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A Call To Action

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A Message From Sean Gray, (Ind.) Oklahoma Ladies and gentlemen, We live in an age when the most powerful and addictive technology in history, the internet and social media, is placed into the hands of our children without restriction. And yet, when it comes to cars, firearms, alcohol, or tobacco, we as a society recognize the dangers and set safeguards. Why should this be any different? The truth is uncomfortable, but it must be spoken, and it must be heard. These restrictions do not exist, not because the risks are unclear, but because the profits are simply too great. Lobbyists for Big Tech, advertisers, and yes, even the medical and pharmaceutical industry, have a vested interest in unrestricted access. Consider this: once, advertisers targeted broad demographics. Now, with algorithms, tracking, and artificial intelligence, they shape individual behavior itself. The business model is not only to predict choices but to manufacture them. In this system, children, easily in...
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Local Rancher Regains Independence with Help from Grand Prosthetics

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Local Rancher Regains Independence with Help from Grand Prosthetics Grove, OK — August 18, 2025 By Miami News-Digest  When Welch, Oklahoma rancher Stephen Bruce lost his right leg below the knee on July 5, 2023 , he thought his days of working cattle and baling hay were over. What began as a small diabetic foot sore quickly turned into a medical crisis that led to emergency amputation at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. “I went from working 14-hour days in the hay field to sitting in the house, not able to do anything. Everything I had ever known had been taken away from me.” Initially referred to a prosthetic facility in Joplin, Missouri, Stephen struggled with poorly fitting devices that left him back in a wheelchair and relying on his wife, Teresa, for nearly everything. That changed in August 2024, when a friend rec...
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Perseid Meteor Shower: When, Where, and How to See the Sky’s Favorite Show

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Perseid Meteor Shower: When, Where, and How to See the Sky’s Favorite Show The Perseids are among the year’s most reliable meteor showers. Each year in mid-August, night owls and early birds get a dazzling display—no telescope required! Perseid meteors: brightest after midnight; look northeast toward Perseus for context—meteors can appear anywhere. Best Time to Watch The best viewing window is after local midnight through dawn , when your location is turned more directly into the stream of debris. A frequent peak viewing hour is 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. local time , but you can catch meteors anytime during that late-night stretch. For the most meteors, plan at least an hour of continuous watching—showers ebb and flow. Where to Look Meteors can streak across any part of the sky. The radiant (the point they appear to fan out from) is the con...
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Pro Musica Joplin Announces 2025–2026 World-Class Concert Series

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Pro Musica Joplin Announces 2025–2026 Concert Series By The Miami News-Digest JOPLIN, Mo. — Pro Musica Joplin has released its 2025–2026 concert series featuring a diverse slate of chamber and contemporary ensembles. The season mixes cross-genre programming, celebrated string quartets, cutting-edge percussion, a special Regency-era ticketed salon, and world-class trio repertoire — all presented across Joplin’s top performance venues. About Pro Musica Joplin: Founded in 1981 by Cynthia Schwab, Pro Musica Joplin’s mission is to foster interest in, appreciation for, and enjoyment of world-class live classical and chamber music in Joplin and the four-state area. Over decades the organization has built a reputation for bringing nationally and internationally touring ensembles to the region and for meaningful community outreach, including school residencies, master classes, and off-stage performances in libraries and assisted-...
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Hit-and-Run Driver Sought Following Serious Collision in Miami, Oklahoma

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Hit-and-Run Driver Sought Following Serious Collision By Miami News-Digest | Aug. 9, 2025 MIAMI, Okla. – Miami police are seeking the driver of a GMC Sierra after a serious early-morning collision left multiple victims hospitalized. At approximately 3:01 a.m. on Aug. 9, 2025 , officers responded to the 300 block of East Central Avenue , where a GMC Sierra struck an Infiniti sedan before crashing into a nearby building. Several occupants of the Infiniti were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. The driver of the GMC Sierra fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. While evidence was recovered from the vehicle, the driver remains at large. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. The Miami Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact them immediately. Though limited coverage is available at this time, comments on the Miami Police Department’s social media page reflect both concer...
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Eastern Shawnee Tribe Opens Rock & Brews at Indigo Sky Casino; Free Gene Simmons Concert Tonight

