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John Collison Appointed Oklahoma State Chair for Project Vanguard to Boost Veteran Energy Employment

John Collison Appointed Oklahoma State Chair for Project Vanguard to Boost Veteran Energy Employment

John Collison Appointed Oklahoma State Chair for Project Vanguard to Boost Veteran Energy Employment

Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers Compete in Annual Best Warrior Competition, Advancing to Regional Level

Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers Compete in Annual Best Warrior Competition, Advancing to Regional Level

Soldiers from across the Oklahoma Army National Guard (OKARNG) recently competed in the annual OKARNG Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, from November 4-7, 2026. Spc. Samuel Pritz, a combat medic, earned the title of Soldier of the Year, while Staff Sgt. Brendan Collins, an infantryman, was awarded Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. The competition, designed to test and develop soldiers' skills, pushed participants beyond basic physical fitness into complex tactical decision-making over four days. This year, competitors were required to navigate between events on foot and did not receive individual event scores until the competition's conclusion, fostering mental toughness and resilience.

Oklahoma Republican Josh Brecheen Re-elected to Congress, Marking Continued Native American Representation

Oklahoma Republican Josh Brecheen Re-elected to Congress, Marking Continued Native American Representation

Oklahoma Republican Josh Brecheen, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, has secured re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. His victory means he will continue to represent his state in Congress. This re-election is part of a broader trend of increased Native American representation in federal and state politics. In the same election cycle, Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids, a Ho-Chunk citizen, also won re-election to the House. Additionally, New York Democrat Claire Valdez, a citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, and Michigan Democrat Sean McCann, a citizen of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, became the first Native Americans elected to represent their respective states in Congress. These outcomes highlight a growing presence of Indigenous voices in American legislative bodies.

Oklahoma State University Proposes Merger with Tulsa Community College, Raising Questions About Tax Revenue and Governance

Oklahoma State University Proposes Merger with Tulsa Community College, Raising Questions About Tax Revenue and Governance

Oklahoma State University (OSU) President Jim Hess has proposed a significant restructuring of higher education in Tulsa, advocating for a merger between OSU-Tulsa and Tulsa Community College (TCC). This vision, termed 'A Higher Education Solution for Tulsa,' suggests a single-admissions entry point for students to either OSU-Tulsa or a renamed OSU Tulsa Community College, operating under shared governance and instruction. The proposal outlines necessary shifts, including placing the two-year institution under the authority of the OSU A&M Board of Regents and having one individual serve as president for both entities. Hess argues that the current system is inefficient, leading to duplication of lower-division courses and complex pathways for students seeking bachelor's degrees. He has presented this plan to various stakeholders, including Governor Kevin Stitt, state lawmakers, and the Tulsa Regional Chamber. TCC President & CEO Leigh Goodson, however, has expressed concerns that such a merger could jeopard...

Beggs Police Department Experiences Leadership Instability and Operational Lapses, Raising Public Safety Concerns

Beggs Police Department Experiences Leadership Instability and Operational Lapses, Raising Public Safety Concerns

The Beggs Police Department in Oklahoma has faced significant turmoil, employing five police chiefs within a 16-month period and operating without any officers for 48 days. Assistant Chief John Palacio, who served as the third chief during this period, uncovered numerous issues upon his arrival, including dozens of uninvestigated burglaries, missing M16 rifles, and a non-functional police radio. Palacio resigned in December 2025 due to a dispute over tracking his hours. Subsequently, interim chief Daniel Gilbert, assistant chief Bobby Tollette, and part-time officer Bobby Sappington resigned in July, citing internal conflict and preferential treatment given to an officer by the mayor. The interim chief appointed after them also resigned a week later. The Attorney General's office provided temporary municipal police authority for 30 days but left without a transition plan, leaving Beggs without police coverage for an extended period. Open records requests revealed further concerns, including a blood sample ...

Oklahoma Firefighters Return Home After New Mexico Flood Rescue Operations

Oklahoma Firefighters Return Home After New Mexico Flood Rescue Operations

Oklahoma firefighters have concluded a 15-day deployment to New Mexico, where they assisted communities affected by widespread flooding. According to the Oklahoma City Fire Department (OKCFD), members of the Oklahoma Task Force traveled over 3,000 miles, conducting water rescues, supporting evacuations, and aiding flood victims. A notable rescue occurred on October 30, involving crews from both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, who collaborated to save a bull and 20 cattle stranded on a flooded ranch in the Los Lunas and Socorro region. Firefighters utilized rafts to navigate deep mud and 3 to 4 feet of floodwater, even digging a cow trapped up to its neck in mud using boat paddles. The rescued cattle were then guided through the floodwater with grain and encouragement into waiting livestock trailers, helping a local rancher protect his animals and livelihood.

