• Cherokee Phoenix: Tribes seek Native foster homes for children
• Tulsa World: Drew Edmondson says Mary Fallin’s mailers sent using taxpayer money is violation of House rules
• The Norman Transcript: Tornadoes rated EF2, EF3
• Tulsa World: Support growing for hospital provider fee to help with budget crisis
• NewsOK: Local residents organize tornado relief effort
• NewsOK: Suicide prevention hot line sees 65 percent increase in Oklahoma calls
• The Journal Record: Norman couple’s shop focuses on Oklahoma, organic products
• The Journal Record: Midtown Market to sell farmers market fare in grocery store setting
• OK Gazette: Could Oklahoma cash in on alternative sentencing and decriminalization of marijuana?
• Bobaganda: Proposed changes in meat processors regulation is serious threat to local food systems
• Oklahoma Women’s Network Blog: House Approves Abortion Statistics Bill

• The Norman Transcript: Norman debris cleanup costs could reach $1M
• Tulsa World: Stillwater mayor survives recall election by 4 votes
• NewsOK: Oklahoma troops going to Afghanistan in largest deployment since Korean War
• Tulsa World: School Bible study measure receives Henry’s signature
• The Journal Record: Industry lobbyists killed bills that could have better protected Oklahomans from tornadoes
• CapitolBeatOK: OETA faces 23 percent cumulative cut in taxpayer support

1. NewsOK: Rebates still available for energy-efficient appliances
2. NewsOK: Great ape experts to meet at Oklahoma City Zoo for conference
3. NewsOK: Funding cuts likely for Oklahoma schools’ safety programs
4. NewsOK: Oklahoma legislators creating new felonies and increasing sentences even as they slash prisons budget
5. NewsOK: Norman residents asked to conserve water due to storm damage
6. Routes: Timothy McVeigh’s lawyer still claims bombing was part of larger conspiracy
7. okie photographers: Ramsey Walcher Interview
8. OETA: Requests for food assistance up by as much as 80% in some areas of Oklahoma
9. Okie Funk: Socialism Is A Government Road

1. OK Policy Blog: The state budget crisis: Time to put leadership over politics
2. OUDaily: Boren wants to reinforce OU alcohol policy, UOSA proposes 3 strikes drug policy
3. The Norman Transcript: Schools prepare for worst, hope for best
4. The Norman Transcript: World Fair Trade Day celebration focuses on athletics
5. NewsOK: Loss of tax credits may harm Oklahoma’s chances at attracting filmmakers
6. Voices of Oklahoma: EARC thrift stores providing community and independence for almost half a century
7. Oklahoma Citizen: Fallin Bashes Government Spending with Government Money
8. Mickey’s Musings: Waiting for Wannabe Leaders To Show Leadership
9. Oklahoma Women’s Network Blog: Respect Diversity Exhibit at Science Museum OK thru May 13
10. Okie Funk: Seriously Rational?
11. The Contemplative Tulsan: Book Review: Progressive Oklahoma

by Courtney Gilman. I first learned about Employment and Residential Centers (EARC), an Edmond-based non-profit that works with people with developmental disabilities, from a good friend and former employee. EARC combines two of my greatest interests: helping people in need and second-hand consumption. The idea has been working for them for more than 40 years. I spoke with Kim Pittman, who manages the organization’s two Edmond thrift stores.

1. Okie Pundit: County GOP Official Refers to Black Voters as “Negroes”
2. NewsOK: House approves open-carry weapons bill
3. NewsOK: Zombie walk leaves mark on downtown Oklahoma City, police say
4. Tulsa World: Senate OKs bill allowing health-care reform suit
5. NewsOK: EPA has two proposals to deal with coal ash disposal
6. NewsOK: Mental health and substance abuse services advocates rally at Oklahoma state Capitol
7. NewsOK: ‘Small business’ tax credits were used by insurance companies
8. NewsOK: Firefighters union official says Oklahoma City is ignoring state law