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What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Tuesday, September 2, and I don’t follow “the rules.” I will still wear white all year long.

It was a good football weekend for our major universities in the state. The Cowboys got the win last Thursday, and OU and Tulsa followed up with wins on Saturday night. John Mateer was terrific for the Sooners in a 35-3 win over Illinois State, and Kirk Francis got the Tre Lamb era in Tulsa off to a 1-0 start in a 35-7 win over Abilene Christian.

We took in Deer Creek-Bishop McGuinness on Friday night in the first official game at the newly-christened Tyler Tidwell Stadium. According to this article in The Oklahoman, the dedication happened last year — but I assure you, they did it again on Friday. Tyler’s family was there, and there was a ceremony on the field. I told my wife that the obituary for him being recited by the PA announcer was perhaps the most impressive obituary I had ever heard.

Read it here for yourself.

The game itself was mostly a defensive battle, a 17-14 McGuinness win over the Antlers. The only disappointment about the entire experience was that it wasn’t 52 degrees with a hot cocoa in my hand.

We’ll get there soon enough.

You can message me anytime at [email protected].

Weather Update ☀️

Slight chance of rain early for some of the state, but after that — let the sunshine in!

🌡️ Tuesday's high in OKC 81°
🌡️ Tuesday’s high in Tulsa 80°

Oklahomans take to the Capitol in Labor Day protest

A workers’ rights coalition organized a Labor Day rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Monday to protest what organizers call a “billionaire takeover” of government.

The #WorkersOverBillionaires rally, hosted by May Day Strong, was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Capitol’s south plaza. The event is part of a nationwide effort by labor and community groups to push back against policies they say benefit the wealthy at the expense of working families.

Organizers said the demonstration will build on actions launched during May Day and will call for “collective action” beyond voting and litigation. The event’s stated demands include protecting Medicaid and Social Security, fully funding schools, expanding access to healthcare and housing, and halting attacks on immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ communities.

May Day Strong also said it opposes increased immigration enforcement and military spending, urging investment in “people, not wars.”

The Oklahoma City rally coincides with similar Labor Day events across the country.

An Oklahoma Memo reader sent in some photos from the event:

You can send me photos, video anytime to [email protected]. My only ask is that you confirm that you shot the photo or video.

See Also 👀

• Workers Over Billionaires rally takes to the streets in Durant (KXII)

• Henryetta holds 125th Labor Day celebration (News On 6)

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Oklahoma lawmaker resigns following guilty plea to domestic violence charges

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to read the story.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – A Republican House member on Saturday resigned days after pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges as calls mounted for him to step down.

Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, in a letter to Gov. Kevin Stitt resigned his position effective Oct. 1.

“It is in the best interest of the people I serve in House District 35 and, most importantly, my family to step down from my position,” Burns, 46, wrote. “I take full responsibility for my actions and am going to counseling with my family. Although not an excuse for my actions, I am receiving intensive treatment for issues from military service that I have long ignored as a problem.” 

The action comes after Stitt and others on Friday called for his resignation.

“It is not appropriate for a member of the legislature to continue to serve after being convicted of abuse charges while in office,” said Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City.

Burns on Thursday was charged and pleaded guilty in Pawnee County District Court to one misdemeanor count of domestic abuse and two misdemeanor counts of assault. He received a one-year suspended sentence and will have to complete a 52-week batterer’s intervention program.

The assault charges were filed after he ran  a vehicle off the road that carried his teenage daughter as a passenger, according to court documents.

The domestic abuse charge resulted from his attempt to gouge out his wife’s eye with his finger over the Thanksgiving holiday last year, according to court documents.

Click here to finish the story.

Oklahoma State Board of Education members call special meeting after conflict over attorney

By Beth Wallis, StateImpact Oklahoma
Click here to read the story.
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The majority of the State Board of Education have called a special meeting to install a new general counsel following conflict over the board’s previous attorney repeatedly siding with State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

The action follows Walters’ abrupt cancellation of the board’s monthly meeting, citing the transition of the board’s counsel.

Thursday afternoon, an attorney sent a letter to Walters on behalf of four board members demanding the state department post notice of a special meeting by 9 a.m. on Sept. 2 — one day before the special meeting is set for Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Oklahoma State Capitol, room 535.

The meeting and its agenda were posted on the Secretary of State’s website by Oklahoma Secretary of Education Nellie Tayloe Sanders.

The members are Chris Van Denhende, Ryan Deatherage, Michael Tinney and Becky Carson — all members appointed this year after Gov. Kevin Stitt ousted previous board members.

Click here to finish the story.

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I will also offer one-time story placement, branded clearly as sponsored content. Keep it to 250 words or thereabouts with an image and a call-to-action. There are also opportunities on other platforms for us to work together.

Monthly contracts available, and I can be super flexible to make the partnership meet your business needs.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Data show more Oklahoma parents are choosing to not vaccinate their kids (KOSU)

• Oklahoma backs Trump’s call to put disaster response under state control (Oklahoma Watch)

• OG&E request for more power units may mean higher bills for customers (The Oklahoman)

• Caney Valley schools address video showing student choked in locker room (News On 6)

• What is in Oklahoma's 'woke' teacher test? New PragerU ad lists 34 questions (The Oklahoman)

• “Not playing games” OSBE members demand Supt. Walters post meeting (KFOR)

• City of Tulsa plans to get $35 million in affordable housing funding out the door soon (Tulsa World)

• Judge denies early release for Tulsa woman under Oklahoma Survivors' Act (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Documents reveal more details on death of OU student, rugby player Joe Pal (OU Daily)

• Hill order means Freedmen unlikely to vote in 2025 Muscogee Nation elections (NonDoc)

• Third person arrested in connection with 11-year-old Oklahoma girl giving birth (KFOR)

• OSU's Kappa Sigma Fraternity chapter removed from campus due to hazing, alcohol violations (KOCO)

• Standoff ends with arrest of woman accused of dragging Spencer officer (News 9)

• Stillwater business owner arrested for allegations of child stealing; son's mother looking for child (The O’Colly)

• OSU linebacker Wendell Gregory arrested on suspected larceny (The O’Colly)

• Reports: OSU quarterback Hauss Hejny suffers broken foot, will miss 'at least five weeks' (The O’Colly)

• Listen to KGOU’s Oklahoma Future Forum: What's next for weather research amid federal cuts (KGOU)

• Tulsa-area districts still waiting on federal allocations through state Department of Education (Tulsa World)

• Tulsa councilors postpone vote to standardize human rights protections (2 News Oklahoma)

• ‘A disaster if they don’t have races’: Jockey pay dispute with thoroughbred owners down to the wire (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma National Stockyards back on the market (KOSU)

• Public decency charge dismissed in case of former Ringling coach (KTEN)

• 92-year-old Oklahoma grandpa wins internet's heart with dance videos (KOCO)

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