COVID-19

Staff inside the Comanche County Detention Center knew they had a problem when the number of prisoners infected with Covid-19 reached 18 in early May.

As Oklahoma navigates plans to reopen slowly, event organizers must decide whether to hold their functions in person, move them online or cancel altogether. Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses how some of the state's most beloved occasions could change in the wake of COVID-19. 

Jonna Wolf is worried there are a lot more than the two COVID-19 cases being reported in Oklahoma’s population of nearly 24,000 prisoners.

Her fiancé, Griffin Davison, is finishing up a five-year prison term for convictions stemming from possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He has less than a year left.

As Oklahoma and other states begin to reopen slowly, attorneys say businesses will likely face liability lawsuits related to COVID-19. Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses how litigation costs could devastate small businesses. 

With the state of Oklahoma "opening up," Governor Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma Supreme Court and legislators address issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. As lawmakers prepare to return to the Capitol for the final month of the session, KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss the latest developments in state government. 

Governor Kevin Stitt moves forward with a plan to do a phased-in re-opening of private businesses in Oklahoma following several weeks of closure due to COVID-19. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss the plan and the latest developments in a dispute over new tribal gaming compacts.

Members of the Oklahoma City-County Board of Health are deliberating which guidelines the state should consider when deciding when to reopen non-essential businesses. Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses civil liberties, collective health and what elected officials are saying about reopening.

After a two week impasse, the Board of Equalization is prepared to meet to address the State of Oklahoma's current year revenue failure. This comes as legislators seek to craft the next state budget and Governor Kevin Stitt looks at ways to restart the state's economy. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol news director Shawn Ashley discuss the latest news from under the dome. 

This is the Manager’s Minute.  

For many of us, one of the hardest parts of handling life during the pandemic is the isolation. Physical distancing appears to be slowing the spread of the virus, but it means we have to cut back on social interactions in our lives and work, and adapt.

The federal Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, is part of a $2.2 trillion economic relief package passed by Congress. It authorizes loans to help businesses struggling to pay employees amid a steep economic downturn due to COVID-19. But sources say some community bankers struggled to access the system to process these loans, leaving them trailing behind larger financial institutions. Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses what went wrong -- and some good news out of Tulsa. 

Legislators returned to work at the state Capitol with new policies and procedures to protect members and staff from the COVID-19 virus. News of a current budget year revenue failure dominated the regular and special session, while a disagreement with Governor Stitt delayed the approval process. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discussed the eventful week under the dome. 

Monday was a new kind of first day of school in Oklahoma: the first one back since schools shuttered after spring break to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The Oklahoma City Council approved a $5.5 million relief package for small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses how the city will implement the plan, as well as why officials say this amount of money likely won't be enough. 

This is the Manager’s Minute. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives and work in many ways. At KGOU, that includes the way we interact with staff and students.  

This is the Manager’s Minute. The COVID-19 Pandemic has all of adapting to a new reality.

At KGOU, we’re working remotely and have a staggered work schedule so that any employee who has to be in the station to keep us operating does so when no one else is there. All students and student employees are tele-commuting, too.

We’ve set up a coronavirus resource page at www.kgou.org. If your community or organization is gathering and distributing food, medical supplies or other emergency items share that information in our online community events calendar.

As the State of Oklahoma works to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Kevin Stitt calls lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session to consider emergency procedures and the state's budget problems. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss the extraordinary measures facing state leaders.

Sarah Morrow misses the routine and structure drug court provided.

“It’s just something to look forward to everyday,” Morrow said.

Morrow has asthma which means she could have a harder time recovering if she catches Covid-19 – the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Governor Kevin Stitt has again amended the list of businesses in Oklahoma that are considered essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, state agencies and the legislature are continuing to work outside their offices and practicing social distancing. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss the recent developments at the state Capitol.