The U.S. Department of Justice sued two Tulsa-area district attorneys this week and asked the court to tell the state of Oklahoma to stop prosecuting Indians in Indian country. Specifically at issue are seven cases — three in Rogers County and four in McIntosh County — in which tribal citizens were charged by the state for alleged crimes committed inside tribal reservations. The DOJ's petitions name District Attorneys Matt Ballard and Carol Iski. Ballard, whose prosecutorial district encompasses Rogers, Mayes and Craig counties, was sued in Tulsa in the federal Northern District of Oklahoma. Iski, whose district encompasses Okmulgee and McIntosh counties, was sued in Muskogee in the federal Eastern District of Oklahoma. More generally, the two filings test Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals findings that have expanded local and state legal jurisdiction on tribal reservations, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta. People are also reading... OU linebacker Kobie McKinzie on fiancée Kinzie Hansen: 'She's the Alpha of my family' Berry Tramel: John Mateer has the OU quarterback job, but Michael Hawkins has the opportunity The 12 best new restaurants of 2024 Berry Tramel: Barry Switzer's 1980s players salute their lion-in-winter coach. Read their letter Tulsa school board votes to proceed with Jennettie Marshall, E’Lena Ashley lawsuit How to care for your mental health Four northeastern Oklahoma educators' teaching certificates suspended Berry Tramel: Another OU-Navy game and another historically inept Sooner offense Judge denies Ryan Walters' motion to dismiss defamation suit Where to eat on Christmas Day in Tulsa area Loren Montgomery: An inside look at Bixby's record-setting football coach Bill Haisten: What would Mike Holder do? At OSU, it’s time to talk Tulsa's Country Bird Bakery named one of the best in the U.S. OU releases depth chart for Armed Forces Bowl vs. Navy; Here are notable changes The Christmas story behind the lights on 29th Street. Why is that one tree a different color? That opinion, which followed 2020's Supreme Court McGirt decision, concluded that states may charge non-Indians for violation of state law in Indian Country. The two petitions filed this week by the Department of Justice say the Oklahoma court erred by extending that ruling to include "non-member" defendants belonging to tribes other than those in whose reservation the alleged infractions occurred. The federal petitions say the state "reads Castro-Huerta too broadly. Castro-Huerta considered only the “narrow jurisdictional issue” of “the State’s exercise of jurisdiction over crimes committed by non-Indians against Indians in Indian country.” ... The Supreme Court stressed that the question of state criminal jurisdiction over Indians in Indian Country was “not before us,” and it “express(ed) no view on state jurisdiction over a criminal case of that kind.” Earlier this month, however, the Court of Criminal Appeals said a "non-member" Indian has the same standing as non-Indians outside their tribe's jurisdiction. In that case, the court ruled that an Osage citizen arrested in the Muscogee Reservation could be charged in Tulsa municipal court with driving under the influence. In its 2020 McGirt decision, a 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court concluded that the Muscogee Nation's pre-statehood reservation — and by extension those of several other tribes — were never properly extinguished. Some officials, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, argue that the McGirt ruling has created an impossible jurisdictional tangle in which all but the most serious crimes committed by tribal members go insufficiently prosecuted. Court records indicate that the McIntosh County cases involve relatively minor incidents, including possession of a tattoo gun and kicking a guard at the county jail. At least two defendants in those cases have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced in state court. The Rogers County cases involve three counts of child pornography against one defendant — who, according to this week's federal filing, is facing charges in federal, state and tribal court — and two drugs-based cases. Those two defendants also face federal and/or tribal charges. Most and possibly all seven defendants appear to be incarcerated. The Tulsa World is where your story livesSam Darnold-led Vikings down Packers for ninth straight win
