Darla Slipke
The Oklahoman
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Past articles by Darla:
Governor signs commutations for 147 more drug offenders eligible under HB 1269
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday signed commutations for 147 people serving time for simple drug possession. Those individuals were eligible for an expedited commutation docket established by House Bill 1269, which took effect Nov. 1. The law directed the Pardon and Parole Board to establish an accelerated, single-stage docket to review the sentences of those in prison for crimes that would no longer… → Read More
DOC: 'No definitive plans' to close any prisons
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has “no definitive plans” to close any prisons, Director Scott Crow said Wednesday. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, issued a news release last week urging people to voice their support for William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply, one of five prisons he said "could be targeted for possible closure." Crow said Wednesday said he’s not aware of five… → Read More
Statewide rape kit tracking system takes effect
JAN 13, 2020 - Sexual assault survivors will now be able to monitor the location and status of their rape kit through a statewide electronic tracking system. The goal of the tracking system is to empower survivors with information, help law enforcement with investigations and foster transparency and public trust. The system, operated by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, was mandated… → Read More
Criminal justice reform task force to recommend chief cultural officer for DOC
JAN 6, 2020 - A criminal justice reform task force will recommend the Department of Corrections hire a chief cultural officer to help push cultural changes within the agency and to serve as a bridge for public-private partnerships, officials said Monday. The RESTORE Task Force will not be making any specific legislative recommendations when it releases a report of its findings and… → Read More
Criminal justice reform task force seeks extension
DEC 6, 2019 - The governor's office is filing an extension for the RESTORE Task Force, a group that has been working to make criminal justice reform recommendations. Gov. Kevin Stitt created the 15-person group in May and tasked it with submitting a report of findings and recommendations to him and state legislative leaders by Friday. Donelle Harder, senior advisor in the governor's office, said… → Read More
Oklahoman series, forum spark discussion on unsolved homicides
JUL 31, 2016 - Tuesday's forum at Prospect Baptist Church in northeast Oklahoma City was organized by The Oklahoman in conjunction with a three-day series of stories that examined unsolved homicides in Oklahoma City. → Read More
Five things to know about Oklahoma City homicides
JUL 27, 2016 - The Oklahoman conducted a year-long analysis looking at homicides in Oklahoma City. Here are five key findings. → Read More
Oklahoma City community leaders, residents discuss unsolved homicides during public forum
JUL 26, 2016 - More than 100 people gathered Tuesday night at Prospect Baptist Church in northeast Oklahoma City for a public forum to discuss unsolved homicides. → Read More
Writer's Room Podcast
JUL 14, 2016 - In this episode of Writer's Room, Enterprise Editor Phil O'Connor and reporters Silas Allen and Darla Slipke discuss their yearlong project on Oklahoma City's unsolved homicides. Look for the story soon in The Oklahoman. → Read More
May Avenue bridge has been hit before
MAY 19, 2016 - Thursday wasn't the first time the May Avenue bridge was hit. In July 1993, the bridge was damaged by a truck hauling a large backhoe that exceeded the maximum height of the bridge underpass, according to The Oklahoman's archives. The backhoe struck the bridge, causing the southbound lanes of the bridge to cave in. Chunks of concrete fell on two cars that were following the truck.… → Read More
Dear Future President: Edmond fifth-graders have advice for the candidates
APR 18, 2016 - The fifth-graders in Linda Skinner’s enrichment classes at Heritage Elementary School are paying attention to the tone of presidential candidates during this election season, and they do not like what they are seeing and hearing. → Read More
Police ID victim of OKC's 19th homicide of 2016
APR 5, 2016 - Police have identified the victim and made an arrest in Oklahoma City's 19th homicide of the year. The map above shows where each incident has occurred. Jose Luis Rubio, 19, of Oklahoma City, was shot to death about 6:45 p.m. Monday in the 3800 block of South May Avenue. Police officers found him inside a vehicle that had crashed in front of a business. Tuesday afternoon, police… → Read More
Lead in the water: Has your county had elevated levels?
APR 1, 2016 - A recent USA Today analysis identified nearly 2,000 water systems throughout the United States — including 41 systems in 30 Oklahoma counties — where testing during recent years has shown excessive levels of lead contamination. The drinking water crisis in Flint, Mich., sparked outrage and brought national attention to the risks of lead in water systems. Here's a look at water… → Read More
The Morning Brew: U.S. astronaut to embark on record-breaking mission
MAR 18, 2016 - U.S. astronaut set to embark on record-breaking mission An American and two Russians are scheduled to launch today on a mission to the International Space Station that will set a record for a U.S. astronaut, USA Today reported. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams and Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka will lift off from Kazakhstan in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. During… → Read More
Procedure may offer Oklahoma dystonia patient chance for normalcy
MAR 15, 2016 - Brynnley Hohmann has struggled with a movement disorder called dystonia, which is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, and hopes that a surgical procedure will alleviate the symptoms. → Read More
Police investigate OKC's 15th homicide of 2016
A 19-year-old man was shot to death Thursday in Oklahoma City's 15th homicide of the year, police reported. It appears the shooting victim, Otto Reed, was walking shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday in the 1100 block of West Britton Road when someone approached him, police reported. Reed ran from the person and was shot while trying to flee, according to police. Officers who responded to the shooting… → Read More
Police investigate OKC's 14th homicide of the year
An 82-year-old woman is the victim of Oklahoma City's 14th homicide of the year, police reported Tuesday. The map above shows where each incident occurred. Officers who were conducting a welfare check shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday found Ikuko George dead inside her residence at 3117 SE 54. She had "trauma to her body consistent with homicide," police reported. No arrests have been made. Anyone… → Read More
Early voting off to a solid start in Oklahoma
Thousands of Oklahomans in Oklahoma and Cleveland counties participated Thursday in the first day of early voting for Tuesday's presidential preferential primary. Early voting will continue from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. → Read More
Early voting kicks off in Oklahoma
Early voting for Tuesday's presidential preferential primary election kicked off this morning at county election boards across Oklahoma. Voters in Oklahoma can visit their county election board through 6 p.m. Thursday or from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to cast their ballots ahead of Tuesday's election. As of about 9:30 a.m., 156 people had cast their ballot at the… → Read More
Museum at Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum dedicated 15 years ago today
Fifteen years ago today, then-President George W. Bush opened to the public the museum that is part of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. In honor of today's anniversary, staff at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum are asking people to share what the museum means to them by using the hashtag #OKCNMMeans2Me on social media. Museum visitors who show what they have shared… → Read More