Miami News-Digest

Rare white bison Frosty among animals lost; tribal court proceedings mark a new chapter in investigation By Miami News-Digest | November 10, 2026 QUAPAW, Okla. — A Quapaw Nation citizen who previously served as manager of the tribe's bison herd reportedly faces 63 counts of animal cruelty following the deaths of 32 bison during August, including Frosty, a rare white bison that had become a familiar and culturally significant member of the herd. According to information provided about the case, Brady Kropp, 27, of Quapaw, was charged October 28 in Quapaw Nation Criminal Court in connection with allegations that the animals were deprived of adequate water. Miami News-Digest has not independently obtained the charging document. The reported criminal proceedings represent a substantial development in an investigation that began in late August, when tribal officials first acknowledged the loss of several bison but declined to identify a cause while investigators examined the...

Three major developments involving American Electric Power place new attention on electric rates, industrial growth, and the future of Northeast Oklahoma's power grid. By Miami News-Digest | November 6, 2026 NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA — A $250 million lawsuit involving proposed data centers, a newly approved residential electricity rate increase, and a major transmission project crossing four Northeast Oklahoma counties are raising questions about the financial relationship between large industrial electricity users, public utilities, and the customers who ultimately pay for electrical infrastructure. At the center of these developments is American Electric Power (AEP), the parent company of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and AEP Oklahoma Transmission Company. Although the three matters involve different proceedings and financial arrangements, they intersect through the same regional power system, corporate ownership, and regulatory questions concerning how the costs ...

From fortune-telling and cemetery bird eggs to Sunday car sales, Oklahoma's legal history contains some surprisingly unusual provisions. MIAMI, Okla. — Oklahoma is a state known for its colorful history, independent spirit, and occasionally peculiar traditions. However, some of its strangest stories are not found in museums, folklore, or dusty history books. They are written into the state's laws. Buried within the Oklahoma Statutes are provisions addressing everything from wrestling bears and charging for psychic readings to using religious names in casual conversation. Some are more than a century old, while others are surprisingly recent. Although many of these laws are rarely enforced, and some face serious constitutional obstacles, their continued presence offers an entertaining glimpse into Oklahoma's changing social values and legislative history. Wrestling a Bear? Better Think Twice Anyone considering a career in competitive bear wrestling might want to ...

From fortune-telling and cemetery bird eggs to Sunday car sales, Oklahoma's legal history contains some surprisingly unusual provisions. MIAMI, Okla. — Oklahoma is a state known for its colorful history, independent spirit, and occasionally peculiar traditions. However, some of its strangest stories are not found in museums, folklore, or dusty history books. They are written into the state's laws. Buried within the Oklahoma Statutes are provisions addressing everything from wrestling bears and charging for psychic readings to using religious names in casual conversation. Some are more than a century old, while others are surprisingly recent. Although many of these laws are rarely enforced, and some face serious constitutional obstacles, their continued presence offers an entertaining glimpse into Oklahoma's changing social values and legislative history. Wrestling a Bear? Better Think Twice Anyone considering a career in competitive bear wrestling might want to ...

Judicial compensation proposal carried an estimated $10 million price tag, while court-reporter shortages and questions about transparency continue to confront the state. By Miami News-Digest | November 5, 2026 OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma judges sought substantial salary increases through the state's judicial compensation process, but lawmakers rejected a proposed 17.58% raise earlier this year, bringing renewed attention to the competing demands of judicial compensation, taxpayer spending, and the performance of the state's court system. The Oklahoma Board on Judicial Compensation recommended the increase on September 16, 2025, citing comparatively low judicial salaries and the need to attract qualified candidates. Under the proposal, the Oklahoma Supreme Court chief justice's annual salary would have increased from $198,212 to approximately $233,062, while district judges would have received approximately $197,189, compared with their existing $167,703 salaries. ...

Miami News-Digest | November 3, 2026 Federal agencies have not publicly identified the companies under review, leaving unanswered questions about the potential impact on northeast Oklahoma's tribal economies. MIAMI, Okla. — A sweeping federal investigation into government contracting practices is placing hundreds of businesses under scrutiny, raising questions about the potential implications for Ottawa County's nine federally recognized tribal nations, several of which operate enterprises participating in the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. On October 21, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that federal contracts previously awarded to 689 companies would undergo comprehensive audits for possible fraud, financial misrepresentation, and improper contracting practices. According to federal officials, the companies had been removed from the 8(a) program after failing to ...