Red Dirt Journal

Oklahoma teen birth rates up

Teen birth rates have increased in Oklahoma after more than a decade of decline. Experts say several factors are responsible for the upswing in the birth rate. Women who became mothers as teenagers say they were unprepared and made bad decisions. Read more.

Gas prices fuel alternative ideas

Photograph of fuel pump

Rising gas prices have led some around Norman to change their driving habits. Others are looking to political leaders for a solution to the record-high prices, but experts say there are no quick solutions. Read more.

Battling the bulge

Unhealthy food choices are one factor in increased weight among children.

Lawmakers are calling for renewed physical education requirements in schools as one group says childhood obesity rates have reached crisis proportions in the state.

One culprit in packing on the pounds: too much unhealthy food. Read more.

Reporting in a time of crisis

OIDJ workshop participants learned about covering disasters from journalists who covered the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. Read more.

Globe-trotting Paris twins

Ashley and Courtney Paris

Ashley and Courtney Paris are standouts on the OU women's basketball team, but with one year in their college careers remaining, the twins are weighing the possibilities for the next phase of their basketball careers.

One option: playing professionally in the European leagues. Read more.