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Articles by Steve Metzer
Arts leaders urge lawmakers to crack down on ticket fraud, online bots
OKLAHOMA CITY — Danielle Ezell knows all too well about the frustrations of fans of live entertainment who routinely get beat out of tickets by “bots” incapable of actually hearing music or appreciating a play or dance performance. She’s heard plenty of stories, too, about Oklahomans who have paid for vastly overpriced tickets sold on copycat venue websites and about fraud victims who have overpaid for tickets that don’t even exist.
Study: Oklahoma Should Support Tech-Driven Industries Original
(TNS) — To maintain the momentum of Tulsa’s thriving aerospace industry and other tech-driven industries across Oklahoma, the state must do a better job coordinating strategic investments made in innovation, education, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Results of a recently completed study commissioned by the Oklahoma Technology Alliance reflect that aerospace, energy and other industries reliant on a tech-savvy workforce have had huge impacts on Oklahoma’s economy in recent years.
Study: Lawmakers Should Consider Guardrails for Camera Misuse
(TNS) — Lawmakers were called upon Wednesday to clarify in state statutes whether it’s legal for police in Tulsa and other jurisdictions to utilize networks of automated license plate reading cameras capable of tracking the day-to-day movements of millions of people.
Guide for Tulsa-area voters ahead of Nov. 3 general election
Guide for Tulsa-area voters ahead of Nov. 3 general election A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.
How do Flock cameras work and what are Tulsa police policies?
Automated license plate readers, typically mounted on street poles, placed in police cars or on mobile trailers, capture images of all license plates as vehicles pass. kAm{@42E:@?D[ 2=@?8 H:E9 E:>6 2?5 52E6[ 2C6 E96? 5@H?=@2565 E@ 46?EC2= D6CG6CD]k^Am kAm{2H 6?7@C46>6?E 286?4:6D 42? AC6=@25 =:46?D6 A=2E6D E92E E96J’C6 =@@<:?8 7@C[ DF49 2D E9@D6 2DD:8?65 E@ DE@=6? G69:4=6D[ 2?5 :7 2 42>6C2 42AEFC6D 2? :>286 @7 DF49 2 E28[ 2? 2=6CE 42?
Series: Soaring diesel fuel prices making impact on Oklahoma
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. Series: Soaring diesel fuel prices making impact on Oklahoma A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group. You don't have any notifications. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Topics Breaking News Subscribe
Video: OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. celebrates contribution of Harold Hamm
You are the owner of this article. You have permission to edit this article. Video: OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. celebrates contribution of Harold Hamm A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group. You don't have any notifications. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Topics Breaking News Subscribe
Okla. rural EMS leaders warn rising costs are outpacing property tax funding
By Steve Metzer Tulsa World OKLAHOMA CITY — Rural ambulance services, like those supported by the Oologah-Talala EMS district in Rogers County, are struggling to make ends meet, and the current push to cut property taxes has left some administrators worried about the potential need for a life-saving intervention.
Hear from the plaintiffs: Quotes those suing over Oklahoma’s abortion ban
Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAmkDEC@?8m{625 A=2:?E:77 |28@? w@77>2?ik^DEC@?8m “|J 72>:=J <?6H :>>65:2E6=J E92E 86EE:?8 2? 23@CE:@? H2D E96 C:89E 564:D:@? 7@C FD[ 6DA64:2==J D@ x 4@F=5 36 96C6 2?5 962=E9J 7@C >J 6=56DE 52F89E6C] qFE ~<=29@>2 EFC?65 E96 92C56DE 52J @7 >J =:76 :?E@ H66<D @7 ?665=6DD DF776C:?8 @?
Federal Wildlife Officer Dies Helping Residents Escape Okla. Wildfire
Taylor had previously served on active duty in the Navy. During 20 years of service, he completed five deployments, including one to Iraq and four to Djibouti, Africa. He was a senior chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve. As a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer, Taylor had been assigned to the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico before transferring to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Video: Gentner Drummond concedes after Republican runoff in race for Oklahoma governor
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ON THIS DAY | 08.22.25 | Court asked to invalidate Winter Storm Uri bonds, refund money
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state lawmaker from Inola has asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to review and possibly throw out a plan put in place by the state to pay off enormous energy costs charged to utility ratepayers in the wake of Winter Storm Uri in 2021. kAm#6AF3=:42? #6A] %@> v2?? 7:=65 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@D4?]?6E^5@4<6ED^v6Er2D6x?7@C>2E:@?]2DAIn53l2AA6==2E6U2>Aj?F>36Cl`aage`Qm3C:67k^2m @? %9FCD52J FC8:?8 E96 4@FCE E@ :?G2=:52E6 Sf__ >:==:@? :?
