Agency to be investigated, Supreme Court justice appointed — and Stevie Nicks headed to OKC

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What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is April 15, and here are a few quickies:

• Don’t forget to file your taxes!

• El Salvador’s president visits White House, and says he won’t return mistakenly deported prisoner.

• Stand back! Stevie Nicks is headed to OKC on Oct. 15, and tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.

• Thunder tickets for the first round of the NBA playoffs are also on sale. We won’t know who they’ll play until later in the week.

• Stock futures slide amid anticipation of Q1 earnings reports. Click for live updates.

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Weather Update ⛅

Cool temp today, but nice. We will be significantly warmer the rest of the week.

🌡️ Tuesday's high in OKC 68°
🌡️ Tuesday’s high in Tulsa 67°

Allergy Report for April 15 🤧

Tree pollen will be Very high today.
Grass pollen will be high.
Ragweed pollen won’t be an issue.

For more depth on Tuesday’s allergy news, click here.

Special investigator to review ‘multiple disturbing discoveries’ with Oklahoma agency, Stitt says

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday said he will appoint a special investigator to look into the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

The announcement was made in consultation with Commissioner Allie Friesen, and amid “multiple disturbing discoveries with the previous leadership’s finances and contracting practices,” Stitt’s office said in a press release.

“I’ve had frustrations with the mental health department for years and now that we have Commissioner Allie Friesen putting a fresh set of eyes on the department, it’s clear there are problems that need special attention,” Stitt said. “What we need is an independent third party who can focus all their energy on shining a light on this agency and rooting out bad actors.” 

Click to finish the story.

Federal Lawsuit Filed Over OKCPD Use of Force in October Incident

A federal lawsuit has been filed against a former Oklahoma City police officer, the City of Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, alleging excessive force and civil rights violations stemming from an October traffic stop.

The suit was filed on behalf of Lich Vu, an elderly Vietnamese man who was thrown to the ground by an OKCPD officer during the incident. Vu is now seeking damages in federal court.

Coverage 👀

• Lich Vu lawsuit names former OKCPD officer, Oklahoma City, AG as defendants (KFOR)

• 71-year-old man files federal lawsuit against former OKC police officer, AG in use-of-force case (KOCO)

• Elderly man sues former OKC Sgt. in federal court for takedown during traffic stop (KOKH)

• Oklahoma City family files federal lawsuit against former officer, city, Attorney General over use of force (News 9)

Stitt appoints Woodward man to Oklahoma Supreme Court

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday appointed Travis Jett to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, marking the governor’s fourth appointment to the state’s highest court — the most by any Republican governor in state history. Jett, a fourth-generation Oklahoman and experienced attorney, has argued before the Oklahoma Supreme Court and represented clients ranging from former governors to corporations and state agencies. He has practiced at major law firms in Oklahoma City before returning to northwest Oklahoma to work at the Hodgden Law Firm.

Jett holds a law degree from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s in agribusiness from Oklahoma State University. A former National FFA President, he has earned several legal honors, including being named an Oklahoma Super Lawyer in each of the past three years. He currently serves as president of the Woodward County Bar Association. The Oklahoma Supreme Court will announce details of Jett’s swearing-in ceremony at a later date.

Coverage 👀

• Woodward lawyer Travis Jett to serve as newest Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice (KOSU)

• Stitt selects replacement for Oklahoma Supreme Court justice ousted by voters last year (Oklahoma Voice)

• Travis Jett appointed to Oklahoma Supreme Court (NonDoc)

• Travis Jett chosen to fill vacant Oklahoma Supreme Court seat (KOCO)

• Who is the Oklahoma Supreme Court's new appointee, Travis Jett? (News 9)

• Gov. Stitt picks attorney Travis Jett for Supreme Court, bypasses sitting judges (KOKH)

Special education teachers offered $20,000 bonuses to move to Oklahoma

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma is offering bonuses up to $20,000 and thousands more in retention incentives to attract special education teachers to the state.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education budgeted $1.875 million for the initiative with the goal of attracting 110 more teachers to special education classrooms in the 2025-26 school year, the agency announced Monday. The money will come from a federal fund called IDEA Part B, which supports students with disabilities.

Special education teachers working in schools out of state could earn a $20,000 signing bonus if they accept a position in an Oklahoma public school. A newly certified special education teacher could earn a signing bonus of $10,000 to enter the profession.

Click here to finish the story.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A concise summary of the latest news from across the state.

• Tulsa Public Schools launching new whistleblower report for conflicts of interest, hiring external auditor (Tulsa World)

• ‘Listen, learn, lead’: Edmond Public Schools hires Josh Delich as superintendent (NonDoc)

• Norman Starbucks baristas secure union win amid national labor push (Black Wall Street Times)

• OU addresses concerns over international student visa revocations (OU Daily)

• ‘We miss you’: Families of Norman residents killed in Oklahoma City bombing reflect on loss, healing (OU Daily)

• Tornado counts nearly double historical average for spring 2025. How does Oklahoma compare? (Oklahoman)

• 11,000 Marijuana plants seized in Ponca City illegal grow bust, 5 arrested (News On 6)

• 'God had a different plan:' Green Country family mourning kidney transplant recipient killed in Muskogee Turnpike crash (News On 6)

• OSDE announces signing bonuses for special education teachers (Fox 23)

• Students evacuated after Chromebook overheats, catches fire in Mounds classroom (Fox 23)

• Bartlesville City Council approves Flock camera rules after split vote, heated debate (Bartlesville Examiner)

• Farm To You exhibit helps students learn origin of food (Woodward News)

SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

• OU softball drops finale versus Alabama, 2-1 (SoonerSports)

• Bedlam baseball in Stillwater Tuesday night (SoonerSports)

• Week 10 OU Baseball report: Despite disappearing acts, Sooners get back on track in conference play (Clay Horning)

• Report: OU basketball adding stepfather-stepson duo of coach, point guard from St. Joe’s (Tulsa World)

• Dan Bitson resigns from Booker T. Washington football program (Tulsa World)

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