🌱 Fatal Shooting In Southwest OKC + Charlie Christian Music Fest

Hello, everybody. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Oklahoma City Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a few showers. High: 73 Low: 62.

Here are the top three stories in Oklahoma City today:

1. Two people were killed and one was injured in a shooting at a music event on the southwest side of Oklahoma City on Thursday night. Police have not yet determined a motive for the shooting near Southwest 29th Street and Meridian Avenue, believed to stem from an altercation that started inside a business and moved into the parking lot. The deceased have not been publicly identified pending notification of next of kin, and no arrests have been made as of Friday. (news9.com KWTV)
2. The Charlie Christian International Music Festival returns from Jun. 1-3 at the Oklahoma City Community College campus. The festival was founded in 1985 to honor Oklahoma-born Christian, also known as the "Father of Bebop" for his unique solo string technique on the electric guitar. Tickets for the festival are currently available at the OCCC Box Office; those interested in ordering t-shirts or getting more information can contact the Black Liberated Arts Center. (The Lawton Constitution)
3. Oklahoma's State Department of Education has received almost 200 applications for its newly announced signing bonus to fill hundreds of vacancies in early childhood and special education classrooms. The department is offering bonuses of up to $50,000 for a five-year commitment in critical areas. The State Superintendent Ryan Walters believes the bonus system will help attract teachers to the state, with over 60 people applying within hours of the application being launched. (KOCO Oklahoma City)

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Today in Oklahoma City:

• Free Tai Chi - Myriad Gardens At Water Plaza Room (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Oklahoma City officials have filed a lawsuit against the Plaza Inn, claiming a history of violent crime, prostitution, and drugs. In the lawsuit, the City requests that the motel change ownership or shut down altogether. (KFOR Oklahoma City)
• Members of the Oklahoma City Police Department's Motorcycle Unit represented the city in Washington DC's National Police Week commemoration. National Police Week honors the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. (Oklahoma City Police Department via Facebook)
• An Oklahoma City woman has been named American Mothers Inc.'s 88th National Mother of the Year. Visit the link to read all about Lori Johnson-Vegas, a proud mother of two. (Journal Record)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.