Welcome to Podside Chats, the official podcast of the City of McAlester! Hosted by City Manager Dave Andren and Public Information Officer Adrian O’Hanlon III, this podcast dives into the latest city updates, community initiatives, and local events. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to town, we’ve got the info you need to stay connected. Listen in and be part of the conversation!
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City Of McAlester Podcasts

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You Shall Not Pass...Without Legal Review
43:40
43:40
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43:40It’s not Middle-earth, but local government has its share of dragons—zoning disputes, legal claims, and fine print. John Hammons joins Podside Chats to talk about his role as the City's legal protector, with fewer orcs and more ordinances.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: Fast Cars, Good Books & Great BBQ
23:12
23:12
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23:12Tourism Tuesdays hits the gas with a Corvette Show, cool local stories, and a mouthwatering festival. There’s something for every kind of explorer in this week’s episode!By City of McAlester
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Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Some Wear Reflective Vests)
38:32
38:32
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38:32Safety Officer Virgil Young doesn’t leap tall buildings, but he does teach you how to navigate one safely. From surprise opossums to training triumphs, he’s the high-vis hero you didn’t know you needed.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: Marcy Playground in McAlester
17:45
17:45
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17:45Yes, that Marcy Playground is coming to the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival — and it’s free. We break down everything you need to know to plan your visit.By City of McAlester
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McAlester Schools: We're All In This Together
45:49
45:49
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45:49Some students are learning to fly — and we don’t mean metaphorically. Dr. Robert Steeber joins us to talk about how McAlester schools are helping students break free into bright futures, thanks to unique opportunities and strong City partnerships.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: Trivia, Trails & Theatre Thrills
20:01
20:01
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20:01Check out the latest with an event at a new trail, where to watch some fight nights, and how you can become a trivia champ while supporting McAlester Theatre's upcoming production of Beetlejuice Jr. Listen to this week's episode for another example of why it's always showtime in McAlester.By City of McAlester
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Hangar Talk: The Wings You Didn’t Know We Had
44:35
44:35
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44:35Like the ‘90s sitcom but with fewer punchlines and more jet fuel, Airport Manager Chase Tindle takes us behind the hangar doors. Discover how McAlester’s airport helps the economy take off—no laugh track required.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: Footpaths, Fireworks & Freedom
27:45
27:45
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27:45This Tourism Tuesday takes you from McAlester’s growing trail system to our busy summer schedule—and ends with a bang on the Fourth. Come see how we blend nature, community, and fireworks into a one-of-a-kind episode.By City of McAlester
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The Caped Communicator: Adrian And His PIO Utility Belt
29:16
29:16
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29:16Armed with notifications, public service announcements, and a dry sense of humor, Adrian joins Dave and Mayor Justin Few to share the tools in his utility belt for informing the public. Spoiler: the real hero was the McAlester Connect app all along.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: Laughs, Lights & Local Delights
16:51
16:51
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16:51This week’s spotlight includes Redbud Awards previews, comedy jams, and family fun with the McAlester Theatre. Cap it all off with trivia, tunes, and an Independence Day celebration!By City of McAlester
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This is the Way (to Move McAlester Forward)
46:16
46:16
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46:16Whether you're Mandalorian or McAlesterian, there's a right way to build things. Community Development Director Jayme Clifton lays out how permits and codes keep the city strong, safe, and open for business.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: Juneteenth, Jams & July 4th on the Horizon
17:53
17:53
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17:53This week, we’re jamming into summer with a spotlight on Juneteenth celebrations, the musical magic of OKLAfest, and the community spirit behind it all. Plus, we look ahead to McAlester’s July 4th fireworks — get ready to ooh, aah, and celebrate!By City of McAlester
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Dun-DUN. Police Chief Kevin Hearod takes us behind the scenes of real police work, which turns out to involve fewer dramatic courtroom speeches and way more stray dogs.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: From Highways to Headliners
10:14
10:14
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10:14McAlester just wrapped an unforgettable week of history, hospitality, and heritage. Up next? A high-energy night in downtown with the Flobots at the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival!By City of McAlester
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Back to the Future: Economic Development Edition
50:38
50:38
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50:38Hop in the DeLorean as Ken Wimer takes us from McAlester’s past to its economic future. No flux capacitor needed—just smart planning, business recruitment, and a vision for growth.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: McAlester Linking Pines to Palms
20:41
20:41
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20:41The Jefferson Highway stretches from the pine forests of Minnesota to the palm trees of Louisiana—and McAlester sits proudly in the middle. Find out more about how this route is a journey through history, and get all the details on the Jefferson Highway International Conference.By City of McAlester
