Miami News-Digest

Celebrate New Year’s Safely: Avoid Drunk Driving As we approach New Year’s Eve, it's essential to prioritize safety and responsibility. Drunk driving remains a significant concern during the holiday season, with December being one of the most dangerous months for road safety. "In December 2022, 1,062 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes—the highest number since 2007." — NHTSA Key Statistics: Drunk driving accounted for 31% of all traffic deaths in 2021. Alcohol impairment is a factor in 62% of New Year’s Eve crash deaths. Every day, approximately 37 people in the U.S. die in drunk driving-related crashes. ...

Breaking News: Officer-Involved Shooting in Miami, OK Published on December 27, 2024 An officer-involved shooting occurred this afternoon in Miami, Oklahoma, resulting in the death of an armed male suspect. Interim Police Chief Todd Hicks provided the details in an official statement. “Two separate 911 calls came into the Emergency Operations Center at 3:55 p.m. today, Dec. 27, 2024, of an armed male subject under the influence attempting to break into an apartment at a complex on C SE Street,” said Hicks. Here’s what is known so far: Three Miami Police officers responded to the calls at an apartment complex on C SE Street. Officers encountered the armed suspect, who appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. Despite repeated commands, the suspect failed t...

Reward Increased for Missing Horse Power Slidn Lize By Miami News-Digest Published on December 28, 2024 MIAMI, Okla. — Efforts to locate a missing horse, Power Slidn Lize , have intensified as the reward for information leading to her recovery has been increased. The case has garnered widespread attention, with over 1,100 shares across social media and a growing community dedicated to the search. Authorities have made an arrest in connection with Lize’s disappearance. Chance Colburn Bilke is facing charges in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. However, Lize’s location remains unknown. Public records related to the case can be accessed here . Kimberly, Lize’s owner, shared her frustration with Stolen Horse International . Speaking with the organization’s founder, Debi Metcalfe, Kimberly said,...

Stitt and DOJ Clash Over Tribal Jurisdiction in Oklahoma Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is engaged in a contentious legal battle with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over jurisdictional authority in eastern Oklahoma. Recent lawsuits allege that local district attorneys have unlawfully prosecuted tribal citizens for crimes committed within Indian Country, reigniting debates over state and federal authority, tribal sovereignty, and public safety in the region. Background The conflict traces back to the landmark 2020 Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma , which affirmed that much of eastern Oklahoma remains Indian Country, thereby limiting state authority over crimes involving tribal citizens. However, the 2022 Castro-Huerta decision allowed states to prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes a...

Cherokee Nation Secures $1.3M EPA Grant for Environmental Cleanup and Development TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation has been awarded $1.3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These funds will support environmental assessments and cleanup planning across various sites within the Cherokee Nation reservation boundaries. The grant is part of the EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grant Programs , designed to aid in repurposing potentially contaminated properties. A Step Toward Sustainable Development “This significant EPA grant will help the Cherokee Nation continue our commitment to being responsible stewards of our land while creating new opportunities for economic development within our communities,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. . By assessing and clea...

Christmas in America By Miami News-Digest What does Christmas mean to you? Is it the glow of candlelight during midnight prayers, the scent of tamales steaming in the kitchen, or the echo of carols sung in harmony? Across North and Central America, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with diverse and meaningful traditions. From Advent practices to festive foods, these customs reflect faith, culture, and history in unique ways. Historical Roots of Christmas Traditions Christmas celebrations in the Americas originated during the colonial era, blending European Christian practices with Indigenous and African influences. Orthodox immigrants introduced their liturgical customs, enriching the spiritual landscape. Today, these traditions highlight a shared reverence for the Nativity story. The Nativity: A Unifying Symbol Central to Ch...

CFPB Sues Walmart and Branch Messenger Over Exploitation of Gig Workers By Miami News-Digest | December 23, 2024 In a landmark legal move, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit against Walmart and Branch Messenger, alleging that they exploited delivery drivers in Walmart’s Spark Driver program. According to the CFPB, over a million drivers were forced into unauthorized deposit accounts, leading to more than $10 million in fees. Local and National Implications Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, is a cornerstone of the Midwest economy. This lawsuit has draw...

