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Lionel Ramos
State Government ReporterLionel Ramos covers state government for a consortium of Oklahoma’s public radio stations.
Previously, Ramos has reported for investigative news site Oklahoma Watch covering race and equity, reporting on the rising political capital of Latinos in Oklahoma, the resettlement of Afghan refugees, the stakes for Indigenous Oklahomans in the Supreme Court's 2023 Brackeen v. Haaland decision, unemployment, housing, and veterans’ issues.
Born into the circus, Ramos traveled across the country in an RV with his family for the first half of his life. He eventually landed in San Antonio, Texas, where he attended high school and community college before transferring to Texas State University in San Marcos. He holds a bachelor's degree in English with a focus on creative writing. While a student at Texas State, he covered local and student government for the college newspaper, The University Star.
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Sheriffs can now apply for legislature-funded grants through Oklahoma’s Attorney General. The extra money is appreciated but doesn’t address a root issue many sheriff's offices face.
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Oklahoma’s Medical Marijuana Authority is downsizing.
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Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is appealing the federal halt on a state immigration law criminalizing people’s unlawful presence in the state.
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In the fall, many Oklahoma lawmakers return to the statehouse to conduct public interim studies to figure out where they can help Oklahomans next.
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Oklahomans who volunteer to collect ballots and voting machines, set up polling stations, monitor them, and then deliver cast votes to their county election boards can earn up to $225 for a 12-hour shift.
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A federal judge said Friday that Oklahoma’s new immigration law cannot take effect because it undermines federal authority by allowing local police to engage in immigration enforcement. It’s a ruling that aligns with how federal courts in other states have handled legal action over similar laws.
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Local law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma are preparing for the implementation of the state’s new law criminalizing people without legal immigration status. Some agencies refuse to enforce it, others say they have no choice — all agree illegal immigration is a problem.
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Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is reaffirming his push for state-level immigration enforcement in federal court. He responded to a lawsuit by Department of Justice officials over House Bill 4156 by calling all of their claims unjustifiable.
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Voters in all 77 counties went to the polls Tuesday to consider a wide array of candidates and issues.
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Apple NewsOklahomans will head to their polling places Tuesday to vote in primaries and decide local questions.