Best StateImpact Podcasts (2026)

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StateImpact Oklahoma discusses what’s to come in the new year 6:30

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21d ago6:30

6:30

2025 is coming to a close, and StateImpact Oklahoma’s Logan Layden sat down with StateImpact’s reporters to talk about some of the issues they’ve covered this year and how they’ll evolve in 2026. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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OU researchers propose solution to Indian Health Service underfunding 4:46

27d ago4:46

4:46

The federal government has a trust responsibility to fund Indigenous health care. But the Indian Health Service (IHS) has long been underfunded by it. June Zhao, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health, said she learned about this issue in conversation with leadership at an IHS clinic in the state. They …

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What’s being done to bring down Oklahoma’s costly home insurance rates? 4:50

1M ago4:50

4:50

Oklahoma ranks high nationally for its pricey home insurance premiums. As climate change brings more extreme weather and inflation affects purchasing power, some look to policy changes to settle escalating insurance costs. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell previews Route 66 centennial celebrations 4:52

2M ago4:52

4:52

StateImpact’s Logan Layden sat down with Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, who also serves as chairman of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, to discuss the significance of America’s Main Street and plans to celebrate its 100 year anniversary in 2026. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

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New book details impacts of drug rehabilitation industry on patients, inspired by story in Oklahoma 8:00

2M ago8:00

8:00

America’s opioid epidemic has been a prolonged public health crisis, resulting in countless overdose deaths and billions in settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers. But another crisis is afoot. That’s what investigative reporter Shoshana Walter from The Marshall Project presents in her first book, “Rehab: An American …

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Oklahoma is seeking part of a $50 billion rural health fund. Could it transform care amid other cuts? 4:55

2M ago4:55

4:55

Alongside the passage of billions of dollars in Medicaid spending reductions over a decade, Oklahoma is also vying for an opportunity available to all 50 states to fund sustainable rural health care initiatives. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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As a deadly disease imperils North American bats, researchers say Oklahoma’s population is hanging on 4:54

2M ago4:54

4:54

Flying mammals of the night have been under threat of white-nose syndrome in the U.S. for years. Oklahoma researchers are tracking their populations and finding positive results. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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Despite loss of federal protections, lesser prairie chicken conservation persists on private land 4:53

3M ago4:53

4:53

The ground-dwelling bird’s preferred grassland habitat overlaps with agricultural and energy-rich regions, putting the species’ future in the hands of private landowners. In the second installment of a two-part series, StateImpact’s Chloe Bennett-Steele reports on continued conservation efforts for the species. Mentioned in this episode: Social Med…

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What's next as Oklahoma's highway system strains against growth? 4:51

3M ago4:51

4:51

Inflation compounds an already tough situation for Oklahoma’s highway infrastructure. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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‘Isn’t that wonderful?’ Intergenerational programs combat loneliness, create purpose for seniors 4:48

3M ago4:48

4:48

Intergenerational programs are working throughout the state in small numbers to bring different age groups together through ongoing, mutually beneficial activities. As Oklahoma’s aging population grows, officials are looking to expand the model to accomodate them. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

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Migrating monarchs return to Oklahoma amid concerns over population decline 4:26

3M ago4:26

4:26

The beloved orange butterfly is imperiled due to habitat loss, insecticides and climate change. Growing certain plants along their route can help. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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Oklahoma regulators to balance costly nuclear potential with projected wave of energy demand 4:43

3M ago4:43

4:43

Elected state officials voted to require the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to investigate whether the Sooner State could generate nuclear energy or hold off on welcoming the industry. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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Crossroads Mall has sat largely empty for years. A new nonprofit wants to turn it into a community hub 4:51

4M ago4:51

4:51

Crossroads Mall – a once dominant shopping destination in South Oklahoma City – has sat relatively empty for years. A new faith-based nonprofit is hoping to change that and serve an entire community with a resource hub. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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4-H students await judgment as Oklahoma State Fair starts 4:18

4M ago4:18

4:18

The Oklahoma State Fair officially starts Thursday. But for young 4-H members from across Oklahoma, Wednesday was the most important day of the year. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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The sun is setting on federal solar tax credits. Here’s how one Oklahoma tribal nation used them 4:47

4M ago4:47

4:47

Federal incentives to lessen the financial burden of solar panel installations are ending earlier than originally planned after the July 4 passage of the tax and spending law. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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Oklahoma students navigate a declining vaccination landscape this back-to-school season 4:47

4M ago4:47

4:47

More Oklahoma children are entering kindergarten with exemptions from vaccines. This data comes as preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough have seen record spreads nationally. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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How policies from the 2025 legislative session will impact Oklahoma students’ school days 4:39

5M ago4:39

4:39

As schools across the state are starting classes, students and parents may notice some changes this year, thanks to the legislature. StateImpact’s Logan Layden and Beth Wallis discuss what’s new for Oklahoma students this school year. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

