My new home is starting to feel eerily similar to my last one… nytimes.com/2024/04/15/us/…

Whitney Bryen found out 28 people died in Oklahoma jails in 2022 due to untreated mental health and substance abuse conditions. Since publication, her five-part series has resulted in lawsuits and proposed changes to the state’s mental health laws. oklahomawatch.org/2023/12/15/the…

New: After Decades of Imprisoning Patients, Idaho Approves Secure Mental Health Facility propublica.org/article/idaho-…

InvestigateWest is staffing up to meet the moment. Introducing the newest members of our team: reporters Whitney Bryen and Melanie Henshaw and editor Shawn Vestal.

invw.org/2024/03/18/thr…

Shannon Hanchett’s mental health needs could not be met while she was locked up in jail, according to her family’s lawsuit. Hanchett was one of two women who died waiting for mental health assessments in December 2022.

My last story for Oklahoma Watch is live. Definitely bittersweet.

Oklahoma’s Foster Family Shortage Forces Children From Their Communities
oklahomawatch.org/2024/02/29/okl…

Some personal news: After 6 years, I’m leaving Oklahoma Watch. I am so proud of the work I’ve done here. There aren’t enough characters available to share how grateful I am for my colleagues and editors. I have learned so much from you all. More on my new gig coming soon…

When is someone sick enough to force them into mental health treatment against their will? That’s the question Oklahoma lawmakers are trying to answer with House Bill 3451. oklahomawatch.org/2024/02/05/law…

State Election Board Removes GOP Members From Oklahoma County Election Board
oklahomawatch.org/2024/02/02/sta… (via Oklahoma Watch) #okleg #okgov

I have had the pleasure of working with and learning from Jennifer for nearly 6 years now. Her comment doesn’t even scratch the surface of the consideration, integrity and truth-seeking that she brings to work every day. Oklahoma is lucky to have her.

A keen observation.

Oklahoma law requires that police departments provide public access to arrest details. This is vital for holding officers accountable for how they respond to emergencies. One city is refusing to comply. Oklahoma Watch and I are suing. oklahomawatch.org/2024/01/29/okl… FOIoklahoma

INBOX: Allie Friesen, formerly of Integris, to be new commissioner of Oklahoma’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Here’s a little bit about her background from an email sent by Gov. Stitt’s office.

Special sessions cost taxpayers an estimated $34,000 per day.

This conversation was inspired by my yearlong investigation to determine who died in Oklahoma's county jails, how they ended up there in the first place and what killed them. Read the story at oklahomawatch.org/2023/12/15/the…

In a special Oklahoma Watch podcast, the Payne County jail director and I talk about how and why Oklahomans with mental illness end up in jail, what happens to them once they're incarcerated and why so many of them are dying behind bars. Listen now. oklahomawatch.org/2024/01/17/lon…