Gov. Stitt Pushes Back Against Ryan Walters, Says Children Aren't Pawns

Here are the big stories happening in Oklahoma:

• Ice and slick roads are a problem this morning, but less of a problem than yesterday.

• Gov. Stitt says Oklahoma should be going after criminals, not students.

• A ‘scheme’ impacting truckers in the Okla. Panhandle has netted local prosecutors millions. (Oklahoma Watch)

• There has been a major legal move regarding claims of price gouging from the winter storm of 2021. (Mitchell Talks & OK Energy Today)

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Weather Briefing 🧊

Yes, there are still schools closed on Thursday.

And now we have our eyes set on at least two more winter storms. There could be some wintry precipitation on Saturday. The image from the National Weather Service is embedded above. There is also a possible winter storm early next week. The models have targeted Tuesday, Feb. 18.

In winter weather forecasting, there’s an eternity between now and then.

News 9 Chief Meteorologist David Payne did mention a third possible storm the week after next.

Hang in there, Oklahoma. Spring is coming!

Oh, and check out this Oklahoma superintendent’s creative way of letting folks know they could stay home on Wednesday—courtesy of Slim Shady!

Winter Weather Resources:

• Oklahoma road conditions

• OKC snow routes

• Tulsa snow routes

🌡️ High in OKC 33°
🌡️ High in Tulsa 32°

1️⃣ Gov. Kevin Stitt Pushes Back Against Ryan Walters’ Plan To Track Students’ Citizenship Status

Gov. Kevin Stitt has seen the falling scores, and he has had enough of the political drama—and on Wednesday, he got more specific about his concerns with State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

KOCO anchor Evan Onstot reports that during Stitt’s weekly press conference, the governor “took a stance against collecting citizenship information from students.”

Stitt went so far as to say Walters’ using Oklahoma children as political pawns was “getting ridiculous,” according to reporting from KFOR’s Dylan Brown.

Walters’ plan to require citizenship checks of Oklahoma students will not get past Stitt, reports Nuria Martinez-Keel with Oklahoma Voice.

Gov. Stitt’s dismissal of three Oklahoma state Board of Education members prompted Walters to post this to X:

And in perhaps not a surprise move on Wednesday, announced gubernatorial candidate and current Attorney General Gentner Drummond posted this:

2️⃣ Traffic Scheme Nets Texas County DA’s Office Millions

Journalist JC Hallman has uncovered a practice in Texas County that has been menacing truck drivers—and filling the coffers of local prosecutors. He tells the story of professional driver Tammy Votta and her experience last June driving through Oklahoma’s Panhandle.

Read the full story on Oklahoma Watch.

3️⃣ There’s been a major legal move in 2021 winter storm claims of price gouging

The Kansas attorney general has dismissed a huge lawsuit stemming from the 2021 winter storm. How might it affect what the Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is doing in the same arena?

Scott Mitchell and Jerry Bohnen discuss on this week’s energy podcast.

Oklahoma Headlines

• 2nd teenager dies after shooting in SW Oklahoma City (KOCO)

• Popular restaurant chain ‘Wahlburgers’ opens first location in Oklahoma (KOCO)

• Norman’s Mayor-elect to tackle housing and homelessness (KOCO)

• Tech giant Meta to buy renewable energy from Oklahoma wind farm (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• High-speed pursuit ends in arrest despite hazardous road conditions (Guthrie News Page)

• School and local election results across southern Oklahoma (KTEN)

• More affordable housing options for Choctaw Nation members (KTEN)

• Cherokee Nation to build justice center, courthouse with settlement funds (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Oklahoma State’s interim president shares his priorities (The O’Colly)

• Judge dismisses rape charges against 3 Sperry students (2 News Oklahoma)

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