Senate Shakeup, Downtown Closures and Court Hearings Lead Tulsa Headlines

Tulsa is in the middle of a busy news week, with political changes, downtown traffic impacts and ongoing court proceedings drawing attention across the metro.

Oklahoma Senate Seat Filled After Resignation

Oklahoma’s U.S. Senate seat changed hands this week after Sen. Markwayne Mullin resigned on March 23, 2026, following his confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

On March 24, Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed oil and gas executive Alan Armstrong to serve as interim U.S. senator. Armstrong was sworn in the same day and will serve until the November 2026 election is certified. The appointment immediately reshapes Oklahoma’s 2026 election landscape, including the open 1st Congressional District seat centered in the Tulsa area.

Downtown Street Closures for Tulsa Oilers

Drivers near the BOK Center should plan ahead tonight. Street closures are in effect around 1st Street between Denver and Frisco avenues for the Tulsa Oilers hockey game.

Closures began Tuesday evening and are scheduled to continue through early Thursday morning to accommodate event logistics. Additional downtown events later this week, including the Harlem Globetrotters and more Oilers games, will bring further traffic adjustments through the weekend.

Multi-Day Court Hearings Begin in Tulsa

Several multi-day cases are scheduled to begin today in Tulsa County, including energy-related matters set to run through March 27. Public filings show hearings tied to oil and gas applications and related regulatory requests.

These proceedings are part of routine dockets but can carry broader implications for regional development and mineral rights, particularly as energy markets remain active across northeastern Oklahoma.

From Washington appointments to downtown puck drops and courthouse proceedings, Tulsa is balancing politics, business and entertainment all in the same week.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_Oklahoma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Oklahoma
https://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/29821/bok-center-events-app-03-mar-2026-spev-236588-2026.pdf
https://aem-prod.oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/occ/documents/ajls/jls-courts/court-clerk/tulsa-protest-book/2026-protest-book-tulsa.pdf