Oklahoma

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Former Sen. Inhofe, Known for Snowball Stunt, Dies at 89

Oklahoma lawmaker brought the snowball to Senate floor to mock environmental worries

(Newser) - Former Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe, a conservative firebrand known for his strong support of defense spending and his denial that human activity is responsible for the bulk of climate change, has died at age 89. Inhofe, a powerful fixture in Oklahoma politics for over six decades, died Tuesday morning after...

In Oklahoma, an 'Extraordinary Move' on Bible in the Classroom

Ryan Walters, state superintendent, orders the religious text to be taught in public schools

(Newser) - Coming to classrooms in Oklahoma: the Bible. The state's superintendent has ordered the religious text be taught in Oklahoma's public schools, reports the New York Times , which calls it "an extraordinary move that blurs the lines between religious instruction and public education." "Every teacher, every...

Oklahoma Inmate's Last Words: 'I've Said My Goodbyes'

State executes Richard Rojem, convicted of murdering 7-year-old ex-stepdaughter

(Newser) - Oklahoma executed a man Thursday who was convicted of kidnapping, raping, and killing his 7-year-old former stepdaughter in 1984, per the AP . Richard Rojem, 66, received a three-drug lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester and was declared dead at 10:16am, prison officials said. Rojem, who had...

Court: Public Funds Can't Go to Religious School

Oklahoma case may wind up before the US Supreme Court

(Newser) - Oklahoma's Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked approval of what would have been the nation's first publicly funded religious school. The high court determined the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board's 3-2 vote last year to approve the application by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma for the St. Isidore...

Air Traffic Staff to Alarmingly Low Flight: 'You Good?'

Southwest flight drops to 500 feet above ground in Oklahoma, triggering air traffic control concern

(Newser) - If you're low-key wary of flying lately, we can't say we blame you , and the latest news out of Oklahoma probably won't ease your concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into Southwest Flight 4069 out of Las Vegas, which dipped to an alarmingly low altitude just...

Court Dismisses Lawsuit From Race Massacre Survivors

Oklahoma's top court upholds judge's decision

(Newser) - The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit from the last two survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The decision dampened the hope of advocates for racial justice that the government would make amends for one of the worst single acts of violence against Black people in US...

Latest Round of Deadly Storms Kills at Least 18

Including 3 family members found dead in one home in Texas

(Newser) - The death toll from the latest deadly weather to strike the central US has been raised to at least 18 people, the AP reports. Powerful storms also injured hundreds, left tens of thousands without power, and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas after obliterating homes...

At Least 5 Dead After Powerful Texas Storms

Oklahoma also got slammed

(Newser) - Powerful storms across Texas and Oklahoma obliterated homes, leaving thousands of people without power and a wide trail of damage Sunday. A sheriff said at least five people were dead in one rural community in Texas and more were injured, per the AP . The destructive storms began Saturday night and...

As Texas Bakes, a New Weather Warning for Oklahoma

More twisters may be headed to Sooner State, while heat index in Texas hovers near 120 degrees

(Newser) - Forecasters are warning of another day of heightened risk of dangerous tornadoes in the Midwest on Saturday and telling people in South Texas it may feel like close to 120 degrees Fahrenheit almost four weeks before summer starts. The weather service in Oklahoma compared the day to "a gasoline-soaked...

Their Final Resting Spot: a Cow Pasture

More details are trickling in on the murders of Kansas women Veronica Butler, Jilian Kelley

(Newser) - Two Kansas women who disappeared after traveling to Oklahoma in March were found dead inside a chest freezer buried in a cow pasture, court documents reveal. The location in Oklahoma's Texas County was just 10 miles from where Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, disappeared March 30 while...

Strange Puzzle May Link BTK Killer to Missing Teen

Puzzle sent by serial killer to TV station includes Cynthia Kinney's name, sheriff says

(Newser) - Since last year , authorities have been investigating a possible link between the BTK serial killer and Cynthia Kinney, who went missing in Oklahoma in 1976 at age 16. Now they're taking another look at a crossword puzzle sent by the convicted killer, Dennis Rader, to a TV station...

