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📻 NPR, public radio news, podcasts, and independent music from The Spy. 91.7 FM in OKC & 107.5 FM in Tulsa. 📸 Check out our IG: http://instagram.com/kosuradio
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Early this morning, Congress voted to strip away $1.1 billion in already approved funding for public broadcasting. This loss creates an immediate hole of $300,000 in KOSU’s budget.

Will you help us fill this funding gap? Donate at the link below.

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A dozen new Oklahoma laws took effect Jan. 1. But a new policy prohibiting food stamp recipients from using them to purchase candy and soft drinks was delayed until next month.

@oklahomavoice.com
New Oklahoma laws take effect Jan. 1, but food stamp changes delayed
A dozen new laws take effect Jan. 1, including one designed to provide more consistency in sentencing of felony crimes.
www.kosu.org
January 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Throughout 2025, the Oklahoma Music Minute showcased a different Oklahoma artist every weekday, and @okrockshow.bsky.social played two hours of locally grown music every Friday night. Here's a breakdown of where in the state those musicians were from.
Taking stock of Oklahoma music played on KOSU & The Spy in 2025
Here's what a year's worth of the Oklahoma Music Minute and Oklahoma Rock Show looks like.
www.kosu.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:53 PM
If you’ve been rockin’ around a live Christmas tree, it could have another life as mulch for somebody’s garden. Here's how to recycle it.
OKC, Tulsa offer free Christmas tree mulching (and free mulch) for residents
For many Oklahomans, it’s time to put away your lights, your stockings and perhaps most dauntingly, your Christmas tree. If you’ve been rockin’ around a live Christmas tree, it could have another life...
www.kosu.org
January 5, 2026 at 7:50 PM
KOSU welcomes Donny Benét to Beer City Music Hall on Sunday, March 1, 2026, and we have tickets to give away!

Enter to win a pair of tickets before the contest closes at noon on Monday, January 12.
Win concert tickets to see Donny Benét in Oklahoma City
Enter for a chance to win tickets to see Donny Benét at Beer City Music Hall in Oklahoma City on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
www.kosu.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:13 PM
KOSU published hundreds of stories about Indigenous communities in Oklahoma over the course of 2025. From repatriation to federal layoffs, here are the five that were the most popular.
These 5 Indigenous affairs stories were popular in 2025
KOSU published hundreds of stories about Indigenous communities in Oklahoma over the course of 2025. Each story that we brought you is important. However, these five are among the most popular of the ...
www.kosu.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Every year, @okrockshow.bsky.social honors local musicians and music people who died that year. For 2025, we decided to dig a little deeper and pay tribute to as many as we could find.
Remembering the Oklahoma musicians we lost in 2025
We're paying tribute to Oklahoma musicians and music people who died in 2025.
www.kosu.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Steven Drozd has confirmed what many Oklahomans feared: he's no longer a member of the Flaming Lips.
Split Lip: Steven Drozd's departure from The Flaming Lips
From turmoil in Oklahoma's preeminent indie rock band to how small music businesses are being affected by tariff uncertainty, here's our round-up of the week's local music news.
www.kosu.org
January 5, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Throwback to Christmas in July! Earlier this year, KOSU’s Thomas Pablo visited the @okczoo.bsky.social for the unveiling of a new statue honoring the Oklahoma classic “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
December 23, 2025 at 10:37 PM
After Mississippi students climbed from 49th to ninth nationally in literacy, some Oklahoma lawmakers want to replicate Mississippi's strategy. A key provision is holding back third graders who do not pass literacy tests.
Lawmakers hope to bring 'Mississippi Miracle' to Oklahoma classrooms through proposed legislation
After Mississippi students climbed from 49th to ninth nationally in literacy, some Oklahoma lawmakers want to replicate Mississippi's strategy.
www.kosu.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Oklahoma boasts a wealth of natural resources, and KOSU published hundreds of stories about them in 2025. Here are five of the biggest, from disputes about Forestry Services to Guymon's new water wellfield.
5 of our favorite Oklahoma natural resources stories of 2025
Oklahoma boasts a wealth of natural resources, and KOSU published hundreds of stories about them in 2025. Here are five of the biggest.
www.kosu.org
December 23, 2025 at 7:50 PM
An emerald ash borer is a tiny green fleck about as long as a pencil eraser. But the invasive beetles can cause big problems for ash trees, and they've been spotted for the first time in Oklahoma's Murray County. Here's how you can help slow their spread.
Invasive beetles have made a home in Murray County: What you can do to slow their spread in Oklahoma
An emerald ash borer is a tiny, shimmering green fleck about as long as a pencil eraser. But the invasive beetles can cause big problems for ash trees, and they’ve been spotted for the first time in M...
www.kosu.org
December 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Producers across the central U.S. are facing high input costs as the trade war puts crop markets in an uncertain position. Agriculture economists say they’re watching tariffs and the cattle industry — which has boosted income for some farmers.
Farmers head into 2026 facing uncertain trade and crop prices — but beef remains a bright spot
Producers across the central U.S. are facing high input costs as the trade war puts crop markets in an uncertain position. Agriculture economists say they’re watching tariffs and the cattle industry —...
www.kosu.org
December 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for the book lover in your life? New releases from Oklahoma authors David Tromblay, Tim Nelson, Joe Brainard and David Slayton could be just what you need.
4 Oklahoma books to kick-start your 2026 reading goals
Start the new year off with some new reads by Oklahoma authors.
www.kosu.org
December 22, 2025 at 10:39 PM
The Oklahoma State Board of Equalization approved about $12 billion for lawmakers to appropriate to state agencies for Fiscal Year 2027. But while revenue outlooks appear stable, they aren't yet high enough to slash income taxes.
Oklahoma board forecasts $12 billion budget for upcoming fiscal year
The Oklahoma State Board of Equalization approved about $12 billion for lawmakers to appropriate to state agencies for Fiscal Year 2027. But while revenue outlooks appear stable, they aren't yet high ...
www.kosu.org
December 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Obesity rates are declining for Oklahomans, according to the CDC. The State Department of Health is crediting the progress, in part, to statewide initiatives meant to reduce chronic disease and improve quality of life.
Oklahoma adult, childhood obesity rates are trending downward, per CDC data
The State Department of Health is celebrating these results and crediting the progress, in part, to statewide initiatives meant to reduce chronic disease and improve quality of life.
www.kosu.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:58 PM
KOSU welcomes Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country to Tower Theatre OKC on Sunday, February 22, 2026, and we have tickets to give away!

