What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Friday, August 15, and my morning monologue — if this is what this part of the newsletter can be called — will be the baseball equivalent of a bullpen game.

I’m going to touch a lot of bases. Pun intended.

When I started this newsletter, one of the first things I did was to get on mailing lists from businesses and agencies that send press releases or news alerts. I’ve succeeded in landing on several of those, and hope to be on many more.

The result of that is that in some editions, I have some catching up to do. I need to touch on multiple topics.

In last Friday’s edition, I told you about the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest in Shawnee, the 8th annual such event from Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). Turns out, it attracted more than 50,000 visitors over the weekend.

“Seeing the balloons never gets old,” said Kelley Francen, director of employee engagement. “We love seeing this event grow each year, welcoming more friends and families, locals and travelers to enjoy the festival.” 

And it wasn’t just balloons. Have you heard of something called Dock Dogs? It like an aquatic competition for pooches. It was part of the event as well.

There were carnival rides, camel rides, helicopter rides, a drone show and more — and the event will return next August.

Looked like a great time. Mark your calendar.

**
In Tulsa yesterday, there was a special, sacred ceremony as 15 people became naturalized United States citizens from the following countries: Burma, China, Honduras, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan. It was the 49th naturalization ceremony held in Tulsa since they started hosting them in 2019.

In all, more than 1,500 Americans have been sworn in at Tulsa City Hall in six years.

I’ve had the honor of attending a naturalization ceremony. It is very moving.

**

And, finally, the USTA sectionals are being held this weekend all across Oklahoma City, and that means my brother is in from St. Louis (or will be by about 2:30 a.m.). His team from Missouri and far southern Illinois will be battling OKC at Earlywine Tennis Center. Go Charles!

Even if I had the skills to play (and I low-key love tennis), I’ve got ice on my Achilles tonight from walking too much. Yeah, walking.

That’s what ‘almost 55’ will do to ya’.

Have a terrific weekend, and you can message me anytime at [email protected].

And that means you can send me press releases, photos, small-town events, hot sports opinions, you name it.

Weather Update ☀️

It is going to be a hot weekend, but relief is on the way. Not this weekend. But by the middle of next week.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 96°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 95°

‘Nowhere near’ a done deal: U.S. Dept. of Education says Walters’ state testing announcement premature

By Beth Wallis, StateImpact Oklahoma
Click here to read the story.
Donate to KGOU.

Last week, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Oklahoma districts would no longer be required to administer current end-of-the-year math and English tests for third- through eighth-grade.

But the U.S. Department of Education says he doesn’t yet have the authority to do that.

A senior department official spoke with StateImpact Thursday and said Walters’ announcement that districts will instead be allowed to use benchmark assessments was premature.

The official said the request must go through public comment, then the department must send in the comments and how they’ve responded to them, as well as conduct a “meaningful consultation" with districts.

“I know there’s been some remarks about this being a done deal. That is nowhere near where we are right now,” the official said. “We are still very, very early in this, and [the Oklahoma State Department of Education] need[s] to take the public comment portion of this seriously and truly incorporate that, and use that feedback before we go any further. … This is in no way approved by the department, and I think that’s really important to clarify for Oklahoma parents and families.”

Click here to finish the story.

Glencoe Schools, families sue OSSAA over ‘Linked Rule’ decision against student athletes

By Beth Wallis, StateImpact Oklahoma
Click here to read the story.
Donate to KGOU.

Glencoe Public Schools filed a suit in Payne County District Court Thursday against the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association over its decision to disallow some students from playing basketball due to an alleged rule violation.

According to the lawsuit, the OSSAA says the students violated Rule 24, also known as the “Linked Rule,” a controversial provision intended to keep students from transferring from following a coach to a new school district.

Three of the four named students in the lawsuit attended a team camp in May at Glencoe with Coach Garrett Schubert. The students later applied through the transfer portal when it opened in June.

But, according to the lawsuit, OSSAA said the students should have unenrolled from their previous districts first.

Glencoe’s attorney, Hannah Whitten with the firm Whitten Burrage, said there is no OSSAA provision requiring that.

“There’s been no requirement to unenroll your kid before the school year starts and before the transfer portals open,” Whitten said. “So they did everything to the letter of the law.”

Click to finish the story.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:

• Full Thunder 2025-26 NBA schedule: Key dates, marquee matchups, and new streaming setup (News 9)

• OMMA says recent cannabis product retest is an immediate public health and safety risk (Fox 23)

• ‘We’re building concentration camps’: Former Tulsa police chief lambasts immigration enforcement (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Tulsa Public Schools board to consider new mascot, branding policy (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma judge overseeing Richard Glossip's case recuses without explanation (KOSU)

• Judge dismisses lawsuit brought by Oklahoma school chief (Oklahoma Voice)

• After Minnesota murder, Oklahoma Ethics Commission to let lawmakers use campaign funds for security (NonDoc)

• DA Kunzweiler: Additional charges possible as investigation into Kralicek continues (KTUL)

• TPD debunks Tulsa's top-15 murder rate claim: 'Violent crime is down' (News On 6)

• Elderly metro veteran with dementia has thousands charged to his credit card (KFOR)

• 1 dead after plane crashes in field near Hulen, NTSB investigates (KSWO)

• Are we at a crisis point with the Constitution? Here's what an Oklahoma law professor says (The Oklahoman)

• Jenks first responders rescue woman in Arkansas River (2 News Oklahoma)

• Clinton remembers former Oklahoma governor as a man who put people first (Oklahoma Voice)

• Voters in five counties say no to Mid-America Technology Center millage (Purcell Register)

• Oklahoma City Police dismiss serial killer face-cutting rumors (KFOR)

• Library of Congress picks Muskogee library for exclusive digital experience (2 News Oklahoma)

• Tenant Rights: Living in clean, peaceful place not possible for some (Tahlequah Daily Press)

• Okmulgee High School relocated to C.A.A.T. campus as school year begins (Okmulgee Times)

Editor’s note: This is the former Eastside Elementary in Okmulgee. Quick bit of Oklahoma Memo trivia. That’s where I went to elementary school (1976-80)!

• Gang-related arrests appear to be part of police crackdown (The Lawton Constitution)

• Cleveland County nonprofit seeks volunteers to deliver meals to seniors (KOCO)

• OSU names new VP for Student Affairs (The O’Colly)

• OU professor, historian, decorated author David Levy dies at 88 (OU Daily)

• Lone Grove names new police chief: Ingle brings leadership, experience (The Ardmoreite)

• Oaths taken, work begins for nine freshly sworn in Tribal Councilors (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Osage engineer showcases solar sails at United Nations (Osage News)

• Manufacturing jobs drop as output rises in Oklahoma, U.S. (The Journal-Record)

• Southwest returns nonstop flights from OKC to Dallas Love Field (The Journal-Record)

• “Sapulpa Day of Caring” is looking for help for these local volunteer projects (Sapulpa Times)

• Flamenco greets first day at Classen SAS at NE in OKCPS (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Warrant issued for Ponca City man for concealing stolen property after fraud investigation by KSO (Kay News Cow)

• Tribally-administered Summer EBT improved food security, study finds (KGOU)

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