But first!
A NYE note from VNN Director Brittany Harlow
What an encouraging year it's been for growth and teamwork at VNN! We’ve tackled difficult work, combated oppression, and made more friends than adversaries 😉
Highlights include:
New partnerships with the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma and Osage News, both of which have been dynamite experiences to advance Indigenous achievement and empowerment 🤝
Nearly $100k awarded in grants and prizes 🏆 including Data-Driven Reporting Project support for our Stealing Tvlse series with Lucinda Hickory Research Institute, Oklahoma Media Center support for the development and testing of our Citizen Journalism Project, and - up ahead - the 2024 Stepping Stones program with Builders and Backers!
Two journalism awards: 2023 RevContent Local Reporting Award 🌟 and 🌟 LION’s Collaboration of the Year Award
The future has never looked so bright for wins for underrepresented people in Oklahoma and beyond. I am so thankful for our 2023 collaborations and know that 2024 will hold more shared victories and hand-in-hand community work than ever before!
Here’s a look at the week’s top stories:
Family’s hope restored in time for Christmas following suspected arson fire
(OKLAHOMA) One year ago, Lashay Peters made the difficult decision to move from California to Oklahoma, where she and her four children had been living in their vehicle. “I came out here for the better,” Peters said. “Me and my kids was in the car for two months and a half. I wanted to just give them a better life, better opportunities.”
Oklahoma officials claim the Okmulgee jail illegally held juveniles
(OKLAHOMA) State officials claim the Okmulgee County Jail is violating state and federal law by holding juvenile prisoners without proper certification and housing them alongside adults. The jail has held youth facing charges in tribal and federal court in the past and claims state officials have no authority over those prisoners.
2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit improves access to funds and expands tribal oversight
(NATIONAL) The 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit was held Dec 6 and Dec. 7 in Washington D.C. During the summit President Joe Biden signed an executive order that gave tribes more control over how they use federal funding.
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WEATHER ACROSS AMERICA
(NATIONAL) Little weather-related disruptions for New Year's Eve festivities and little to no precipitation for most of the country as we ring in 2024.
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