With Parents Crushed by Tornado, Boy Becomes 'Superman'
With Parents
Crushed by Tornado,
Boy Becomes 'Superman'
in case you missed it
May 5, 2024 2:50 PM CDT

With Parents Crushed by Tornado, Boy Becomes 'Superman'

Branson Baker, 9, ran in search of help, reportedly saying, 'I have to save my parents'

(Newser) - A couple and their 9-year-old son were driving toward a storm shelter as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma on Saturday when they ran out of time. A tornado unleashed its fury on the family near the town of Ardmore, tossing their truck into trees and pinning the parents inside. It was...

Tornadoes Kill 4, With More Danger Ahead

Heavy rain and flash flooding are possible into Monday, weather service says

(Newser) - Tornadoes that tore across Oklahoma left a wide trail of destruction Sunday, leveling homes and buildings and knocking out power for tens of thousands of residents. At least four people were killed, including a child, the AP reports. Dozens of reported tornadoes have wreaked havoc in the nation's midsection...

Cops: Boy, 10, Is Only Survivor of Family 'Massacre'

Police believe Oklahoma boy's father shot mother, 3 brothers before killing himself

(Newser) - A 10-year-old boy awoke to find his parents and three brothers dead in their southwest Oklahoma City home, all fatally shot by his father, police said Tuesday. On Monday morning, the boy "woke up and discovered what had happened," said Sgt. Gary Knight, describing the scene as "...

Bodies Found, Arrests Made in Case of Missing Kansas Women

In Oklahoma, 4 face first-degree murder charges after Veronica Butler, Jilian Kelley vanished

(Newser) - A pair of big updates came in over the weekend regarding two Kansas women who went missing last month after traveling to Oklahoma, including four arrests and the discovery of two bodies. On Saturday, four individuals were detained in Texas and Cimarron counties in the case of Veronica Butler, 27,...

These States Have the Most Expensive Home Insurance

Florida comes in at No. 1 on Insurify's list, with an average annual cost of close to $11K

(Newser) - The average annual rate for home insurance comes in at just under $2,400, but in many parts of the country, what homeowners are paying exceeds that figure by far. Insurify lays out the damage, citing rates that rose an average of 20% over the past two years across America....

Supreme Court Case Tests 'Sex Shaming' Defense

Prosecutors highlighted sex life of Brenda Andrew, now on death row

(Newser) - The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from the only woman on Oklahoma's death row this month, and the case may set a precedent in regard to prosecutors focusing on a defendant's sex life. Coverage:
  • The inmate: Brenda Andrew, 60, was sentenced to death in 2004 after being
...

Foul Play Suspected in Disappearance of 2 Women

Kansas women never showed up to pick up kids for a birthday party last weekend

(Newser) - Foul play is suspected in the disappearance of two Kansas women whose vehicle was found abandoned in the Oklahoma Panhandle last weekend, authorities said Friday. Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, of Hugoton, Kansas, were driving to Oklahoma to pick up Butler's children to attend a March 30...

Oklahoma Bridge Reopens After Barge Strike

Engineers' inspection clears structure over Arkansas River

(Newser) - An Oklahoma highway was reopened Saturday following its closure for a few hours after a bridge over the Arkansas River was struck by a barge. Troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol closed a portion of US Highway 59 south of Sallisaw around 1:25pm after the barge hit the bridge,...

This Is the Most Stressed-Out State in America

Louisiana tops WalletHub's list, while Minnesotans emerge as the least stressed

(Newser) - If you've been living a relaxed, relatively stress-free life for the past few years, a) you're lying, and b) if you're not lying, can you tell us your secret? The folks in Louisiana certainly would like to know, as the Pelican State ranks as the most-stressed state...

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