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Beyond the Siren: How to Stay Ahead of Tornadic Weather
24:29
24:29
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24:29Tornado sirens tell people outside that they need to find shelter — but they’re not enough. Denton Cossey with Pittsburg County Emergency Management returns this week to go more in-depth on the tools and strategies every resident should have ready during storm season.By City of McAlester
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Tourism Tuesdays: Pools, Parties, and a Jefferson Highway Preview
22:47
22:47
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22:47McAlester’s pools are officially open, and the summer event season is heating up. Plus, get an early peek at what’s in store for the historic Jefferson Highway Conference coming to town soon.By City of McAlester
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From Raw to Ready: Navigating the Danger Zone
32:52
32:52
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32:52Raw lake water has to cross a gauntlet of treatment steps before it reaches your glass. Water Plant Supervisor Lucky Huff charts the route, the risks, and the reason McAlester’s water is always mission-ready. Tune in for how our water gets treated and answers to some common questions about our water.…
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Tourism Tuesdays: Boots, Chaps, and Event Stats
15:28
15:28
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15:28From broncs to Broadway vibes, McAlester is poised to impress again this week. We’re breaking down the week’s biggest events, best moments, and boldest turnouts with some data from the busiest weekend of the year so far.By City of McAlester
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Fixing Streets One Block at a Time: Bryan Spencer’s Road to Success
19:56
19:56
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19:56Let’s face it — we all want better roads. But how do you fix 166 lane miles of them? This week, Street Project Manager Bryan Spencer breaks down McAlester’s plan to smooth out every pothole and crack in sight. It’s a road trip to success, and we’re along for the ride — with a few laughs about the bumps along the way.…
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Tourism Tuesdays: Sips, Shoutouts & Local Vibes
14:26
14:26
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14:26From the morning grind to after-hours good times, McAlester’s got your week covered. This Tourism Tuesday, we're featuring the spots locals love and even more events that bring people together.By City of McAlester
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Emergency Management: Basically MacGyver With a Bunch of Whiteboards
30:22
30:22
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30:22When a critical facility lost water pressure, the McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency Management team got creative by hooking up a fire truck to keep operations flowing. Deputy Director Denton Cossey joins us to explain how quick thinking and teamwork saved the day—along with how emergency management helps McAlester and surrounding communities.…
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Tourism Tuesdays: Pasta plates and music greats
21:36
21:36
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21:36Pasta plates and music greats — McAlester’s got the best of dates! This week on Tourism Tuesday, we’re serving up the details on the McAlester Italian Festival and the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival, two can't-miss events that bring flavor and rhythm to our hometown.By City of McAlester
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In a world where Wi-Fi drops, cables tangle, and printers betray us, Justice Adair stands between us and total digital annihilation. This week’s episode is part The Beekeeper, part rolling battle droid (Droidekas), and entirely unhinged. Topics include: Star Wars trivia, Nuka-Cola socks, and the growing threat of overly helpful robots.…
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Get ready to explore McAlester like never before! Every Tuesday, Podside Chats brings you Tourism Tuesdays — a quick, energetic look at all the exciting events, festivals, and happenings around town. Whether you're planning your weekend, hosting friends and family, or just looking for something new to enjoy, Tourism Tuesdays will keep you in the kn…
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Brandy and the Mayor On Why KMB Is Litterally Amazing
24:42
24:42
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24:42What do butterfly gardens, tire piles, and the occasional haunted couch have in common? Brandy Jeffreys and the fearless crew at Keep McAlester Beautiful. Join us this week as the KMB executive director and Mayor Justin Few detail how the nonprofit helps our community.By City of McAlester
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Keep McAlester Beautiful and the Cleanup Avengers Assemble
19:51
19:51
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19:51Mayor Justin Few dons his superhero cape (figuratively… we think) to co-host this episode with Keep McAlester McAlester Beautiful Executive Director Brandy Jeffreys. Together, they rally the people of McAlester to join the annual Spring Cleanup and defeat the villain known as Litter.By City of McAlester
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McAlester’s 2025 Game Plan, Direct from the City Manager
23:41
23:41
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23:41What’s next for McAlester? City Manager Dave Andren shared his vision on McAlester Radio, and if you didn’t catch it live, we’ve got you covered on another Radioside Chat. Tune into this Podside Chats episode for all the details on what’s ahead!By City of McAlester
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McAlester Tourism: Powered by Hotel Beds and Inflatable Birds
29:36
29:36
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29:36Tourism in McAlester isn’t just about cool events and visitor stats — it’s also about making tough choices, like whether to command an army of inflatable flamingos or lead a synchronized Macarena flash mob. Dave and Adrian get the inside scoop on how tourism is funded, why our events keep winning awards, and whether Billy is truly prepared for our …
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Straight from the Mayor’s Mic to Your Ears!
