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Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • 100. But the dog days of summer are numbered. ☀️

Poll results:

We received 238 votes on the Monday poll, “Would Oklahoma workers be better off if labor unions had more power?”

109 said, “Yes. Workers need better pay and protections.”
54 said, “No. Stronger unions could cost jobs.”
60 said, “It depends on the workplace or industry.”
15 said, “I’m not sure.”

New poll question at the bottom of today’s newsletter. (You can also suggest a poll question by emailing me at [email protected].)

Oklahoma nonprofit opens application for grants funding adaptive equipment, activities

Ross and Elizabeth Duren pose with their five-year-old daughter, Gentry, at an Oklahoma City Thunder game. They attended the game through a grant from the Sam the I Can Man Foundation.

By Jillian Taylor, StateImpact Oklahoma
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An Oklahoma nonprofit is accepting applications for grants that cover equipment, activities and experiences for individuals with differing abilities.

The Sam the I Can Man Foundation was inspired by Sam Weyrich. He had Aicardi-Goutiéres syndrome, a rare condition impacting white matter in the brain, leading to severe physical impairments. Sam wasn’t supposed to make it past two years old – but he lived until he was almost 24.

His family called him “The I Can Man” because of everything he did despite his differing abilities. That included horseback riding, art classes, adaptive baseball, river rafting in the Grand Canyon, skiing, running, rock climbing, biking and attending concerts and musicals.

Now, the foundation is entering its fourth funding cycle for its “I Can Too” grants. Sarah Weyrich, the foundation’s president and Sam’s sister, said the nonprofit has awarded 99 grants totaling more than $200,000 since it launched in March of last year.

It funds small equipment, items, activities and experiences for individuals with differing abilities to enhance their lives and enable inclusive experiences for them and their families. A portion of these dollars is also available to other nonprofits with aligning missions.

Nearly half of the foundation’s grantees are located in Oklahoma.

Elizabeth Duren was one of those awardees. The Mustang resident’s five-year-old daughter, Gentry, has Down syndrome. Gentry is “spunky, hilarious and doesn’t have a problem speaking her mind.”

When Duren found the foundation online and asked Gentry what they should apply for, she didn’t skip a beat before saying she wanted to hang out with the Oklahoma City Thunder mascot, Rumble the Bison.

Through the grant, Gentry got to go to a Thunder game and watch her favorite player, Chet Holmgren, whom she calls “Chet-Chet,” play. She also attended “Recess with Rumble,” an event where participants could engage in on-court skills challenges and interact with Thunder entertainers.

Duren said Gentry fell in love with the cheerleaders at “Recess with Rumble,” and when she arrived at the game, they remembered her name.

“She felt like a superstar,” Duren said, smiling.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:

Henryetta’s Labor Day heritage begins in the mining tunnels beneath its streets (KFOR)
Imported beef does not insure cheaper burgers ranchers say (Gaylord News)
Environmental impact of smelter 'deserves much harder look,' Inola farmer argues (KJRH)
Stitt writes letter to Trump welcoming Jewish families to Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)*
Seven injured after car rear-ends horse-drawn buggy in Coal County (KXII)
Critics question pace of OKC police reform efforts (The Oklahoman)*
Sand Springs police apprentice arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, sexual assault (KJRH)
Gary Graham becomes Ottawa County’s 32nd sheriff (KSN 16)
McLoud animal sanctuary seeks help after fire leaves home unlivable (KOCO)
Danforth Road construction could cause delays ahead of busy Edmond soccer weekend (News 9)
‘Food Farmacy’ joins Oklahoma’s fight against hunger (KSWO)
Long lines, crowding reported as Seven Brew customers seek ‘Brew-dohs’ in Texoma (KXII)
Coweta makes big jump in 5A football rankings; Muskogee, Sand Springs move up in 6AII (Tulsa World)*