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☆ Opinion: The stunning silence at the heart of ‘Twisters’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Opinion Noah Berlatsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Noah Berlatsky Noah BerlatskyAnd yet both, despite being centered on extreme weather events, avoid mentioning climate change directly. In the mid-1990s the right was already moving toward climate change denial. The characters’ silence is louder at a time when in real life many Republican leaders continue to deny climate change is a problem. The current Republican platform doesn’t mention global warming at all, and GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has denied the scientific consensus on climate change. In a 2022 survey, only 23% of Republicans thought climate change was a major threat.

Persons: Noah Berlatsky, CNN — Lee Isaac Chung’s “, Noah Berlatsky Noah Berlatsky, ”, Kate, Daisy Edgar, Jones, Javi, Anthony Ramos, Tyler Owens, Glen Powell, she’s, Tyler, Lee Isaac Chung’s “, Donald Trump, James Whale’s, Frankenstein, Frankenstein ”, Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, it’s, “, Twisters Organizations: CNN, YouTube, Warner Bros, Hollywood, Republican, GOP Locations: Chicago, Oklahoma, New York

☆ Southwest Plane Begins Descent Too Early Over Oklahoma City
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Victor Mather | More About Victor Mather | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Southwest Airlines plane descended prematurely on Wednesday over Oklahoma City, startling residents miles from the airport, before regaining altitude and then landing safely. The plane then ascended again to about 3,000 feet before landing successfully at its planned destination, Will Rogers World Airport, at 12:16 a.m. local time. An automated warning was triggered by the low altitude, and an air traffic controller alerted the pilots, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. “Southwest 4069, low altitude alert. You good out there?” the controller can be heard saying in a recording from LiveATC.net provided to The Oklahoman newspaper.

Persons: Will Rogers, LiveATC.net Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Oklahoma City, Boeing, Associated Press, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoman Locations: Las Vegas, Oklahoma

☆ House G.O.P.’s Spending Chief Faces a Primary from the Right
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Catie Edmondson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

When Representative Tom Cole became chairman of the Appropriations Committee in April, it marked the first time an Oklahoman had ascended to one of Congress’s most powerful perches. For 15 years on the panel, Mr. Cole, a Republican, quietly climbed its ranks with the gavel in mind, crafting and negotiating bipartisan spending bills. All the while, he tucked in projects for his state — its universities, hospitals and airports — to the tune of billions of dollars. On Tuesday, he will face the stiffest threat to his career yet: a primary challenge from a self-funded conservative, Paul Bondar, who is running on an anti-spending platform. With more than $8 million poured into the race, it has become one of the most expensive House primaries this year.

Persons: Tom Cole, Cole, Paul Bondar Organizations: Oklahoman, Republican

☆ Before and after images reveal extent of tornadoes’ destruction
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Eric Zerkel | Paul P. Murphy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Vexcel Imaging Vexcel Imaging Tornado damage in Elkhorn, Nebraska Vexcel ImagingThe storm then tracked north and east toward Omaha, spawning a tornado that ripped through its western suburbs. Vexcel Imaging Vexcel Imaging Tornado damage in Elkhorn, Nebraska Vexcel ImagingFreshly built homes in a new neighborhood were reduced to piles of timber. Vexcel Imaging Tornado damage to an airport hangar at Omaha's Eppley Airfield Vexcel ImagingThe storms kept going into Iowa. Tornado damage is seen in Minden, Iowa, Saturday, April 27, 2024. At least four people were killed in Oklahoma, all in places hardest-hit by tornadoes: Sulphur, Holdenville and Marietta.

Persons: upending, Adam Lucio, Eppley, Cody Scanlan, Bryan Terry, Rebekah Riess Organizations: CNN, American Heartland, Oklahoma, Travelers, USA Locations: Lincoln , Nebraska, Elkhorn , Nebraska, Omaha, Elkhorn, Omaha’s, Omaha , Nebraska, Iowa, Minden, Pottawattamie County, Texas , Nebraska , Iowa , Kansas, Missouri, Minden , Iowa, Sulphur, Oklahoma, Holdenville, Marietta, Sulphur , Oklahoma

WASHINGTON (AP) — Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, who commanded a dress rehearsal flight for the 1969 moon landing and the first U.S.-Soviet space linkup, died Monday. He died in a hospital near his Space Coast Florida home, said Max Ary, director of the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe Apollo 10 mission in May 1969 set the stage for Apollo 11’s historic mission two months later. He volunteered for the Air Force and had hoped to fly combat in the Korean War. After the Apollo-Soyuz mission, Stafford returned to the Air Force and worked in research and commanded the Air Force Flight Test Center before retiring in 1979 as a three-star general.

