Verified News Network

(OKLAHOMA) The $93 million Sunset Amphitheater under construction in Broken Arrow will be offering year-round performances after a strategic expansion announced recently by the developers. Colorado Springs-based Venu, the owner and operator of upscale live music venues and premium hospitality destinations, has adopted a “multi-season venue configuration model” for its new amphitheaters that executives describe as a “transformative shift that extends operational capacity from seasonal schedules to year-round operations and revenue potential.” Read the full article from VNN affiliate Broken Sentinel here:

(OKLAHOMA) The path of artificial intelligence is widening in Tulsa, and Greenwood is poising to set an accelerated pace. On March 6, Black Tech Street hosted a pivotal Greenwood AI/AS Center of Excellence (G-ACE) Community Information Session at the Greenwood Cultural Center, providing community members the opportunity to learn how the new initiative is leading the charge in shaping the future of AI (artificial intelligence) and AS (autonomous systems). Read the full article here:

(NATIONAL) As Congress mulls potentially massive cuts to federal Medicaid funding, health centers that serve Native American communities, such as the Oneida Community Health Center near Green Bay, Wisconsin, are bracing for catastrophe. That’s because more than 40% of the about 15,000 patients the center serves are enrolled in Medicaid. Cuts to the program would be detrimental to those patients and the facility, said Debra Danforth, the director of the Oneida Comprehensive Health Division and a citizen of the Oneida Nation. Read the full article from VNN affiliate KFF Health News here:

Today, day and night stand in perfect balance, marking the beginning of spring—a time of renewal, growth, and new possibilities. For many cultures, the changing of the seasons is a sacred reminder of our deep connection to the land and the cycles of nature. May this season bring healing and abundance to you and yours! #VernalEquinox #SpringRenewal #NativeOwned #VerifiedNews

(MUSCOGEE RESERVATION) Four deaths have been confirmed and over 140 are injured after wildfires burned across the state this past weekend. March 14 storm systems produced dangerously high winds that clocked in at 60-80 miles per hour. Read the full article from VNN affiliate Mvskoke Media here:

(MUSCOGEE NATION) This month's AICCO Tulsa Chapter Luncheon at River Spirit drew a sold-out crowd as attendees gathered to hear from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has also announced his candidacy for the 2026 governor’s race. While addressing the audience, Drummond acknowledged the significant economic impact of Oklahoma’s Tribes. Read the full article here:

VNN is on the move! It’s going to be a busy few weeks, but we are ready ?? Will you be at any of our stops in March or April? We’d love to see you! March 24 + 25: 2025 Local Journalism Researchers Workshop at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill March 27 + 28: Osage News Voices for Justice MMIP Symposium in Ponca City, Osage Reservation April 3 + 4: Solutions Journalism Network Revenue Accelerator Kickoff at Northwestern University in Chicago April 8 + 9: American Press Institute Local News Summit: Local Identity, History and Sustainability in Nashville Wherever we go, our mission remains the same: to do news differently—amplifying stories that matter, innovating in local journalism, and building a more sustainable future for independent media. If you’ll be at any of these events, let’s connect—drop a comment or send us a message!

(OKLAHOMA) After almost eight years in prison, Amber Bacon was working toward a fresh start. She was taking classes and had a job helping other women in a prison training program. Then unwanted sexual comments and touching from a work supervisor left her reeling, she said. Read the full article from VNN affiliate The Frontier here:

Awesome work, Trista!

???? Happy St. Patrick's Day from Verified News Network (VNN) and VNN Oklahoma! ???? As a Native-owned newsroom with both Indigenous and Irish American team members, we honor the deep and complex history that connects our peoples. From the Choctaw Nation’s gift during the Great Hunger to our shared experiences of survival, we stand in solidarity. While the Irish were once colonized, many later became part of the colonial system that harmed Indigenous peoples. At VNN, we are committed to tackling colonization head-on — recognizing these truths, fostering healing, and building a future rooted in justice and understanding. Wishing you all a day of celebration and unity. ??? #DecolonizeMedia #KindredSpirits #IrishHeritage #StPatricksDay