Studio Stillwater

Join candidates for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 34 in a casual conversation with news editor Chris Peters and Bryan Langford-Loftis, Government Affairs Committee Chair for the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Democrat Rep. Trish Ranson and her Republican challenger, Michael Baughman, discuss some of the top issues voters in the district care about – from education and taxation to legalizing marijuana and the state’s r...

Stillwater News Press editor sat down with Rep. Trish Ranson, incumbent democrat candidate for Oklahoma House District 34 in Stillwater. Beau and Chris get to know Ranson as a person, why she ran for office, and what she hopes to change if re-elected.

Candidate campaign links:
www.ransonhouse34.com
www.facebook.com/RansonHouse34

Recorded Oct. 14, 2022
Episode permalink: www.studiostillwater.net/grassroots-trish-ranson-i...

Stillwater News Press editors sit down with Republican candidate for Oklahoma House District 34, Michael Baughman. Beau and Chris get to know Baughman as a person, why he's running and what he hopes to change if elected.

Candidate campaign links:
www.baughmanforhouse.com
www.facebook.com/Baughman4HD34

Recorded Oct. 13, 2022
Episode permalink: www.studiostillwater.net/grassroots-michael-baughman-interview-hd34-candidate

After an extended hiatus, the newsroom returns to the studio – due to a honeymoon and staff vacations – with a national storytelling award. They also share the stories they wrote in the new Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine published early this month. Ashlynd tells us about painted glass artist Zahraa Azee and her massive art piece for the Stillwater Mosque & Islamic Center. Michelle gives us some insight into star opera singer Sara...

Local News: Bird Flu in Payne County, not an April fools joke. It’s election day in Stillwater, will voters approve a $9 million bond for a new fire station?

Going deep: Beau and the newsroom discuss how local news can often be misused to amplify discussion around a topic and the responsibility journalists have to determine newsworthiness. National cause célèbre trickles down to concerned local parents when it comes to transgendere...

On April 5th, Stillwater voters will decide on a bond proposal to relocate fire station #2 and build a modern facility for $9 million. Michelle and Chris sit down with Stillwater Fire Chief, Terry Essary, and City of Stillwater’s Chief Civic Innovation Officer, Becky Taylor to discuss why we need a new fire station and how a bond works to fund large projects. We also discuss challenges our firefighters face while in the station, fr...

In this week’s episode, the newsroom discusses how Ashlynd has main character syndrome. SpongeBob Squarepants throw the team in a time loop for Michelle to save them so Chris’ family can share their experience at The Mid South in a special segment they recorded after the event. Listen to young first-timers as they share what it felt like to finish the 12-mile Inspiration Ride.

Ashlynd and Beau tell us which Oklahoma legislation bil...

After almost a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Stillwater events are making their way back on the calendar. Chris shares details about this year's Mid South gravel bike race and expo. Michelle and beau share their favorite parts of the mega bicycle event that kicks off spring events season in Oklahoma.

Articles mentioned on the show:

• Q5: The Mid South welcomes athletes back for 2022 – https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/q5...

In this week's episode, the newsroom debates appropriate and inappropriate uses of exclamation points, periods, and thumbs-up emojis! 👍. Michelle begins to dive into a story on local employment and challenges the City of Stillwater is facing in attracting and retaining talent. Beau and Michelle interview locals with some perspective on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how journalists sort fact from fiction in the ever-increasing n...

Certified baddies – except Chris – return to the studio to discuss the recent municipal election, the upcoming bond vote for a new fire station and recycling woes in Stillwater. Ashlynd also shares her story on Stillwater’s new digital radio system and how encrypting radio broadcasts could change how breaking news is covered in the community.

Articles mentioned in the show:

• Grassroots: Growing civic engagement
  https://www...

Stillwater, home of Oklahoma State University, is inherently a destination town. Every year visitors make a significant impact on the city’s economy. Cristy Morrison and Chris Norris of Visit Stillwater join Chris and Michelle to discuss why Stillwater should consider raising the Visitor’s tax (formerly known as the hotel/lodging tax) from 4% to 7%. What the additional revenue will bring, and how we can improve our quality of life ...

Everyone in Stillwater agrees, many of our streets and roads are terrible. On Feb. 8 voters will have a proposition on their ballot to increase the dedicated transportation sales tax from a half-cent to a whole cent. To get the details of how the tax works, what it could fix, and why it’s the solution according to City management, Michelle and Chris sat down with Stillwater City manager Norman McNickle and Chief Civic Innovation of...

In this episode, Chris and Michelle sit down with Stillwater mayoral candidates Marc Trotter and Will Joyce. We learn what music they have recently listened to, how their faith impacts their call to public service and decision-making process, how their personal religious beliefs align with civic government and how they approach protecting the public’s health.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served ...

Recorded Jan. 10

In part three of our conversation with Will, we get into the details of how Stillwater’s Council/City manager form of government works, the challenges of state law on the local level and why he wants to be re-elected as Mayor of Stillwater. Will is facing Marc Trotter in the Feb. 8 mayoral election for the City of Stillwater.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneu...

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022

In part three of our conversation with Marc Trotter, we learn about his foundational principles that form his view on the proper role of government. His belief is that we are “a country of kings.” Marc is campaigning against incumbent Mayor Will Joyce in the Feb. 8 election.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn...

Recorded Jan. 10, 2022

***Spoiler alert*** Multiple films and books are discussed in this episode. From Jack Reacher to Frozen, to STILLWATER.

In part two Michelle and Chris learn what books Will enjoys reading and how his study of film as an English major has impacted his movie experience. 

Will is facing Marc Trotter in the Feb. 8 mayoral election for the City of Stillwater.  

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-w...

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022

In part two Chris and Michelle learn about Marc’s career as a lighting designer, the insight he has received from personality tests and his experience running a campaign to recall Stillwater’s City Councilors. 

Marc is campaigning against incumbent Mayor Will Joyce.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn mor...

Recorded Jan. 10, 2022

This episode is part one of a three-part interview with Will Joyce. He is running for re-election as the Mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma. In this first segment hosts, Michelle Charles and Chris Peters get to know Will, how he came to Stillwater as a child, how he left after graduating from Oklahoma State University and how he brought his family back after spending time in St. Louis.

Will is facing Marc Trotter ...

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022

***Spoiler Alert*** If you haven’t seen BEE Movie we discuss the overall plot and story of the animated film starring Jerry Seinfield.

This episode is part one of a three-part interview with Marc Trotter. He is running for Mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma in the Feb. 8 election. In this first segment show hosts, Michelle Charles and Chris Peters get to know Marc as a human. They learn what it was like for Ma...