Miami News-Digest

A Sacred Legacy: Historic Quapaw Crucifix Preserves More Than a Century of Native American Catholic Heritage in Miami From a 19th-century mission on Quapaw land to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a remarkable crucifix tells a story of faith, tribal leadership, sacrifice, and remembrance. By Miami News-Digest MIAMI, Okla. — Behind glass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miami rests a remarkable piece of northeastern Oklahoma history: a wooden crucifix connected to St. Mary's of the Quapaws, a Catholic mission established in Indian Territory more than 130 years ago. Mounted against a dark blue background, the crucifix bears a small inscription identifying its origins: "Crucifix from St. Mary of the Quapaws, 1893–1927." Yet the religious artifact represents considerably more than the history of a church. It preserves a connection between generations of Quapaw families, the early development of Catholicism in northeastern Oklahoma, and a mission whose legacy extend...

A Living Legacy: Wilma P. Mankiller Cherokee Capitol Park Brings Families, Culture, and Community Together in Tahlequah Cherokee Nation transforms former industrial property into a $13.69 million recreational destination honoring its first woman Principal Chief. By Miami News-Digest TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Against the rolling green hills of Tahlequah, children race toward towering playground slides, families stroll along winding pathways, and the Cherokee Nation flag flies proudly above a remarkable new gathering place. The Wilma P. Mankiller Cherokee Capitol Park is more than a recreational destination. It is a tribute to one of the most influential leaders in modern Cherokee history and a living expression of the community values she championed throughout her life. Officially opened May 12, 2026, the nearly 15-acre park represents a $13.69 million investment by the Cherokee Nation in public recreation, cultural preservation, and community development. Recent photog...

Five Law Firms Investigate Deep Fission as Financial Questions Surround Southeast Kansas Nuclear Project Company disputes short-seller allegations as SEC filings reveal substantial losses, additional financing needs, and uncertainty over future operations. A new 25-year energy agreement offers progress, but guarantees no minimum electricity purchases. By Miami News-Digest | October 21, 2026 PARSONS, Kan. — Deep Fission Inc., the publicly traded nuclear energy developer pursuing an ambitious underground reactor project in Southeast Kansas, is facing mounting scrutiny from securities attorneys following allegations that the company has overstated the commercial prospects and economic viability of its technology. At least five shareholder-rights law firms have announced investigations into potential securities-law violations involving Deep Fission (Nasdaq: FISN), which entered the Nasdaq market through a $40 million initial public offering in June. The investigations followed ...

Drug Forfeiture Records Raise Questions About Financial Reporting in Oklahoma's District 13 Miami News-Digest investigation identifies a $1,000 paperwork discrepancy as state officials provide only two years of financial ledgers in response to an eight-year records request. By Miami News-Digest | Investigative Report October 15, 2026 OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. — An examination of drug asset forfeiture financial records obtained by Miami News-Digest has identified a $1,000 discrepancy in an official check transmittal, unusual fiscal-year accounting entries, and unanswered questions concerning the availability of annual financial reports for Oklahoma's 13th Judicial District. The findings emerge from documents released Thursday, October 15, by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council (DAC), following a September 10 Open Records Act request seeking eight fiscal years of drug asset forfeiture reports and financial records, covering FY2019 through FY2026. District 13 serves Ott...

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...