Tulsa Race Massacre Trust, a Historic Church's Future, and Hometown Heroes

Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Saturday, July 12. We’re starting our day with sunny skies and a warm start around 81 degrees, heading for a high in the upper 80s. After last night’s storms rolled through, we’re looking at a mostly clear day ahead, though another round of showers could develop by evening. If you’re heading out to community events or catching a game at ONEOK Field, pack a light jacket just in case. Major news out of City Hall this week as Mayor Monroe Nichols pushed forward his plan to create a 100 million dollar private trust to provide scholarships and housing assistance for descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Nichols is calling it a road to repair rather than reparations, and notes the plan will likely involve City Council input if city property gets transferred. This is Tulsa’s latest step to address its historic racial wounds, especially after last year’s Oklahoma Supreme Court decision dismissing a related lawsuit. Elsewhere downtown, a century-old landmark is changing hands. First Christian Church, near 11th and Boulder, wrapped up its final Sunday service in its historic building before turning the keys over to Sharp Investment Group. The church is setting up temporary services at Circle Cinema while building a new home in Kendall Whittier, which will include space for artists, coffee shops, and galleries. The developer hasn’t yet revealed plans for the iconic structure, but we’ll keep an eye on what’s next for that block. Turning to public safety, Tulsa Police responded to a late-night home invasion near County Line Road and 51st Street. A man in his 40s was stabbed investigating a break-in, but is recovering. Officers quickly arrested a teenage suspect at the scene. Separately, a man was arrested for indecent exposure at Lynn Lane Reservoir, and a local resident was sentenced to 43 years for arson after intentionally setting his own home ablaze. Tulsa Police continue to urge neighbors to remain alert, especially after recent break-ins in east Tulsa neighborhoods. On the cultural front, the Circle Cinema Film Festival is underway, putting the spotlight on films by and about Oklahomans. It’s the perfect weekend to catch screenings and support local talent while enjoying the newly cooled lobbies after last night’s heat. Our schools are making headlines too, as Tulsa Public Schools announced a new partnership with the University of Oklahoma to offer a free college course for high-achieving juniors and seniors this fall, opening doors for our youth. Sports fans, FC Tulsa is in the thick of a playoff push. They’re hosting two pivotal home matches at ONEOK Field, starting tonight at 7:30 against the Las Vegas Lights, and again Wednesday against Monterey Bay. FC Tulsa sits just three points out of first place in the USL Western Conference, so the energy is bound to be high. Over at Tulsa Speedway, congrats to Paden Phillips and Racen Stacy for their feature wins last night. And a quick nod to the Musco This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.