Oklahoma City, In The Press

[Laramie]

Halloween and Haunted


Oklahoma City's


         The Skirvin: The US' most haunted hotel?








https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20211028-the-skirvin-the-us-most-haunted-hotel?ocid=ww.social.link.twitter

[patric]

Oklahoma jail officers played 'Baby Shark' on repeat as a 'torture tactic,' federal lawsuit says

Last year, the Oklahoma County district attorney's office investigated the incidents and charged the two former jail employees and their supervisor with cruelty to a prisoner and conspiracy, the lawsuit says. Former Oklahoma County Sheriff P.D. Taylor told the Associated Press last fall that officers Christian Charles Miles and Gregory Cornell Butler Jr. resigned during an internal investigation and that Lt. Christopher Raymond Hendershott retired.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/05/baby-shark-oklahoma-jail-lawsuit/

[Laramie]

Tourism business booming in OKC

 

https://eminetra.com/tourism-business-booming-in-okc-oklahoma-city-oklahoma/822529/

"It took us thirty years to reach this moment, and expectations for this $ 175 million facility were high. It exceeded all of those expectations," Holt said. "And I sincerely believe that the creation of this place is unique in establishing Oklahoma City as an indigenous and indigenous national and international capital."

He said the $ 300 million resort development next to the museum announced by Chica Sonation last month will attract more new tourists and conferences from all over the country and around the world.

[Laramie]

OKC City Council to consider ward redistricting and addition of two wards

The newly released 2020 Census shows dramatic growth in the city of Oklahoma City. As a result, all wards have far more residents than the 2010 census.

Also, the ward may be growing unevenly. This means that some city council members represent far more members than others.

https://eminetra.com/okc-city-council-to-consider-ward-redistricting-and-addition-of-two-wards-oklahoma-city-oklahoma/826312/

[Laramie]

Oklahoma jail officers played 'Baby Shark' on repeat as a 'torture tactic,' federal lawsuit says

Last year, the Oklahoma County district attorney's office investigated the incidents and charged the two former jail employees and their supervisor with cruelty to a prisoner and conspiracy, the lawsuit says. Former Oklahoma County Sheriff P.D. Taylor told the Associated Press last fall that officers Christian Charles Miles and Gregory Cornell Butler Jr. resigned during an internal investigation and that Lt. Christopher Raymond Hendershott retired.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/05/baby-shark-oklahoma-jail-lawsuit/

This has been a problem since the county jail was constructed in the 70s.  You would think they would have shown some improvements.  The county shouldn't have an overpopulated jail.

[patric]

This has been a problem since the county jail was constructed in the 70s.  You would think they would have shown some improvements.  The county shouldn't have an overpopulated jail.

I don't believe overcrowding is either a cause of, or a justification for brutality and deliberate civil rights violations. 

[Laramie]

Source: Oklahoman, November 14, 2021

[Laramie]

Press release:

*****************

Southwest Airlines Announces Nonstop Service
to San Antonio International Airport

OKLAHOMA CITY, December 9, 2021 – Southwest Airlines announced today that it will begin nonstop service from Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport to San Antonio International Airport in San Antonio, Texas (SAT) beginning April 25, 2022.

"Southwest Airlines continues to grow in OKC, and San Antonio is a great market for our leisure and business travelers" says Jeff Mulder, Director of Airports. "We appreciate Southwest' commitment to our community by adding more destinations for our passengers."

The flights to San Antonio will take place on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday with one flight each day roundtrip. Southwest also announced they will be increasing their flights from Oklahoma City to Houston to four times daily Sunday through Friday starting in April.

As of today's announcement, Southwest's nonstop destinations from WRWA includes Atlanta, Chicago Midway, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, St. Louis, San Antonio, Tampa and Ronald Reagan Washington National. The new service will bring the average number of daily departures by Southwest to 14.


.

[Laramie]

Fracking Billionaire Hamm Gives $50 Million to Start Energy Institute [Bloomberg News]

    By David Wethe and Alix Steel
    December 15, 2021, 2:30 PM CST

Billionaire oil wildcatter Harold Hamm is donating $50 million for a new research center at Oklahoma State University focused on "securing America's energy future," a move that comes as the industry debates how to transition to cleaner fuels.

The Harold Hamm Foundation and Continental Resources Inc., the shale driller controlled by the Oklahoma native, are giving $25 million each to the university to start the Hamm Institute for American Energy, according to a statement released Wednesday.

The donation "will bring together the brightest minds and future energy sector leaders from around the world, all with a goal of solving one of society's most pressing concerns," Kayse Shrum, president of Oklahoma State, said in a statement.