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After more than five years of waiting in some cases, wildfire survivors across the West will be relieved of paying federal income taxes on their recovery settlements and lawyers fees. The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 passed the Senate on Wednesday night, about six months after it was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives nearly unanimously. It had been stalled for months, tucked into opposing tax packages from Senate Republicans and Democrats. The bill, which is likely to be signed by President Joe Biden, would exempt people who have survived a wildfire between 2016 and 2026 from paying federal income taxes on disaster recovery settlements and fees paid to lawyers that were received or paid between 2020 and 2026. Victims elsewhere are also likely to benefit. The bill applies to the survivors of the East Palestine train derailment that occurred in Ohio in 2023, though they’ve largely been exempted from federal income tax on payments from Norfolk Southern due to intervention from the Internal Revenue Service. The disaster act would also provide relief for natural disaster survivors since 2020 in the form of a casualty loss deduction. That means that those who only received partial payments from insurers on home damage and other residential property damage could deduct those uncovered losses on their federal income taxes without itemization. Passage of the bill, introduced last year by a Florida Republican Rep. W. Gregory Steube, follows a public plea last month by a political action committee. American Disaster Survivors sponsored billboards asking for help in Idaho and Oregon to grab the attention of the two leaders of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee where the bill sat. Oregon’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, chairs the committee, and Idaho’s U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo is its ranking Republican member. The disaster PAC was founded by survivors of fires that burned towns in California during 2017 and 2018 and which are still only partially rebuilt. The bill would sunset in 2026, according to Wyden spokesperson Hank Stern, because federal tax codes are coming up for negotiation in 2025 and there is not a lot of political will among Republicans to do long-term tax policy in the lame duck session before a new Congress and administration comes to power in January. Wyden said in a speech following the bill’s passage that it was necessary and long overdue. “Their homes and their businesses are burned, their possessions and livelihoods gone, and finally, the federal government is showing some common sense,” he said. He and California House and Senate Democrats and Republicans who championed the bill said despite working in a bipartisan way to get it passed in the Republican-controlled House, Senate Republicans stalled progress. “We’re going to be able to say to Westerners who’ve been hit by these big fires that they’re going to be able to go to bed tonight in the Western United States with a little relief that the federal government has finally come to its senses and made sure that they’re not going to have this additional tax burden,” Wyden said in his speech. Spokespersons for the American Disaster Relief PAC said it would impact survivors of wildfire in many states. “This has given a much needed glimmer of hope to millions of Americans across California, Oregon, Hawaii, Washington and Idaho who have been devastated by tragedy.” Oregon Republicans also welcomed the bill, including state Rep. Christine Goodwin of Canyonville, who worked on a similar bill passed by Oregon’s Legislature. “ When I first wrote Oregon’s framework for wildfire disaster tax relief, I did so with the belief that government should not profit from the misfortune of its citizens. It took Rep. Jami Cate and I many years to get the bill over the line here in Oregon; I’m happy to see similar efforts happen so swiftly at the federal level. ” The state bill passed unanimously in the spring of 2024, ending state income taxation on settlements and lawyer fees for wildfire victims. That bill, Senate Bill 1520 , was championed by survivors of the 2020 Labor Day Fires, including Sam Drevo, who survived the Santiam Canyon fire that burned down much of the city of Gates in the heart of the Santiam State Forest. “On behalf of fire survivors everywhere, I am deeply grateful that this passed. I’m not super thrilled about the sunset, but it’s a huge step forward for fire survivors,” Drevo said. He and his mom are still sorting out how much she was taxed on the settlement she received to help her rebuild her home in Gates that was completely wiped out by the fires. “I know it’s going to be helpful, and to other people it’s going to be helpful. In general, it’s a huge thing to have this type of tax relief, especially in a situation where you lose everything,” he said. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE UPDATED at 3:58 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2024 with more reaction.