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Threatt Filling Station takes its place among iconic Oklahoma Route 66 landmarks 4:48

5M ago4:48

4:48

The Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther was an oasis for people of color traveling through Oklahoma during the Jim Crow era. A monument dedicated to preserving that history was unveiled last week. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Oklahoma emergency management head talks disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation 4:50

5M ago4:50

4:50

This summer saw immense river flooding that resulted in more than 130 deaths in Texas and heavy rainfall that blocked roadways in Oklahoma. Disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation are becoming more important as climate change causes more severe and unpredictable weather, scientists say. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

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A new proposal could allow Medicaid to fund more services for eligible kids in Oklahoma schools 4:46

5M ago4:46

4:46

Pending federal approval, Oklahoma schools could recoup more Medicaid dollars from providing school-based services to eligible students, like occupational and physical therapy, and behavioral health supports. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Oklahoma fertility rate trends downward amid economic pressures, low child well-being ranking 4:53

6M ago4:53

4:53

Every state saw a decline in its fertility rate in 2023, according to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Oklahoma saw a nearly 12% drop from just a decade prior. StateImpact’s Jillian Taylor spoke with Dave Hamby, the Oklahoma Policy Institute's communications director, about what Oklahomans can learn from the report. Mentioned in this ep…

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‘We knew it was coming’: Oklahoma deploys tiny wasps to control invasive forest pest 4:47

6M ago4:47

4:47

Foresters are using parasitoids to reduce the spread of the emerald ash borer beetle, following the lead of many states to the east. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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This program was getting more counselors into rural Oklahoma schools. Then Trump pulled funding. 4:28

6M ago4:28

4:28

A program promising much-needed mental health professionals for rural Oklahoma schools is on the chopping block of funding cuts from the Trump Administration. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Meet the new group in charge of millions in state money to help pregnant women after Oklahoma banned abortion 4:47

7M ago4:47

4:47

A program reimbursing nonprofits with state money to support abortion alternatives has expanded, despite past challenges with dollars reaching the women it hopes to serve. Meet the new organization that plans to distribute funds to pregnancy resource centers and churches. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

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A recap of Oklahoma's 2025 legislative session 4:46

7M ago4:46

4:46

The 2025 legislative session is over. Our StateImpact Oklahoma reporters were following several bills and issues related to education, healthcare and energy policy. StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden looks back with them as they discuss the highlights. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

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While Oklahoma foster care payments stay stagnant, foster parents rely on community support 4:29

7M ago4:29

4:29

Lawmakers attempted to secure more financial support for Oklahoma foster parents this legislative session. While they weren't successful, other resources are available. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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The grief and relief of rural school annexation in Oklahoma 4:48

8M ago4:48

4:48

In south central Oklahoma, a rural school is having to consider what more than a hundred Oklahoma districts have before it when enrollment drops below sustainability: annexation. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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More than a fifth of Indigenous Oklahomans are uninsured. The price they pay can be steep. 4:47

8M ago4:47

4:47

More than a fifth of Indigenous Oklahomans are counted by the U.S. Census Bureau as uninsured – including those who solely use the Indian Health Service as health care coverage. For some, having no insurance can be costly. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Why some Oklahoma lawmakers want more control over judicial selection 4:50

8M ago4:50

4:50

Legislative efforts to reform the judicial selection process in Oklahoma have gone on for the better part of the last decade. And this year, just like in years past, they’ve failed, even with the support of the governor. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Amid Oklahoma tornado season, scientists warn NOAA cuts could impact forecasting, public safety 4:42

8M ago4:42

4:42

Norman is a nexus of national weather and climate science. But swift layoffs and deep budget cuts could disband it and other organizations nationwide. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Oklahoma’s St. Isidore case will be heard by SCOTUS next week. Here’s what’s at stake. 4:33

9M ago4:33

4:33

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond case next week. The case will decide whether the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School can be a state-funded public school. The lawsuit was brought by Oklahoma’s attorney general against the state charter school board that approved St…

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Oklahoma youth commemorate Oklahoma City Bombing 30th anniversary through music 4:45

9M ago4:45

4:45

As the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing approaches, a group of young musicians is connecting with the tragedy through performing themes of resilience. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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That April Morning: The Oklahoma City Bombing 53:34

9M ago53:34

53:34

April 19, 2025 marks 30 years since a bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 people were killed — including 19 children — and hundreds more were injured. It forever shaped our community. "That April Morning: The Oklahoma City Bombing" is a production of KOSU, KGOU, StateImpact Oklahoma and our partners w…

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How one group is educating Oklahomans on reproductive health care amid state abortion ban 4:50

9M ago4:50

4:50

Since Oklahoma’s near-total abortion ban went into effect, providers and thousands of people who have left the state to receive care have experienced its impacts. A new group hopes to educate Oklahomans on those continued effects by bringing people from all walks of life together to have conversations about reproductive health care. Mentioned in th…

