Miami News-Digest

When Public Records Come With a $17,000 Price Tag Claremore sought more than $17,000 for records connected to a man's arrest at a Project Mustang meeting. Oklahoma's Public Access Counselor said the city's approach did not comply with state open-records requirements. By Miami News-Digest  CLAREMORE, Okla. — What began as a disagreement over three minutes of public comment has grown into a much larger dispute over government transparency, access to police records, and how much an Oklahoma citizen can be charged to see what his government has collected about him. On Feb. 17, Darren Blanchard attended a special Claremore City Council meeting concerning Project Mustang, a major data-center development proposed for the Claremore Industrial Park. Blanchard opposed the project and signed up to speak. Like other members of the public, he was given three minutes. When his allotted time expired, Blanchard continued speaking. He argued that applause and reactions from the ...

Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Property-Tax Phaseout in Narrow 5-4 Decision Majority says State Question 843 conflicted with Oklahoma Constitution; dissenters question whether courts should stop citizen initiatives before voters act By Miami News-Digest  OKLAHOMA CITY — A divided Oklahoma Supreme Court has stopped an initiative that sought to phase out most property taxes on owner-occupied homes, ruling 5-4 that the proposal directly conflicted with Oklahoma’s Constitution before supporters could begin gathering signatures to place it before voters. The court issued its decision Monday, Oct. 5, in Brooks v. Reynolds, 2026 OK 71, declaring State Question 843, Initiative Petition 455, “clearly and manifestly” unconstitutional. The decision presents two distinct questions that divided the court: whether the proposed tax exemption conflicted with existing constitutional rules governing property taxation, and whether the Supreme Court should decide such a constitutional quest...

Red Carpet for Xi, Force in the Streets: What Happened to Free Speech in Washington? As the United States welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping with military honors, a state dinner and elaborate ceremony, protesters criticizing his government were pepper-sprayed, beaten, dragged and confronted by private security personnel on the streets of the American capital. The identities and affiliations of some of those involved remain unanswered questions. By Miami News-Digest WASHINGTON — Inside the White House, Chinese President Xi Jinping received the full ceremony of an American state visit. Outside, people denouncing his government were getting pepper-sprayed. That contrast may become one of the most consequential and least examined aspects of Xi’s September visit to Washington. On September 24, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan for a state visit featuring a military review, performances by ceremonial units of the U.S. armed...

Commerce Tells Residents Not to Panic Over ‘Unknown’ Water Lines — But Records Leave Questions Unanswered City says drinking water remains safe as it works to identify service-line materials; federal rules, a 2024 compliance record, and Commerce’s recent infrastructure problems provide important context By Miami News-Digest  COMMERCE, Okla. — The City of Commerce is telling residents not to panic after some households received notices stating that the material of their water service lines is “unknown,” but a review of federal requirements and available water-system records shows there is more to the story than the city’s public announcement explains. In a public notice, Commerce said residents’ water remains active and safe and has not failed safety testing. City officials described the letters as a precautionary requirement resulting from new federal regulations requiring water systems nationwide to inventory service lines and determine what materials were used in pipe...

Joplin weighs higher funding for downtown preservation as major historic projects remain unfinished Proposed agreement would raise city support for Downtown Joplin Alliance from $50,000 to $75,000 in the first year, with additional increases through 2029. A review of public records shows preservation activity and outside grant funding, but no public property-by-property accounting that connects prior city payments to specific redevelopment results. By Miami News-Digest  JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin City Council is being asked to approve a new three-year funding arrangement with Downtown Joplin Alliance that could provide the nonprofit $248,250 through fiscal year 2029, substantially increasing the city's financial commitment to downtown preservation and economic-development work. Council Bill 2026-521 is scheduled for first reading Monday, Oct. 5. The proposed agreement calls for $75,000 in fiscal 2027, $82,500 the following year and $90,750 in fiscal 2029. The first year would...

Search Continues for Missing McDonald County Couple Leo and Katherine Lindeman have been missing since mid-September as investigators search property, examine evidence and pursue additional records. By Miami News-Digest October 3, 2026 ANDERSON, Mo. — Authorities continue searching for answers in the disappearance of an elderly McDonald County couple who have not been seen or heard from since mid-September. Leo Lester Lindeman, 73, and Katherine Marie Lindeman, 74, of the Anderson area remain listed as missing through the Missouri State Highway Patrol Missing Persons Clearinghouse. The Highway Patrol lists Sept. 15 as the date of last contact for both. The McDonald County Sheriff’s Office is the investigating agency. The couple was reported missing to authorities Sept. 24 after family members became concerned about the lack of contact. Their small white dog is also reported missing. Investigators have since carried out severa...