Is social media doing more harm than good to democracy?In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/IaKmZcteb1 — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 29, 2024 US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Vice President Kamala Harris said Mr Carter “reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion”. “His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come,” she said. “Our world is a better place because of President Carter.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Gordon Brown, another former prime minister, said it was a “privilege” to have known Mr Carter, who “will be mourned, not just in America, but in every continent where human rights are valued”. Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service
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LOS ANGELES — The four words were first spoken here on a bright spring afternoon at Camelback Ranch, my astonished syllables joining similar tones of amazement floating from every corner of a crowded press box. "Are you kidding me?" Down to his last pitch in his first spring training game as a Dodger, Shohei Ohtani had just launched a two-run home run. "Are you kidding me?" The crowd gasped in disbelief at the perfect timing and wondrous theater, the four words reverberating around the stadium like an anthem to the unimaginable. "Are you kidding me?" Eight months later, Los Angeles still asks that question. Was Shohei Ohtani's first season as a Dodger really real? Was the best baseball player on the planet even better than that? Could the man with arguably the highest expectations in baseball history actually exceed them? Yes, yes and unbelievably, yes. In being named the National League most valuable player on Thursday — becoming only the second player to win an MVP in both leagues — Ohtani completed a summer decorated with an even higher honor. Most Valuable Season Ever By A Los Angeles Athlete. This city has witnessed many memorable seasons by many legendary athletes, from Magic Johnson's rookie year to Fernando Valenzuela's rookie year to Sandy Koufax's 1963 to Eric Dickerson's 1984 to Shaquille O'Neal's 2000. But never before has one player during one season dominated the sport, transformed the town, awed the world and brought home a championship. After back-to-back playoff collapses, this was not a Dodgers town when Ohtani drove up the freeway from Anaheim this winter. It is overwhelmingly a Dodgers town now. His team was considered a bunch of underachievers before Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract. His team is now World Series champions. There was little international interest in the Dodgers before Ohtani brought his magical aura to Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers are now the most popular baseball team in the world. One man changed everything, an MVP of MVPs, the greatest Dodgers newcomer since Valenzuela, the greatest Dodgers season ever. "It will be a special moment that I will never forget," he said Thursday through an interpreter, after a special season that no one will ever forget. He led the league with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, a 1.036 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, and that doesn't tell half of the story. Ohtani made such an impact, he significantly and unselfishly improved the team before he ever even stepped on the field. By agreeing to annually defer all but $2 million of his contract, he gave Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman the financial flexibility to add other great players. Without Ohtani's generosity, Friedman might not have acquired Teoscar Hernández, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Tyler Glasnow. Ohtani was a giant before he was a giant. Then the games started and here came those four words. You surely recognize them, because you've surely said them, time and again during a summer of dazzle. "Are you kidding me?" His season began in controversy, as longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara admitted to stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani to support a gambling addiction. The scandal was salacious. Ohtani was scrutinized. He was questioned. He was not believed. He finally was cleared, but only after his reputation was put through a wringer. Yet through it all he kept swinging, slugging seven home runs with a 1.017 OPS in the first 32 games. "Are you kidding me?" As the summer progressed, he quietly got stronger and faster, smoothly making the transition to leadoff hitter and base stealer, hitting a dozen home runs in June, stealing a dozen bases in July, all while rehabbing a surgically repaired pitching shoulder. "Are you kidding me?" On Aug. 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays, needing one home run to become the sixth person in the 40-homer, 40-steal club, Ohtani did it with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning. "Are you kidding me?" On his Aug. 28 bobblehead night, his dog, Decoy, delivered the first pitch in a sprint from the mound to the plate, then in the first inning Ohtani casually stepped up and homered. "Are you kidding me?" On Sept. 19 in Miami, on the verge of becoming the first member of the 50-50 club, Ohtani barged into the record books with arguably the greatest offensive game in baseball history, going 6 for 6 with three homers and two stolen bases. "Are you kidding me?" After consistently stating that he signed with the Dodgers to win a championship, on Oct. 5 he stared down the San Diego Padres in the third inning of his first playoff