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Lawmakers looking to remove ODMHSAS commissioner, angering Gov. Stitt — and Sooner Magic reigns at WCWS

This is your 5-minute round-up of Oklahoma news for May 30, 2025

What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is May 30, and here are a handful of headlines before we get started:

But first…

Boomer Sooner! Something magical happened in Oklahoma City on Thursday, as it’s happened many times before. Patty Gasso’s Sooners softball team has stopped surprising people — yet they continue to amaze. OU beats Tennessee in their first game of the 2025 Women’s College World Series on a 2-out, 3-run, walk-off home run from Ella Parker. Wow!

Tap or click the tweet below to watch it for yourself with Chris Plank on the call.

Oklahoma and Texas play Saturday at 2 p.m. If you don’t have a ticket at Devon Park, you can watch the game on ABC.

Now for those national headlines:

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said a migrant threatened to kill President Trump. Investigators think he was set up. (CNN)

• Bernard Kerik, who led NYPD on 9/11 before prison and pardon, dies at 69 (AP News)

• Stock futures down as investors await fresh trade and inflation data. (CNBC)

Don’t forget to support local journalism wherever you can, if you’re able. For journalism to thrive, it’s important that journalists be supported.

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Weather Update ☀️

Perfect weather the next couple of days before storm chances return.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 78°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 77°

Lawmakers file resolution to remove Allie Friesen as ODMHSAS commissioner, sparking governor’s anger

(PHOTO by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Drama brewed late Thursday, as the Oklahoma Senate drew up a concurrent resolution calling for the removal of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen.

The Oklahoma Senate filed a Concurrent Resolution aiming to remove the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on Thursday evening.

Commissioner Allie Friesen was appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt in January 2024.

"After almost one and a half years in service as Commissioner, Commissioner Friesen and the Department of Mental Health are now facing a budgetary shortfall of approximately Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00)," the Concurrent Resolution states.

Earlier this year, the legislature formed the "Select Committee to Review Mental Health Finances" in hopes of determining the issues surrounding the financial mismanagement and address the issues of accountability and how much money the agency needed.

According to the Concurrent Resolution, the Senate and House of Representatives have "lost confidence in Commissioner Friesen to identify, oversee, and manage the critical services delivered by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services."

This prompted Gov. Kevin Stitt to issue a statement that appeared to contain a veiled threat against the wife of another state senator.

The part about “Senator Rosino trying to help his wife avoid responsibility” caught the attention of Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who posted this statement to X:

Oh, boy. Just when it looked like things couldn’t get any uglier, now Gov. Stitt is attacking a legislator’s spouse. Politics is rough business, no doubt, and all of us in this arena understand that we will get knocked around some — but Governor, throwing jabs at a lawmaker’s wife is out of bounds. You owe Sen. Rosino and his wife an apology.

Latebreaking update: State Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton issued a statement late Thursday night.

“Governor Stitt has crossed a line,” Pro Tem Paxton said. “His recent attempt to smear the good name of Senator Rosino’s wife, is not just petty—it’s disgraceful. Senator Rosino’s wife is a part-time administrative employee. Instead of attacking a public servant’s spouse, the governor should be addressing the real problem - his own failed appointee.

“This isn’t an isolated failure—it’s part of a pattern. The executive branch continues to produce multimillion-dollar disasters that are routinely dumped in the Legislature’s lap to clean up. The legislature entrusted this governor with more control of this agency, and he has wrecked it in record time.

“After months of serious discussions, even with the governor, I asked Senator Rosino to file this resolution, as he is the Senate Chairman of Health and Human Services, also because the department deserves real leadership—not an unqualified appointee who is in over her head. For Governor Stitt to retaliate by targeting a Senator’s spouse is beneath the dignity of his office.”

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Bethany Children’s Health Center promotes summer safety for Oklahoma families

Photo by Kevin Paes on Unsplash

BETHANY, Okla. — With school out and summer in full swing, Bethany Children’s Health Center is offering safety guidance to help Oklahoma families prevent injuries during the warmer months.

The hospital is reminding parents, caregivers and educators to stay vigilant as children take part in activities like swimming, biking, and ATV riding. Through initiatives such as Safe Kids Oklahoma and ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma, the center is equipping families with resources to reduce risks and enjoy a safer summer.

Safe Kids Oklahoma provides educational materials and programming on child passenger safety, bike and pedestrian safety, proper helmet use, sun protection, and how to manage extreme heat. ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma focuses on reducing ATV-related injuries by promoting age-appropriate vehicle use, helmet safety and adult supervision.

Additional program details, including information about Healthy Schools Oklahoma — a community health initiative promoting healthy lifestyle choices through school-based education — are available at www.bethanychildrens.org under the Community Health tab.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• NBA legend Magic Johnson apologizes for underestimating Oklahoma City Thunder (KOCO)

• OKC mother outraged after daughter left behind on school field trip (News 9)

• Family of BA murder-suicide victims wrought with mental illness, tragedy (2 News Oklahoma)

• Lightning strike damages the OKC Fairgrounds' new coliseum as construction nears completion (The Oklahoman)

• Chopper pilot Jim Gardner looks back on career as station recognizes Oklahoma City media legend (News 9)

• OSU receives historic $250 million from state to build new veterinary teaching hospital (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma Watch Files Transparency Lawsuit Against Education Department (Oklahoma Watch)

• Oklahoma tribal nation sues U.S. government over federal Indian boarding schools (KGOU)

• TSET board plans to sue to stop a new Oklahoma law restructuring its membership (Oklahoma Voice)

• New Shawnee Mall owners plan renovations, upgrades, new tenant line-up (The Oklahoman)

• While Oklahoma foster care payments stay stagnant, foster parents rely on community support (Public Radio Tulsa)

• A Look Back: Funding for Oklahoma victims’ compensation drops after justice reforms (The Frontier)

• OG&E backs out of rate review request of regulators (OK Energy Today)

• Mitchell Talks energy with Jerry Bohnen—utilities want more from ratepayers (OK Energy Today)

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