Oklahoma Engaged

The pandemic is getting worse in Oklahoma, and science says mask wearing is one of the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. But with spotty mandates, mitigating the virus comes down to whether Oklahomans are willing to wear a mask voluntarily.

The pandemic is getting worse in Oklahoma, and science says mask wearing is one of the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. But with spotty mandates, mitigating the virus comes down to whether Oklahomans are willing to wear a mask voluntarily.

Many Americans across the nation were unexpectedly laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kateleigh Mills with Oklahoma Engaged reached out to Oklahomans who lost their jobs as the virus spread to learn how that impacted their decision to vote.

The white evangelical Protestant voting bloc has historically played an important role in elections in Oklahoma since according to the Pew Research Center, about half of the state’s adult population identifies as evangelical Protestant. This has generally benefited the Republican Party, but the evangelical block is not monolithic.

Each Monday in October from 1 p.m. 2 p.m. KGOU features Oklahoma Engaged LIVE: Voice of the Voter hosted by KGOU General Manager Dick Pryor and Managing Editor Logan Layden. The program focuses on what’s motivating voters to get to the polls this fall. The final episode from October 26th includes StateImpact Oklahoma reporter Robby Korth and KOSU reporter Kateleigh Mills. Robby and Kateleigh hosted an election event for students across the state a few days prior to the show, and they discuss the takeaways from engaging in the focus groups. 

One of two state questions on the general election ballot, State Question 814 would reroute public health funding to Medicaid expansion. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton with Oklahoma Engaged explains the proposal and where the money would come from.

This is the Manager’s Minute. 

Well, General Election Day is almost here, and we have an ambitious plan for election night coverage on November third. 

Each Monday in October from 1 p.m. 2 p.m. KGOU features Oklahoma Engaged LIVE: Voice of the Voter hosted by KGOU General Manager Dick Pryor and Managing Editor Logan Layden. The program focuses on what’s motivating voters to get to the polls this fall. Episode 3 from October 19th includes StateImpact Oklahoma reporter Catherine Sweeney expanding on the previous week’s discussion about State Question 814

There is a lot of history behind State Question 814. If you’re not an Oklahoma government buff, you might not be familiar.

Each Monday in October from 1 p.m. 2 p.m. KGOU features Oklahoma Engaged LIVE: Voice of the Voter hosted by KGOU General Manager Dick Pryor and Managing Editor Logan Layden. The program focuses on what’s motivating voters to get to the polls this fall. Episode 2 from October 12th includes a discussion with StateImpact Oklahoma reporters Catherine Sweeney and Quinton Chandler on State Question 814 and State Question 805. 

Oklahoma’s standards for punishing people convicted of crimes are shifting. In 2016, voters chose to reduce punishments for drug possession and some property crimes often associated with addiction.

Health experts have repeatedly recommended the use of face coverings, to go along with social distancing and other guidelines meant to stunt the spread of COVID-19. But those measures have become politicized. Kateleigh Mills with Oklahoma Engaged talked with two Oklahoma voters about how masking and voting in the age of the coronavirus have impacted them.

Outrage and unrest following the killings of unarmed Black men and women at the hands of law enforcement has pushed the conversation about police brutality to the forefront as the 2020 election looms. The killing of George Floyd, the 2017 acquittal of a Tulsa officer in the shooting of Terence Crutcher and the police budget reduction in Norman this year are all shaping the way Oklahomans vote. Kateleigh Mills talked with two voters about these issues for Oklahoma Engaged.

Fear and anxiety have historically played a large role in politics and voter behavior, especially in 2020 as Americans face uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest and the economy. These two emotions have often lead people to engage in politics in ways that could be both beneficial and harmful for democracy. 

This is the Manager’s Minute. 

Back in June, Oklahoma voted to expand Medicaid through State Question 802. That vote determined that Oklahoma would open its Medicaid program, SoonerCare, to more adults. About 200,000 Oklahomans are expected to qualify for enrollment under Medicaid expansion.

Although the legality will likely be questioned, the state of Oklahoma has entered into compacts with two more Native American tribes. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss that story and the latest on the state's coronavirus response as schools prepare to open, in the latest Capitol Insider.

This is the Manager’s Minute.

Oklahomans again have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote on August 25th - the statewide Primary Runoff Election.

KGOU will have Oklahoma Engaged coverage on-air, on-line and through our social media channels the night of the election.

This week, we have special nightly programming dedicated to the Democratic National Convention.

Then, next week we’ll do the same for the Republican National Convention, with NPR coverage at 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

For the past five years, Roger Knak, the CEO of Fairview Regional Medical Center, has been trying to keep his critical access hospital in rural Oklahoma afloat. The years have been a mixed bag of positive and negative financial margins. The cost to operate the hospital has been more than the revenue from patients.