Oklahoma has long faced challenges in education. But in July, WalletHub released its 2025 study, States with the Best and Worst School Systems. Using information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Education, ACT scores and other components, the study ranked Oklahoma at 50th out of 51st (with Washington D.C. included) in quality of public schools, ahead...
A pair of binoculars and a guide to the most common birds of Oklahoma might be handy resources for ardent bird watchers in Oklahoma, but Neil Garrison of Oklahoma City has another tool: his ears.
Garrison, retired after a 30-year career as the naturalist at Oklahoma City’s Martin Park Nature Center, says he most enjoys identifying birds by their sounds. At...
Barndominiums — barndos for short — have emerged as a popular choice for home construction, particularly in rural and country settings, due to their unique combination of flexibility, cost-effectiveness and aesthetic appeal. These structures blend the rustic charm of a barn with the elegance of a modern home and offer several key advantages that set them apart from traditional...
Halloween is a celebration of the spooky and scary, which is fitting for a holiday whose origins are shrouded in mystery. The beginnings of Halloween are uncertain indeed, which can contribute to the fun around this trick-and-treat filled celebration.
The history of the holiday can be traced fairly confidently back through the eighth century, when Pope Gregory III moved the...
A couple of months ago, I wrote in this space about the Bluegrass & Chili Festival, one of Oklahoma’s longest-lived annual musical events. In that column, director Dell Davis explained how she’d had to move the festival from Pryor to Tahlequah for 2025 because of a date conflict with the Mayes County Fair.
Since its 1979 origin, the Bluegrass & Chili...
Okay, let’s see. Bolivia is landlocked, there’s not a beach in sight, daytime highs rarely hit 70 and the city of La Paz really is in the clouds. It’s twice the elevation of Denver and hillier than San Francisco — so why would anybody want to go there?
Three things: the food, the people and the magnificent Andes.
And because La...
Maybe it’s something salty, sweet or spicy, but there are times when we crave certain food flavors. Why? And why is it often an unhealthy choice? Lexi Wallace, a registered dietitian and diabetes educator with Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, helps shed light on these common urges.
To begin, she explains why food cravings can occur when we’re not...
Along the iconic Route 66 in northeastern Oklahoma, the city of Claremore offers visitors a unique blend of culture, history and small-town charm. With its rich Native American heritage, famous hometown heroes and lively festivals, Claremore is a timeless destination that welcomes you with open arms — and with stories to tell.
At the heart of Claremore’s identity is the...
With the weather finally cooling down, Oklahoma is one of the best places to be for fall hikes and stunning fall foliage views. If you’re looking for your next outing, these places are a great place to start.
Beavers Bend State Park
Located near Broken Bow, this park has some towering trees that will truly be a sight to behold when...