Amid Cyber Threats, Oklahoma Commission Steps Up Security
(TNS) — Recent cyberattacks on water systems in at least seven states may have exposed vulnerabilities not just in those states — and not just to water infrastructure but also to oil and gas pipelines and other types of critical infrastructure. Federal agencies have raised the urgency of previous warnings issued to states about the potential for similar attacks that could be disruptive or damaging to regional utility systems, state economies and even to national defense.
ON THIS DAY | 08.15.25 | Former Gov. George Nigh celebrated as beloved Oklahoman at memorial service
OKLAHOMA CITY — The late George Nigh was remembered and honored on Thursday as a longtime leader and former governor — but he was celebrated as a quintessential Oklahoman.
ON THIS DAY | 08.14.25 | Court ruling lifts protections for lesser prairie chicken
Endangered Species Act protections for the lesser prairie chicken were scrapped on Tuesday after a ruling by a federal judge in Texas. kAmp a_aa =:DE:?8 3J E96 &]$] u:D9 2?5 (:=5=:76 $6CG:46 E92E 6IE6?565 DA64:2= AC@E64E:@?D 7@C E96 3:C5 567:?65 :ED C2?86 24C@DD EH@ 5:DE:?4E C68:@?D[ :?4=F5:?8 2 D@FE96C? D68>6?E 6IE6?5:?8 7C@> }6H |6I:4@ E@ H6DE %6I2D 2?5 2 ?@CE96C?
Oklahoma Investigates Fraudulent Medicaid Enrollments
(TNS) — State officials are trying to get to the bottom of when and how thousands of Oklahomans were fraudulently enrolled in Medicaid by what has been described as an international organized crime ring. Aaron Morris, who was named just this week as the new interim director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, said no taxpayer dollars were lost and that the criminal activity was identified early enough to “minimize” fraudulent usage.
Weekly rewind: Future USS Oklahoma crew makes annual namesake visit
For more than 70 children at the Tulsa Dream Center, a submarine is something they've likely only seen in movies. On July 7, they met the sailors who will one day call the USS Oklahoma home and learned that careers they may have never imagined could be within reach. kAm%96 4C6H @7 E96 7FEFC6 &$$ ~<=29@>2 DA6?E E96 27E6C?@@? 2?DH6C:?8 BF6DE:@?D[ D92C:?8 DE@C:6D 23@FE =:76 :? 2 DF3>2C:?6 2?5 :?EC@5F4:?8 49:=5C6?
Drummond, Mazzei advance from GOP field for governor
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei emerged as winners in the primary election held Tuesday to narrow the field of Republican candidates for governor. kAmpE hicd A]>][ H:E9 G@E6D E2==:65 :? >@C6 E92? heT @7 AC64:?4ED 24C@DD E96 DE2E6[ sCF>>@?5 96=5 >@C6 E92? aeT @7 E96 G@E6D 42DE[ >@C6 E92? `_`[d__] |2KK6: C646:G65 >@C6 E92? adT[ 7@C 2 E@E2= @7 >@C6 E92? `__[c__ G@E6D]k^Am kAmsCF>>@?5[ ea[ H:== 7246 |2KK6:[ e`[ :? 2 CF?@77 6=64E:@? D6E 7@C pF8] ad] %96 H:??6C H:== E96?
State sends teams to help after flooding in Texas
OKLAHOMA CITY — Swift water rescue team members from Oklahoma were dispatched to Texas on Tuesday to assist authorities there in the wake of severe flooding. kAmv@G] z6G:? $E:EE D2:5 96 42==65 @? EH@ “%JA6 xxx” C6D4F6 E62>D 7C@> %F=D2 2?5 ~<=29@>2 r:EJ E@ 9625 D@FE9 H:E9 3@2ED[ EC2:=6CD 2?5 @E96C 6BF:A>6?E]k^Am kAm“~<=29@>2 H:== 2?DH6C E96 42== E@ 96=A @FC 7C:6?5D 2?5 ?6:893@CD 5FC:?8 52?86C@FD 7=@@5D] %92EVD E96 ~<=29@>2 $E2?52C5[ A=2:? 2?5 D:>A=6[” $E:EE D2:5 :?