Persons: Thomas P, Stafford, Max, Tom Stafford, Bill Nelson, “ Tom, Gene Cernan, John Young, Charlie Brown, ” Stafford, Alexei Leonov, Tom, Gerald Ford, Leonid Brezhnev, “, you’re, Neil Armstrong, Frank Borman, Pete Conrad, Wally Schirra, Stafford’s, Cernan, didn’t, Get, Linda Organizations: WASHINGTON, Air Force, Coast, Stafford Air & Space Museum, NASA, Apollo, Soviet Union, Disney World, Soyuz, Russian, Space, U.S . Naval Academy, Air, Gemini, Gene, Stafford's Air Force, Pentagon Locations: U.S, Stafford, Coast Florida, Weatherford , Oklahoma, Soviet, Soviet Union, Russia, Oklahoma, Florida, Cape Canaveral

☆ How vending machines help states battle the opioid crisis: ‘You don’t know when you’re going to need these products’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

A CNN analysis of state health departments finds that at least 33 states and the District of Columbia have naloxone vending machines. Other states, like Delaware, don’t currently have vending machines but plan to launch programs this year. Machines need to be restocked every dayOklahoma’s naloxone vending machine program launched in June. Naloxone vending machine programs often can face opposition from the communities where they are placed. He says he has heard some criticisms or “difficult” questions about the naloxone vending machines and other programs.

Persons: CNN —, Jason Hall, don’t, “, ”, “ You’re, Leo Guerrero, Marshall Hawkins, Hall, you’ve, I’ve, ” Hall, Lori Tremmel Freeman, Heath Hayes, they’re, ” Hayes, Jason Hall refills, Hayes, Carla Sofronski, it’s, ” Sofronski, ’, that’s, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Jason Organizations: CNN, Hall, District of Columbia, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Marshall Hawkins Hall, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, “, National Association of County, City Health, of Mental Health, Substance, Reduction, CNN Health Locations: Oklahoma, United States, California, New York, Oregon, Delaware, Michigan, Wayne, Oklahoma City, Cincinnati, Clark County , Nevada, Tulsa ., Pennsylvania

KINGFISHER, Okla. (AP) — A man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing four workers at an Oklahoma marijuana farm in 2022. As part of a plea agreement, Wu was sentenced to life in prison without parole for each of the murder counts and given a 20-year prison term for the assault charge. Wu, 47, was arrested in Florida two days after the shooting and was later extradited to Oklahoma. Killed in the attack were Quirong Lin, Chen He Chun, Chen He Qiang and Fang Hui Lee, court documents show. “This case should serve as a reminder of the dangers surrounding illegal marijuana activity in Oklahoma,” said Kingfisher County District Attorney Tommy Humphries, according to The Oklahoman.

Persons: Chen Wu, Wu, Wu Chen, Quirong Lin, Chen, Chun, Qiang, Fang Hui Lee, Yi Fei Lin, ”, Tommy Humphries Organizations: Prosecutors, Oklahoma City, Authorities Locations: Oklahoma, Hennessey, Florida, Kingfisher

☆ A judge has resigned after sending 500 texts during a toddler's murder trial in which she mocked a prosecutor, jury members, and witnesses
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An Oklahoma judge resigned after she was caught sending hundreds of texts during a murder trial. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAn Oklahoma judge has stepped down after she was caught sending hundreds of text messages while presiding over a murder trial concerning the death of a two-year-old boy. AdvertisementThe move to oust Soderstrom came about after the Oklahoman published 50 minutes of security footage, which showed Soderstrom sending messages for minutes while in the courtroom. AdvertisementWhen the deceased child’s mother took the stand as the prosecution’s key witness, she sent a text saying: “Can I please scream ‘liar, liar?

