Media In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Broken Arrow is located in northeastern Oklahoma, just outside Tulsa. With over 110,000 residents, it’s the fourth largest city in the state. Broken Arrow has a vibrant local media scene that keeps residents informed and connected.

Print Media

The main print media outlet serving Broken Arrow is the Broken Arrow Express, a weekly newspaper focused on local news, sports, events, and politics. The Tulsa World also covers Broken Arrow news regularly.

Broken Arrow Express

Published every Wednesday, the Broken Arrow Express is delivered for free to over 20,000 homes in Broken Arrow. Owned by Community Publishers Inc., it has been serving the city since 1999. The Express covers city government, schools, business, development, local features, arts, entertainment, and sports.

Tulsa World

As the primary daily newspaper for the Tulsa metro area, the Tulsa World has a circulation of over 100,000 and covers Broken Arrow news extensively. All sections from the main edition are included in the Broken Arrow news coverage – local, metro, sports, business, arts and entertainment. Subscribers can access the eEdition digitally.

Radio

Broken Arrow has a vibrant local radio scene, with several stations based right in the city. The main radio stations serving Broken Arrow include:

92.1 The Beat

92.1 The Beat KBEZ plays hip hop and R&B and targets Tulsa city and suburbs. Owned by Cox Media Group, The Beat has local DJs and on-air personalities and is popular with Broken Arrow locals.

103.3 Nash Icon

Nash Icon 103.3 KHKI focuses on country music, both classic and new. Owned by Cumulus Media, Nash Icon does local content including Broken Arrow news, events, contests, weather, and traffic.

NewsTalk 1170 KFAQ

As Tulsa’s radio home for Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk programming, KFAQ 1170 AM covers Broken Arrow within its metro news reporting. Owned by Griffin Communications, KFAQ has been on the air since 1924.

89.5 Tulsa’s Christian Music Station

KXOJ is a contemporary Christian music station serving Green Country, including Broken Arrow. Owned by the Educational Media Foundation, it features local programs about Broken Arrow churches and events.

Television

Broken Arrow falls within the Tulsa television market and is served by all the major Tulsa TV stations. Local Broken Arrow channels include the city’s government access channel and Broken Arrow TV.

City of Broken Arrow Government Access Television

The City of Broken Arrow operates a government access cable TV channel available to all cable providers in the city. It shows live and recorded coverage of city council meetings and other government content.

Broken Arrow TV

Broken Arrow TV is a YouTube channel created by the City of Broken Arrow to showcase videos about local events, news stories, services, history and more. Videos spotlight local businesses, events, development projects, parks and recreation opportunities.

Online/Digital Media

Between city government sites, local news sites and hyperlocal neighborhood groups on social media, Broken Arrow has an extensive digital media ecosystem.

https://www.brokenarrowok.gov/

The City of Broken Arrow government website contains extensive information and news related to city services, projects, meetings, events and departments. Residents can access online payment portals, job listings, permits, applications and more.

https://www.brokenarrowexpress.com/

The website for the Broken Arrow Express newspaper allows free access to all print content. It contains section pages for news, sports, entertainment, classifieds, public notices, obituaries, opinions, events, photos, videos and archives.

Broken Arrow Patch

Part of the Patch local news platform network, Broken Arrow Patch focuses exclusively on neighborhood news and information across the city. In addition to its website, it shares news via email newsletters and social media.

Subreddit – r/BrokenArrow

There is an active subreddit for news and discussion about Broken Arrow on the social media platform Reddit. The independent message board has over 2,000 members and receives daily posts.

Nextdoor Neighborhood Social Platform

Over 25 distinct neighborhoods in Broken Arrow leverage the Nextdoor social networking platform to share information, events, classifieds, recommendations, and public safety notices.

Facebook Groups

Dozens of public and private Facebook Groups connect Broken Arrow residents around common interests like sports teams, schools, neighborhoods, selling items, housing, jobs, events, politics and more. Some of the most popular public groups include Broken Arrow Neighbors (23,000+ members), Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (20,000+) and Broken Arrow Events, Info, Recommendations (5,000+).

Local News

Broken Arrow has a thriving local news ecosystem across multiple media formats like print, digital, radio and television.

Print

The weekly Broken Arrow Express newspaper, published on Wednesdays, prioritizes local news coverage with sections on government, public safety, education, business and development news. The Tulsa World metro section includes Broken Arrow news daily.

Digital

Residents turn to digital news publications like:

• Broken Arrow Patch – neighborhood news and information
• https://www.brokenarrowok.gov/ – city news and info direct from local government
• Broken Arrow Express website – free access to print newspaper content

Radio

Local radio stations like NewsTalk 1170 KFAQ and Nash Icon 103.3 KHKI regularly report on Broken Arrow news and events during metro news updates.

