Tulsa World Opinion

Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette talk about the Oklahoma gubernatorial debate between Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, from asking if they ever smoked marijuana (one said yes, one said no) to the closing statement that brought one candidate out from behind the podium. Also, a reminder to get those letters to the editor endorsing candidates in as soon as possible!

Related

Hofmeister, Stitt face each other in gubernatorial debate

Column: 2022 in Oklahoma could possibly be the year of the ‘unstable polls’

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

Hofmeister, Stitt air differences at Petroleum Alliance forum

Election deniers, doubters seeking to control elections in several Western states

Contact us

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

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

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Click here to submit a letter to the editor (Note: endorsement letters will not be published from Saturday-Tuesday ahead of Nov. 8's general election)

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How often do you get to talk to district judges? Who can name your county assessor or commissioner? Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette give their endorsement of the idea of opinion section endorsements: Voters will become more aware of candidates at the bottom of the ballot. Plus, could a "Day of Citizenship" staffing volunteers at local precincts help on Election Day; and support for the idea of moving the animal shelter and the Tulsa Oilers ice rink at Promenade Mall.

Related

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

Guest columnists present health care-based arguments for governor candidates Stitt, Hofmeister

Column: Let's organize a 'Day of Citizenship' to ensure our polls are adequately staffed

Editorial: Moving animal shelter smart idea with a lot of potential

City considering moving animal shelter to new site

Editorial: Oilers turning around Promenade mall, energizing local interest in hockey

Work starts on Tulsa Oilers' new practice facility at Tulsa Promenade mall

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Click here to submit a letter to the editor (Note: endorsement letters will not be published from Saturday-Tuesday ahead of Nov. 8's general election)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 talk about Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, who spoke passionately about the erosion of mental health services in the state after being stabbed by his daughter. If a prominent district attorney in the state cannot access proper mental health services for his family, then how does that bode for everyone else? Plus, how can the community support Tulsa McLain High School after the fatal shooting?

Related

Watch Now: Mental health crisis is 'gaping wound,' needs prioritization by Legislature, Tulsa County DA says after stabbing

Tulsa County DA's daughter arrested; DA released from hospital after stabbing

Daughter of Tulsa County district attorney charged in his stabbing

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

Christian Costello found not guilty by reason of insanity in death of state labor commissioner

Watch Now: Superintendent addresses security at McLain after fatal shooting

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

McLain High School students, staff return to class following fatal shooting

As games keep moving, TPS focused on increasing safety at football games

Bob Doucette: We need to rally around McLain

Stitt signs bill preventing gender-transition treatments for minors at OU medical facilities

Editorial: Lawmakers must work through ARPA fund hold up

Greenwood District added to National Register of Historic Places

Editorial: Greenwood District deserves placement on national historic registry

Surreptitiously obtained video targets TPS' Rogers Middle School teacher on HB 1775

Editorial: Osage Nation is right: We need to repeal HB 1775

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 (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.

Oklahoma has 33,000 teachers who are certified, but choose not to teach. Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette talk about the state's teacher shortage forcing districts to rely on emergency certifications and more. Oklahoma is 34th nationally in average teacher compensation and 46th in per pupil spending. Bringing Oklahoma's certified teachers back begins with respect. Plus, why are extremists harassing our county election board workers?

Related

Ginnie Graham: Oklahoma has 33,000 teachers choosing not to teach; we need them back

Hofmeister to ask Legislature to fund $5,000 across-the-board teacher pay raises amid worsening shortages

New statewide survey shows Oklahoma teacher shortage growing

Editorial: Some Oklahoma lawmakers piling on to harass former teacher over books

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

Answering the call: Oklahoma teacher shortage requires thousands to step into the void every year

House education budget chairman calls for federal dollars to be used on teacher relocation, retention bonuses

Editorial: Evidence of Oklahoma's teacher, staff crisis found everywhere

Editorial: Elections at risk because of extremists harassing workers

Fearing harassment, election workers are quitting, Tulsa County official says

Tulsa among election boards 'working overtime' after Mike Lindell push for 2020 vote records

Bob Doucette: I've seen us at our best - and our worst - on immigration

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 (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.

Oklahoma was among the first states to implement universal pre-K, programs for 4-year-olds offered by public schools. Only eight states fund pre-K for all children. Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette talk about the positive impacts of this program and more.

Related

Two decades of Tulsa pre-K research shows widespread positive effects

Editorial: DHS grants for child care the right move at the right time

Column: Election homework assignment from Oklahoma's Teacher of the Year

Editorial: Election reforms could aid Oklahoma's suffering democracy

Editorial: 988 welcomed addition to mental health crisis care

'The gun violence is unreal': Teen shootings a headache for Tulsa investigators, heartache for families

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

Bob Doucette: A water sports revolution is coming to Tulsa

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 (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.