game and promptly hit a three-run home run. "Are you kidding me?" In the seventh inning of Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, he suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder on a slide into second. Even though the injury was serious enough to later require surgery, he insisted on playing the rest of the Series, and he did so with one arm, his left arm seemingly painfully stuck to his body. In those final three games he still managed a hit and drew a walk and forced the Yankees to account for his presence. "Are you kidding me?" This is not only Ohtani's record third unanimous MVP, it's the first one in history won by a player who didn't play an inning in the field, and he acknowledged Thursday that his inability to pitch led to an increased offensive focus. "My goal was to be able to pitch and contribute offensively and the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be able to pitch this season made me focus more on my offensive game," he said. "Fortunately I was able to produce and get this award which is very humbling." One wonders what he possibly can do for an encore, yet he's already preparing for one, undergoing the shoulder surgery immediately after the season, his elbow rehab in full fling, his aim clear. "The goal is to be ready for opening day," he said. "That includes hitting and pitching." March 18, in Tokyo, against the Chicago Cubs, starting on the mound and batting leadoff ... Shohei Ohtani! "Are you kidding me?" ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Schwab Charles Corp executive sells $188k in stock
Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza. The internationally Famine Early Warning System Network issued the warning this week. The new report had warned that starvation deaths in north Gaza could reach famine levels as soon as next month. It cited what it called Israel's “near-total blockade” of food and water. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, criticized the finding as inaccurate and irresponsible. The U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the famine-monitoring group, told the AP it had asked for and gotten the report's retraction. USAID officials tell The Associated Press that it had asked the group for greater review of discrepancies in some of the data. Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. New York to charge fossil fuel companies for damage from climate change ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Large fossil fuel companies would have to pay fees to help New York fight the effects of climate change under a bill signed by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. The governor signed the new law Thursday. It requires companies responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions to pay into a state infrastructure fund for repairs or projects that help avoid future damage from climate change. Lawmakers approved the bill earlier this year. It's meant to make big oil and gas companies contribute to the cost of repairs after extreme weather events or for resiliency projects. Such projects may include restoring coastal wetlands or upgrading roads, bridges and water drainage systems. Legal challenges to the new law are expected. Aviation experts say Russia's air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns Aviation experts say that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Azerbaijan is observing a nationwide day of mourning on Thursday for the victims of the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons yet unclear and crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan. Cellphone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy battlefield losses KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in Russia's Kursk region and face logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks. The intelligence agency said Thursday that Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted heavy casualties on North Korean units. Ukraine's president said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in the Kursk region. It marked the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties several weeks after Kyiv announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies aged 92 NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. The hospital said Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to “sudden loss of consciousness at home." He was “being treated for age-related medical conditions,” the statement added. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and earned a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday.-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email During the pandemic, food delivery became more than a convenience — it became a lifeline. For many of us, it’s still a habit that feels hard to shake. But with rising fees, health goals unmet, and local restaurants squeezed by third-party apps, 2025 might be the year to reassess our reliance on takeout. I know this because I was there. Delivery meals became a near-nightly occurrence in my household, driven by convenience, but costing us a little more than we realized. The financial strain was obvious — delivery fees, service charges and tips added 30% or more to each meal — but the hidden costs were just as significant. My nutritional goals suffered, and I began to feel disconnected from the joy of cooking and the support I wanted to offer local businesses. Related No more apps: How saying goodbye to Big Food delivery changed the way I eat Breaking the habit wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. If