What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Friday, July 11, and I’m starting to catch football fever.

The University of Oklahoma announced today that fans will be allowed to tailgate on the North Oval for the first time ever. This is a big deal — and a step in the right direction for competing at the highest level of the SEC.

Where tailgating is serious business.

But I’m reminded of what tailgating was like back during my college days, 1988-1992(ish).

My first experience coming to an OU football game was with my friend James and his family in 1987. The Sooners demolished Kansas State 70-24.

We drove up in an RV, and there were other RVs. Lots of RVs. Kind of like what I saw at my first NASCAR event, all those big motor homes parked in the infield.

For whatever reason, I don’t remember that being the case during my time at OU. Alas, I was more involved being a student and having a good time.

We would hang outside of Sooner Superette. Right next to it was this pool hall, managed by a woman named “Cola.” A buddy and I would pre-game down there before heading up for the games by 1:30 p.m.

Oldheads will remember this, but it used to be that ALL the Sooners games were at 1:30.

A new era demands this sort of progress, and I’m looking forward to checking out the North Oval tailgates this fall!

Bring on football.

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Weather Update ⛅

Breezy and hot, but rain this weekend is on the horizon.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 91°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 91°

Heartland Flyer to continue operating Oklahoma-Texas route following funding infusion

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth will continue for at least another year after a Texas group agreed to chip in millions to keep the route alive, officials said Thursday.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council on Thursday voted to provide $3.5 million to keep the Heartland Flyer rail service  operational, said Brian Wilson, a spokesperson.

The Amtrak service was slated to shut down on or before Oct. 1 after the Texas Legislature declined to continue funding its share of the 206-mile route.

“This funding lasts for a year,” Wilson said.

Ending the service would have been a tremendous loss for both Oklahoma and Texas, said Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City.

“Tourism is Oklahoma’s third largest industry and a major economic driver for communities across the state,” said Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City. “This Amtrak route gives Oklahomans more flexibility when planning their travel and offers Texans a convenient way to see what they’ve been missing just across the border.”

Officials are considering expanding the line into Kansas to connect with other major passenger train routes. Possible closure of the service would have impacted expansion plans.

The service was reestablished in 1999 after ending in 1979. 

Walters announces PragerU-backed ideology test for teachers from 'woke' states

By Beth Wallis, StateImpact Oklahoma
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State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Wednesday Oklahoma will withhold certificates from teachers from “woke” states who do not pass a new ideology test developed by PragerU.

Despite Oklahoma’s teacher shortage, Walters says teachers from states with “progressive education policies,” will be screened by a PragerU-backed assessment. Besides California and New York, when asked, Walters did not disclose which other states would apply to the mandate.

The assessment will test educators’ knowledge on the U.S. Constitution, American exceptionalism and the “fundamental biological differences between boys and girls.”

“As long as I am superintendent, Oklahoma classrooms will be safe guarded [sic] from radical leftist ideology that California and New York have fostered,” Walters said in an email to StateImpact. “Teacher’s [sic] who move from these states will not be receiving a teaching certificate unless they pass our new assessment.”

Click to finish the story.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Flash flood risk this weekend in Oklahoma: Here's when to expect thunderstorms, heavy rain (The Oklahoman)

• Two dead after collision with school bus in Norman (KFOR)

• Oklahoma is asking a federal judge to fine big poultry companies millions for polluting the Illinois River (The Frontier)

• Investigation Launches into Romanian National Suspects Behind OKC EBT Skimming (News 9)

• Four grocery stores operated by Homeland set to close in Oklahoma. Here's where (The Oklahoman)

• Broken Arrow Police: Missing person's case from 2012 believed to be homicide (2 News Oklahoma)

• 2 men arrested, accused of murder in connection with Stigler double homicide in April (News On 6)

• Meet two new Republican candidates in the race for Oklahoma governor (The Oklahoman)

• Jalen Williams agrees to a maximum contract with OKC Thunder (News 9)

• Man arrested for kidnapping after child reports escape in Stephens County (KXII)

• Stillwater residents urged to apply for wildfire relief funds before deadline (KOCO)

• Oklahoma City crews recover body from car found in creek off NW Expressway and Piedmont Rd (Fox 25)

• Some Oklahoma GM vehicle owners could get hundreds of dollars through class action settlement (News On 6)

• Ethics Commission votes to settle with former Oklahoma agency head, investigate lawmaker, sue PAC (Oklahoma Voice)

• Lawmakers criticize Oklahoma Highway Patrol decision to stop urban enforcement (Oklahoma Voice)

• Muskogee officials ready to move ahead after sales tax passes (Muskogee Phoenix)

• Lawsuit asks for reimbursement of 20 years of some Tulsa-area tolls (KOSU)

• Paul McCartney to rock Tulsa with 'Got Back' tour in 2025 at BOK Center (KTUL)

• Oklahoma-born academic recounts experience in Thai prison (KGOU)

• Sand Springs council seeks clarity on disaster relief funding (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Oklahoma Ethics Commission to issue opinion on security for elected officials (Oklahoma Voice)

• Osage Nation employee seeks reinstate after dispute over burial traditions (Osage News)

• Collington Index: The one thing Mark Zuckerberg could do to change discussions forever (Tulsa World)

• Raccoon blamed for Love County power outage (KTEN)

• Luther’s Rylie Jeffries on Big Brother reality show: A bull riding “son of a” that means business, baby! (Luther Register News)

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