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Eastern Shawnee Tribe Opens Rock & Brews at Indigo Sky Casino; Free Gene Simmons Concert Tonight Wyandotte, Okla., June 26, 2025 — The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma officially opened its Rock & Brews Restaurant & Concert Bar at Indigo Sky Casino Resort today, and capped the celebration with a free live concert by the Gene Simmons Band tonight. The grand‑opening ceremony was held at 1 p.m. in the new dining-and-entertainment venue, located inside the Eastern Shawnee‑owned Indigo Sky Casino in Wyandotte. The ribbon cutting was led by tribal officials alongside Gene Simmons of KISS fame, marking a significant milestone in the Tribe’s expansion into hospitality and cultural tourism. The Rock & Brews concept was co‑founded by Simmons and Paul Stanley, bringing a “great flavors meet rock ’n’ roll” vibe to the casino. The restaurant features scratch‑made American classics, 18 rotatin...
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Eastern Shawnee Tribe Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting for New Administration Building

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Eastern Shawnee Tribe Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting for New Administration Building WYANDOTTE, Okla. (June 26, 2025) — Story by Miami News-Digest The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma celebrated a major milestone today with the ribbon-cutting of its new Administration Building located at 10300 S. Bluejacket Road in Wyandotte, Oklahoma . Chief Glenna J. Wallace , the first woman elected as tribal leader in 2006, led the event and delivered a keynote speech to a crowd of tribal members, elders, and community partners. “This building stands as a testament to our sovereignty, our people’s resilience, and the future we build together,” she said before cutting the ceremonial ribbon. A traditional blessing followed, offered by an Elder, invoking peace and protection over the building and its work. A Long Journey Home The Eastern Shawnee people desce...
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Miami OK Library Book Sale Runs Through June 30

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Friends of the Miami Public Library Hosting Annual Book Sale Through June 30 MIAMI, Okla. — The Friends of the Miami Public Library are holding their annual Friends of the Library Book Sale at Miami Public Library, 200 N. Main St. , now through Monday, June 30 . The sale began with a special fundraising kickoff on Saturday, June 7 , and continues during regular library hours — Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. . Book lovers will find thousands of gently used items, including books, DVDs, Blu-rays, and audiobooks . Popular authors featured include Danielle Steel, David Baldacci, Nora Roberts, John Sandford, C.J. Box, Debbie Macomber, Stuart Woods , and William Johnstone . Proceeds from the sale support both the Miami Public Library and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library , promoting early childhood literacy in the community. Donations of gently used me...
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Deadline Nears for Heirs to Claim $38 Million in Unclaimed Indian Trust Funds

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Deadline Nears for Heirs to Claim $38 Million in Unclaimed Indian Trust Funds By Miami News-Digest  |  June 2, 2025 MIAMI, Okla. — Heirs of more than 17,000 deceased Native American account holders have until June 30 to claim a share of over $38 million in unawarded trust funds from the landmark Cobell v. Salazar settlement. The funds are held in Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts belonging to individuals whose heirs were never identified or paid after the federal government was found to have mismanaged more than 300,000 tribal trust accounts in a class-action lawsuit settled in 2009. According to William Dorris , a lead attorney for the plaintiffs, more than 4,100 of those accounts belong to deceased members from Oklahoma , representing over $7 million in available compensation. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for families to recover funds that rightfully belong to them,” Dorris said. “But they m...
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Shooting in Miami, Oklahoma Leaves Suspect Hospitalized

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Officer-Involved Shooting in Miami, Oklahoma Leaves Suspect Hospitalized MIAMI, Okla. — A suspect was critically wounded in an officer-involved shooting Saturday night in downtown Miami, Oklahoma, following reports of gunfire at a local restaurant, authorities said. At approximately 9:00 p.m. on May 31, Miami police responded to reports of shots fired on North Main Street. Upon arrival, officers encountered a suspect who fled on foot, leading to a pursuit that culminated in an exchange of gunfire. Four officers discharged their weapons during the incident, according to a preliminary investigation. The suspect sustained gunshot wounds and was airlifted to a Tulsa hospital. Their condition remains unknown. Miami Police Chief Thomas Sigmon stated that multiple scenes across the city are part of the ongoing investigation but emphasized that there is no immediate threat to public safety. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the ...
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Memorial Day HAS Meaning

