AM NewsBrief: Aug. 10, 2026

The Cherokee Nation Band's hyperscale data centers and Oklahoma City's streetcar is now fair-free. Details coming up on the K-G-O-U-A-M news brief from Monday, August 10th. I'm Nick Daniels. The Cherokee Nation banned hyperscale data centers on tribally owned and trust lands last week. Thomas Pablo reports the decision culminates a month-long research process into the subject. Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Denny Hoskins Jr. issued the decision. He says the tribe also won't consider supporting projects on non-tribal land within the reservation without consultation and community input. The tribe adds it will protect citizens from threats to resources, the environment, and culture. His decision follows a report into the subject released this week. It found that nearly two-thirds of the 1,600 Cherokee citizens surveyed were opposed to data centers. 14% said they supported them. The report states the tribe has limited influence over data center development on non-tribal land within the reservation, but it does have full authority over trust land and land owned by the tribe. I'm Thomas Pablo. Eight tribal nations in northeastern Oklahoma signed in agreement last week to govern hunting, fishing, and trapping. Grayson Wheeler reports it lets members of the participating tribes hunt on seven reservations. Citizens of any of the participating tribes will be able to hunt and fish according to those rules in much of Ottawa County. The licenses are free with required documentation of tribal membership, but hunters, fishers, and trappers will be required to log their take on an e-check system that's expected to be operational soon. The reciprocal agreement and standardized wildlife codes were crafted by a group of representatives from all eight tribes. Kyle Lankford is a member of the Miami tribe of Oklahoma and represented Wyandotte Nation where he works in those discussions. We're trying to keep it as simple as we can so that sportsmen and women have the least amount of hassle, but we're all being held accountable. A similar agreement between the state's five largest tribes has received pushback from Oklahoma wildlife officials whose game wardens have been instructed to enforce state licensing requirements for tribal license holders. In Oklahoma City, I'm Grayson Wheeler. Oklahoma City's streetcar is now fair-free. Robbie Korth reports that means people can ride the street car around Central OKC at no cost. The change comes after a pilot program earlier this year. In the first half of 26, Embark didn't charge users of the streetcar. A ridership analysis comparing 2025 data to this year's showed an average 71% increase month over month versus the same period the previous year. The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority adopted a resolution to make the pilot program permanent Friday morning. The streetcar runs seven days a week across two loops with 22 stops, from Scissertail Park, east to the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, and up north to St. Anthony's Hospital. I'm Robbie Korth. And Oklahoma County leaders have issued a 14-day burn ban as triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions continue. The ban took effect Friday and prohibits campfires, bonfires, trash burning, and other activities that could start a wildfire. Outdoor cooking and approved appliances is still allowed, but officials urge people to use extreme caution. Violators could face a misdemeanor charge, a $500 fine, and up to one year in prison. Read more news at KGOU.org.

and follow the KGOUPM News Brief podcast. The fatal shooting of a teenager at a protest in Seattle has gone unsolved for six years. This is open in your face. How are there no answers? Our investigation has uncovered new evidence and witnesses who say they've never talked to police. Did police ever call you? Not once. Listen to We Keep Us Safe, a new true crime series on the Embedded podcast from NPR.