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Articles by Maddy Keyes
'I was chained up': How court debt forgiveness gave one Oklahoman a new life
A drop of molten plastic landed on Ernesto Akothe's back as he slept. He was inside a tent in a wooded area in Harrah with his girlfriend lying beside him. The couple had been without permanent housing for more than 10 years, sleeping in a car or camping in a private spot deep in the forest. The small fire he lit to keep warm on that brisk winter night had spread to the flaps of the tent. And the flames were melting it with the couple inside. "I almost burned alive," Akothe recounted.
'I was chained up': How court debt forgiveness gave one Oklahoman a new life
Cassidy Hutchinson 12 hours ago Justice Department fails to indict former White House aide over her testimony about Trump and Jan. 6, sources say CNN - Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand • 12h Justice Department prosecutors on Tuesday tried and failed to secure a grand jury indictment of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson over her testimony about President Donald Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot, according to two people familiar with the matter. Hutchison was a …
THE FRONTIER: Oklahoma law requires judges to waive court debt for poor defendants. Some refuse.
Archie Riley couldn’t sign his own plea deal. The 67-year-old has severe arthritis in his hand that makes it difficult to write, according to court records. It’s one of the reasons he struggles to work full time and can’t afford to pay the $1,358 he owes the court for a 2025 conviction for driving under the influence without a valid license.
Oklahoma law requires judges to waive court debt for poor defendants. Some refuse.
Archie Riley couldn't sign his own plea deal. The 67-year-old has severe arthritis in his hand that makes it difficult to write, according to court records. It's one of the reasons he struggles to work full time and can't afford to pay the $1,358 he owes the court for a 2025 conviction for driving under the influence without a valid license. Riley lives below the federal poverty level, lacks permanent housing, and receives food stamp benefits and Social Security SSI payments.
Oklahoma law requires judges to waive court debt for poor defendants. Some refuse.
Archie Riley couldn't sign his own plea deal. The 67-year-old has severe arthritis in his hand that makes it difficult to write, according to court records. It's one of the reasons he struggles to work full time and can't afford to pay the $1,358 he owes the court for a 2025 conviction for driving under the influence without a valid license. Riley lives below the federal poverty level, lacks permanent housing, and receives food stamp benefits and Social Security SSI payments.
Oklahoma law requires judges to waive court debt for poor defendants. Some refuse.
2 hours ago President Trump addressed a midterm rally at the Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia, on Saturday, Oct. 24, and said the US is "making a freaking fortune" on oil, according to Newsweek. He said the country is making "hundreds of billions" because buyers are coming to Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, …
Oklahoma County risks more costly jail lawsuits without bail reform, DA warns
This story was published in collaboration with The Frontier. Oklahoma County will continue to face costly lawsuits stemming from its overcrowded, understaffed jail unless reforms allow more people to be released into the community before trial, said Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna at an interim study at the Capitol on Wednesday. The county has paid at least $9 million this year to settle lawsuits over two deaths at the Oklahoma County jail.
Oklahoma cleared homeless encampments. One year later, some people are back
One year after Gov. Kevin Stitt launched Operation Safe, some homeless encampments that were cleared by state troopers are back. Dozens of people have taken shelter on state-owned property beneath a Tulsa underpass and tents and other temporary structures have popped up in wooded lots that were swept a year ago, according to local service providers.
Oklahoma cleared homeless encampments. A year later, some people are back
Housing Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Brianna Bailey / The Frontier People were camping on a state-owned patch of land next to Food and Shelter in Norman on Oct. 3, 2026. The state spent more than $899,000 clearing camps in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Figures aren’t available yet for how much the state spent repeatedly clearing one camp in Norman. Providers say many people displaced by the sweeps had nowhere to go. One year after Gov.
THE FRONTIER: Oklahoma cleared homeless encampments. A year later, some people are back.
One year after Gov. Kevin Stitt launched Operation Safe, some homeless encampments that were cleared by state troopers are back. Dozens of people have taken shelter on state-owned property beneath a Tulsa underpass and tents and other temporary structures have popped up in wooded lots that were swept a year ago, according to local service providers.
