A Southern state with a mix of plains, energy, and culture
Recent studies reveal significant undercounting of COVID-19 deaths and rising heart disease among women aged 25-44. New guidelines aim to improve cholesterol screening and reduce mortality, especially in vulnerable populations. These findings highlight ongoing health disparities and the need for targeted interventions.
Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church, was released from Oklahoma custody after pleading guilty to child abuse charges. He must register as a sex offender, serve probation, and pay restitution. The victim, Cindy Clemishire, continues to seek civil justice. The case has sparked controversy and support among followers.
Multiple US states have announced partnerships with Turning Point USA, promoting school chapters and religious content in public education. These moves have sparked debate over free speech, religious influence, and educational neutrality amid ongoing legal and political tensions. The story is current as of Saturday, 18 April 2026.
Several US states are implementing or considering temporary bans on new data center construction, citing concerns over resource use, pollution, and infrastructure. Maine has approved a moratorium, while others like Georgia are moving toward similar measures. The federal government is also contemplating a nationwide pause.
UCLA has secured its first NCAA gymnastics team final since 2019, finishing third after a challenging final rotation. Oklahoma has won its eighth team title, maintaining its dominance with a narrow victory over LSU. Individual titles have been claimed by Jordan Chiles and Faith Torrez, highlighting a competitive championship.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Texas’ Ten Commandments display in public schools, ruling it does not violate students’ or parents’ rights. The decision reinforces similar laws in Louisiana and Alabama and comes as debates over religion in classrooms intensify, with several states proposing or expanding displays and Bible-related curricula.
Republicans are tapping Trump turnout power while shaping a cost‑of‑living policy platform, aiming to avoid a pure referendum on the president. Democrats counter with a 10‑bill progressive agenda and restructuring of district maps, signaling a high‑stakes clash ahead of midterms and 2028 considerations.
An 18-year-old woman has died after a Sunday night shooting at a public picnic area beside Arcadia Lake in Edmond, north of Oklahoma City. Police say there is no current threat to the public and investigations are ongoing; several others were injured, with some treated and released.
The Bulls have confirmed the death of Stacey King, 59, a former player and longtime broadcaster. King died Sunday; cause of death has not been disclosed. ESPN Chicago reports a possible fatal fall at his River Forest home. King helped Chicago win three titles and later became a beloved voice in Bulls broadcasts.
A federal judge in Boston has voided the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on H‑1B visa petitions, ruling the payment functions as a tax that Congress did not authorize. The administration has filed a notice of appeal, and parallel lawsuits and appeals are proceeding in other federal courts, leaving the policy's fate to the appeals process.
Presidential endorsements have produced mixed results in Georgia’s June GOP runoff. Rick Jackson has defeated Burt Jones in Georgia’s governor’s race with substantial personal wealth backing, while Mike Collins has won the Senate runoff and will face Jon Ossoff in November. Kemp’s endorsements and the broader MAGA dynamic are testing the party’s path to the general election.
The articles examine proposals to adjust federal tax policy, including a living-cost-adjusted brackets plan and a gas-tax holiday. Analysts question effectiveness, impact on deficits, and regional savings variations as lawmakers push or resist reform.
Federal officials have suspended funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority amid a widening investigation into mismanagement and alleged fraud. LAHSA has faced audits and lawsuits over the handling of homelessness programs, with HUD warning that accountability standards must be met as the White House task force acts to curb improper spending. The move places pressure on local leaders to reform funding and oversight while continuing homelessness services.
AI models are delivering faster pattern recognition and higher accuracy for hurricane forecasts, with NOAA citing a 15-30% improvement over traditional methods. DeepMind and other labs are expanding high‑resolution data use to sharpen predictions and enable earlier evacuations.
The Pentagon has halted routine reviews of land-based wind-energy projects, delaying 106 proposed developments across 21 states. Industry groups warn this risks about $47 billion in investments and thousands of jobs, while the defense department says reviews must balance national security with energy expansion.
A Foot-and-Mouth outbreak in Uganda has triggered calls for intensified vaccination and stricter movement checks as farmers in Lyengoma Village blame contested grazing land, while authorities push to prevent wider spread.
The Lahmeyer campaign has suspended its bid for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District after a day of rapid developments, as Trump endorses Mark Tedford. Tedford now leads in the runoff, which will determine the GOP nominee to face in November.