Norman City Leaders and Businesses Discuss Future Growth and Community Protection

Norman City Leaders and Businesses Discuss Future Growth and Community Protection

Norman, Oklahoma, is experiencing significant growth, prompting local business owners, community organizations, and city leaders to engage in discussions about the city's future development and how to protect its community. Key areas of focus include downtown expansion, watershed preservation, and addressing affordability challenges. Sereta Wilson, owner of Yellow Dog Coffee Co., advocates for a more accessible downtown with increased residences, car-free mobility, and an improved bus system. She also suggests converting Main Street into a two-way road, citing potential benefits like reduced pedestrian accidents and increased business activity. Theron Jessop, co-owner of Juliette Oyster Bar and Steakhouse, emphasizes the importance of preserving Norman's unique downtown business ecosystem. Meanwhile, Ward 5 Councilmember Trey Kirby is championing the protection of Norman's watershed, particularly opposing development in East Norman, and views the Lake Thunderbird area as a crucial green space for future ge...

Strong El Niño Expected to Significantly Impact U.S. Crop Yields in 2027

Strong El Niño Expected to Significantly Impact U.S. Crop Yields in 2027

A very strong El Niño event is currently underway, with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center indicating an over 83% chance of it persisting through March 2027 and exceeding the intensity of any El Niño since 1950. This climate pattern is expected to bring above-normal rainfall to the southern Plains and milder conditions to the north during the winter of 2026-2027. Historically, strong El Niño winters have led to varied impacts on U.S. crop yields in the subsequent year. Winter wheat in the Plains states, including South Dakota, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Colorado, has averaged significantly above normal yields (12-18% higher). Cotton in Texas has also seen an average increase of about 10%. Conversely, corn yields in the Southeast have tended to be lower, with Atlantic states experiencing 9-11% below-normal yields. Soybean impacts are mixed, with some Midwestern states seeing gains while others in the South experience slight declines. The El Niño pattern typically dissipates by the following summer...

Eminent Domain Challenges Impede Clean Energy Infrastructure Development

Eminent Domain Challenges Impede Clean Energy Infrastructure Development

Legal arguments against the use of eminent domain are increasingly being leveraged to oppose clean energy projects, such as wind farms and transmission lines, across the United States. This trend sees environmental activists, traditionally opposed to fossil fuel infrastructure, aligning with private property rights advocates to challenge the forced sale of land for public use. The R Street Institute highlights that this 'left-right political marriage' is creating significant hurdles for developers of renewable energy infrastructure. Projects like the Wind Catcher wind farm in Oklahoma have been canceled due due to such legal battles, and states like Iowa have banned the use of eminent domain for high-voltage transmission lines carrying wind energy. This development marks a shift where legal tactics previously used against oil and natural gas pipelines are now being applied to clean energy initiatives, slowing their deployment and increasing risks for investors.

Federal Judges Face Scrutiny as Over 700 Financial Disclosure Reports Remain Missing

Federal Judges Face Scrutiny as Over 700 Financial Disclosure Reports Remain Missing

Five Oklahoma federal judges have not yet posted their 2025 financial disclosure reports, with a November 12 deadline approaching. This local issue reflects a broader national problem, as more than 700 such filings from the past three years are currently missing across the U.S. A 2022 law mandated online disclosure for these reports, aiming to increase transparency and public accountability for the judiciary. However, the law lacks an enforcement mechanism for late postings, creating significant gaps in public oversight. The absence of these disclosures means that the public cannot fully assess potential conflicts of interest or financial influences on judicial decisions, undermining the intended purpose of the legislation. This ongoing issue highlights a systemic challenge in ensuring transparency within the federal judiciary, despite legislative efforts to improve it.

College football rankings poll projection: Who will be No. 1 after Week 10 upsets?

College football rankings poll projection: Who will be No. 1 after Week 10 upsets?

There will be a new No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after Miami's loss to Notre Dame. Who will take over? Our poll projection answers the question.

All the 2026 National Eater Award Winners, Mapped

All the 2026 National Eater Award Winners, Mapped

The best restaurants, bakeries, chefs, dishes, and bars across the country