Search
Close this search box.

217 Today: At America’s longest-running Black rodeo, ‘real cowgirls and cowboys’ carry on a rich history

Tiktok Instagram Facebook-f
The Checotah Roughriders led the grand entry on both nights of the Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo. Kenneth LeBlanc, the event's coordinator, said there's always been a following but more people have been drawn to the event. “Now I get so many calls from people in Maryland and all over the United States saying it’s on their bucket list. They’re coming. They want to be here,” he said.
  • Photo: Sarah Liese / KOSU

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Today’s headlines:

  • Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson is facing murder charges for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey and his lawyer is looking to get him out of jail pre-trial.
  • A new law affecting how candidates can get on a ballot in Illinois will not affect anyone running for office this year.
  • Multiple court decisions challenging President Biden’s most generous student loan repayment plan have thrown local borrowers into chaos.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the oldest continually run Black rodeo in the U.S.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman, Lisa Kurian Philip and Anna Pope.

WILL and the Illinois Newsroom are committed to bringing you in-depth, relevant coverage that keeps you informed and engages you with our community and state. Join with thousands of others to keep this important public media-based resource available to all. Donate today >>

Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.