Television

The City of Broken Arrow Government Access Television channel and Broken Arrow TV YouTube channel spotlight local government activity and hyperlocal video content about the city.

Notable Stories

Some major news stories that put Broken Arrow in the regional and even national media spotlight include:

2022 – Massive 915,000 Square Foot Facebook Data Center Announced

Meta (Facebook) officially announced plans to build a $800+ million data center campus in Broken Arrow in 2022. As one of the largest economic development projects in state history, it generated headlines across Oklahoma.

2015 – Broken Arrow Named Top Up-And-Coming City on Livability.com

Broken Arrow earned recognition from Livability.com in 2015 as one of the top 10 up-and-coming cities in the country thanks to growth, development, economy, amenities and infrastructure.

2002 – Tragic School Shooting

A school shooting tragedy occurred at Broken Arrow West Intermediate in 2002 when a 13 year old student shot 4 classmates and 2 teachers. The incident made national news.

Politics & Government

As Oklahoma’s largest suburb, Broken Arrow has an engaged electorate and many avenues for civic participation.

Elected Officials

Broken Arrow voters directly elect the Mayor and City Council in non-partisan races every two years. The city also elects school board officials.

Mayor

Craig Thurmond was elected Mayor of Broken Arrow in 2018 and is currently serving his second term in the position. Voters re-elected him in 2020.

City Council

The Broken Arrow City Council contains 5 elected Councilors that serve at-large across the city. The council is technically non-partisan.

School Board

The Broken Arrow Public Schools Board of Education contains 5 officials directly elected by residents. They help set district policy and budgets.

Meetings & Government Access

Residents can stay informed on issues and participate in meetings of the City Council, School Board, Planning Commission and various boards and authorities.

City Council, School Board and Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live on the city’s Government Access Television channel available through local cable providers. Meetings are also recorded and archived on the channel to view on-demand.

City government meetings are held predominantly at Broken Arrow City Hall (220 S First Street) while school board meetings take place at the Broken Arrow Public Schools Administration Center (701 S Main Street).

Detailed meeting schedules, agendas, minutes and other records are available on the city and school district websites. Residents can contact, make public comments and make information requests of government officials through both sites.

Economy & Business

With median household incomes nearly $20,000 above statewide averages, Broken Arrow has a strong jobs base and diverse economy.

Major Employers

As Oklahoma’s largest suburb, Broken Arrow serves as a jobs hub for the Tulsa region. Six of the top ten major employers in Broken Arrow are national firms with large, multi-building campuses providing white collar jobs. The rest are public entities like schools.

Employer	Industry	Employees
Tulsa Public Schools	Education	2,653
Walmart	Retail	2,000
Baker Hughes	Oil/Gas	1,500
Northeastern State University	Higher Ed	750
Experian	Financial Services	700
Metova Federal Credit Union	Banking	525
Armstrong World Industries	Manufacturing	500
City of Broken Arrow	Government	493
Broken Arrow Public Schools	Education	364
Tamko Building Products	Construction Materials	325

Several major national firms have operational headquarters, key regional hubs or primary campuses in Broken Arrow including:

• Armstrong Flooring
• Baker Hughes
• Clearwater Paper
• Experian
• FlightSafety International
• Johnson Controls
• Metova Federal Credit Union
• Terex Utilities
• Tyson Prepared Foods

Broken Arrow’s business parks and retail corridors have attracted over 1,100 businesses to locate within city limits. Its prime location adjacent to Tulsa enables convenient access to a metro workforce over 950,000.

Development

With available land, expanding infrastructure, logistical advantages and pro-business policies, Broken Arrow receives extensive business investment. Recent major economic development projects include:

Facebook Data Center Campus

In 2022, Meta (Facebook) announced one of the largest development projects in Oklahoma history – an $800+ million data center campus being constructed on a 352 acre site in Broken Arrow. Generating 100+ jobs, it cements Broken Arrow as a tech/data hub.

Chapman Business Park

This new 143 acre master-planned business park next to Tulsa International Airport is approved for 3 million square feet of industrial, warehouse, office and retail space next to vital transportation infrastructure. $24 million was invested in roads, sewers and utilities to enable development.

TigerTown Entertainment District

Public funding has sparked over $150 million in private investment into a growing dining, retail and entertainment area around downtown Broken Arrow focused on Main Street. Anchored by Broken Arrow’s $38 million performing arts center completed in 2019, the district continues expanding.

Culture & Lifestyle

From a vibrant performing arts scene to charming historic neighborhoods and plentiful green spaces, Broken Arrow offers outstanding quality of life.