Norman lawmaker proposes billing cities for clearing homeless camps. 'Go home'
Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, has asked for state troopers to clear the same homeless encampment in her city three times in the past four months as part of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Operation SAFE. Clusters of tents soon sprang up again in a state-owned field next to a homeless shelter in Norman after the first two times troopers cleared the camp. Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested 17 people found living in the field during the most recent raid on Aug. 19.
‘Go home’: Norman senator backs Stitt’s homelessness sweeps and considers making cities pay
A Norman lawmaker is considering proposing legislation that would allow the state to bill cities for the governor’s effort to clear homeless encampments from state land. Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, has asked for state troopers to clear the same homeless encampment in her city three times in the past four months as part of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Operation SAFE. kAmr=FDE6CD @7 E6?ED D@@? DAC2?8 FA 282:? :? 2 DE2E6\@H?65 7:6=5 ?6IE E@ 2 9@>6=6DD D96=E6C :? }@C>2?
Oklahoma troopers clear another Norman homeless encampment
Oklahoma News Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Maddy Keyes / The Frontier State troopers stand in the vacant, state-owned field by the Norman Food and Shelter as workers clear away the encampment as part of the governor’s Operation SAFE. With nowhere else to go, those camping in the field moved their belongings to the adjacent sidewalk. State troopers returned to Norman for a second time to clear a homeless encampment on Friday next to a local shelter.
THE FRONTIER: Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That’s how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. kAm$6?] s2G6 #256C[ #\%F=D2[ 2?5 #6A] }:4@=6 |:==6C[ #\t5>@?5[ H:== 9@=5 2 962C:?8 2E E96 ~<=29@>2 r2A:E@= =2E6C E9:D J62C E@ 6I2>:?6 AC6EC:2= AC24E:46D :?
THE FRONTIER: Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That’s how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. kAm$6?] s2G6 #256C[ #\%F=D2[ 2?5 #6A] }:4@=6 |:==6C[ #\t5>@?5[ H:== 9@=5 2 962C:?8 2E E96 ~<=29@>2 r2A:E@= =2E6C E9:D J62C E@ 6I2>:?6 AC6EC:2= AC24E:46D :?
THE FRONTIER: Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That’s how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. kAm$6?] s2G6 #256C[ #\%F=D2[ 2?5 #6A] }:4@=6 |:==6C[ #\t5>@?5[ H:== 9@=5 2 962C:?8 2E E96 ~<=29@>2 r2A:E@= =2E6C E9:D J62C E@ 6I2>:?6 AC6EC:2= AC24E:46D :?
THE FRONTIER: Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That’s how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. kAm$6?] s2G6 #256C[ #\%F=D2[ 2?5 #6A] }:4@=6 |:==6C[ #\t5>@?5[ H:== 9@=5 2 962C:?8 2E E96 ~<=29@>2 r2A:E@= =2E6C E9:D J62C E@ 6I2>:?6 AC6EC:2= AC24E:46D :?
THE FRONTIER: Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That’s how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. kAm$6?] s2G6 #256C[ #\%F=D2[ 2?5 #6A] }:4@=6 |:==6C[ #\t5>@?5[ H:== 9@=5 2 962C:?8 2E E96 ~<=29@>2 r2A:E@= =2E6C E9:D J62C E@ 6I2>:?6 AC6EC:2= AC24E:46D :?
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Twenty seconds. That's how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely
Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma's pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
By Maddy Keyes Twenty seconds. That's how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers.
Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma's pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
By Maddy Keyes Twenty seconds. That's how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers.
THE FRONTIER: Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That’s how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. kAm$6?] s2G6 #256C[ #\%F=D2[ 2?5 #6A] }:4@=6 |:==6C[ #\t5>@?5[ H:== 9@=5 2 962C:?8 2E E96 ~<=29@>2 r2A:E@= =2E6C E9:D J62C E@ 6I2>:?6 AC6EC:2= AC24E:46D :?
