Tulsa Muslim leaders are hosting a press conference Monday, the same day Broken Arrow councilors will consider paying a law firm $925 per hour to work on litigation related to the mosque.
Author Archives: Haley Samsel
Haley Samsel is the story editor at the Tulsa Flyer, where she edits stories for accuracy and coaches journalists on their writing. Haley’s career in journalism began in Washington, D.C., where she led American University’s student newspaper. She felt called back to her home state of Texas, where she reported on the environment before becoming an editor at the Fort Worth Report, the city’s only nonprofit news outlet. During her time as part of the leadership team, the staff was recognized with over a dozen statewide journalism awards. She continues her commitment to nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism that tells human stories at a local level with the Tulsa Flyer.
Posted inCommunity Engagement
Where to meet the Tulsa Flyer and The Oklahoma Eagle this week, Aug. 3-8
Our newsroom will connect with community members at free candidate forums and an east Tulsa neighborhood swim event.
Posted inGovernment
Most of Inola’s planning commission resigns as town considers aluminum smelter
As Inola weighs a proposed aluminum smelter with massive federal backing, four of the town’s five planning commissioners have resigned in recent weeks.
Posted inEntertainment
On Tuesdays at The Colony, you can hear Amber Watson’s Happy Hour soundtrack
The singer-songwriter from Cushing has hosted the show for nearly two years. Amber Watson’s release party for her new EP, “Siren,” is set for Saturday.
Posted inGovernment
Drummond to DOJ: Withdraw investigation into Broken Arrow mosque decision
Drummond called the Department of Justice’s investigation into Broken Arrow’s rejection of a proposed mosque “federal overreach.” He wants it dropped immediately.
Posted inGovernment
Broken Arrow leaders were flooded with anti-Muslim emails on a proposed mosque. Here’s what they said behind closed doors.
City councilors say their decision to reject a new mosque in Broken Arrow was based on land use concerns. But some agreed with anti-Islamic sentiment in their inboxes. A federal investigation is underway.
Posted inNews
DOJ launches federal investigation into Broken Arrow over mosque denial, zoning laws
Federal investigators are reviewing whether Broken Arrow violated a law prohibiting religious discrimination in zoning when councilors denied the Islamic Society of Tulsa’s mosque application in January.
Posted inCommunity Engagement
Where to meet the Tulsa Flyer and The Oklahoma Eagle this week, July 13-17
Our newsroom will connect with community members at our Documenters’ Coffee and Council and a resource festival.
Posted inCulture
How a Tulsa TV anchor-turned-theater director became America’s reigning ‘president of drag’
Travis Guillory is balancing a day job with the national title of Miss Gay America. His journey to competing as Tracy La Louisianne was an unexpected turn for the former TV anchor.
Posted inGovernment
Who won the June 16 primaries for Tulsa’s Oklahoma House and Senate seats?
Two Republican primaries are headed to runoffs Aug. 25. See who else will be on the November ballot — and who automatically won a seat Tuesday night.
Posted inGovernment
Mark Tedford thinks experience can outdo a Trump endorsement
The Tulsa insurance executive and state lawmaker is betting voters want a business-minded conservative rather than a political firebrand. But he’s missed some votes in the Legislature.
Posted inCulture
Tulsa’s only lesbian bar rose from the ashes and embraced its LGBTQ+ roots
Under manager Val Binkley, Yellow Brick Road Pub’s public profile has surged. A 2022 fire forced the bar to close its doors, making YBR’s rebirth anything but guaranteed.