Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will OKC’s chamber reshape schools, streets and safety in 2026?
And on the Oklahoma City Patch calendar - Tony Roberts
Hey there, Oklahoma City! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will OKC’s chamber reshape schools, streets and safety in 2026?
- How the playoff game in Norman is filling OKC hotels tonight
- How did OKC city workers raise over $600,000 for neighbors?
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings.
Find out what's happening in Oklahoma Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find out what's happening in Oklahoma Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high of 59 and low of 46 degrees.
- Saturday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, temps: high: 62, low: 34.
- Sunday: Increasing cloudiness, with a high of 55 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. OKC Chamber to focus on education, county government reform in 2026 (journalrecord.com) — Oklahoma City’s chamber is zeroing in on education, public safety, transportation, and county justice reforms that could shape daily life here in 2026. Leaders plan to push for better school-business partnerships, major street and transit investments, and faster progress on the new county detention center and government reforms as OKC’s national profile and Olympic role grow. 
2. College Football Playoff draws record crowds to Oklahoma City (koco.com) — If you’re noticing busier hotels and restaurants around Oklahoma City this weekend, thank the College Football Playoff game in Norman, which is drawing thousands of visiting fans and driving up room rates downtown. Tourism officials say this surge is one of the strongest of the year and hope first-time visitors leave with a fresh impression of Oklahoma City, potentially boosting future travel and business.
3. OKC employees pledge more than half a million dollars to local charities (news9.com) — City of Oklahoma City employees have surpassed their 2025 Heart of the City campaign goal, raising a record-setting total of just over $600,000 for local charities. More than 2,500 workers contributed through creative fundraisers, supporting organizations that provide housing, food, health care, arts, and education programs directly benefiting Oklahoma City residents facing rising costs and financial strain.
4. Judge denies restraining order requested against OKDHS over frozen subsidies (kfor.com) — A judge in Oklahoma City has refused to grant a temporary restraining order that would have immediately stopped the state from freezing child care subsidies for many school-age children, keeping the pause in place for now. Oklahoma Human Services says the move is driven by funding limits, while child care providers warn the change could devastate working families who rely on after-school programs. Both sides are expected back in an Oklahoma County courtroom once more evidence is gathered.
5. Thunder team up with Our Blood Institute (news9.com) — Oklahoma City Thunder fans can roll up their sleeves right after Christmas, with a special Our Blood Institute drive kicking off December 27 where 100 donors will meet Jwill. Everyone who donates at that event gets an exclusive T-shirt and a free Thunder game ticket, and additional Thunder-themed shirts are available at drives statewide through January 2.
📸 Around Oklahoma City
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Oklahoma City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Tony Roberts
Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 Kings Of Leon Ln, Oklahoma City
7:00 pm
Saturday December 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
The Yale Theater , 227 SW 25th St , Oklahoma City
6:30 pm - CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED - CHRISTMAS
Yukon Chamber of Commerce , 10 W Main St #130 , Yukon
Saturday December 20
Wednesday December 24
📣 Oklahoma City Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Tom's Coffee Truck
Mary Golda Ross Elementary Oklahoma City, OK 73111
7:30 am - StuCo Adopt A Child - Gifts to PreK @ Coolidge
U.S. Grant High School Oklahoma City, OK 73111
7:30 am - Special City Council Meeting
Nichols Hills, OK Calendar
2:00 pm - HS BASKETBALL @HARDING CHARTER
Bethany Public Schools Bethany, OK 73008
4:30 pm - Read & Craft for Littles
Warr Acres Library - Metropolitan Library System , 5901 NW 63rd St , Warr Acres
10:00 am - Cake & Sip - ❄️Oh Drip-mas Tree!🎄
Tipsy Cake OKC , 6836 NW 23rd St , Bethany
5:00 pm - Creative Writing Sunday
Warr Acres Library - Metropolitan Library System , 5901 NW 63rd St , Warr Acres
3:00 pm - Winter Break
Epic Blended Learning Charter Oklahoma City, OK 73120 - Oklahoma County Clerk Mobile Office
Bethany Library - Metropolitan Library System , 6700 NW 35th St , Bethany
1:30 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Oklahoma City PatchAM possible:
- Cortes Law Firm — (405) 213-0856
Estate Planning Attorney and Probate Attorney in Oklahoma - McCann's Roofing and Construction- Oklahoma City — (405) 259-9998
Oklahoma City's Best Roofing Company- Readers Choice Voted - Wildlife X Team Oklahoma City — (405) 816-9700
Humane wildlife response, exclusion, and prevention.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Tonight’s fence line comes with a disclaimer, it may ramble a little, much like my thoughts this time of year.
Some of you know me as “the fence line person,” which feels like a very unofficial title, but I’ll take it. Behind the posts is just your average… (Nextdoor Western Village-Pied Piper) - LOST DOG ALERT:
MY DOG IS LOST, SHE RAN OUT ONTO WEST BRITTON ROAD NEAR SUBWAY & MCDONALDS TODAY, 12/17/25 AROUND 4PM. I BELIEVE SHE MAY BE IN THE HIGHLANDS… (Nextdoor Britton Crossing)
- Arby's posted a job opening for Team Member in Choctaw. Apply here.
Ok Oklahoma City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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