Persons: —, Traci Soderstrom, Braxton Danker, Khristian Martzall, John Kane IV, Soderstrom, ’, “, child’s, ” Organizations: Service, Associated Press, Oklahoma Supreme, AP, Oklahoman Locations: Oklahoma, Lincoln County

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma judge who sent more than 500 texts to her bailiff during a murder trial will resign, according to a court filing. In a proposed settlement agreement filed Thursday with the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary, District Judge Traci Soderstrom agreed to resign on Friday and never again seek a judicial office in Oklahoma. Soderstrom, who was elected in November 2022 and took office on Jan. 9, 2023, voluntarily suspended herself in October. However, being human, I have also faltered.”The judge’s texts during Martzall's trial on a charge of killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old son included saying the prosecutor was “sweating through his coat,” according to Kane’s petition. The texts described the defense attorney as “awesome” and asked “can I clap for her?” during the defense attorney’s opening arguments.

Persons: —, Traci Soderstrom, John Kane IV, Khristian Tyler Martzall, Soderstrom, “, ” Soderstrom, ” Kane, Martzall Organizations: OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma Court, Judiciary, Oklahoma Supreme Locations: — An Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Chandler, Oklahoma City

☆ Country singer Toby Keith dies at age 62
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Patrick Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Toby Keith performs on stage during the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards held at the Grand Ole Opry House on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Country music icon Toby Keith has died, his official website and social media accounts said early Tuesday, 18 months after he revealed he had stomach cancer. It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today," Keith told E! News ahead of receiving the Country Icon Award at the People's Choice Country Awards. Keith continued to record and perform through his illness, appearing live over three nights in Las Vegas in December.

Persons: Toby Keith, Keith, Willie Nelson Organizations: Grand Ole Opry House, Oklahoman, Oklahoma City Locations: Nashville , Tennessee, Las Vegas, Vegas, Clinton , Oklahoma, Moore, Oklahoma, United States, Dodge City , Kansas, Canada

☆ Trump hates the bipartisan immigration-Ukraine deal so much that he's falsely claiming he didn't endorse the GOP senator who helped write it
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trump is misleading people about his past support for Republican Sen. James Lankford. Trump endorsed Lankford in 2022, but he's trying to distance himself from him now. Lankford was the lead Republican negotiator for a bipartisan immigration-Ukraine deal that Trump loathes. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump took aim at Republican Sen. James Lankford on Monday, falsely claiming he did not previously back the Oklahoman amid a torrent of criticism directed at the bipartisan Ukraine-immigration deal. "I think this is a very bad bill for his career and especially in Oklahoma," Trump told Bongino.

Persons: Trump, Republican Sen, James Lankford, Lankford, —, Donald Trump, Dan Bongino, Sen, Dan Bongino’s, ”, Mike Johnson, Bongino, Tom Coburn, MAGA, Dan, Mitch McConnell, CNN's Jake Tapper Organizations: Republican, Trump, Service, Senate, China, Baptist, Democratic, Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Asia Pacific, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arizona

☆ Oklahoma teachers who mistakenly received $15,000 to $50,000 in bonuses are now being told to give it all back
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Some teachers in Oklahoma are being told to return tens of thousands in bonuses they got by mistake. At least nine teachers received letters demanding they return bonuses of up to $50,000 each, nonprofit news organization Oklahoma Watch reported Thursday. The bonuses can be bigger if the teachers commit to a rural or poorer school, though the maximum is $50,000, per the state department website. This was the source of confusion for several teachers like Bojorquez, a teacher in Oklahoma last year but still received the money, Oklahoma Watch reported. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Persons: they've, —, Kay Bojorquez, she'd, Kristina Stadelman, She's, It's, Ryan Walters, Walters, Bojorquez Organizations: Service, Oklahoma Watch, Associated Press, Oklahoman, Oklahoma State Education Department, Business Locations: Oklahoma

☆ 'We're not here to talk about fights': Drama in Congress is starting to spill over
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Mike Rogers is restrained by Richard Hudson after getting into an argument with Matt Gaetz as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy walks away. AdvertisementWhat happened: Greene called Boebert a "little bitch" on the House floor, according to The Daily Beast. When asked about it, Boebert told CNN, "I'm not in middle school." After his vote, Burchett told CNN that McCarthy had mocked his faith when he told then-speaker that he was praying over his decision. The aftermath: McCarthy told CNN that he did not purposefully run into Burchett.