In this week's episode, Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette talk about Ginnie's meeting with TU student leaders, the stigma that continues with mental health, the troubling political landscape in Oklahoma as campaign season heats up, the death of Queen Elizabeth and an important message from Bob about the value of disconnecting.

Related

Ginnie Graham: Voices of Gen Z have a lot to ask of candidates

Ginnie Graham: Books targeted for banning reflect cultural discomfort of that moment

Bob Doucette: We're all on edge. What we need to do is periodically unplug.

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

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 (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.

Sen. Jo Anna Dossett (D-Tulsa) of District 35, the self-proclaimed "least powerful member of the Oklahoma state Senate" talks about being a Democrat, woman and state Senator in the state of Oklahoma with Ginnie Graham and author Barry Friedman in this week's bonus podcast.

Sen. Dossett was elected two years ago and is not on the ballot in November.

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:

Oklahoma Watch: Most state legislative races not competitive

Editorial: Open primaries will lead to less extreme candidates

Abortion dominates legislative session

Sen. Jo Anna Dossett named Freshman Legislator of the Year for child advocacy efforts

Owasso brother, sister to serve in upper chamber for first time in recent history

Watch Now: Owasso’s Dossett carries inspiration from classroom to newly appointed Senate seat

Watch Now: Owasso's Dossett beats Baber for Senate District 35 seat

School transgender bathroom bill draws legal challenge

Ginnie Graham: Playing education bill whack-a-mole at the Oklahoma Legislature

Contact us

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

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association Vice President LeeAnne Jimenez joins Ginnie Graham and Barry Friedman for a deep dive into what functions teachers unions serve.

Related

Editorial: TPS needs champions to defend against unfair political targeting

Ginnie Graham: Higher education deepens inequities, and government must fix it

Ginnie Graham: Higher education deepens inequities, and government must fix it

Ginnie Graham: Banning books all the rage in conservative circles

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 (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.

It’s been a little over a year since the last U.S. troops left Afghanistan. Ginnie Graham and Bob Doucette discuss the aftermath of the withdrawal; student loan forgiveness; Tulsa Public Schools' unfair political targeting; and Ryan Walters calling for a Norman teacher having her credentials revoked.

Related content

Bob Doucette: We're owed a full explanation of what happened in Afghanistan

One year after Afghanistan evacuations, local services help Tulsa refugees build new lives

Editorial: Senate does veterans wrong by stalling toxic burn pit legislation

$150k grant, other funding to help Afghan refugees in Tulsa with transportation

Editorial: Don't forget refugees as victims of war

They fled Afghanistan for their lives. Now, two refugee brothers, 13 children, have a home, new hope in Tulsa

Biden's first year furiously denounced by Oklahoma's political leaders

D.C. Digest: Inhofe wants more Afghanistan hearings

Oklahoma's high-ranking count of Afghan refugees a 'testament' to state's heart, official says

Rep. Mullin resurfaces, says he's OK and 'helping get Americans out of Afghanistan'

State lawmakers who served in Afghanistan have mixed feelings about troop withdrawal

Watch Now: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt responds to President Biden's address on Afghanistan

2 Oklahoma congressmen clash with White House over student loan forgiveness

Student loan crisis awaits new generation despite Biden plan

City Council puts homeless ordinances on hold, establishes working group to examine issue

Editorial: TPS needs champions to defend against unfair political targeting

Watch Now: State Board of Education denies HB 1775 accreditation challenges from TPS, Mustang

Ryan Walters calls to revoke certification of Norman teacher who resigned over HB 1775

Ginnie Graham: Banning books all the rage in conservative circles

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 (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.

Total bans versus allowing exceptions on abortion can become a question of religion, science, rights and politics. Ginnie Graham interviews author Barry Friedman about the issue in this week's bonus podcast.

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:

Bob Doucette: We're playing with fire with Christian nationalism

Clergy, social workers fear fallout from Oklahoma abortion laws

Column: What Kansas vote to preserve abortion rights means for Oklahoma

Ginnie Graham: Grab 'em by the ballot box

Will abortion be on more state ballots after Kansas vote?

Republican Senate candidates defend Trump, endorse federal abortion ban

Editorial: Oklahoma congressional delegation wrong on votes against birth control, same-sex marriage

Tulsans continue to rally for abortion rights

Column: Stitt's executive order addressing 'crisis pregnancies' falls short of long-term pro-family policies

State laws on abortion, transgender issues have companies balking on coming to Oklahoma, development official says

Oklahoma Sen. Lankford blocks bill guaranteeing interstate travel for abortion

Ginnie Graham: Tulsa women getting illegal abortions before Roe entered scary, dangerous world

Contact us

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

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.