# StateImpact Oklahoma StateImpact Oklahoma reports on education, health, environment, and the intersection of government and everyday Oklahomans. StateImpact Oklahoma is a collaboration of KGOU, KOSU, KWGS and KCCU. Page: Feed: --- ## [Broken Arrow nature center trains citizen scientists to preserve firefly magic](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-08-13_ Nostalgic Oklahomans may reminisce about running through their backyards on hot summer evenings, cupping their hands to catch the flying, glowing insects twinkling in the air. On a muggy evening in late July, supervisor Miranda Adams led a small group of citizen scientists through the dense forest at the Ray Harral Nature Center to search for the glowing beetles. Mentioned in this episode: Social… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d20cdc4e-c8a6-44c6-9a65-25ee99087f5e.mp3) ## [Some data centers are building their own power plants. In Oklahoma, most want to plug into the grid](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-08-06_ Oklahoma passed a law last year allowing energy-hungry facilities to build their own power. But as data center announcements sprout up across Oklahoma, most include plans to work with local utilities. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8ccb2f91-7f05-4126-82a5-7b26c57a474a.mp3) ## [Ascension St. John plans to end inpatient care at Nowata hospital. Residents are fighting back.](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-07-30_ Ascension St. John is seeking federal approval to turn its Nowata hospital into a rural emergency facility, which would mean ending acute inpatient and swing-bed services. The model provides enhanced support to hospitals to maintain local access to emergency and outpatient services. The nonprofit health system said the move would support the long-term viability of local health care. But many… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/27debb92-0b12-4017-90a0-8eb10522a112.mp3) ## [What is ONE Transit's role in adapting to the Oklahoma City metro's rapid growth?](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-07-22_ The Oklahoma City metro is growing at a rapid pace. But public transportation is lacking. ONE Transit aims to transform how residents move around the city. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/51c26c72-4cc1-4147-b64c-f3aef259e0fe.mp3) ## [Rejected for Oklahoma funding, an anti-abortion group helped rewrite state law](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-07-09_ An out-of-state anti-abortion group successfully lobbied to change Oklahoma law after it was rejected for public funding from a program to encourage women to keep their unplanned pregnancies. The Texas-based nonprofit Human Coalition lobbies for anti-abortion programs and gets millions of dollars in funding from other states. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ee662925-94b0-427c-b4bc-2cfa6a04bc71.mp3) ## [‘Playing with my heart’: Student musicians celebrate America’s 250th alongside Army Band](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-07-02_ As the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, Oklahoma musicians of all ages took to the stage in commemoration. Inside a performing arts center at scenic Quartz Mountain State Park in late June, the 145th Army Band warmed up before a concert. Outside, students with the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute played frisbee, caught up with friends or awaited their turn to hit the stage later that night.… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/415e019e-43a3-4e34-b15f-2a3d12687f79.mp3) ## [As data centers eye Oklahoma, tribes weigh the costs](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-06-24_ Tribal nations in Oklahoma are navigating an influx of corporate interest in Indian Country. Thomas Pablo reports on their leaders’ responses to an A-I data center development boom. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/0ded4eb1-d8a8-4357-aefc-7b3197115781.mp3) ## [New Oklahoma law disrupts gender-affirming care for transgender adults](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-06-18_ A new law is restricting gender-affirming care for Oklahoma adults if those services were covered by Medicaid and public funds, or provided on state property. Transgender Oklahomans and the already-limited providers offering gender-affirming care in the state are now being forced to adapt to the new policy with little time to prepare. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4f393f3f-57a1-451a-a351-e225e03e2648.mp3) ## [Oklahoma author celebrates state's thousands of plant and animal species in new book](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-06-11_ Oklahoma's natural world is the subject of a new book from author Priscilla Crawford. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e8e26436-0739-4e1d-b554-8b4b4d99eb10.mp3) ## [Earn crypto from idle GPUs (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/VcXl4ObyxFkU) _2026-06-11 · **Sponsored**_ Run one CLI command, connect your GPU, and start receiving crypto payouts. ## [The cost of childcare is too high for many Oklahoma families. How are lawmakers responding?](https://stateimpactoklahoma.org/) _2026-06-04_ Childcare costs are soaring. Infant care at childcare centers rose 27% from 2023 to 2025, according to the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. As daycare prices skyrocket to all-time highs, state lawmakers are deploying a patchwork of measures to change the industry. But some Oklahomans say the state should do more to prioritize affordability for families. Mentioned in this episode: Social… [Listen](https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/406c1cdb-6a63-4cbf-9bbe-65ea57a4f582.mp3)