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Off-campus religious education courses expand to growing number of Oklahoma schools 4:53

9M ago4:53

4:53

Thanks to a new law, schools across the state are now required to allow off-campus religious instruction during elective courses. Those courses are currently operational or in the final stages of development in at least six Oklahoma schools. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Oklahoma birders report seeing fewer migrating species as extreme weather, development expands 4:48

10M ago4:48

4:48

A report released this month states at least a third of the nation’s birds are in peril. Local community scientists are contributing information critical to understanding the decline. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away:’ Historic Kiowa church to be rebuilt after Oklahoma wildfire 4:51

10M ago4:51

4:51

Last week, wildfires raged across Oklahoma, claiming thousands of acres of land and hundreds of buildings. KOSU’s Sarah Liese reports for StateImpact that the flames also destroyed a historic church in Kiowa County, leaving a congregation to rebuild. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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New rules, rising costs putting some Oklahoma child care providers in peril 4:45

10M ago4:45

4:45

New Oklahoma Human Services rules approved this year require non-accredited five-star child care programs to provide proof of an accreditation application submission by April 10 and get nationally accredited by Sept. 1 — or face a star reduction tied to their reimbursements. Providers said the timeframe to comply with a process that typically takes…

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New book details ‘untold story’ of lethal injection, chronicling its Oklahoma roots 5:21

10M ago5:21

5:21

A book coming out next month argues the way states perform executions is inhumane. KOSU's Sierra Pfeifer talks to University of Richmond Professor Corinna Barrett Lain about her new book Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, and Oklahoma's role in how the condemned are executed for StateImpact. Mentioned in this episod…

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Trump’s agenda complicates Oklahoma’s plan to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells 4:54

10M ago4:54

4:54

The state expected millions of dollars to plug wells abandoned by their owners. But the funds are in limbo under a new federal administration. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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An Oklahoma wildlife refuge has widespread abandoned oil, gas wells. This group is cleaning them up 4:49

10M ago4:49

4:49

Over the next four years, the Well Done Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife will plug more than 100 orphan wells on public land. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Rural administrators flock to East Central University’s new rural education doctoral program 4:53

11M ago4:53

4:53

ECU debuted its first-ever doctoral program this January, which focuses on administrative issues in rural education. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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OU preps tomorrow’s medical providers to care for body and mind in rural Oklahoma 4:53

11M ago4:53

4:53

None of Oklahoma’s rural counties have enough primary and mental health care providers. A federal grant is training University of Oklahoma physician assistant students to serve rural communities in both areas. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Oklahomans push back on transmission projects, even as the state's energy needs continue to grow 4:58

11M ago4:58

4:58

Oklahomans are using more and more electricity. But as energy companies meet with landowners to build the needed infrastructure, opposition is growing. KOSU’sAnna Pope reports for StateImpact on one transmission project troubling Oklahomans. This story was co-reported by KOSU’s Graycen Wheeler. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags…

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Oklahoma’s largest universities buck national trends for post-COVID enrollment with record highs 4:56

12M ago4:56

4:56

Nationally, college enrollment has declined over the last 15 years. But Oklahoma’s land-grant institutions managed to avoid the post-COVID fallout and are now at all-time highs. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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StateImpact Oklahoma previews what's to come in 2025 4:48

1y ago4:48

4:48

Change and uncertainty abound as 2025 begins. But you have the StateImpact Oklahoma team to guide you through and keep you informed about the seismic shifts coming in education policy, healthcare and the climate crisis. StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden and the StateImpact reporters to preview what’s to come. Mentioned in this episode: Socia…

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Students with disabilities are spending more time in general education. Are teachers being prepared? 4:30

1y ago4:30

4:30

More students with disabilities than ever before are spending at least 80 percent of their school day in general education classrooms. Federal data show that share of students has more than doubled in the last 35 years. But how are teacher prep programs at universities changing to meet the needs of more inclusive classrooms? Mentioned in this episo…

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Boost in federal dollars could strengthen prenatal, early childhood Oklahoma home visiting services 4:57

1y ago4:57

4:57

The federal government is increasing funding for a program that offers families free, voluntary home visits by health professionals from pregnancy to kindergarten. The state hopes to use those dollars to fill maternal and infant health care gaps. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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StateImpact Oklahoma welcomes environment and science reporter Chloe Bennett-Steele 4:06

1y ago4:06

4:06

StateImpact managing editor Logan Layden introduces us to new science and environment reporter Chloe Bennett-Steele. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tagsBy OPMX

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Offering AP courses is now required in Oklahoma, but most schools still aren’t teaching them 4:52

1y ago4:52

4:52

Four years ago, lawmakers passed a bill requiring all Oklahoma public schools to offer at least four Advanced Placement courses. It went into effect this fall. But, according to data analyzed by StateImpact, most schools still aren’t teaching four AP courses — and rural schools say the law has had little impact. Mentioned in this episode: Social Me…