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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Oklahoma funds to support food banks will stop now that the federal government shutdown is over. Still, one food bank expects to use the money that arrived to distribute thousands of meal boxes to eligible individuals in the coming weeks. -
Although Congress voted to reopen the government, the long pause on funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, continues to drive up demand at Oklahoma food pantries even as some benefit recipients see partial payouts. -
Although the federal government could reopen soon, Oklahomans continue seeking out food in their communities and likely will be for months. Anna Pope visited a Midwest City food pantry to see how people are weathering the shutdown. -
Oklahoma Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton said the state highway patrol and federal immigration authorities conducted another "mass arrest" operation along I-40 this week, this time on the eastern side of the state, along the border with Arkansas. -
The Oklahoma Contingency Board is dedicating $7 million in state emergency funds for food banks amid federal uncertainty. Led by Gov. Kevin Stitt and top Republican leaders in each legislative chamber, the board met Monday evening to declare a state of emergency and approve the spending. -
As federal workers continue to live without work and miss their paychecks, some federal credit unions are stepping up to provide temporary financial help. -
Nearly 300 new laws will take effect in Oklahoma on Saturday. -
The Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a $4 billion dollar budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 on Thursday. The proposed budget has a few key differences from last year's — consistent with the new state superintendent's priorities. -
Some Oklahoma lawmakers want to launch a state agency devoted to serving the needs of young children and their mothers. One state representative hosted an interim study on Monday to explore the possibilities. -
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is suing Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, for alleged campaign finance fraud. The lawsuit was filed in the Oklahoma County District Court on Thursday.