Persons: —, Rock, Bill, John Boehner, Don Young, Donald Trump's, Joanne Freeman, Matt Gatez, flexes, Win McNamee, Mike Rogers lunges, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Rogers, Richard Hudson, Anna Moneymaker, McCarthy, Rogers, Gatez, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Greene, Boebert, Joe Biden, Semafor, I'm, Georgia Lauren Boebert, Jabin, Tim Burchett, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Mullin, Sean M, O'Brien, Elon Musk, Sean O’Brien, Bernie Sanders, ”, Sanders, banged, Burchett, McCarthy elbowed, — Claudia Grisales, NPR's Claudia Grisales, Grisales, Kevin ?, Kevin Organizations: Service, Capitol, Lawmakers, Yale, Politico, Florida Republican, GOP, Republican, House Armed Services, Rep, North Carolina Republican, Georgia Republican, Colorado Republican, Daily, CNN, Washington, Getty, Tennessee Republican, Caucus, Teamsters, Oklahoma Republican, MMA, United, Republicans Locations: Alaska, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Colorado, Tennessee, Boebert, Oklahoma, United States, Burchett

☆ Sen. Markwayne Mullin is now fundraising off of his near-brawl in a Senate hearing — because of course he is
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Markwayne Mullin nearly came to blows with a witness at a hearing on Tuesday. If you donate $35 to his Senate campaign, you'll get a shirt that says "Anytime, Anyplace." That's the lesson that Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma appears to have taken from his near-brawl with Teamsters President Sean O'Brien at a hearing of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee on Tuesday. "Anyplace, Anytime cowboy," he wrote. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy.

Persons: Sen, Markwayne Mullin, you'll, —, Sean O'Brien, — Markwayne Mullin, @MarkwayneMullin, Mullin, he's, O'Brien, Greedy, JNvT7IsA6m, Sean M, Republican Sen, Thom Tillis Organizations: Service, Health, Education, Labor, Senate, Republican Locations: @TeamsterSOB, North Carolina

☆ Biden mocks Republicans for accepting pandemic relief funds while opposing student loan forgiveness: 'My program is too expensive?'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

President Joe Biden tore into Republicans for opposing his student loan forgiveness plan. The PPP loans were aimed at keeping business afloat during the pandemic by providing critical backstops to meet payroll and other limited needs. "College loan forgiveness benefits one person and undermines the basic principles of personal responsibility." The Sarasota Republican had over $2.7 million in forgiven PPP loans and interests for car dealerships connected to him. A spokesperson for the Oklahoman blasted Biden for suggesting there was something wrong with opposing student loan forgiveness in light of accepting PPP money.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, —, John Roberts, Roberts, Chuck Edwards, Edwards, Vern Buchanan, Buchanan, Kevin Hern, Hern, Miranda Dabney Organizations: Service, Friday's, White, Biden, . Nebraska, North Carolina Republican, Asheville Citizen Times, Florida Republican, Sarasota Republican, Tampa Bay Times ., Oklahoma Republican, Oklahoman Locations: ., Florida, Oklahoma

☆ Republican senator challenges Teamster president to a 'MMA fight for charity' after the union boss told him 'you know where to find me
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin challenged a union boss to a MMA fight for charity. "An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. MMA fight for charity of our choice," Mullin wrote on his official Twitter account. An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. MMA fight for charity of our choice.

