Oklahoma County promised to fix its jail more than 10 year ago, but deaths and staffing issues continue

View this email in your browser THIS WEEK AT THE FRONTIER Have ideas for other stories you'd like to see in The Frontier or want to give us feedback? Please email us. Your financial support for our investigative journalism is now tax deductible. To become a Friend of The Frontier, click here. This newsletter is edited by Brianna Bailey. Contact her at brianna@readfrontier.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Oklahoma County promised to fix its jail more than 10 year ago, but deaths and staffing issues continue Six detention officers at the Oklahoma County jail have been charged with assault and mistreatment of inmates since October. Seven inmates have died there in the last three months and at least 84 inmates there have died since 2009, a rate more than double the national average. ‘No mental help:’ Man’s death in jail preceded by pleas for help from family, they say Stephens’ mother Shannon Stephens and his aunt say they left messages at the detention center’s administrative offices dozens of times in the months leading up to his death. Utility companies to spread winter weather costs to customers out over years, as expenses run in the billions Documents show that many of the natural gas and electric purchase price increases in early and mid-February sent several utilities that serve Oklahoma scrambling to find funds and open new lines of credit to pay for the increased fuel and electrical costs, most of which begin coming due by the end of March. Listen Frontier: Winter storm delays vaccines and stretches the energy grid A snow storm last week stretched utility companies, delayed action at the Oklahoma State Capitol and impacted the state’s rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. All that and an effort by some lawmakers to change the state’s initiative petition process on this episode of Listen Frontier. Attorney general says evidence of ‘market manipulation’ on natural gas prices during crisis Even before the worst of the winter weather hit on Tuesday, Feb. 15, natural gas markets showed an enormous spike in spot prices. Julius Jones to appear before Pardon and Parole Board in March Jones, whose case has caught the attention of celebrities, athletes and musicians across the country, will be the first death row inmate to appear before the board as he seeks to have his death penalty sentence commuted. From the state Capitol – House broadens public school transfer policies The Frontier is tracking Oklahoma’s state government during the 2021 legislative session. Here is the latest news from the state Capitol. Facebook Live chat with State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister Join us Tuesday for a live interview with State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. We will discuss how schools continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and also what the state Department of Education’s focus will be as schools hopefully begin to return to normal later this year. Medicaid managed care company files protest over state’s contract picks One of the losing bidders for the contracts to handle Oklahoma’s Medicaid program has filed a protest to challenge the state’s decision, claiming the bid process was flawed and unfair. Oklahomans we’ve lost Have you lost a loved one to COVID-19?  Help support us as we tell the stories of Oklahomans we’ve lost to COVID-19 Our goal is to ensure their stories are never forgotten and to help their friends and family members commemorate their lives. Oklahoma’s COVID-19 hospitalizations fall under 600 for first time since September Show your love for Oklahoma journalism with our new merchandise   Copyright © 2020 The Frontier, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive our weekly newsletter. Our mailing address is: The Frontier 302 Reconciliation Way Tulsa, OK, 74120 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2020 The Frontier, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive our weekly newsletter. Our mailing address is: The Frontier 302 Reconciliation Way Tulsa, OK, 74120 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

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