Passed in 2024, the Oklahoma Survivors Act was supposed to create sentencing relief for survivors of domestic violence. But the new law has run into a major roadblock: district attorneys’ offices across the state do not want to play ball.
Over the weekend ProPublica and The New York Times published a hefty investigation into this resistance that zeroes in on Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler, whose former boss in that office Tim Harris prosecuted April Wilkens back in the ‘90s. Today Kunzweiler is leading the effort to keep her incarcerated.
Meanwhile, Kunzweiler faces opposition in this June’s primary election from Colleen McCarty, who helped write the Survivors Act legislation in the first place. Read ProPublica’s story to hear about Lisa Rae Wright (formerly known as Lisa Moss), learn more about the steep barriers that domestic violence survivors face getting their criminal sentence reduced and generally get sad about Oklahoma’s hamstrung efforts at criminal justice reform.
And now, onward we scroll, into the abyss.
- A Mounds man was arrested at Claremore City Council meeting after he went over his allotted speaking time—which he used to oppose the development of a nearby data center—by a few seconds. [404 Media]
- Facing a four-digit drop in enrollment and a multi-million dollar budget shortfall, Tulsa Public Schools confirmed last week that about 50 administrative positions will be cut by the end of this school year. [Tulsa World]
- The Oklahoma state legislature received a scathing letter from an oil industry trade group asking “What ‘advanced industry’ company wants to be headquartered in a state that ranks 50th in education?” [Tulsa World]
- Is a Buc-ee’s store planned for Oklahoma City? No, but that’s not going to stop The Oklahoman from publishing a story about it. [The Oklahoman]
- Looking to buy a home in 2026? Zillow analysts predicts that Oklahoma City will become more affordable in the coming year. [The Oklahoman]
- Meanwhile, read our pal John Paul Brammer on hypermasculinity and the state of the algorithm in 2026. [Playboy]
- QuikTrip is hiring a Cyber Security Program Manager:
- This role leads and operationalizes QuikTrip’s Enterprise Cyber Security Program, including the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of security strategy, practices, and standards across the corporation and its subsidiaries.
- Listed compensation: $146,000-$182,520 annually
- This role leads and operationalizes QuikTrip’s Enterprise Cyber Security Program, including the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of security strategy, practices, and standards across the corporation and its subsidiaries.
- Family & Children’s Services is hiring an Project Manager:
- This role calls for a team player who is detail-oriented and innovative. Five years of experience in industries such as healthcare, business operations or technology are required.
- Compensation not listed
- This role calls for a team player who is detail-oriented and innovative. Five years of experience in industries such as healthcare, business operations or technology are required.
- Alkemio is hiring a Head of Business Development:
- This position is responsible for driving Alkemio’s commercial growth by identifying strategic opportunities, building meaningful partnerships, and shaping the pathways that bring technology into industry. Alkemio is a startup of the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s Latam to Tulsa initiative.
- Compensation not listed
- This position is responsible for driving Alkemio’s commercial growth by identifying strategic opportunities, building meaningful partnerships, and shaping the pathways that bring technology into industry. Alkemio is a startup of the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s Latam to Tulsa initiative.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article said that Steve Kunzweiler, worked on the city's case against April Wilkens in 1999, which is incorrect. Kunzweiler worked for Tim Harris's DA's office, but not on the Wilkens case. It also misstated when the primary election for Tulsa County district attorney would be held. It is scheduled for June 16. We regret the errors.