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Memorial Day Through a Spiritual Lens: Honoring Sacrifice, Seeking Peace By Sunny Mars – Miami News Digest As Memorial Day weekend arrives, many in the United States prepare for barbecues, family gatherings, and a moment of pause. Yet beyond the secular observance lies a sacred rhythm—a moment of national remembrance rooted in sacrifice, calling us to reflect through a spiritual lens. The Sacred Nature of Sacrifice At the heart of Memorial Day is a theme common to many faiths: the willing sacrifice of one’s life for the good of others . In Christianity, this is reflected in Jesus’ words: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13 Memorial Day mirrors this love in action, honoring those who bore the burden of death so others might live. In Jewish tradition, we hear “Zichron tzadik livracha” —“May the memory of the righteous be a blessing.” Their memory carries moral weight, a call to live rightly in the w...
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Rock & Brews Grand Opening at Indigo Sky Casino | Wyandotte, OK

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Rock & Brews to Open June 26 at Indigo Sky Casino Resort By Miami News-Digest | May 15, 2025 WYANDOTTE, Okla. — Rock & Brews, the iconic rock-themed restaurant and concert bar co-founded by KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, will debut its newest location at Indigo Sky Casino & Resort on June 26, 2025 . The new venue includes a 253-seat dining room, a large dance floor, high-top bar seating, and a stage for live concerts. One standout feature is the oversized “guitar throne,” a unique photo op spot for visitors. “The Eastern Shawnee Tribe is excited to bring yet another entertainment element to the Four States communities through our partnership with Rock & Brews,” said Melanie Heskett, General Manager of Indigo Sky Casino. “We look forward to the launch of this new endeavor.” Menu highlights will include Rock & Brews fan favorites such as the Okl...
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Severe Storms Forecasted for Miami & Grand Lake Region

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Severe Storms Forecasted for Miami and Grand Lake Region Later This Week By Miami News-Digest Miami, Okla. — Residents of northeastern Oklahoma, including Miami and the Grand Lake area, should prepare for potential severe weather later this week. Meteorologists indicate a developing storm system may bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, and possible severe weather starting Thursday evening through the weekend. According to the National Weather Service , conditions will remain calm through midweek, but changes are expected beginning Thursday night. The NWS Tulsa office is monitoring increased instability, which could lead to organized storm development. “While it’s early to define storm severity, we’re tracking factors that could contribute to strong thunderstorms in the region,” said a Tulsa NWS meteorologist. “Preparedness is key—review safety plans, charge devices, and monitor alerts.” The Grand Lake...
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Drummond Renews Call for Removal of Mental Health Commissioner

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Drummond Renews Call for Removal of Mental Health Commissioner By Miami News-Digest | May 8, 2025 OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has renewed his demand for Governor Kevin Stitt to remove Commissioner Allie Friesen from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) , citing the agency’s inability to meet payroll and a worsening budget crisis. “Commissioner Friesen offered no satisfactory answers for the agency’s ability or inability to meet payroll obligations. The commissioner is simply not equipped for the job – and she never was,” Drummond said in a press release . Drummond highlighted Friesen’s lack of both a license to practice and leadership credentials, adding that Oklahomans dealing with mental health and substance use challenges are suffering due to poor oversight. Legislative Testimony Sparks Outcry Friesen testified before l...
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2nd Annual Coffee Wars Miami OKLA

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2nd Annual Coffee Wars Kicks Off in Miami, OK Support Child Abuse Prevention Month with Your Morning Coffee 📢 It's that time again! Miami, Oklahoma, is brewing up support for child advocacy with the 2nd Annual Coffee Wars . This fundraiser benefits the Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County , helping to raise awareness and funds for child abuse prevention. Make a donation at any participating coffee shop and help your favorite spot win the coveted traveling trophy ! Here are this year’s contenders: ☕️ The Frozen Elephant (Last Year’s Winner) ☕️ 7 Brew Coffee ☕️ Scooter's Coffee ☕️ Chapters ☕️ Starbucks The event begins Friday and runs throughout the weekend , so grab your favorite drink, d...
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OP-ED St. Isadore and Proposed Legislation in Washington State

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Washington's Clergy Reporting Bill and the Constitutional Case for St. Isidore's Religious Charter School By: Sunny Mars Published by Miami News-Digest Abstract In a time of increasing state intervention into religious life, Washington State’s SB 5375 challenges centuries-old legal protections and presents a compelling argument for why faith-based institutions like St. Isidore must be granted clear legal space within public education. This article breaks down the implications of SB 5375, makes a case for religious liberty, and ties it to the current national debate on charter schools and First Amendment protections. I. Introduction Washington's SB 5375 proposes to strip the long-standing clergy-penitent privilege, even within Catholic confession. Simultaneously, religious institutions like St. Isidore Catholic Charter School are fighting for the right to eng...
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