are barrysfriedman.com and friedmanoftheplains.com.

Related content:

2022 midterm elections: Follow all of our local coverage here

Statewide, area legislative, Tulsa County and Tulsa City Council election results

Straight party option accounts for more than half of Stitt's reelection vote

Editorial: Straight-party outdated, passive approach to democracy

Oklahoma voter turnout dips in this year's elections

Bob Doucette: GOP dominates Oklahoma, but a red fizzle elsewhere

Suburban and rural voters make Stitt a winner — again

Oklahoma Watch: Can the state superintendent candidates do what they propose?

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette discuss how pre-election polls were inaccurate for statewide races; the low voter turnout compared to other states; and 42% of Oklahoma voters choosing straight-party voting. How is this "team mentality" hurting quality candidates, and lowering turnout? Also, how will the election outcome impact education, specifically vouchers; and looking ahead to next year's marijuana vote.

Related

Editorial: Votes are in, winners chosen, let's move on

Bob Doucette: Fears for fate of rural schools are real

Oklahoma Watch: Can the state superintendent candidates do what they propose?

Editorial: Private school vouchers still a bad idea for Oklahoma

Editorial: Narrow Senate defeat on private school voucher bill supports public education

State House speaker says chamber won't hear school voucher bill

Suburban and rural voters make Stitt a winner — again

2022 midterm elections: Follow all of our local coverage here

Gov. Kevin Stitt sets special election for recreational marijuana state question

'Honor all veterans': Veterans Day events and restaurant specials

Veterans Day: Tulsa parade headlines day of area activities dedicated to veterans

Click here to submit a letter to the editor 

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Editorial Writer Bob Doucette: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As people prepare to vote, Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette discuss: Despite the rhetoric about safe suburbs, the Tulsa area has a gun violence problem. Plus, have letters to the editor been lopsided this election? Or "litter on a stick" campaign signs unfairly targeted?

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2022 Oklahoma election: Endorsements from Tulsa World's editorial board

2022 Oklahoma election coverage: Previews from statewide and local races

Editorial: Leaders can't promote political violence then act shocked when it happens

Editorial: Tulsa DA Steve Kunzweiler's candor about mental health ought to motivate lawmakers

Editorial: As gun violence claims more youths, a call for action

Tulsa police decry recent fatal teen shootings, spate of homicides Friday

Tulsa couple mourning suspected murder-suicide of son, daughter-in-law and six grandchildren in BA

Bob Doucette: Like it or not, we've got a gun violence problem in Tulsa

Disappearing campaign signs are a reminder that city has volunteer ordinance enforcers

Click here to submit a letter to the editor (Note: endorsement letters will not be published from Saturday-Tuesday ahead of Nov. 8's general election)

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Editorial Writer Bob Doucette: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Barry Friedman returns to visit with Ginnie Graham in this week's bonus podcast to recommend everyone watch the Oklahoma state superintendent debate. Was Jena Nelson not aggressive enough on issues such as a critical federal audit of $31 million in pandemic education funding? Did Ryan Walters repeat the same phrases too many times, including classrooms having porn and liberal indoctrination?

Note: Barry Friedman is an essayist, political columnist, petroleum geology reporter and comedian living in Tulsa. In addition to “Funny You Should Mention It,” “Road Comic,” “Four Days and a Year Later” and “The Joke Was On Me,” his first novel, “Jacob Fishman’s Marriages,” a book about the worst love story ever, was published by Balkan Press in February. His sites are barrysfriedman.com and friedmanoftheplains.com.

Related content:

Watch the debate: Nelson, Walters face off in only state superintendent debate of general election

Race for Oklahoma superintendent: 'We have teachers on both sides' who are polar opposites

Tulsa Public Schools accused of having books with 'inappropriate sexual material'

Ginnie Graham: Brooklyn Library welcomes Oklahomans' use of QR code as free speech symbol

Endorsement: Jena Nelson has best ideas, attitude and ability to lead public schools into next era as state superintendent

Bob Doucette: Fears for fate of rural schools are real

New federal report highly critical of Oklahoma's use of pandemic relief money for education

New federal report highly critical of Oklahoma's use of pandemic relief money for education

Higher crime in Oklahoma? Hofmeister-Stitt clash from debate needs context, expert says

Takeaways from the Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate debate

Hofmeister, Stitt face each other in gubernatorial debate

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Click here to submit a letter to the editor (Note: endorsement letters will not be published from Saturday-Tuesday ahead of Nov. 8's general election)

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette ask: Why haven't Oklahoma lawmakers funded State Question 780 and 781? Approved by voters in 2016, the two revolutionary criminal justice reform measures reduced many nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors (780), with savings from lower incarceration rates directed to fund “community rehabilitative programs (781).” Plus, rural schools will be on November's ballot. What do they mean to a community's identity?

Related

Jails in mental health crisis, Oklahoma lawmakers told

Lawmakers pledge push to fund treatment, rehabilitation

Ginnie Graham: Steps Oklahoma lawmakers can take for a mental health system turnaround

Editorial: Lawmakers are violating the law that mandates funds to county mental health programs

Oklahoma Watch: What legislators did instead of funding voter-approved criminal justice reforms

Oklahoma Watch: Prisons plagued with staffing shortages, inefficiencies, report finds

Oklahoma Watch: Bills could doom future state question efforts, experts say

Ginnie Graham: What happened to the money that was supposed to go to local mental health programs?

From January 2020: Oklahoma's prison population dips to level not seen since 2009 but remains overflowing

From November 2019: Pardon and Parole Board approves record number of commutations

From November 2018: In one year, SQ 780 drastically reversed a 10-year upward trend of felony charges, according to Open Justice Oklahoma report

From November 2016: State Question 780 & 781: Criminal justice reform measures approved by voters

State superintendent candidates present markedly different thoughts on education

Bob Doucette: 2022 campaign a Wild West of ideas of how to govern Oklahoma

Bob Doucette: This November, the fate of public schools is on the ballot

Editorial: Private school vouchers still a bad idea for Oklahoma

Editorial: Narrow Senate defeat on private school voucher bill supports public education

State House speaker says chamber won't hear school voucher bill

Contact us

Editorial Editor Ginnie Graham: Email | Twitter | Follow her stories

Editorial Writer Bob Doucette: Email | Twitter | Follow his stories

Subscribe to this podcast at: Apple | Google | Spotify

Click here to submit a letter to the editor (Note: endorsement letters will not be published from Saturday-Tuesday ahead of Nov. 8's general election)

Support the show: https://tulsaworld.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.