🌱 Federal Mask Mandate Struck Down + Teacher Fired For Pride Flags

Happy Wednesday, people of Tulsa! Here's everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

A strong thunderstorm. High: 75 Low: 65.

Here are the top three stories today in Tulsa:

1. A federal circuit court struck down the mask mandate for airlines and other forms of transit on Monday. The decision has prompted Tulsa Transit to cancel its mask mandate for buses. The mask mandate had been in place since early on in the COVID-19 pandemic. (2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa)
2. A teacher at Jenks Public Schools alleges that he was fired for having rainbow pride flags in his classroom. The seventh-grade science teacher hung several pride flags, among others representing identities and countries of origin. According to an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, the firing was an attack on the teacher's free speech. (Public Radio Tulsa)
3. A Tulsa man has been reunited with his car and his phone after they were stolen Sunday evening. The man, who is a musical artist from Tulsa, left his car running while he ran into the QuikTrip near 51st and Sheridan. The car was stolen in a matter of minutes, but police officers were able to track down the car by finding the location of the man's stolen phone. (News On 6)

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Today in Tulsa:

• Food Truck Wednesday at Guthrie Green (11:00 AM)
• Lunch Specials at Elgin Park (11:00 AM)
• Happy 420 Wine Dinner at Duet Restaurant (6:30 PM)
• Velvet Chair Poetry Night at Gypsy Coffee House & Cyber Cafe (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Tulsa Botanic Garden shared a beautiful photo of the blooms in the garden. Check it out at the link. (Instagram)
• The Tulsa Opera invites you to see Salome! Tickets for the opera are now on sale, visit the link to find out prices and availability. (Facebook)
• The Tulsa Oilers will be taking on the Utah Grizzlies in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. They invite any and all fans to come out for the game. (Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.