Counterfeit $100 Bill Passed in Pryor Creek - Investigation Underway Published by Miami News-Digest Photos Courtesy of Pryor Creek Police PRYOR CREEK, Okla. — Local authorities are investigating the use of a counterfeit $100 bill at a Murphy USA gas station near Walmart, according to a statement from Police Chief Jeremy Cantrell. The suspect, captured on surveillance footage, used the fake currency before visiting a nearby Braum’s and returning to their vehicle. Chief Cantrell noted that the counterfeit bill passed the commonly used counterfeit detect...

City of Miami 2024 Review MIAMI, OK. — 2024 was a landmark year for the City of Miami, filled with new leadership, grant successes, and transformative community developments. Key Achievements of 2024 This year saw the appointment of Tyler Cline as the new City Manager, chosen from 29 applicants. His leadership focuses on building a stronger foundation for Miami’s growth, emphasizing infrastructure improvement and greater community accountability. Over $20 Million in Grants: A total of $20 million in grants were awarded to Miami in 2024, with a focus on infrastructure capital improvements, flood mitigation, and revitalizing aging systems. Historic $6.8 Million Oklahoma Water Resource Board Grant: To fund system upgrades, including AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure), water treatment pla...

Oklahoma Enacts New Laws Effective January 1, 2025 MIAMI, Okla. — Oklahoma is set to implement a series of new laws on January 1, 2025, addressing a variety of issues such as voting rights, healthcare transparency, and infrastructure improvements. These changes reflect efforts to enhance services and safeguard residents' rights across the state. Voting Rights Expansion One of the significant changes is House Bill 1629, which restores voting rights to individuals convicted of felonies once they have completed their sentences. Governor Kevin Stitt’s office has emphasized the importance of this measure, saying, "Restoring voting rights to individuals who have completed their sentences supports rehabilitation and encourages full civic participation." Healthcare and Transparency House Bill 31...

Attorney General Awards $18 Million to Oklahoma Sheriff Offices By Miami News-Digest Staff Published: December 23, 2024 OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 23, 2024) — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced Monday that his office has distributed $18 million in grants to support sheriff offices in all 77 counties of the state. The funding, established through House Bill 2914, aims to bolster law enforcement operations across Oklahoma. The grants, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000, are allocated based on each county’s total tangible property valuation. The funds are intended to enhance sheriff office operations, including training, technology, equipment, capital improvements, and stipends. “These grants will help strengthen public safety for all Oklahomans,” Drummond said. “I appreciate the work of...

  Pryor Creek Police Arrest Four in Multi-City Car Burglary and Drug Case By Miami News-Digest Published on December 23, 2024 PRYOR, Okla. — Four people were arrested Monday evening after Pryor Creek police linked a series of car burglaries to a residence in Vinita, where officers discovered stolen items and a significant quantity of narcotics. Pryor Creek Police Officer Reese, leading the investigation, identified the suspect and vehicle involved using surveillance footage from residences, businesses, and Flock cameras. This breakthrough led to a search warrant for the suspect's Vinita residence. Pryor Creek Police Chief Jeremy Cantrell shared details of the operation on his department’s Facebook page. “Pryor Creek Police, GRDA Police, Vinita Police, and Craig County Sheriff’s Deputies served the warrant early this evening,” he wrote. Multiple people were inside the home during the search, which uncovered stolen property link...

TAHLEQUAH,  Okla. (Dec. 17, 2024) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lumbee Fairness Act on Tuesday, a move that has sparked controversy among tribal leaders and lawmakers. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. condemned the legislation, calling it a decision based on "stories over evidence" and a threat to the integrity of the federal recognition process for Native American tribes. The Lumbee Fairness Act aims to grant federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, providing access to federal funding and programs available to recognized tribes. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces uncertain prospects. In a press statement, Chief Hoskin expressed hope that the Senate would block the measure, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the established federal recognition process. "For nearly 50 years, Interior's Office of Federal Acknowledgement (OFA) and the measured and diligent Part 83 process have br...