Parks & Recreation

Broken Arrow owns 35 park sites across more than 1,000 acres featuring playgrounds, sports fields, trails, picnic sites, splash pads, fishing lakes, dog parks, gardens, event spaces and more.

Major Parks & Facilities:

• Nienhuis Park – 25 acre community park with playground, trails, picnic sites, gardens, event center and more
• Central Park – 37 acre recreation hub with playground, splash pad, skate park, fishing, trails, sport courts, fields and Rose Garden Festival site
• Broken Arrow Community Playfields – 13 multipurpose sports fields over 58 acres
• Broken Arrow Soccer Complex – 14 tournament grade fields over 58.5 acres
• Broken Arrow Recreation & Aquatic Center – fitness center, gym, walking track,splash pad, lazy river, waterslides, competition pool

The city’s largest green space is the 272 acre Broken Arrow Parks & Recreation Administration Complex along the East Kenosha Corridor. Home to the main community center, senior center, administrative offices and maintenance operations, it offers a 60 acre reservoir for fishing & boating plus a 22 acre wetland preserve with wildlife observation opportunities.

With over 55 miles of trails in development across Broken Arrow, outdoor recreation opportunities connect neighborhoods to vibrant public spaces. The city adopted an ambitious master trails plan in 2021 outlining over 100 miles of planned walking, running and biking paths across Broken Arrow over two decades.

Performing Arts

Broken Arrow offers cultural entertainment options through various music and theater groups.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

This brand new $38 million dollar multi-venue complex opened in 2019 as the crown jewel of Broken Arrow’s arts community. The BAPAC features:

• Main Performance Hall with 1,500 seats for theater, concerts, dance, lectures
• Community Theater black-box stage with 250 seats
• Studio theater space with 100 seats

Annual programming includes national music & comedy acts, Broadway tours, the Signature Symphony orchestra, and local theater like the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse.

Community Events & Theater

Free community events like the long-running Broken Arrow International Festival showcase the city’s diversity through music, dance performances and cultural education. Local theater groups like the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse stage productions year-round.

Historic Downtown

As one of 22 distinctive neighborhoods in Broken Arrow, the charming downtown area celebrates the city’s history and heritage through its architecture. Many historic buildings house small businesses like antique stores, boutiques and restaurants, while public art and cultural sites dot the landscape.

The Broken Arrow Historical Society operates the 1903 Moser Farmstead and 1909 Nienhuis Station museums to showcase what early life was like for pioneers settling the area. Historic artifacts are displayed across both living history sites. Self-guided tours inform visitors all about Broken Arrow history.

Sports & Activities

With abundant green spaces and recreational infrastructure, Broken Arrow offers endless opportunities to stay active across all seasons from youth athletics to outdoor exploration.

Youth Athletics

The Broken Arrow Recreation Center organizes registration for dozens of youth athletic leagues across sports like soccer, basketball, baseball, cheerleading, dance, flag football and more. Most programs are open to ages 4-14 and operate year-round. Sports complexes around the city host games and tournaments.

High School Sports

With multiple state championship teams, Broken Arrow High School athletics draw enthusiastic crowds across sports like football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, swimming, baseball and more. The $18 million Tiger Field House facility completed in 2020 set a new standard for suburban athletic complexes. Citizens Mid-High School is the other public high school in Broken Arrow.

Outdoor Recreation

Broken Arrow’s 35 parks offer ample opportunities for walking, running, biking, fishing, boating and exploring the outdoors within city limits thanks to lovely trail systems, lakes and nature preserves. Mountain bikers utilize trails at 51st Street Park rated as some of the best singletrack in Oklahoma.

Just outside the city, the Osage Hills State Park provides public access to Limestone Creek for kayaking and canoeing adventures. Hunters can pursue game at wildlife management areas along the Verdigris River.

Public Golf Courses

Golfers have several scenic public courses to choose from in Broken Arrow like:

• Battle Creek Golf Club – Championship 18 hole course with pro shop, restaurant, pool, tennis courts
• NSU Golf Training & Learning Center – 9 hole par 3 course with driving range and putting greens
• Stonebridge Country Club – Private course open to public play offering 18 championship holes

The First Tee of Metropolitan Tulsa youth program leverages the 9-hole course at the NSU facility to promote golf instruction, health, character education and life skills for Broken Arrow children.

Entertainment & Shopping

Broken Arrow offers plenty of entertainment options including movie theaters, arcades, escape rooms and lively festivals attracting visitors from across the state.

The Oklahoma Catfish Farm allows guests to catch their own fish from ponds well-stocked with catfish. Rose District Plaza and Arrowhead Mall are popular shopping areas containing national chains, local boutiques, dining establishments and amenities.