Mayor Monroe Nichols selected the longtime deputy chief from a field of two internal candidates. Some city councilors had hoped for a national search to replace retiring Chief Dennis Larsen.
Author Archives: Joe Tomlinson
Joe Tomlinson is the government reporter at the Tulsa Flyer. A Tulsa native, Joe’s career in journalism began after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2021. He spent three years covering the city of Edmond as a Report for America corps member with NonDoc Media before moving to Columbus to cover the Ohio statehouse with Hannah News. Joe spent his first year at the Flyer as the general assignment reporter, covering anything and everything in Tulsa. Now as the government reporter, he covers all things city government and civics.
Posted inGovernment
Tulsa County has a new agreement with ICE that goes beyond the jailhouse to special task forces
Nine deputies are certified through a new 287(g) agreement to conduct immigration enforcement. None are on patrol.
Posted inGovernment
Tulsa on the hook for $20K in storage costs for Cry Baby Cry statue in Florida
The city commissioned a 20-foot statue of a crying baby on a bicycle from an out-of-state artist for $250,000 in taxpayer dollars. Now it’s on the hook for thousands more in storage costs as the public art piece awaits installation.
Posted inGovernment
The debate over Flock Safety cameras is taking over Tulsa. This chief is pulling the plug — for now.
Chief Mike Bell says he’s taking heat for taking down the surveillance cameras — for now. Their use across Tulsa has sparked debate in the upcoming Aug. 25 election.
Posted inNews
Manna is ready for takeoff in Tulsa. Some see drone deliveries as a sign of the city’s tech promise.
The Irish company launches its first U.S. drone deliveries on Cherry Street Wednesday. Its arrival has drawn anxiety and excitement from business leaders and residents alike.
Posted inGovernment
Tulsa City Council District 2: Archie and Bisogno disagree on homelessness policy, Flock Safety use and proposed hotel tax hike
Councilor Anthony Archie and challenger Aaron Bisogno are in a rematch to represent west Tulsa. Voters will choose the winner Aug. 25.
Posted inGovernment
Meet the three candidates running to fill the open Tulsa City Council District 9 seat
With incumbent Carol Bush not seeking reelection, Pete Regan, Ben Johnson and Shawn Tiemann are in the Aug. 25 race for midtown Tulsa’s District 9.
Posted inGovernment
National search or nah? Councilors clamor for culture change with next Tulsa police chief.
Several councilors want a national search for the city’s top cop, but Tulsa has historically hired internally. Mayor Monroe Nichols wants a new leader in place by the time the chief retires in September.
Posted inGovernment
‘An American matter’: Islamic Society of Tulsa files discrimination suit against Broken Arrow
Tulsa-area Muslim leaders say they were treated differently than other institutions in Broken Arrow. They point to email communications between councilors as further proof.
Posted inNews
Islamic Society of Tulsa to file suit against Broken Arrow over denied mosque
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.
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.