Tulsa VA Hospital Expands, Tech Boom Raises Concerns, Tribal Sovereignty Fight, and Baby Otters at the Zoo

Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for Thursday, November 13th, 2025. We start with breaking news that’s going to reshape our local health scene. Oklahoma leaders celebrated as the VA officially took ownership of Tulsa’s brand-new hospital yesterday. This marks a major step forward for local veterans, offering expanded health services right here at home. But at the same time, Tulsa veterans are feeling the deep strain of the ongoing government shutdown, now into its forty-third day. The Coffee Bunker on South Quaker Avenue has become a lifeline, offering food, employment support, and a sense of community for more than two hundred veterans each month. The group is actively collecting food and donations, and hosting an online auction to keep support flowing to those who need it most. In city hall news, Tulsa is at the center of Oklahoma’s data center boom. We now have twenty-seven active data centers—more than any city in the state—with more facilities slated for construction in places like Owasso and Coweta. These billion-dollar developments mean new jobs and major investments, but also stir up local concerns about increased electricity rates and water use. Residents are asking for more transparency from developers and city officials about what these projects mean for everyday bills and resources. According to Rep. Amanda Clinton, tech companies are starting to seek out local municipalities directly, so the city council and Mayor’s office are gearing up to provide extra oversight. We’ve also seen some headline-shaking decisions on the state level. A federal judge ruled against the Muscogee Nation in their effort to limit Tulsa County prosecutors from charging non-Muscogee citizens living on the reservation. The decision means our district attorney keeps jurisdiction over most local crimes in the Tulsa area, even within reservation boundaries. Muscogee leaders voiced disappointment but vowed to keep fighting for tribal sovereignty. If you follow local government pay, there’s been a shakeup. Oklahoma’s new Statewide Official Compensation Commission voted on big salary raises for elected officials yesterday. Notably, the governor’s salary jumped to $155,000 a year, but now ranks eighth highest among state posts. The state superintendent of public instruction’s salary doubled to $250,000, a nod to the rising responsibilities in schools. Tulsa’s real estate market remains active, especially with large-scale data center projects driving demand for industrial land near the highways. Meanwhile, commercial real estate advisors say Tulsa’s affordable land and low energy costs continue to attract new business investment. The weather today is mostly sunny with highs pushing near seventy degrees. We can expect light breezes around the river. It’s a perfect afternoon for outdoor events at Guthrie Green or taking a stroll around the Gathering Place. Weekend outlook calls for mild, clear weather—ideal for the Tulsa Arts Festival kicking off Friday down This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.