Oklahoma
Sterlin Harjo bringing Ethan Hawke back to Oklahoma for new project ‘The Sensitive Kind’
Sterlin Harjo receives the ArtNow 2023 Focus Award
Sterlin Harjo talks about using memories from his life in the creation of Reservation Dogs and his life in Oklahoma
Sterlin Harjo is bringing four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke back to Oklahoma for a high-profile new project.
Deadline reports that FX has given a pilot order to “The Sensitive Kind,” a drama that will star and be executive produced by Hawke and created and executive produced by Harjo.
Harjo previously brought Hawke to his home state to work on “Reservation Dogs,” the trailblazing made-in-Oklahoma FX series on which Harjo worked as co-creator, executive producer and showrunner.
During the celebrated coming-of-age series’ third and final season, Hawke made an impression in his guest-starring turn as Rick Miller, the father whom prospective college student Elora Danan (Devery Jacobs) meets for the first time. One of the main characters of “Reservation Dogs,” Elora Danan has grown up without her father, but tracks him down so that she can apply for financial aid.
Titled “Elora’s Dad,” the penultimate of “Reservation Dogs” was written by Jacobs and directed by Harjo.
‘He loved Tulsa’: Sterlin Harjo teases new project with Ethan Hawke during OKC event
An acclaimed Tulsa-based producer, writer and director, Harjo teased his reunion project with Hawke at an event last month at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, where the “Reservation Dogs” showrunner was presented with the “ArtNow 2023” Focus Award.
“What is happening next: I’m gonna say this, even though they haven’t told me for sure. I’m on the half yard line right now for a TV show starring Ethan Hawke that will be shot in Tulsa. So, I’m very excited about that,” Harjo said at the Jan. 11 OKC event.
“He’s great. He loved Tulsa. … I haven’t brought him to Oklahoma City yet — sorry.”
“The Sensitive Kind” sounds like a much different project for the pair. Deadline describes it as “a Tulsa noir about a guy (Hawke) who knows too much.”
“What an exciting time to be in this industry in Oklahoma right now. The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture is thrilled for Sterlin Harjo. What he has done for film and television in our state, our region and for Native storytelling thus far is nothing short of amazing,” said Meg Gould, executive director of Tulsa FMAC, in an email to The Oklahoman.
“We can’t wait to see how this project progresses, but I can say with certainty, it just added fuel to the momentum shared by so much talent across the state.”
The new project falls under the overall deal Harjo signed in 2021 with FX. Harjo is working as the pilot’s writer and director, while he and Hawke are executive producing with Garrett Basch, also an executive producer on “Reservation Dogs” and another acclaimed FX series, “What We Do in the Shadows.”
The pilot order for “The Sensitive Kind” comes as FX is trying to replace several of its hit shows that are ending, including “Reservation Dogs,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Archer” and more.
“We have glaring needs for new dramas and comedies, starting in 2025,” John Landgraf, chairman of FX Content and FX Productions, told Deadline in a recent interview. “We have critical needs, but we have to fill them with things that are worth being successors to the past 20 years of shows that we just made.”
‘Reservation Dogs’ showrunner planning a slew of projects after acclaimed series’ end
“Reservation Dogs” — co-created and executive produced by Taika Waititi, an Oscar-winning New Zealand moviemaker who is of Maori ancestry, and Harjo, a longtime independent filmmaker who is Seminole and Muscogee — earned widespread critical acclaim and blazed new trails for Indigenous storytelling during its three-season run on Hulu.
Since the FX series’ finale bowed in September, speculation has swirled about what Harjo will do next, and at last month’s OKC event, he talked about a slew of planned projects in addition to his Hawke reunion.
Harjo said he is working with “Reservation Dogs” writer-director Danis Goulet on adaptating for FX the popular Canadian podcast “Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s” as a limited series, writing a Jim Thorpe script based on the book by Dave Maraniss called “Path Lit by Lightning” and executive producing a documentary about fellow Oklahoman and former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.
