Oklahoma

How An Oklahoma Co. Partnership Will Help Prevent Drugs From Entering Jail

Published

2 years ago

June 20, 2024

How An Oklahoma Co. Partnership Will Help Prevent Drugs From Entering Jail

Oklahoma County leaders launched a new partnership to stop drugs from entering the Oklahoma County Detention Center.

The priority prompted new action from the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office. A new collaboration between the DA’s office and OCDC is about stopping the crime cycle.

Before this agreement — detention center investigators only had authority inside the jail. This new partnership allows them to pursue suspects outside the jail’s walls. Illegal drugs often disrupt a community’s rhythm.

“Fentanyl is a drug that we’re all very concerned about,” said Vicki Behenna, Oklahoma County District Attorney. “We don’t want it on our streets, and it has no place in the Oklahoma County Detention Center either. It drains the resources of law enforcement. It drains the resources of the criminal justice system.”

Oklahoma County Detention Center investigators had authority inside the jail. Investigators had to rely on other agencies to pursue the suspects.

“They kinda had to stop at the walls,” Behenna said. “As a result of that, we decided to this cross-commissioning agreement.”

Behenna’s office opened a door to save investigators’ time to follow leads. Behenna said they do not need additional staff.

“My investigators have statewide jurisdiction,” Behenna said.

The Prison Policy Initiative shows that 41% of people arrested suffer from substance use disorder.

“What we see in the criminal justice system is a number of individuals who cycle through the system,” Behenna said.

Behenna said this partnership allows OCDC investigators to interview suspects themselves. They can follow an investigation directly to discover the source of any drugs. Behenna said quicker investigations protect people.

“To ensure, even if someone is held pretrial, that they’re safe in that environment,” Behenna said.

Oklahoma County plans to build a new jail and mental health facility.

“If we treat the underlying problem – substance abuse – and stabilize that individual, then they’re not gonna reenter the system,” Behenna said.

Behenna said these tools can restore a healthy community pulse.

“I think all of that is really, really good for the community,” Behnna said.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon

Published

1 hour ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

YUKON, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon Monday night.

The shooting happened near Northwest 10th Street and South Yukon Parkway near the border of Yukon and Oklahoma City.

Police are on the scene, and officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the hip.

OKCPD said they have at least one person in custody.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

As consumer electricity needs grow, lawmakers are discussing strategies to ease the burden on landowners who don’t want the towers and wires carrying that energy on their property.

As it’s written now, the bill would require transmission owners to pay landowners $2 per foot of line annually. During the committee meeting, Murdock said he introduced the legislation to “start a conversation.”

“ This is an idea of, maybe moving forward, if the landowners are getting a royalty off of the power being pushed across their property, it may make it a little more palatable for someone to have a transmission line go across their property,” he said.

Landowners can enter into easement agreements with companies to set aside portions of their land for the builds. But in some cases, eminent domain is used to obtain a right-of-way.

“ I’m not saying that this is going to do away with eminent domain,” Murdock said. “What I’m hoping is this just makes it a little more palatable.”

Murdock said he spoke with utility companies about the legislation, though he didn’t name them. The bill’s language could change after creating an alternative rate based on conversations with the companies, he said.

Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, said the bill could raise utility rates for consumers living in Oklahoma’s most populous counties if companies charge more to make up for the annual fee.

Murdock pushed back, noting the lines are necessary to deliver electricity to other counties.

“You understand that you flip that light on because — and have that ability to have electricity because — the people in my district have a transmission line that goes across them, getting you that power,” he said.

StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026

Big night in downtown OKC as the Oklahoma City Thunder welcome the Denver Nugget and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is back on the floor.

Steve McGehee reports live from Paycom Center with the latest on SGA’s return after missing nine games, the Thunder’s push to hold the top spot in the Western Conference, and what getting healthy means for OKC’s title hopes.

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