Episode Details

Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Saturday, July twenty-sixth. The heat is front and center this weekend as our city braces for highs just shy of triple digits. We wake up to clear skies and a steady eighty-three degrees, but by afternoon, we’re staring at ninety-seven, so if you’re heading outside—hydrate, seek shade, and keep an eye out for those heat advisories wandering through the city. Overnight, we only cool down to the mid-seventies, so don’t expect much relief until the workweek returns.

We’re starting with breaking news from city hall: Tulsa 911 services are back online after a short but disruptive outage yesterday morning. Emergency officials report that response times are back to normal and the city is reviewing system upgrades to avoid future disruptions. Also out of city hall, there is buzz around the proposed reinterment of historic remains managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers at the Tulsa District. Federal officials say a plan is expected to be published for community feedback early next week, which could impact several parcels around Riverside and Tulsa's waterway trails.

On the crime beat, Tulsa Police made a swift arrest early Friday following a break-in at a local vape shop on South Peoria Avenue. Officers credit quick-acting neighbors for alerting authorities and helping prevent further property loss. In another case that’s drawn citywide attention, Tulsa law enforcement have also charged a man with murder after a shooting near a well-known pawn shop on Admiral. Community safety remains a top concern and police encourage everyone to stay alert, especially as summer nights get longer.

In the courts this week, two descendants of the Muscogee Freedmen celebrated their legal victory as the Muscogee Supreme Court ruled that Black Creek citizens unjustly denied tribal citizenship must be reinstated. This decision not only impacts the more than one hundred thousand Freedmen descendants but broadens the community’s understanding of legacy and belonging.

Jobs and the real estate markets show steady growth as we end July. Local recruiters say new business openings downtown and in Brookside have added over one hundred jobs since the start of the month, particularly in health care and retail. On the real estate side, home inventory is still tight, hovering just below eight hundred active listings, which is keeping sale prices firm and timelines short. Prospective buyers should be ready to move quickly, with most homes under contract in under two weeks.

Tulsa schools continue to make us proud. Booker T. Washington’s robotics team just ranked first in regional qualifiers, securing a spot in the state finals this fall. Meanwhile, public school leaders remind parents that vaccination clinics are starting up across the city ahead of the school year.

Culturally, Tulsa’s alive with options this weekend. The Drillers host Mascot Mania and a youth brass band concert at ONEOK Field, welcoming dozens of local student musicians to perform alongside the vibrant King Cabbage Brass Band. Over at Philbrook, it’s the annual Dog Days event with fun for families and their four-legged friends. If music’s your calling, Cain’s Ballroom hosts Sam Barber’s North American tour tonight. And for those eager to connect, the Tulsa Farmers’ Market on Kendall Whittier is open, a great spot to meet local growers and find fresh produce.

On the community front, we want to take a moment to wish happy birthday to Laura Bellis’s grandma, who’s turning ninety-six today—what an incredible milestone. Stories like hers remind us of the deep roots and strong connections that make Tulsa special.

And finally, for a dose of good news, middle and high school students from across Green Country are gathering for the Big Bash Youth Brass Concert during Drillers pre-game festivities. It’s moments like these—when young musicians share their talents at beloved landmar