Enter to win a pair of tickets before the contest closes at noon on Monday, December 29.
Win concert tickets to see Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country in Oklahoma City
Enter for a chance to win tickets to see Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
www.kosu.org
December 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering rule changes that would create more flexibility for the government not to designate land as a critical habitat, which could have impacts on the Sooner State's flora and fauna.
How proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act could impact Oklahoma wildlife
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering rule changes to the law, which could have impacts on the Sooner State's flora and fauna.
www.kosu.org
December 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Oklahoma's Republican Party is fracturing from within. As the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus aims to replace moderate colleagues with challengers further to the right, members fear open Republican primaries in Oklahoma could ruin the plan, @lionelramos.bsky.social reports.
As the Oklahoma GOP begins to fracture and a far-right takeover looms, open primaries are a threat
The state Republican Party is fracturing from within. And the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus is using the internal division to campaign against moderate party-mates, hoping to replace them with far-right Chr...
www.kosu.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted unanimously on Friday to restore public access to the state's online campaign finance database and seek legal action against a software developer that failed to deliver on a revamped system.

@oklahomawatch.bsky.social
Oklahoma's campaign finance database is back online
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted unanimously on Friday to restore public access to the state's online campaign finance database and seek legal action against a software developer that failed to de...
www.kosu.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A federal judge ordered poultry companies Friday to pay for cleanup of the Illinois River Watershed in Oklahoma’s decades-long poultry lawsuit. The companies must also pay penalties to the state and limit the amount of poultry litter used as fertilizer.
After decades, federal judge issues cleanup plan in Oklahoma poultry pollution lawsuit
On Friday, a federal judge ordered poultry companies to pay cleanup costs for the Illinois River Watershed in the latest ruling in the State of Oklahoma’s decades-long poultry lawsuit. The order also ...
www.kosu.org
December 20, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Last year, KOSU’s Sierra Pfeifer reported on how singing therapy can be a useful tool for people with dementia.

www.kosu.org/health/2024-...
December 19, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Oklahoma's mental health department is considering privatizing four of its behavioral health facilities.

There is some concern over expanding the state’s behavioral health clinic model while struggling to fund what currently exists.

@oklahomavoice.com
Oklahoma mental health agency explores privatizing some behavioral care centers
The state agency issued a request for proposals on Friday, seeking providers to serve as certified behavioral health clinics in certain areas of the state, taking over from state-run facilities.
www.kosu.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A judge declined to grant a temporary restraining order in a case filed by the state's largest child care association against the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, which would have stopped the agency from enforcing subsidy cuts.
Oklahoma judge declines to stop DHS from enforcing cuts to child care subsidies
In an emergency hearing Thursday, Oklahoma County District Court Judge Natalie Mai declined to grant a temporary restraining order in a case filed by the state's largest child care industry trade asso...
www.kosu.org
December 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Bill filing for Oklahoma's 2026 legislative session began early this month, and more than 100 new laws have been proposed. Early drafts aim to increase transparency of public meetings, exclude immigrants from certain aspects of public life and more.
Early Oklahoma bills focus on protecting taxpayers, investing in schools and excluding immigrants
Bill filing for Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session began in earnest early this month, and more than 100 new laws have already been proposed.
www.kosu.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is warning of an elevated to near-critical fire risk because of dry, windy and warm weather.
Wildfire risk rising across Oklahoma heading into weekend
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is warning of an elevated to near-critical fire risk because of dry, windy and warm weather.
www.kosu.org
December 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM