🌱 OKC Council Discusses 2024 Budget + NEA Awards $1 Million In Grants

Hi there, Oklahoma City. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 85 Low: 65.

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Here are the top three stories in Oklahoma City today:

1. Oklahoma City Council leaders will meet this week to discuss whether the city's proposed $904 million budget plan will be approved for 2024. The majority of this funding will go toward opening more than 5,000 full-time positions with organizations like the Oklahoma City Fire Department, Police Department, Will Rogers World Airport, and more. This budget will also look to cover a $1 million real-time information center. (KOCO 5)
2. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will be awarding over $1 million in grants to four arts organizations based in Oklahoma. Annually, approximately 40 percent of the program funds allocated by the NEA are dedicated to supporting state and regional organizations. This strategic allocation aims to guarantee that access to the arts remains accessible to all Americans. This year, several Oklahoma-based organizations, including the Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Council, Lyric Theatre, and a non-profit based in Broken Arrow, will be receiving funding support. (The Oklahoman)
3. Earlier this week, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in Oklahoma voted 3-2 in favor of approving the application by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma to establish the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School. This decision would make it the first publicly funded religious school in the nation, funded by taxpayer dollars. However, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond cautions that this ruling blatantly contradicts the Oklahoma Constitution. (ABC News)

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Today in Oklahoma City:

Wednesday, June 7

• Parks & Public Space Grant Meeting at Oklahoma City Community Foundation (3:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Oklahoma City will be hosting a hiring event at Oklahoma Works on Jun. 12th that is open to the public. Some of the organizations participating in the event will be Costco, YWCA, St. Ann's, Onin Staffing, UPS, Goodwill, Northern Tool & Equipment, and more. Onsite interviews should be expected. (Oklahoma Gov)
• Oklahoma City's Fairgrounds are preparing for the 'An Affair of the Heart' show to return Jun. 9 to Jun. 11. Attendees will have the opportunity to browse through hundreds of vendors from different artists, makers, and small retailers. If you're interested in purchasing a $10 admissions ticket, visit here. (KFOR)
• Midtown Cool Down has officially returned and will take place at various locations across downtown Oklahoma City this summer! Get ready for happy hour specials and more every day June through August. (Downtown OKC Partnership via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you around!

— 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.