Oklahoma Forum

First Amendment and Freedom of Assembly

The last year was marked by a rise in anti-government rallies and protests – in the U.S. and around the world. This week, we discuss the First Amendment and laws regulating freedom of assembly, with: Joseph Thai, Presidential Professor of Law, University of Oklahoma College of Law Marc Blitz, Professor, Oklahoma City University School of Law Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma

Originally broadcast on February 5, 2012

Oklahoma News Report

OK Life Desmond Mason

Featured in Top Stories

An Oklahoma star on the basketball court is becoming a star in the art world. Desmond Mason played basketball for the Oklahoma state before spending ten years in the NBA, where he played for 5 teams including the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mason is now retired from the hard wood and turning his attention to the canvas, using his first love to make a real difference.

Related Topics: Fine Arts, Biography & Profiles, Sports & Recreation

Originally broadcast on January 27, 2012

Oklahoma News Report

ONR Extra State Budget Town Hall (StateImpact)

Featured in ONR Extras

When the legislative session begins in February, lawmakers will be faced with crafting a budget for the 2013 fiscal year. State Impact Oklahoma, a partnership between NPR, Oklahoma’s public radio stations and OETA, is conducting town hall meetings to give the public a chance to air their concerns about budget priorities. In this onr extra, state representatives Scott Martin, Emily Virgin, and Joe Dorman are joined by Mickey Hepner, dean of the University of Central Oklahoma's College of Business Administration - -as they discuss tax credits and the elimination of the state's personal income tax. For more information and original reporting on the state budget and related issues, go to the State Impact Oklahoma website at www.stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma.

Related Topics: Business & Economy, Government, Politics

Originally broadcast on January 27, 2012

On the Record

Bill Moyers On the Record

Born in Hugo, Bill Moyers spent his first three years in Oklahoma and maintained close ties to the state even after his family moved south of the Red River to Marshall, Texas. With degrees in journalism and divinity, the ordained Baptist minister served as Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, Press Secretary for President Lyndon Johnson, and publisher of Newsday before beginning his broadcast career in 1971. Now, 40 years and more than 30 Emmy Awards later, Moyers returns to Oklahoma to talk about the media and the journalism profession in a one-on-one interview with Dick Pryor. During his broadcast journalism career Moyers has served as chief correspondent for CBS Reports and senior news analyst for CBS News; host of Bill Moyers Journal and Now with Bill Moyers; and host of acclaimed programs including The Power of Myth, A World of Ideas, Healing and the Mind, and Amazing Grace. Bill Moyers On the Record is the latest in a series of award-winning OETA original productions featuring interviews with influential American journalists.

Originally broadcast on January 5, 2012

Oklahoma News Report

Going Green Holiday Recycling

Featured in Going Green

The holidays are over and the clean up has begun. For years that meant mountains of trash heading for incinerators and landfills across the state. But this year big efforts are underway to ensure less holiday waste is burned or buried. Especially the toxic trash that results from chucking out old electronics.

Related Topics: Holidays, Environment

Originally broadcast on January 6, 2012

Band Bedlam

Full Episode

OETA provides a showcase for the OU Pride of Oklahoma and OSU Cowboy Marching Band during "Bedlam Week", which culminates in a major football game between the two schools. Exposure on TV for marching bands has declined through the years but "Band Bedlam" will allow both bands to share their pre-game and halftime shows in a high-definition production. Viewers will also get to see what goes into the preparation and design of these shows, how the bands get in "game mode" before they take to the performance field, and special small HD cameras will giver viewers the visual perspective of being IN the band.

Originally broadcast on November 30, 2011

Oklahoma News Report

October 28th, 2011 (57:43)

In the next election voters will have to decide whether it's time to end affirmation action in Oklahoma. Cutting edge research offers hope for parents of children with autism. A tragedy in Ohio prompts concern over the ownership of wild exotic animals in Oklahoma. Swirling spheres at travel plazas are more than mere decorations... They're part of a growing trend at businesses large and small. Phantoms in photos, voices from the great beyond, and spine tingling tours of haunted halls... It's all part of our Oklahoma haunts Halloween fun. All that and more on ONR.

Related Topics: Business & Economy, Government, Politics, Science & Technology, Social Issues, Health, Education, Energy & Environment

Originally broadcast on October 28, 2011

Oklahoma News Report

Greening Homes (3:35)

Featured in Preserving History

When it comes to sustainability, historic preservation programs are the original proponents of living green. Oklahoma City’s Historic Preservation Commission has now decided to expand upon the green efforts to make the most of what has already been done.

Related Topics: Community, United States, Government, Environment

Originally broadcast on October 28, 2011

Oklahoma News Report

Income Tax (4:38)

Featured in It's Your Government

A legislative task force is looking for a way to eliminate the state income tax. Because the income tax is the largest source of state revenue, lawmakers are faced with replacing $1.8 billion with money from another source. And that could have a big impact on cities and towns across the state.

Related Topics: Business & Economy, Government

Originally broadcast on October 28, 2011

Oklahoma News Report

Monthly Food Budget (5:49)

Featured in Stretching Your Dollars

Everywhere you turn it seems as if prices for everything are going up while at the same time, household incomes are staying steady. But there are some creative Oklahomans getting around that; at least with their monthly food budget. Some folks are learning that by investing a little more time and effort organizing and planning, they can stretch their food dollars and save big at the grocery store.

Related Topics: Community, Food, Gardening, Personal Finance

Originally broadcast on October 14, 2011