Hamm, 76, has been a staunch advocate of oil and gas production, even as drillers come under increasing pressure from policy makers and investors to rein in the emissions that contribute to climate change. A 2013 study from Oklahoma State researchers found that fracking's secondary effects would increasingly challenge small towns and cities grappling with job gains and environmental costs. Earthquakes have been linked to activity related to shale production in states including Oklahoma.

Harold Hamm Photographer: Chris Goodney/Bloomberg

Hamm has loosened the purse strings this year after surging crude prices boosted his personal fortune. Continental surprised investors last month by announcing a $3.25 billion deal with Pioneer Natural Resources Co. for Permian Basin assets and said it has set aside hundreds of millions to pursue acquisitions in the the world's biggest shale field. Continental is also bringing back its dividend and doubling it after shelving the payout during history's worst oil crash last year.

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[Laramie]

         Yelp's top 100 US restaurants 2022

         

              Cafe Kacao and Hall's Pizza Kitchen made the list:

17. Cafe Kacao, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  

         

Founded by the Del Cid family, Cafe Kacao combines Guatemalan breakfast and brunch items with influences from the rest of Central and South America. Ingredients ranging from tortillas to sausages are made in-house from old family recipes. Don't miss the chipotle chilaquiles—pan-fried tortilla chips topped with eggs, avocado, feta, and cilantro, served with black beans.

Cuisine: Breakfast & Brunch, Latin American

What they're known for: Coffees from Central and South America, and mochas made with Mexican cacao, are not to be missed. Customers love the breakfast pupusas—handmade corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and pork, served with scrambled eggs, black beans, and vinaigrette cabbage.

34. The Hall's Pizza Kitchen, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

         

This midtown hotspot is beloved by locals and tourists alike for its wood-fired pizza. Started as a food truck, it's now a family-owned brick-and-mortar restaurant serving fresh salads with housemade dressings, hand-tossed pizzas, and a wide array of gluten-free and vegan options. If you're hard pressed to choose just one menu item, order The Indecisive appetizer platter—with tasty bites of each one—or the half-and-half pizzas, available on 14-inch pies. Desserts, like The Hall's tiramisu, are not to be missed. Yelpers love their rooftop patio and trendy, upscale ambiance.

Cuisine: Food Trucks, Pizza

What they're known for: Hall's is known for their Julius Caesar Salad, and pies such as Blanco, Sunday Lunch (topped with brisket), and Vegan Pepperoni. Their sweet and savory burrata is beloved, and you're unlikely to find a better salted-caramel chocolate chip cookie anywhere.

Yelpers say: "Quinn's Burrata was outstanding. We also did a half Smoke, half Bring the Heat pie. It was absolutely the best pizza we've had in OKC!" —Chad T.


Link:  https://www.yelp.com/article/yelps-top-100-us-restaurants-2022

[Laramie]

El Pollo Loco to open as many as five restaurants
in the Oklahoma City metro area

    Tulsa area has state's lone restaurant

       

       

The El Pollo Loco expansion is part of a broader growth initiative that expects to see
the chain open 140 new franchise-owned restaurants throughout the Western
United States by 2026. The company says their plans call for opening as many
as five restaurants in the OKC metro area.--Fox 25 Oklahoma City

Link https://kfor.com/news/local/popular-chain-restaurant-announces-plans-to-come-to-okc/

[Laramie]

How Oklahoma City Is Growing Into
a Queer Destination

   

    From drag shows to pride festivals, fast-growing Oklahoma City has become a hub for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Link, The Traveler

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/oklahoma-city-queer-destination?fbclid=IwAR0UCWffw6HLOUP2w2ccZcraVXEVqnsUnYeVLSKtJE6lNej60tL7pDepswM

[Laramie]

Oklahoma, In the Press:

Interesting article from Forbes.  Oklahoma was listed as No. 4 for job growth.  However, the biggest flaw that stood out was when they listed  Arkansas as No. 9 for retirement with Tulsa's skyline shown.

9. Arkansas

                                     

Anyway, enjoy this interesting article:  https://www3.forbes.com/leadership/the-u-s-states-people-are-fleeing-and-the-ones-they-are-moving-to-version-5-ifs-vue-mn-wnb/?slide=39

[Laramie]

                             

Oklahoma City receives Aaa bond rating from Moody's and AAA from S&P; affirm stable outlook

Post Date:03/04/2022 2:09 PM

Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings have each affirmed the City of Oklahoma City's top-notch bond rating
and stable long-term outlook.

Link from City of Oklahoma City website:  https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4058/18?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#!/

[Laramie]

https://youtu.be/poKg4JKg9Ic

Thorough analyses of both states' statehood leading up to and beyond into 21st Century; hope you enjoy.