THE FRONTIER: Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That’s how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. kAm$6?] s2G6 #256C[ #\%F=D2[ 2?5 #6A] }:4@=6 |:==6C[ #\t5>@?5[ H:== 9@=5 2 962C:?8 2E E96 ~<=29@>2 r2A:E@= =2E6C E9:D J62C E@ 6I2>:?6 AC6EC:2= AC24E:46D :?
Lawmakers to look at concerns over bail hearings
By Maddy Keyes | The Frontier OKLAHOMA CITY - Twenty seconds. That's how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers.
Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma's pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings
Twenty seconds. That's how long some defendants have during one of their first court appearances in Oklahoma County when the judge reads their charges and sets bail. And judges rarely ask defendants about their personal circumstances or ability to pay bail, as the law requires. The issue is on the radar of some Oklahoma lawmakers. Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, will hold a hearing at the Oklahoma Capitol later this year to examine pretrial practices in Oklahoma County.
Justice in Less Than a Minute? Oklahoma County Bail Hearings Don’t Meet Constitutional Standards, Attorneys Say.
This story was first published by The Frontier and KOSU. Ethan Corey, research and projects editor at The Appeal, contributed to this report. There were 60 cases to be heard on a busy May morning in Judge Thomas Riesen’s courtroom. Detention officers at the nearby Oklahoma County jail roamed from floor to floor with a tablet or iPhone for brief virtual hearings as the judge read aloud each of the detainees’ charges and set bail.
Poor defendants often blocked from OK County pretrial release program
An Oklahoma County program gets people charged with nonviolent crimes released from jail before trial if they can’t afford bail, but prosecutors try to block most defendants from participating. The nonprofit The Education and Employment Ministry, or TEEM, runs the program. TEEM monitors participants, ensuring they appear in court and comply with drug testing and other conditions of release.
OK County bail hearings don't meet constitutional standards, attorneys say
There were 60 cases to be heard on a busy May morning in Judge Thomas Riesen’s courtroom. Detention officers at the nearby Oklahoma County jail roamed from floor to floor with a tablet or iPhone for brief virtual hearings as the judge read aloud each of the detainees’ charges and set bail. Riesen spoke to the detainees via video from his fifth-floor courtroom in downtown Oklahoma City, about half a mile from the county jail. Most of the hearings lasted roughly a minute.
Oklahoma County bail hearings don’t meet constitutional standards, attorneys say
This story was produced by The Frontier in partnership with KOSU. Ethan Corey, research and projects editor at The Appeal, contributed to this report. There were 60 cases to be heard on a busy May morning in Judge Thomas Riesen’s courtroom. Detention officers at the nearby Oklahoma County jail roamed from floor to floor with a tablet or iPhone for brief virtual hearings as the judge read aloud each of the detainees’ charges and set bail.
Justice in less than a minute? Oklahoma County bail hearings don't meet constitutional standards, attorneys say
Criminal Justice Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Oklahoma County Detention Center A detention officer at the Oklahoma County jail holds a phone up for a detainee for a virtual court hearing. Public defenders say judges routinely fail to consider whether defendants can afford bail, leaving poor and homeless people jailed on low-level charges. This story was produced in partnership with The Frontier. Ethan Corey, research and projects editor at The Appeal, contributed to this report.
Justice in less than a minute? Oklahoma County bail hearings don't meet constitutional standards, attorneys say
This story was produced in partnership with The Frontier. Ethan Corey, research and projects editor at The Appeal, contributed to this report. There were 60 cases to be heard on a busy May morning in Judge Thomas Riesen's courtroom. Detention officers at the nearby Oklahoma County jail roamed from floor to floor with a tablet or iPhone for brief virtual hearings as the judge read aloud each of the detainees’ charges and set bail.
OK County program supposed to help poor people out of jail. It's rarely supported
An Oklahoma County program gets people charged with nonviolent crimes released from jail before trial if they can’t afford bail, but prosecutors try to block most defendants from participating. The nonprofit The Education and Employment Ministry, or TEEM, runs the program. TEEM monitors participants, ensuring they appear in court and comply with drug testing and other conditions of release.
