Biggest Winter Storm Of Season Headed To Oklahoma

Happy Presidents Day! It’s especially ‘happy’ if you don’t have to go to work today, right?

Truth be told: some of you may not go in to work all week this week due to the weather!

Seriously, be super careful this week. And if you don’t want frozen pipes, drip your faucets any time the outside temperature falls under 20 degrees for at least three hours.

Here are the big stories happening in Oklahoma:

• Winter storm headed to Oklahoma. Coldest air of the season coming.

• Gov. Stitt celebrates departure of 5 ODMHSAS employees over pronouns.

• MAPS 4 stadium a chance to restart OKC soccer “from scratch.”

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Winter Storm Update ❄️

Dangerously cold weather is coming to Oklahoma. Once we fall below freezing late Monday, it won’t be above freezing perhaps until Saturday!

Yes, snow is in the forecast. Yes, so is sleet. Heck, parts of Oklahoma (mostly far north and northeastern parts of the state) could see blizzard conditions.

And, yes, this will impact both the greater Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas.

The bigger story is the cold air and dangerous wind chills.

Winter Weather Resources:

• Oklahoma road conditions

• OKC snow routes

• Tulsa snow routes

🌡️ Monday high in OKC 48°
🌡️ Monday high in Tulsa 45°

1️⃣ Stitt celebrates loss of 5 mental health dept. employees over pronouns

By Sierra Pfeifer, KOSU
In an interview with Newsmax, Gov. Kevin Stitt said the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has banned its employees from using pronouns in their email signatures, a measure he said made five employees “leave in protest.”

Stitt appeared on the right-wing cable news channel to discuss the implementation of the newly minted Oklahoma Division of Government Efficiency, DOGE-OK, in the state.

Stitt then shared a clip from the interview on X on Friday, saying “sayonara” to the employees he says left due to the rule change.

Click here to read the full story, and to see that clip.

2️⃣ MAPS 4 stadium a step to restart OKC soccer ‘from scratch’

By Brett Fieldcamp - Oklahoma City Free Press
The proposed new city-funded, $71 million stadium approved in MAPS 4 is just one part of plans to completely relaunch professional soccer “from scratch” in OKC, according to team leaders.

That’s following a shakeup in ownership and a number of community engagement initiatives aimed at generating interest, as well as potential new questions about the stadium’s intended size and required budget.

Read the full story.

Oklahoma Headlines

• Tulsa woman accused of shooting husband to death during dinner (News On 6)

• Alleged metro porch pirate caught after victims set up sting in parking lot (KFOR)

• Henryetta ‘Love Lock Sculpture’ open for Oklahoma lovers (2 News Oklahoma)

• Stitt hires ‘unpaid, special volunteer’ to lead Oklahoma’s DOGE (Oklahoma Voice)

• Stitt uses new Oklahoma budget figures to bolster his case for tax cut (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma lawmaker withdraws agriculture bill after group raises concerns (KOCO)

• Your Vote Counts: Oklahoma leaders debate federal funding pause, education drama, and sports betting (News 9)

• A New York State of Mind Meets Tulsa’s Resurgence: How Tai Nehisi Found Home Through Tulsa Remote (Black Wall Street Times)

• Osage Agency Superintendent laid off as part of government reduction (Osage News)

• Cherokee leaders distribute Valentines for annual ‘Valentines for Vets’ program (Cherokee Phoenix)

• More than a runner: The legacy of Andy Payne lives on (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Regina Gibson guilty of felony embezzlement from Duck Creek ceremonial grounds (Mvskoke Media)

• HEW postpones MCN teacher grant for the second time (Mvskoke Media)

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