2026 election coverage from Tulsa World journalists
You are the owner of this collection. You have permission to edit this collection. 2026 election coverage from Tulsa World journalists You don't have any notifications. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Topics Breaking News Subscribe
Hundreds gather at OKC Memorial for April 19 observance
OKLAHOMA CITY — Hundreds gathered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial on Sunday to hold a remembrance ceremony for 168 people who died on a similarly sunny but brisk morning 31 years before in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. kAmp ?F>36C @7 5:8?:E2C:6D[ :?4=F5:?8 ~<=29@>2 $6?] y2>6D {2?<7@C5[ v@G] z6G:?
Commissioner: Even with recruitment funding boost, Okla. will still rely on city police for highway patrol support
By Steve Metzer Tulsa World, Okla. OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — A funding infusion for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol should put 100 to 150 new troopers on the road by 2028, but even in a best-case scenario the OHP will continue to rely on the Tulsa Police Department for help patrolling metro highways. “We are down.
Okla. Highway Patrol Shortages to Persist Despite New Funding
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—A funding infusion for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol should put 100 to 150 new troopers on the road by 2028, but even in a best-case scenario the OHP will continue to rely on the Tulsa Police Department for help patrolling metro highways. “We are down. We’re down in numbers across the state, and we’re definitely down in numbers of on-the-road, three-shift, 24-7 (coverage) in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metros,” Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton said.
Stitt Armstrong
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Rep. Emily Gise
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foster
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Cindy Byrd
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Oklahoma Bill Would Put 3-Year Pause on Data Centers
Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard, introduced Senate Bill 1488, which proposes a moratorium on the construction of new data centers in Oklahoma until Nov. 1, 2029. The measure also would direct the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to study long-term effects that data centers might be expected to have on infrastructure and resources.
chamber
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PSO says needed investments may hike bills 15%
OKLAHOMA CITY — A rate review case filed at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission by Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) could result in a hefty bill increase for PSO customers. kAmx7 2AAC@G65 2D 7:=65[ E96 2G6C286 C6D:56?E:2= 4FDE@>6C FD:?8 `[`__ <(9 A6C >@?E9 H@F=5 6IA6C:6?46 2? :?4C62D6 @7 23@FE Sad[ @C `dT[ 3J yF=J a_ae[ E96 4@>A2?J D2:5 :?
PSO says needed investments may hike bills 15%
OKLAHOMA CITY — A rate review case filed at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission by Public Service Company of Oklahoma could result in a hefty bill increase for PSO customers. If approved as filed, the average residential customer using 1,100 kWh per month would experience an increase of about $25, or 15%, by July 2026, the company said in a news release.
capitol top stories
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chad warmington
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Weekly rewind: Food on the Move event among options for Tulsa-area families in need
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Secretary of Energy and Environment Jeff Starling
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When news breaks in a college newsroom at Oklahoma State University | Collington Index
STILLWATER — A number of alumni of Oklahoma State University’s award-winning student news organization are helping out this semester on training the next generation of journalists. Wednesday was my day to help, but in the middle of talking about digital workflows, news broke that conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been shot at a Utah college event. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Kirk was at the OSU campus in April.
AI chatbots repeating false information on news topics
While people continue to ask artificial intelligence products about the news, one study says they aren’t getting the truth. And it’s getting worse.
OMES director, others to leave Oklahoma leadership positions
OKLAHOMA CITY — Days after being the subject of a critical letter sent by Attorney General Gentner Drummond to Gov. Kevin Stitt, the director of the state’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services has announced his plan to resign effective Sept. 26. Rick Rose was among four state officials who announced plans to step down.
Genter Drummond presser Aug. 27, 2025
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Court asked to invalidate Winter Storm Uri bonds, refund money
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state lawmaker from Inola has asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to review and possibly throw out a plan put in place by the state to pay off enormous energy costs charged to utility ratepayers in the wake of Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Republican Rep. Tom Gann filed a brief on Thursday urging the court to invalidate $700 million in ratepayer-backed bonds issued by the state to cover costs incurred by Public Service Company of Oklahoma during the historic ice storm.
Tulsa World adding pages to Business and Opinion sections on Sundays | Collington Index
This fall and winter, we are expanding the Business and Opinion sections in the print edition on Sundays to include more local journalism and perspectives from the public. We want to dedicate that extra space to more local coverage, your Business Viewpoint columns and op-eds. The Tulsa World is the only local media outlet that lets locals have a dedicated space to speak their mind.
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Teachers, sign up for your complimentary Tulsa World digital subscription | Collington Index
I need your help in spreading the word to your teacher friends and neighbors that they are eligible for complimentary Tulsa World digital subscriptions this school year. The Tulsa World — along with other news organizations in Lee Enterprises — is offering the News for Students program to connect teachers and students with local journalism and local journalists.
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