“I’m in development to do a spin-off of this ‘Spider-Verse’ thing with this Native character that’s pretty cool. … There’s also an animation that I have that is a show that is based on a very, very important old Native film, but we’re turning it into an animation and book,” Harjo said.
“Then, I think, oh, two documentaries — this is all in a year; I don’t know how I’m gonna do it all, but I’m gonna hire a lot of people — a Jesse Ed Davis documentary about the guitar player and a documentary on Richard Oakes, who was the activist that spearheaded the takeover of Alcatraz and died in very suspicious circumstances.”
Oklahoma
Oklahoma House designates April 2026 as Library Month in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved House Resolution 1054, designating April 2026 as Library Month in Oklahoma.
The resolution was filed by Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, and recognizes the role libraries play in supporting education, workforce development, access to technology and community engagement across the state.
April 29 was also observed as Library Day at the Capitol, hosted by McCane in partnership with the Oklahoma Libraries Association and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. The event provided an opportunity for residents, library professionals and lawmakers to connect and discuss the impact of library services.
“I am so excited to host the first ever Library Day at the Capitol to help advocate for our libraries and library staff,” McCane said. “Together, we can ensure that libraries continue to thrive and serve as vital resources for generations to come.”
State officials emphasized that libraries serve as critical community resources, offering educational programming, workforce support and access to information. They also highlighted libraries as “third places,” providing spaces for community interaction outside of home and work.
Library representatives from across Oklahoma participated in the event, showcasing programs such as early literacy initiatives and STEM education opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
Officials said the designation and event aim to raise awareness of the role libraries play in improving literacy, supporting communities and expanding access to resources statewide.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Senate District 38 candidate Barry Christian reported missing in Beckham County
SAYRE, Okla. (KOKH) — The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for Barry Christian, who went missing on Tuesday.
The Sheriff’s Office said Christian’s last known contact was yesterday, after he failed to appear for a scheduled meeting, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Christian is described as a 54-year-old white male, approximately 6 ft tall and 230 lbs with blue eyes and grey hair.
Authorities said Christian is believed to be driving a charcoal gray 2024 Ram pickup.
Oklahoma Senate District 38 candidate Barry Christian reported missing in Beckham County
If you have any information on Christian’s whereabouts, please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately or call the Sayre Police Department at 580-928-2122.
Christian is currently a candidate for Oklahoma Senate District 38.
Christian is currently running for a seat in the Oklahoma Senate.
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Oklahoma
Former Oklahoma trooper charged with rape during traffic stop pleads not guilty
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Court records show Jarqez Evans is charged with first-degree rape and forcible oral sodomy in connection with a traffic stop in January 2025.
READ MORE: Oklahoma trooper arrested for sexual assault after alleged traffic stop incident
The incident reportedly happened when Evans stopped a vehicle at S.E. 29th and S. High Avenue. The victim told investigators that Evans told her she could follow him down the street or go to jail for driving under suspension and without insurance.
After following Evans to S.E. 31st and High, Evans entered the victim’s front passenger seat. The victim then drove further south and parked.
Officials said at that point, Evans allegedly unzipped his pants and instructed the victim to perform a sex act on him. He then asked the woman to bend over, at which point he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
READ MORE: Dash cam: former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper charged with rape after traffic stop
Then, Evans returned to his vehicle without issuing any citations to the victim.
The victim reported the sexual assault to the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Officers collected evidence before handing over the investigation to OHP’s Criminal Investigations Section.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said it received the complaint and placed Evans on administrative leave shortly afterward.
Following an investigation, Evans was arrested and his employment was terminated.
“The Oklahoma Highway Patrol values the trust placed in us by the citizens we serve,” OHP said in a statement. “When that trust is called into question, we take appropriate action in accordance with our policies and the law, regardless of position or rank.”
On Wednesday, Evans pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment.
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The case moved to a pretrial conference, set for August, and his bail was listed at $100,000.
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