Oklahoma

Oklahoma Family Awarded Nearly $3 Million by Jury After Forced Eviction for Kickapoo Turnpike

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Luther, Oklahoma – A jury in Oklahoma has awarded a substantial compensation to a family who was forced to vacate their home to make way for the construction of the Kickapoo Turnpike. The Brewer family, who believed they were not offered a fair deal, received a unanimous verdict in their favor. In 2018, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority filed a lawsuit to acquire the Brewer’s home and acreage near Harrah. Last week, the jury ruled in favor of the family and awarded them nearly $3 million as compensation. As a result of the construction, the family’s … Read more

Oklahoma Family Awarded $2.97 Million After Losing Home to Kickapoo Turnpike

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Luther, Oklahoma – A jury has awarded an Oklahoma family nearly $3 million in compensation after they were forced out of their home to make way for the Kickapoo Turnpike. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) sued to seize the Brewer family’s property near Harrah in 2018. After years of negotiations, the family believed they were not offered a fair deal, and the jury unanimously agreed. The Brewer family’s 46-acre property is now split in half due to the construction of the highway. Their custom three-story home, which overlooked a pond, was demolished. Samantha Brewer, a … Read more

Controversial Oklahoma Law Raises Concerns for Teaching “Killers of the Flower Moon”

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PAWHUSKA, Okla. — “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a book and film that delve into the true story of Native American murders in the 1920s, has become a cultural touchstone. However, in Oklahoma, where the murders took place, educators are concerned that a recently enacted law may prevent them from teaching about the events depicted in the story. The law in question, HB 1775, was signed into law in 2021 by Oklahoma’s Republican governor, Kevin Stitt. It prohibits educators from teaching that any individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive based on their race or … Read more

Controversial Oklahoma Law Creates Fear Among Teachers, Hinders Teaching of Award-Winning Book ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

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Pawhuska, Oklahoma – Teachers in Oklahoma are hesitant to teach a book that the film “Killers of the Flower Moon” is based on, citing fears of violating new state laws and potential repercussions. The movie, which has been nominated for 10 Oscars, tells the true story of the systematic murders of wealthy members of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma during the 1920s by white settlers. The Native Americans had become wealthy after oil was discovered on their land. Despite its popularity, high school English teacher Debra Thoreson expresses concerns about teaching the book due to … Read more