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.
-
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. -
Some Oklahoma lawmakers are keen on regulating independent political expenditures — also known as 'dark money' donations — used to influence state and local elections. An interim study of the subject in the House Elections and Ethics Committee discussed the dangers and possible solutions to a growing concern. -
The Oklahoma State Board of Education met for its first special meeting under the newly appointed State Superintendent on Thursday. Board members discussed the accreditation process for schools not meeting the standards before entering a three-hour executive session to discuss teacher certifications and suspensions. -
Newly appointed Oklahoma State Superintendent Lindel Fields is trying to set a new tone for his leadership era of Oklahoma's education department. It includes a three-step plan Fields laid out for reporters at a press conference Tuesday. -
The long-shuttered Diamondback Correctional Facility in Watonga is coming back to life. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections, along with federal immigration authorities, recently signed a $100 million contract with the private prison company CoreCivic to house detained migrants at its Blaine County location. -
Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert appointed his chamber's committee chairs for the next legislative session with few leadership changes. The Senate's committees stay the same. -
While Oklahoma politicians seek to punish educators critical of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk online, supporters from across the state gathered at Oklahoma State University to remember his faith and staunch defense of free speech. -
Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, is questioning whether the State Capitol Preservation Commission can decide to build a new governor's mansion all on its own, regardless of how it's been funded. And he wants the state attorney general to weigh in. -
Oklahoma lawmakers are spending the rest of their fall in and out of the state capitol, publicly studying issues relevant to their constituents. The idea is to gain insight ahead of the legislative session early next year. -
A federal judge quickly and quietly cut off in-state college tuition for Oklahoma students without legal immigration status on Aug. 29.