Oklahoma County has a program to help poor people get out of jail. Prosecutors rarely support it
This story was produced in partnership with The Frontier. An Oklahoma County program gets people charged with nonviolent crimes released from jail before trial if they can't afford bail, but prosecutors try to block most defendants from participating. The nonprofit The Education and Employment Ministry, or TEEM, runs the program. TEEM monitors participants, ensuring they appear in court and comply with drug testing and other conditions of release.
State clears homeless camp in Norman, offers no funds for those displaced
NORMAN, OK – Gov. Kevin Stitt’s operation to clear homeless encampments from state land has moved to Norman, but without an offer of funding to house displaced people. The move comes after the state agreed to pay Oklahoma City up to $800,000 for housing and support services when Stitt’s Operation Safe cleared homeless encampments there last year.
State clears homeless camp in Norman but has offered no housing funds for displaced residents
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s operation to clear homeless encampments from state land has moved to Norman, but without an offer of funding to house displaced people. The move comes after the state agreed to pay Oklahoma City up to $800,000 for housing and support services when Stitt’s Operation Safe cleared homeless encampments there last year.
Oklahoma resource hotlines get funding, but future remains uncertain
Oklahoma’s resource hotlines will receive state funding this year for the first time in a decade after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a measure creating the 211 Hotline Revolving Fund, but future funding remains uncertain. The free 211 hotlines operate 24/7 and connect hundreds of thousands of callers each year with resources like housing and mental health support. But the hotlines’ resources have been stretched thin by an ever-growing need for services.
Oklahoma’s 211 hotlines secure state funding
Oklahoma’s resource hotlines will receive state funding this year for the first time in a decade after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a measure creating the 211 Hotline Revolving Fund, but future funding remains uncertain. The free 211 hotlines operate 24/7 and connect hundreds of thousands of callers each year with resources like housing and mental health support. But the hotlines’ resources have been stretched thin by an ever-growing need for services.
Oklahoma’s 211 hotlines secure state funding
Oklahoma’s resource hotlines will receive state funding this year for the first time in a decade after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a measure creating the 211 Hotline Revolving Fund, but future funding remains uncertain. The free 211 hotlines operate 24/7 and connect hundreds of thousands of callers each year with resources like housing and mental health support. But the hotlines’ resources have been stretched thin by an ever-growing need for services.
Oklahoma County cuts jail monitoring staff to close a budget gap, meaning fewer eyes on detainees
Criminal Justice Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Brianna Bailey / The Frontier The Oklahoma County Detention Center The Oklahoma County Detention Center will soon have fewer people checking on detainees and ensuring their safety after jail officials canceled a contract with a staffing company to save money at the cash-strapped facility.
County cuts jail monitoring staff, meaning fewer eyes on detainees
The Oklahoma County Detention Center will soon have fewer people checking on detainees and ensuring their safety after jail officials canceled a contract with a staffing company to save money at the cash-strapped facility. The jail entered an agreement with Louisiana-based VieMed Healthcare Staffing LLC in May 2024 to staff the jail with 20 to 30 contract workers whose sole task would be to conduct sight checks on detainees. The jail was paying the company about $180,000 a month for staffing.
Oklahoma County cuts jail monitoring staff to close a budget gap, meaning fewer eyes on detainees
The Oklahoma County Detention Center will soon have fewer people checking on detainees and ensuring their safety after jail officials canceled a contract with a staffing company to save money at the cash-strapped facility. The jail entered an agreement with Louisiana-based VieMed Healthcare Staffing LLC in May 2024 to staff the jail with 20 to 30 contract workers whose sole task would be to conduct sight checks on detainees. The jail was paying the company about $180,000 a month for staffing.
Oklahoma County jail will have fewer detainee checks after contact cut
The Oklahoma County Detention Center will soon have fewer people checking on detainees and ensuring their safety after jail officials canceled a contract with a staffing company to save money at the cash-strapped facility. The jail entered an agreement with Louisiana-based VieMed Healthcare Staffing LLC in May 2024 to staff the jail with 20 to 30 contract workers whose sole task would be to conduct sight checks on detainees. The jail was paying the company about $180,000 a month for staffing.