Persons: Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Sean O'Brien, O'Brien, Mullin, —, Republican Sen, — Markwayne Mullin, James P, Hoffa, Jimmy Hoffa, Michael Avenatti, Avenatti, Stormy Daniels, Donald Trump Jr, Bernie Sanders, Sanders Organizations: Service, Republican, Oklahoma, Monday, Teamster Union, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Teamsters, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Tulsa World Locations: Tulsa, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Oklahoma

Programming note: The full interview with Richard Glossip will air Friday, May 5, on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” which starts at 4 p.m. Lea Glossip, left, wife of death row inmate Richard Glossip, listens with death penalty opponent Sister Helen Prejean, right, during a news conference on Thursday, May 4, in Oklahoma City. Sneed admitted to killing Van Treese, but at trial, prosecutors portrayed the killing as a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Glossip. Ultimately, Reed Smith concluded “that no reasonable juror hearing the complete record would have convicted Richard Glossip of first-degree murder,” said Stan Perry, a partner at the firm. The Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, where Richard Glossip is set to be executed, is seen in 2015.

☆ Carnival cruise passengers said other cruisers cheered — and jeered —when their ship rescued 24 migrants adrift at sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A Carnival cruise ship rescued 24 migrants lost at sea last week, two passengers told Insider. A spokesperson for the company said cruise ships often come to the aid of boats in distress. "It makes your heart sad when you know these people are so desperate," Senn told Insider. A Carnival spokesperson told Insider that the ship's medical team found all 24 people to be in good condition. Though primarily designed as vacation vessels, large cruise ships often come to the aid of those in peril on the sea.

☆ Meet the GOP leaders in charge of critical House environmental committees
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Westerman, a representative for Arkansas's fourth congressional district, has a background in engineering and is a licensed forester. He's also introduced legislation to plant 1 trillion trees globally by 2050 in order to pull carbon out of the atmosphere. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chair of House Committee on Energy and CommerceRep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) during a House Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill on April 2, 2019 in Washington, DC. "We'll be focusing on promoting innovative technologies to facilitate our clean energy transition," Lucas told CNBC. Lucas said the committee would also conduct "robust oversight" of the spending being distributed to advance the country's clean energy sector.

☆ With over 100 anti-LGBTQ bills before state legislatures in 2023 so far, activists say they're 'fired up'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

So far, Texas has taken the lead with 36 such bills, according to Equality Texas, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group. Four states — Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and Arizona — have enacted restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors, though federal judges have blocked them from taking effect in Arkansas and Alabama. State Sen. David Bullard, the Republican sponsoring the bill, told The Oklahoman that gender-affirming medical care is a “permanent change in your body that cannot be reversed. Accredited medical associations — including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association — have supported gender-affirming care for minors. Advocates and doctors who treat trans youth have said many of the health care restrictions proposed by state legislators mischaracterize what gender-affirming care is.

JOSH BRECHEEN - FLIPPEDThe Oklahoman freshman went for McCarthy on Friday afternoon, saying a deal "will allow conservatives to rein in out-of-control spending." ANDREW CLYDE - FLIPPEDClyde of Georgia is a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, which is driving opposition to McCarthy. He moved to support McCarthy on Friday. ANDY BIGGS - OPPOSEDThe Arizona lawyer ran against McCarthy in the first round of voting for speaker. MATT ROSENDALE - OPPOSEDThe lone congressman from Montana has remained opposed to McCarthy, voting repeatedly for fellow Republican Kevin Hern instead.

☆ Country singer Jake Flint, 37, dies just hours after getting married
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Country singer Jake Flint has died just hours after getting married, according to people close to him. His publicist, Clif Doyal, told The Oklahoman that Flint died in his sleep following his wedding Saturday. Flint's wife, Brenda, wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday: "We should be going through wedding photos but instead I have to pick out clothes to bury my husband in. "Jake has a million friends and I’m not sure how everyone will cope with this tragic loss," she wrote. Please please pray for his new wife Brenda, Jake’s precious mother, his sister and the rest of his family and friends.

☆ Republicans are spending millions to boost Gov. Kevin Stitt's reelection bid in deep-red Oklahoma: report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The RGA is investing in a "seven figure" ad buy to boost Kevin Stitt's reelection bid, per Politico. Stitt has faced a barrage of ads criticizing his record, which has made the race competitive. The governor will face Republican-turned-Democrat Joy Hofmeister in the November general election. "This year's Oklahoma gubernatorial election is the most important in generations for all Oklahomans, and that's why leaders of the Five Tribes are endorsing Joy Hofmeister to be Oklahoma's 29th Governor." And the governor has eagerly pointed to the tribes as the source of the advertisement campaign.

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