Thomas Pablo is an Indigenous Affairs reporter covering the Native American tribes in Oklahoma for KOSU. He recently studied journalism and political science at the University of Oklahoma, where he began a career in professional journalism. Pablo worked for the OU Daily, the university’s independent student news organization, throughout all four years of undergraduate school in multiple roles, including junior and senior news reporter and as a news editor. There, he primarily covered municipal government in the city of Norman during a series of substantial changes and conversations, including large-scale turnpike development and a controversial, taxpayer-funded entertainment district and arena. Pablo first interned at KOSU last summer, where he realized he could complement journalistic storytelling with Indigeneity. He plays multiple instruments and makes music in his spare time.
Beat: Indigenous Affairs
Oklahoma is home to the highest per capita population of Indigenous people in the lower-48 states, yet coverage of tribal nations and citizens is severely lacking. KOSU is committed to covering Oklahoma's 39 tribal nations while reflecting the communities we serve. This Indigenous affairs reporter will join a team to expand KOSU's reach and better cover Indigenous people, particularly in Northeast Oklahoma around Tulsa, where several of the state's largest tribes are located.