Public Eye investigates issues that impact you. This is what we've found so far

If you're thinking "this ought to be a story," you might be right.

The Oklahoman has launched a new investigative reporting project. We're calling it Public Eye. We'll be helping people who don't have the resources to investigate their own issues or feel like they aren't getting straight answers from the people whose job it is to help.

Things like impossibly slow bureaucracy, sketchy businesses or even local mysteries. Like, where is that awful smell in my neighborhood coming from? And is it dangerous? If you or someone you know is affected, we want to hear about it.

Below are the problems we've investigated so far. Have something you want us to look into? Email us at publiceye@oklahoman.com

More: Got a problem? Let The Oklahoman's Public Eye help

Why don't utility companies clear away dead foliage after spraying?

Have you ever seen stretches of dead foliage along the road and wondered why it hasn't been cleaned up?

Public Eye received a question about this from a local resident who saw decaying scrub in eastern Oklahoma County in recent months. READ MORE

In a state known for storm damage, roofers are left uninspected

It seemed like a simple enough project. A Public Eye reader experienced storm damage on his home and needed professional help from a roofer.

But he said his experience with the roofing contractor was anything but professional. READ MORE

Can voters fire an elected official in Oklahoma? Three possible routes

Oklahoma is no stranger to political controversy and calls to remove officials from their jobs.

So Public Eye looked into the process. Can voters un-vote a public official in some way? READ MORE

Woman reports sexual assault while in OKC hospital, Public Eye investigates

An Oklahoma City woman claimed in a police report and lawsuit that she was sexually assaulted while recovering from major surgery at a local hospital.

In early April, the woman visited Integris Baptist Medical Center on Portland Avenue where she underwent her 14th hernia repair to treat a chronic illness. In the hours and days after her surgery, she reported signs of unexplained sexual activity. READ MORE

Rural Oklahoma a 'desert' for sexual assault care. What's being done?

In places like Western Oklahoma, a sexual assault survivor would have to drive three hours to see the nearest sexual assault nurse examiner.

There's also no national directory showing where someone can find sexual assault nurse examiner, or SANE, services. A 2022 federal law required the creation of a directory, but Congress did not allocate funding for it.

That led Public Eye to ask about the status of Oklahoma's sexual assault nurse examiner programs and where we're headed. READ MORE

Is the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority 'spying' on people?

Opponents of the state's ACCESS Oklahoma plan have accused the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority of "political spying" by tracking what people say on social media about both the plan and the authority. Here's what Public Eye found. READ MORE

Why has this OKC bridge been closed for two years?

A popular commuter route between Midwest City and Edmond has been closed for over two years.

What's taking so long? READ MORE

Did a Shawnee police officer hold woman 'hostage' to make her husband comply?

A Shawnee man says his wife was detained by police in order to get him to provide his license during an investigation. Public Eye reviewed security footage, which shows that what actually happened is very different from what police reported. READ MORE

Public Eye helps family relaunch investigation into Oklahoma State Fair murders

Thirty-six years ago, two young sisters went missing after visiting the Oklahoma State Fair. But due to obscure legal rules, citizen-led signature campaign to impanel a grand jury never got off the ground. Here's how we helped change that. READ MORE

An OKC business denied entry to a service dog. Is that allowed?

An Oklahoma City man says confusion over his service dog has led to high anxiety at several metro services and locations that have either denied him access or made him feel intimidated. Public Eye examines the law and what is or is not allowed. READ MORE

A California charity is taking credit for an Oklahoma rescue's work

A California woman with Hollywood celebrity connections has been using photos of dogs rescued by other groups to raise funds for her own organization, according to at least three other rescue organizations across the country, including one in Oklahoma. READ MORE

Why haven't the owners cleaned up this neglected OKC apartment complex?

Two years ago, out-of-state investment companies purchased the Isola Bella apartment, renamed it The Alora and promised to invest $30,000 into each of the property's 850 units.

Fast forward to summer 2023, and the complex is in shambles. READ MORE

How can someone accused of a sex crime get back into coaching?

A coach resigned a week into his new position as coach and athletic director at an Oklahoma school district after a public outcry condemning him for an incident with a minor nearly 30 years ago. A legal loophole allowed him to return to the classrooms. READ MORE

A vacant Family Dollar in OKC has neighbors concerned. What can be done?

Almost a year ago in October, a northwest Oklahoma City Family Dollar surprised neighbors when it closed its doors. A reader emailed Public Eye about loitering and trash piling up on the property. READ MORE

Health care sticker shock: Why do some doctors charge extra for the room?

One Oklahoman reader was expecting a bill when he went to the McAlester Regional Health Center, but he was shocked by what came with it — a separate $193 charge for the room. READ MORE

This railroad crossing is hazardous even when trains aren't coming

Have you accidentally slammed into the damaged pavement on the railroad crossing on Sooner Road? You aren't alone. We investigate why it's taking so long to fix it. READ MORE

Why these 87-year-old roads are still waiting to be resurfaced

Oklahoma City has over 8,000 lane miles of roads to maintain, including wide, multi-lane thoroughfares and narrower neighborhood streets. Some roads are older or seem to be in worse condition than others that get resurfaced. Public Eye wanted to find out why. READ MORE

Banks can waive fees when a customer dies, but do they in Oklahoma?

Two brothers in Oklahoma City were still grieving the death of their mother when they hit a jarring roadblock while settling her affairs: The credit union she was using charged them $2,000 in early withdrawal fees when closing her account. READ MORE

One county commissioner talks to another. Is that an official public meeting?

Oklahoma's open meetings law is specific on what constitutes a public meeting for a government body, which requires notice beforehand. But the law gets murky for smaller communities, meaning a simple conversation between two commissioners might count. READ MORE

When chasing storms, the risks aren't all about the weather

The weather isn't always predictable — which means the storm-chasing experience isn't, either. But these visitors to Oklahoma ran into more trouble than expected with a local storm-chasing tourism company. READ MORE

Why are blighted properties not getting cleaned up in OKC?

Seven months have passed since a scrapyard across from Scissortail Park was destroyed by a three-alarm fire, so why is it still standing? READ MORE

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Public Eye investigates your problems around OKC: See what we've found