15:28
15:28
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15:28Mayor Justin Few recently sat down with McAlester Radio to talk about his 2025 goals, and now we’re bringing that conversation straight to our podcast in another Radioside Chat. Tune into this Podside Chats bonus episode for his full conversation on what’s next for our city.By City of McAlester
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When Life Gives You Lemons, HR Gives You Benefits
29:33
29:33
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29:33This week, HR Director Wendy Knight breaks out of her podshell on Podside Chats to explain how HR helps employees conquer benefits, master teamwork, and prepare for the future — because let’s face it, adulting is hard, and HR is here to make it a little less ugh and a lot more yay!By City of McAlester
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If you missed a recent radio interview about the City of McAlester, don’t worry — we’re bringing them straight to Podside Chats and that's no joke! We appreciate McAlester Radio for helping us spread the word about what’s happening in our city and for letting us share the good word here with supplemental episodes we're calling Radioside Chats.…
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Return Of The Doug — Doug’s Aquatic Empire
26:04
26:04
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26:04In the grand saga of McAlester’s public pools, one man stands between order and chaos—Doug Basinger. Dave and Adrian dive into the legend of his aquatic empire, complete with tales of fishing for picnic tables, rogue splash pad rebels, and lifeguard employment diplomacy.By City of McAlester
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One Does Not Simply Walk Into a TIF District
23:31
23:31
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23:31Setting up a TIF district is a lot like entering Mordor—difficult, dangerous, and filled with mysterious forms that no one seems to quite understand. You can’t just stroll in; it requires careful planning, negotiation, and making sure the budget doesn't explode like Mount Doom. This week, Mayor Justin Few and former mayor John Browne return to talk…
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One Man, 17 Parks, And Too Many Ducks: The Chronicles of Doug
30:50
30:50
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30:50Running 17 parks sounds peaceful, until you're the one fixing mysteriously broken playgrounds, battling never-ending vandalism and questioning what exactly people do in public restrooms. In this episode, Community Services Director Doug Basinger takes us behind the scenes of McAlester’s Parks and Rec, from unexplainable maintenance disasters to the…
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Wait…I’m The Guest?! Mayor Few Flips The Script
13:45
13:45
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13:45This week, City Manager Dave Andren breaks down his job into four core functions: man, train, equip, and execute…fueled by excessive amounts of coffee and a passion for right.By City of McAlester
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What happens when McAlester’s current and former mayors sit down for a chat? City Manager Dave Andren and PIO Adrian O’Hanlon III host Mayor Justin Few and former Mayor John Browne to talk about vision and the future of McAlester.By City of McAlester
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Welcome to Podside Chats, the official podcast of the City of McAlester! In this debut episode, we introduce what Podside Chats is all about—bringing you conversations with city leaders, community partners, and local experts to keep you informed about the issues that matter most. Whether it’s city projects, upcoming events, or behind-the-scenes ins…
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