Good morning, Broken Arrow.

The Broken Arrow Police Department is asking residents to donate essential items at the Public Safety Complex at 1101 North 6th Street because local food pantries are facing record demand.

Donation items include canned meats, pasta sauce, cereals, soups, personal hygiene products, juice, and more (also jelly in plastic containers, dry pasta, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, rice and dry beans, ramen, pet food, and plastic grocery bags).

Broken Arrow Public Schools said all breakfast and lunch programs will continue without interruption despite concerns about a possible SNAP suspension+USDA funds are still received by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, so students already receiving free or reduced meals need not take any action. The district updated parents through a video on Wednesday, and families facing income loss may apply for help if needed.

Social Security payments will increase by 2.8% in 2026 for retirement, disability, survivors and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), giving retirees about $56 more per month and benefiting around 730,000 local recipients and 71 million nationwide.

The SSA will mail COLA notices starting in early December (alerts available via text or email) and update Medicare premiums online in late November.

Because the government shutdown may continue, nearly 700,000 Oklahomans will miss SNAP benefits starting Nov.

1 — local centers such as the Broken Arrow Public Safety Complex at 1101 N 6th Street are collecting shelf-stable food and offering help for those in need.

Christmas Kickoff Celebration

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Rose District Plaza — Free entry — Experience the magic of the holiday season with tree lighting, live music, and festive performances.