Tulsa Daily Headlines: Cry Baby Hill statue debate, federal complaint, Uri utility charges, TU’s big win

Today’s quick read

• A federal criminal complaint in a Tulsa case outlines serious allegations that still must be proven in court.
• The Cry Baby Hill public art project remains in motion, even as criticism continues.
• Lawmakers are asking the state Supreme Court to revisit parts of how Winter Storm Uri costs were financed and billed.
• Tulsa men’s basketball put up 100 points in a comfortable home win.

Top headlines

Federal complaint announces child-exploitation charges tied to Tulsa case

Federal authorities announced a criminal complaint charging a Tulsa resident with receipt, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material. The complaint is the formal starting point of a federal case and lays out what investigators say happened, based on the information available at this stage.

In court filings, investigators describe reports from an online platform that led to the investigation and a search warrant. As with any criminal complaint, these are allegations, and they still must be proven in court.

Cry Baby Hill statue project moves forward amid ongoing debate

City leaders indicated plans are moving forward on the Cry Baby Hill public art project after weeks of pushback from residents and artists. The work is tied to Route 66 tourism planning, but the proposal has sparked pointed questions about process, cost, and whether the design fits the site.

For now, the project remains on the city agenda. Much of the attention is on what changes (if any) show up in the final design and how public feedback is handled going forward.

Money watch

Winter Storm Uri-related utility charges land at the state Supreme Court

Lawmakers filed briefs asking the state Supreme Court to take another look at parts of the financing and rate decisions connected to 2021’s Winter Storm Uri costs. The filing argues those charges are showing up on customer bills and should be reviewed under state rules.

Sports

Tulsa men’s basketball cruises past UTSA at home

The Golden Hurricane pulled away early and cruised to a 100-74 win over UTSA at the Reynolds Center on Sunday. Tulsa’s outburst featured efficient shooting and a big first-half surge that set the tone, turning the game into a comfortable finish.

Sources

• https://www.kgou.org/podcast/kgou-pm-newsbrief/2026-02-23/pm-newsbrief-feb-23-2026
• https://www.tulsatoday.com/2026/02/20/bolivian-illegally-in-tulsa-arrested/
• https://www.tulsatoday.com/2026/02/20/oge-pso-brief-filed-with-supreme-court/
• https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401828243