you’re ready to do the same, this guide is for you. Start with your “why” To break any habit, you need a reason. For me, it was threefold: my health , my wallet and my ethics. I wanted to eat more nutritious meals , save money for bigger goals and do better by the restaurants I love. Food delivery apps often take a significant cut from local businesses, leaving them with a fraction of the money you think you’re spending to support them. Take a moment to identify your own “why.” Is it financial? A desire to cook more? A way to feel more connected to your community? Write it down. Let it guide your next steps. Find your roadblocks Once I had my “why,” I had to figure out what was stopping me from cooking at home. Here’s what I learned: I wasn’t meal planning, which led to last-minute delivery orders. My kitchen was often too cluttered to feel inspiring. I didn’t have easy fixes for nights when cooking felt like too much. Delivery had become a default, especially on busy or lazy nights. From there, I borrowed a strategy from Kendra Adachi, author of “ The Lazy Genius Way ”: break big problems into small, actionable solutions. We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism Small solutions that work Plan meals ahead Meal planning doesn’t have to be elaborate. A few simple steps — like theme nights ( Taco Tuesday , Soup Sunday ) or jotting down meals for the week — can make a huge difference. Knowing what’s for dinner eliminates the temptation to open a delivery app when hunger strikes. If meal planning feels overwhelming, start small. I found success by planning just three dinners a week and leaving the rest flexible for leftovers or low-effort meals. Over time, I got better at stocking ingredients for meals we genuinely enjoyed, which made cooking less of a chore and more of a pleasure. Keep the kitchen ready A dirty kitchen is the enemy of cooking. Inspired by K.C. Davis’s “ How to Keep House While Drowning, ” I started practicing “closing duties.” Every night before bed, I empty the sink, store (or freeze) leftovers and wipe down the counters. These three small tasks transformed my relationship with cooking. This routine became one of my favorite parts of the day. I toss on music, use cleaning products I genuinely enjoy (a good-smelling spray can be oddly motivating) and savor the ritual. Waking up to a clean kitchen not only makes mornings smoother, but also removes an easy excuse to order delivery later. Stock the freezer Freezer meals became my secret weapon. I had dabbled in meal prep before but mostly for office lunches—and let’s be honest, they weren’t thrilling. This time, I shifted my focus to comforting dinners that could be made in double batches and frozen for later. Curries , stews , pasta bakes , pot pies , vegetable lasagnas and Swedish meatballs all became staples. Pinterest and Instagram are full of ideas, and I started thinking of freezer cooking as a favor to “future me.” After a long day of interviews in the Chicago slush, knowing that dinner was just a reheating away was often enough to keep me off the apps. Plan for “lazy” nights Not every night needs to involve a full recipe. Delivery often felt easiest on nights when I was low on energy, so I started keeping ingredients for mix-and-match meals on hand. Shredded rotisserie chicken and bagged salads became a go-to. Omsom noodle kits paired with tofu, rotisserie chicken or frozen meatballs were another lifesaver. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods freezer sections offered plenty of solid options — from stir-fry kits to frozen pizzas — that felt quicker and cheaper than delivery. Recreate your favorites One of the most satisfying parts of this process has been recreating some of my delivery staples at home. Cà ri gà — Vietnamese coconut curry with chicken — now simmers on my stove instead of arriving in a takeout container. Sweetgreen-inspired salads have become a lunchtime highlight. Even pad Thai feels less intimidating thanks to Pinterest’s wealth of dupe recipes. Learning to make these dishes didn’t just save money; it also gave me a sense of accomplishment. And the best part? They taste even better fresh than they do after languishing in a delivery bag. The reward As I reflect on the past year, I’ve noticed changes beyond the numbers in my bank account. I’ve rediscovered the joy of cooking, embraced a sense of agency over my meals and felt more connected to the food I eat. I also support local restaurants by dining in or ordering directly from their websites, skipping the third-party fees. Breaking a delivery habit doesn’t mean swearing off takeout entirely—it’s about finding balance. Start small, celebrate your wins, and remember your “why.” Read more about this topic Edy Massih talks his new cookbook, Lebanese food and why restaurants are "built for competition" "Cooking saved my life more than once": Chef Einat Admony on her culinary memoir "Taste of Love" On the promise and joy found in the cookbook section of used bookstores By Ashlie D. Stevens Ashlie D. Stevens is Salon's food editor. She is also an award-winning radio producer, editor and features writer — with a special emphasis on food, culture and subculture.Her writing has appeared in and on The Atlantic, National Geographic’s “The Plate,” Eater, VICE, Slate, Salon, The Bitter Southerner and Chicago Magazine, while her audio work has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered and Here & Now, as well as APM’s Marketplace. She is based in Chicago. MORE FROM Ashlie D. 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