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Investigation Launched After Ottawa County Jail Death; Prior Deaths and Serious Injuries Raise Oversight Questions

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Investigation Launched After Ottawa County Jail Death; Prior Deaths and Serious Injuries Raise Oversight Questions MIAMI, Okla. (Feb. 3, 2026) — Authorities are investigating after an inmate was found unresponsive in his cell at the Ottawa County Jail early Tuesday and later pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said. District Attorney Douglas Pewitt said Wesley Dainty was observed appearing to sleep during a routine jail check shortly before 6 a.m. About an hour later, jail staff found him unresponsive and began life-saving efforts before transporting him to a local hospital, where he died. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is handling the inquiry, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death. Officials said the death is being investigated as a possible suicide, though no determination has been made. The latest death adds to a history of in-custody deaths and serious injuries at the Ottawa County Jail t...
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Tensions Over Lumbee Recognition Highlight Deep Divisions in Indian Country

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Tensions Over Lumbee Recognition Highlight Deep Divisions in Indian Country WASHINGTON — The federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina in December 2025 has marked a historic milestone for the Lumbee people — and reopened a long-running debate within Indian Country over identity, sovereignty, and how tribes are acknowledged by the United States. The Department of the Interior formally added the Lumbee Tribe to the list of federally recognized tribes following legislation signed by President Donald J. Trump, granting the tribe full access to federal benefits and establishing a government-to-government relationship with the United States. “Federal recognition is about respect, accountability and self-determination.” — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Two Paths to Recognition, One Ongoing Dispute The Lumbee recognition was enacted through an act of Congress rather than the traditional administrative review process overseen by the Office of Fed...
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Boil Advisory Remains in Effect as Commerce Water Pressure Continues to Fluctuate

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Boil Advisory Remains in Effect as Commerce Water Pressure Continues to Fluctuate COMMERCE, Okla. — The City of Commerce said Friday afternoon that it does not expect to completely lose water service, but residents may continue to experience extended periods of low or no water pressure as the city works to stabilize its water system amid freezing temperatures and high demand. In an update issued at 3:10 p.m. Friday , city officials said the municipal water tower is struggling to refill to levels needed to supply normal pressure to all customers due to extremely high water usage. Officials asked residents to conserve water while the tower refills. Water pressure is expected to drop further during peak usage times, including 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. , according to the city. Despite rumors circulating on social media, city officials said all required protocols are being followed in accordance with state and federal regulations, and all approp...
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Police Seek Public’s Help in Pryor Creek Larceny Investigation Policía solicita ayuda del público en investigación por hurto en Pryor Creek

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Police Seek Public’s Help in Pryor Creek Larceny Investigation PRYOR CREEK, Okla. — The Pryor Creek Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect connected to a larceny reported late Tuesday night at a local business. According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 10:17 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2026 , at Casey’s Vapor in Pryor Creek. Investigators say the individual shown in surveillance images is a person of interest in the case. After the incident, the suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot, heading west from the business into a nearby wooded area. Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the individual or has information related to the incident to contact the Pryor Creek Police Department. Tips may be provided anonymously. Anyone with information is asked to call 918-825-1212. The investigation remains ongoing. — Miami News-Digest Policía solicita ayuda del público en investigación por hurto en Pryor Cr...
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Equality Does Not Mean Everyone Is the Same

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Equality Does Not Mean Everyone Is the Same La igualdad no significa que todos sean iguales In the United States, the idea of equality is often misunderstood. Many assume that equality means everyone must end up in the same place, with the same outcomes, the same influence, and the same rewards. That has never been the American promise. En los Estados Unidos, la idea de igualdad a menudo se malinterpreta. Muchos asumen que igualdad significa que todos deben terminar en el mismo lugar, con los mismos resultados, la misma influencia y las mismas recompensas. Esa nunca ha sido la promesa estadounidense. Equal in Dignity, Not Identical in Outcome Iguales en dignidad, no idénticos en resultados The American concept of equality begins with equal dignity, equal rights under the law, and equal protection. It does not claim that life will produce identical outcomes for every person. From the very beginning, people differ in talents, interests, responsibilities, and...
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Rethinking Colonization: Beyond Simple Narratives

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Rethinking Colonization: Beyond Simple Narratives The history of America’s colonization is often reduced to two opposing claims: that Indigenous peoples were constantly fighting and therefore nothing was stolen, or that colonization was a single, uniform project of genocide from the very beginning. Both views oversimplify a far more complex reality. Indigenous nations were not a monolith. They governed themselves through diplomacy, trade, alliances, conflict, and shifting territorial boundaries—much like other human societies throughout history. Warfare did not negate sovereignty; it defined and enforced it. Land was not “unowned,” but relational, seasonal, and managed through social and ecological systems. Early European contact frequently resembled regime change more than immediate extermination. Alliances were formed, rivalries exploited, and Indigenous nations acted as political agents within ...
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A new chapter is beginning on Grand Lake

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PINE ISLAND. REIMAGINED. STONEY POINT. A new chapter is beginning on Grand Lake. Pine Island has officially been sold, and the new owners are bringing a bold vision to one of Oklahoma’s most iconic waterfront destinations. Breathtaking renovations. Elevated amenities. Curated entertainment. An experience designed for those who expect more from a lake resort. This isn’t about chasing dreams—it’s about creating a destination to wake up for. A place where design, comfort, and the natural beauty of Grand Lake meet with true intention. From sunrise over the water to nights filled with music, light, and meaningful connection, Pine Island is being reshaped into something truly special. If Shangri La set the standard, Stoney Point is ready to see that bet, and raise it. For the resort enthusiast, the lake lover, and anyone who knows the difference between a getaw...
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