Childcare crisis: Soaring infant care costs push Oklahoma families to financial brink

NPR | By Beth Wallis

Published August 8, 2026 at 7:43 AM EDT

Childcare costs across the country are soaring. In Oklahoma the cost of infant care has gone up more than a third since 2022, putting working parents in a tight spot.

Related Content

Diehard Phillies fan wins $22K broadcast bid, sounds like a 1940s radio pro

Scott Simon

A longtime Philadelphia Phillies fan, substitute teacher, Lewis Kalb, got to realize his dream this week of broadcasting one of the team's games.
The Women's Professional Baseball League makes its historic debut

Jaclyn Licht

The Los Angeles Queens, the New York Heights, the Boston Hunters and the San Francisco Firebells take the field in Springfield, Ill., as the Women's Pro Baseball League kicks off its inaugural season.
Data centers are a political issue crossing party lines, driving voters to candidates

Tamara Keith

Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor Francesca Hong called for a moratorium on data centers. So did Ohio Republican governor hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, as data centers begin to dominate campaigns.
Senate votes to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general

NPR Staff

The Senate confirmed Blanche by a 50-49 vote early Saturday morning, elevating President Trump's former personal lawyer to head the Justice Department.
Staff at the CDC in Atlanta remember victim of shooting a year ago as RFK jr. attends

Jess Mador, Ailsa Chang

It's been a year since a gunman opened fire on the CDC and killed a security guard. RFK Jr. visited the CDC today to remember the victim.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.