Oklahoma County cuts jail monitoring staff to close a budget gap, meaning fewer eyes on detainees
The Oklahoma County Detention Center will soon have fewer people checking on detainees and ensuring their safety after jail officials canceled a contract with a staffing company to save money at the cash-strapped facility. The jail entered an agreement with Louisiana-based VieMed Healthcare Staffing LLC in May 2024 to staff the jail with 20 to 30 contract workers whose sole task would be to conduct sight checks on detainees. The jail was paying the company about $180,000 a month for staffing.
THE FRONTIER: Homeless shelter oversight bill among housing measures advancing at Oklahoma Capitol
A bill that would create state oversight of homeless shelters and several other measures addressing housing and homelessness have survived a key deadline in the Oklahoma Legislature. Bills needed to pass out of their chamber of origin by March 26. Bills that didn’t pass out of the full House or Senate by the deadline are usually considered dead for this legislative session. kAmw@FD6 q:== b`b`[ 3J #6A] z6G:? (6DE[ #\|@@C6[ 2?5 $6?] (2CC6?
Bill creating oversight for Oklahoma's homeless shelters survives key deadline
A bill that would create state oversight of homeless shelters and several other measures addressing housing and homelessness have survived a key deadline in the Oklahoma Legislature. Bills needed to pass out of their chamber of origin by March 26. Bills that didn’t pass out of the full House or Senate by the deadline are usually considered dead for this legislative session. House Bill 3131, by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Sen.
The Frontier: Groups that serve victims of crime in Oklahoma face shrinking funding
A dog named Elle greets visitors at the door of a Victorian house near downtown Norman. Toys and books are strung across tables in the living room, framed by couches and kid-sized chairs. Nearby, a hallway is painted with dozens of handprints of different sizes and colors. But this is not a typical home. kAmt249 92?5AC:?E H2D =67E 3J 2 49:=5 H9@ 925 H:E?6DD65 @C 6IA6C:6?465 D@>6 7@C> @7 5@>6DE:4 G:@=6?46 @C D6IF2= 23FD6] }62C=J 6G6CJ :?49 @7 E96 H2== :D DE2>A65 H:E9 7:?86C 2?5 A2=> AC:?ED] p?5 H96?
State finalizes deal to pay for housing after Gov. Stitt cleared homeless encampments in OKC
About 40 people experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma City could be placed in state-funded housing by September. It’s the only time The Homeless Alliance, an Oklahoma City shelter, can remember the state agreeing to pay for housing for people experiencing homelessness in the area. Jamie Caves, strategy implementation manager for Key to Home, said the organization has never before received state funding for encampment rehousing.
The state finalizes deal to pay for housing after Gov. Stitt cleared homeless encampments in Oklahoma City
About 40 people experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma City could be placed in state-funded housing by September. It’s the only time The Homeless Alliance, an Oklahoma City shelter, can remember the state agreeing to pay for housing for people experiencing homelessness in the area. Jamie Caves, strategy implementation manager for Key to Home, said the organization has never before received state funding for encampment rehousing.
Groups that serve victims of crime in Oklahoma face shrinking funding
A dog named Elle greets visitors at the door of a Victorian house near downtown Norman. Toys and books are strung across tables in the living room, framed by couches and kid-sized chairs. Nearby, a hallway is painted with dozens of handprints of different sizes and colors. But this is not a typical home. kAmt249 92?5AC:?E H2D =67E 3J 2 49:=5 H9@ 925 H:E?6DD65 @C 6IA6C:6?465 D@>6 7@C> @7 5@>6DE:4 G:@=6?46 @C D6IF2= 23FD6] }62C=J 6G6CJ :?49 @7 E96 H2== :D DE2>A65 H:E9 7:?86C 2?5 A2=> AC:?ED] p?5 H96?
Oklahoma services for victims of crime struggle without federal funding
A dog named Elle greets visitors at the door of a Victorian house near downtown Norman. Toys and books are strung across tables in the living room, framed by couches and kid-sized chairs. Nearby, a hallway is painted with dozens of handprints of different sizes and colors. But this is not a typical home. Each handprint was left by a child who had witnessed or experienced some form of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Nearly every inch of the wall is stamped with finger and palm prints.
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