The City of McAlester held a ceremony Wednesday to dedicate a portion of Kiowa Avenue in honor of the late James Beaty, a longtime journalist who served nearly 40 years at the McAlester News-Capital.
The McAlester City Council approved an ordinance that renames the section of Kiowa Avenue between Second and Third Streets—located near the newspaper building where Beaty worked—to James Beaty Avenue.
Beaty, who was known for his strong voice in the community, was remembered as a friend to many and a passionate advocate for those whose stories needed to be told.
“James was a friend to the community and a voice for those who needed to be heard,” said city officials. “He was a big fan of Bob Dylan, who once said, ‘may your heart be joyful, and may your song always be sung.’ We’re honored to help James’ song always be sung with the dedication of these street signs.”
Beaty passed away in 2024, but his legacy as a dedicated journalist and a cherished member of McAlester continues through the renaming of this significant street.