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CAMERAS IN COURTROOMS: New bill looks to increase transparency in OK courtrooms

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CAMERAS IN COURTROOMS: New bill looks to increase transparency in OK courtrooms OKLAHOMA CITY — A bill introduced in the Oklahoma Senate would require cameras in all public courtrooms across the state, marking a significant push to bring more transparency and accountability to the state’s judicial system. Senate Bill 1386 , filed by State Sen. Christi Gillespie, D-Tulsa, aims to mandate the use of video and audio cameras in every public courtroom in Oklahoma. The legislation would require recordings of proceedings and, when technologically feasible, livestreaming of court sessions — with footage archived and made accessible through a statewide public portal. Supporters of the measure emphasize that allowing the public to see and hear courtroom proceedings promotes openness in government and builds greater trust in the justice system. Gillespie and other proponents have drawn comparisons to the use of body cameras by law enforcement, saying such technology can help ...
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Cherokee Nation Addresses Reports of Possible ICE Activity in Northeast Oklahoma

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🚨 Cherokee Nation Addresses Reports of Possible ICE Activity in Northeast Oklahoma 🚨 The Cherokee Nation has released an advisory after receiving multiple calls and messages from concerned citizens reporting possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in parts of Northeast Oklahoma, including areas within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. At this time, no ICE operation has been confirmed. Cherokee Nation leadership is actively contacting federal authorities to determine whether these reports are factual and, if so, the scope of any activity. The Nation emphasized that its priority is the safety, well-being, and civil rights of Cherokee citizens, along with maintaining open and transparent communication with any federal or state agencies operating within the reservation. 🛡️ Guidance for Citizens Be polite Remain calm Be cooperative Be mindful of your rights Citizens are encouraged to report concerns or observati...
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Miami Utility Customers Notified of Electric Rate Increase Tied to GRDA Cost

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Miami Utility Customers Notified of Electric Rate Increase Tied to GRDA Costs MIAMI, Okla. — Miami utility customers were notified this week of an upcoming electric rate increase, following discussion at the January 2026 City Council meeting. City officials say the increase is primarily the result of higher wholesale power costs imposed by the Grand River Dam Authority, the city’s electricity provider. The adjustment is part of a phased rate increase plan linked to GRDA’s multi-year rate changes affecting municipal utilities across Oklahoma. Under the plan discussed by council members and utility staff, the rate increase includes: A $4 increase to the fixed monthly residential base charge, which is paid regardless of electricity usage. An increase to the per-kilowatt-hour usage rate , along with existing fees associated with power delivery and system maintenance. Together, these changes raise both the minimum monthly bill a...
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OSBI Announces $10,000 #Reward in McCurtain County Homicide Investigation

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OSBI Announces $10,000 Reward in McCurtain County Homicide Investigation TOM, Okla. (Jan. 6, 2026) — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the #homicide of 75-year-old Joe Fernando Salinas near the rural community of Tom, authorities said Tuesday. On Sept. 3, 2025, #McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a death at a property near Jasper Hollow Road and Tom Cemetery Road , where they found Salinas deceased with injuries consistent with a homicide, officials said. The sheriff’s office subsequently requested assistance from the OSBI, which is now handling the investigation. The case remains active more than four months later, and no arrests have been made , OSBI said. The enhanced reward amo...
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A Century at the Counter: Nott’s Deli and Grocery Prepares to Say So Long

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A Century at the Counter: Nott’s Deli and Grocery Prepares to Say “So Long” By Miami News-Digest — Miami, Oklahoma For 106 years, the bell on the door at Nott’s Deli and Grocery has rung out a familiar sound in downtown Miami, a small, unassuming chime that signaled more than a customer entering a store. It meant neighbors meeting neighbors, stories being exchanged, and traditions quietly carried forward from one generation to the next. Founded in 1919, Nott’s Deli and Grocery has been a steady presence through wars, depressions, booms, busts, and the long arc of Route 66 history. Few businesses anywhere in the Ozarks can claim such continuity, and fewer still have done so while remaining deeply personal — a family business in the truest sense of the word. Now, after more than a century of service, the Nott family is retiring the business. Nott’s Deli and Grocery will remain open through January 31, 2026 ...
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A Storefront of Surprises on #Route66, Where Custom Meets Communit

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A Storefront of Surprises on #Route66, Where Custom Meets Community By Miami News-Digest — Miami, Okla. On a stretch of historic Route 66 where neon nostalgia and small-town resilience intersect, a storefront on North Main Street has quietly become something more than a place to shop. The Market on Route 66 , now located at 29 N. Main Street , is part gift shoppe, part custom studio, and part community crossroads — the kind of place that reveals itself slowly, rewarding curiosity. The business first opened in Miami about a year ago at 101 Main Street , before relocating in October 2025 to its current home, a move that brought increased visibility and foot traffic. “Glad for the spot... it offers better foot traffic,” said Teresa Lester. Lester, who operates the shop, credits Keith from Chapters , the neighboring business, with helping them get settled into the adjoining bui...
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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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