As drug court participation falls in Oklahoma, counties struggle to provide alternatives

Some new diversion programs link people with treatment and other services, but a lack of resources and buy-in from prosecutors remain problems.

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.  As drug court participation falls in Oklahoma, counties struggle to provide alternatives Some new diversion programs link people with treatment and other services, but a lack of resources and buy-in from prosecutors remain problems. ICYMI: Billionaire philanthropists pushing charter schools and school vouchers also fund Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education’s six-figure salary  Gov. Kevin Stitt blocked a bill that would have required cabinet members to disclose their finances. The bill would have shown Secretary of Education Ryan Walters makes at least $120,000 a year as executive director of a nonprofit organization that keeps its donors secret. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell signed off on millions of Foggy Bottom Kitchen expenses At one point Pinnell approved a $1.5-million payment to Foggy Bottom via email without seeing the invoice, an email obtained by The Frontier shows. Did a state official’s Lake Murray land deal violate ethics rules? Former Tourism Department Director Gino DeMarco planned his own business venture while talks to develop a new state park marina were underway. Show your love for Oklahoma journalism with our new merchandise We've got new items in our online store.  Donate now Copyright © 2021 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 401 South Boston Suite #240 Tulsa, OK, 74103 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

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Billionaire philanthropists pushing charter schools and school vouchers also fund Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education’s six-figure salary

Gov. Kevin Stitt blocked a bill that would have required cabinet members to disclose their finances. 

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.  Billionaire philanthropists pushing charter schools and school vouchers also fund Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education’s six-figure salary  Gov. Kevin Stitt blocked a bill that would have required cabinet members to disclose their finances. The bill would have shown Secretary of Education Ryan Walters makes at least $120,000 a year as executive director of a nonprofit organization that keeps its donors secret. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell signed off on millions of Foggy Bottom Kitchen expenses At one point Pinnell approved a $1.5-million payment to Foggy Bottom via email without seeing the invoice, an email obtained by The Frontier shows. Did a state official’s Lake Murray land deal violate ethics rules? Former Tourism Department Director Gino DeMarco planned his own business venture while talks to develop a new state park marina were underway. ICYMI:   Months before seeking bids, a state tourism official spoke of a deal for Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen to ‘make money from day one’ Coordination with bidders for government contracts is forbidden, but emails show negotiations to secure favorable terms for a restaurant operator at state parks. Julius Jones is still behind bars, but he and his supporters haven’t given up “The fight ain’t finished,” Jones says. House Democrats call on governor to oust cabinet member over misspent educational relief funds An investigation by Oklahoma Watch and The Frontier found money for students spent on TVs and gaming consoles among other purchases. Show your love for Oklahoma journalism with our new merchandise We've got new items in our online store.  Donate now Copyright © 2021 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 401 South Boston Suite #240 Tulsa, OK, 74103 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

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Gov. Kevin Stitt blocked a bill that would have required cabinet members to disclose their finances.

View this email in your browser Billionaire philanthropists pushing charter schools and school vouchers also fund Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education’s six-figure salary  Gov. Kevin Stitt blocked a bill that would have required cabinet members to disclose their finances. The bill would have shown Secretary of Education Ryan Walters makes at least $120,000 a year as executive director of a nonprofit organization that keeps its donors secret. A JOINT INVESTIGATION FROM THE FRONTIER AND OKLAHOMA WATCH Our past coverage:  Stitt gave families $8 Million for school supplies in the pandemic; They bought Christmas trees, gaming consoles and hundreds of TVs State officials refuse to release a report on a troubled relief program where parents purchased TVs and smartwatches House Democrats call on governor to oust cabinet member over misspent educational relief funds       Local investigative journalism needs your support. Donate Copyright © 2020 The Frontier, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for news updates from The Frontier. 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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Months before seeking bids, a state tourism official spoke of a deal for Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen to ‘make money from day one’

Emails show negotiations to secure favorable terms for a restaurant operator at state parks.

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.  Months before seeking bids, a state tourism official spoke of a deal for Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen to ‘make money from day one’ Coordination with bidders for government contracts is forbidden, but emails show negotiations to secure favorable terms for a restaurant operator at state parks. Julius Jones is still behind bars, but he and his supporters haven’t given up “The fight ain’t finished,” Jones says. House Democrats call on governor to oust cabinet member over misspent educational relief funds An investigation by Oklahoma Watch and The Frontier found money for students spent on TVs and gaming consoles among other purchases. Frontier managing editor Brianna Bailey wins Newspaper Writer of the Year award at the 2022 Great Plains Journalism Awards The Frontier also won first place in the Specialty Feature category for an investigation into maternal mortality rates of Black women in Oklahoma and first place in General News Continuing Coverage for its reporting on the death penalty. ICYMI:   Stitt gave families $8 Million for school supplies in the pandemic; They bought Christmas trees, gaming consoles and hundreds of TVs Oklahoma gave a Florida company a no-bid contract to distribute $18 million in pandemic relief money as a test-run for school vouchers. Now federal investigators are eyeing the deal. State officials refuse to release a report on a troubled relief program where parents purchased TVs and smartwatches An attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press says the state has given no valid reason to keep the report secret or delay its release.   Show your love for Oklahoma journalism with our new merchandise We've got new items in our online store.  Donate now Copyright © 2021 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 401 South Boston Suite #240 Tulsa, OK, 74103 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

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