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Miami, Oklahoma Approves Flock Safety ALPR Cameras Without Public Hearing

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Miami, Oklahoma Approves Flock Safety ALPR Cameras Without Public Hearing By Miami News-Digest — Miami, Okla. The City of Miami, Oklahoma recently approved a contract with Flock Safety to install automated license plate reader ( ALPR ) cameras for the Miami Police Department, a move confirmed through city social media postings. The contract, described as contingent upon legal and financial review, authorizes the procurement of ALPR cameras from the Atlanta-based surveillance technology firm. However, to our knowledge, no formal public hearing or recorded vote has been made available to the community, and no ordinance or ordinance summary has yet been published in the city’s official minutes. No Public Engagement or Approval Process Seen Residents concerned about transparency say they have seen only brief social media announcements, with no public disclosure of cost, number of cameras, locations, or ...
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Miami, Oklahoma aprueba cámaras ALPR de Flock Safety sin audiencia pública

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Miami, Oklahoma aprueba cámaras ALPR de Flock Safety sin audiencia pública Por Miami News-Digest — Miami, Oklahoma La Ciudad de Miami, Oklahoma aprobó recientemente un contrato con Flock Safety para instalar cámaras de lectura automática de placas vehiculares ( ALPR ) destinadas al Departamento de Policía. El contrato fue descrito como condicionado a revisión legal y financiera. Sin embargo, hasta donde tenemos conocimiento, no se realizó ninguna audiencia pública formal ni se publicó una votación registrada o una ordenanza oficial. Falta de participación y transparencia pública Residentes expresan preocupación por la ausencia de información clave, incluyendo el costo del contrato, la cantidad de cámaras, sus ubicaciones y las normas que regirán el acceso y uso de los datos. “Es importante que los residentes entiendan quién tendrá acceso a los datos, cuánto tiempo se conser...
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Oklahoma’s SNAP Policy Shift: A Step Towards Healthier Choices and Healthier Children

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Oklahoma’s SNAP Policy Shift: A Step Towards Healthier Choices and Healthier Children Starting February 15, 2026, #Oklahoma will implement a new Healthy Food Waiver that prohibits the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) benefits to buy soft drinks and candy in grocery stores, convenience stores, and online retailers across the state. Under this waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( #USDA ), the state government is amending the definition of “eligible food” to exclude: Carbonated sodas, sweetened teas and lemonades, sports and energy drinks, flavored waters with sweeteners, and similar beverages marketed with added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Candy products including chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, licorice, taffy, mints, and chewing gum. Allowed items still include essentials like fruits, vegetables, proteins, milk, coffee, unsweetened tea, and 100% fruit or vegetable juice. The waiver is part of a t...
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Trash Fire Spreads to Grass in Ottawa County | Incendio de Basura se Extiende a Pastizales

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Trash Fire Spreads to Grass in Ottawa County, Oklahoma OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. — A trash fire that spread into nearby grass and ignited a pile of tires was quickly extinguished Saturday afternoon, authorities said. Crews from the Wyandotte Volunteer Fire Department , the Quapaw Nation Fire Department , and assistance from BIA Wildland Fire responded rapidly to the scene after flames escaped from a trash burn and spread through dry grass. “The people were burning trash at a trash pile and it spread to the grass and caught a bunch of tires on fire,” said Jodi Francisco, fire chief for the Wyandotte Nation Fire Department and Captain for Quapaw Fire Department and EMS. Firefighters extinguished the blaze after dumping more than 4,000 gallons of water onto the burning tires to fully cool the area, Francisco said. No injuries were ...
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Warming Facility Opens in North Miami, Oklahoma | Centro de Calentamiento Abre en Olive Street

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Warming Facility Opens on Olive Street in North Miami, Oklahoma NORTH MIAMI, Okla. — A warming facility in North Miami, Oklahoma , located at 600 Olive St. , is now open and providing shelter, food, and basic support to unhoused residents as cold weather continues across Ottawa County and northeast Oklahoma. Organizers with The Good Neighbor Project announced the opening via social media Sunday and are encouraging community members to notify individuals who may be living outdoors that the facility is currently welcoming those in need. Services and Ongoing Improvements While the warming center is not yet accepting pets, organizers said plans are underway to expand services. Donated sheds are scheduled for review Friday and could be used to safely house pets in crates with electricity and heat. Organizers said even basic protection from wind and cold would be a significant i...
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Higher Power Garage Sets 2026 Goals to Expand Transportation Access and Career Support

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Higher Power Garage Sets 2026 Goals to Expand Transportation Access and Career Support JOPLIN, Mo. — As the new year approaches, Higher Power Garage is accelerating its mission to provide reliable transportation and workforce support to individuals and families facing economic hardship across the region. The nonprofit announced its 2026 goals this week, emphasizing that dependable transportation is often the difference between steady employment and continued instability. Leaders say removing transportation barriers remains one of the most effective ways to help people break the cycle of poverty. 2026 Goals: Moving Toward Empowerment Community support directly funds programs designed to remove roadblocks to work and long-term self-sufficiency, including: Repair Program: Providing essential mechanical repairs that keep families safely on the road and...
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The Courage to Welcome: The Fourth Sunday of Advent

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On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the waiting grows quiet, and more demanding. The Church turns its attention not to proclamation or spectacle, but to a single, intimate instruction, delivered in a dream. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take #Mary your wife into your home.” With those words from the Gospel of Matthew, Advent’s final Sunday shifts the lens from anticipation to action. Joseph stands at the center of this year’s liturgical reading, not as a speaker, but as a listener. #Scripture records no words from him. Instead, it tells of his discernment, his fear, and ultimately his obedience. Faced with circumstances that threatened his reputation, his future, and his understanding of righteousness, Joseph chooses trust rather than retreat. He does exactly what is asked of him. He takes Mary into his home. The Fourth Sunday of Advent has always been a threshold moment. Earlier weeks call believers to prepare the way, to watch, to repent, and to #hope. This final...
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