What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is April 8, and here are a few quickies:

• Heartbreak for former OU coach Kelvin Sampson. Houston loses national title game to Florida, 65-63.

• White House denies that President Trump has asked for a parade on his birthday (June 14, which is also Flag Day).

• Stock futures rose Monday evening. Click here for live updates.

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Weather Update ☀️

It just gets nicer from here!

🌡️ Tuesday's high in OKC 71°
🌡️ Tuesday’s high in Tulsa 69°

Allergy Report for April 8 🤧

Tree pollen will be Very high today.
Grass pollen will be moderate.
Ragweed pollen won’t be an issue.

For more depth on Tuesday’s allergy news, click here.

Gov. Stitt claims half of Oklahoma Forestry Services' resources held back during fires, reportedly suspends employees

By Graycen Wheeler, KOSU
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Gov. Kevin Stitt’s quarrel with the Oklahoma Forestry Services continued Monday, with more criticism from the governor, more Forestry Services employees under investigation and more pushback from firefighters.

After fires burned nearly 200,000 acres across Oklahoma in March, Stitt criticized the Oklahoma Forestry Services’ response. State Forester Mark Goeller stepped down afterward, and Stitt has now confirmed that resignation was at his request.

Now, a spokesperson for House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said his office has gotten reports that Stitt has suspended multiple Oklahoma Forestry Services employees and placed them under investigation. Those employees include Assistant Director Craig Marquardt and Public Information Officer Keith Merckx, among others whose names were not mentioned.

The governor sent out a press release Monday afternoon that did not mention the suspension of employees. He said Forestry Services were reluctant to answer questions about resources from Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur and the Director of Emergency Management.

“When they received the answers they needed, they found that the director only deployed half of his available resources to help local firefighters around the state,” Stitt said in the statement (emphasis his). “While our local firefighters were stretched thin, leadership at Forestry Services failed to act with the urgency the moment demanded.”

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A bill would let Oklahoma detention centers apply for ‘get out of jail free’ cards from health and safety standards

By Brianna Bailey, The Frontier
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Some jails in the state have faced ongoing issues with detainee deaths and poor inspection results. State inspectors ruled most county jails didn’t comply with the standards in 2024.

After failed health inspections at most of Oklahoma’s county detention centers, a bill at the Legislature would allow jailers to ask the state for waivers from rules that set basic standards for humane conditions. 

Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is quoted in a Senate press release saying that the bill creates standards for jail conditions.

But Oklahoma has required state health inspections to determine whether jails meet basic health and safety standards since the 1970s. The Oklahoma State Department of Health sets rules for security, health care, clean clothing, meals and sanitary living conditions at city and county jails based on requirements laid out in state law. 

In an interview with The Frontier, Weaver said that Senate Bill 595 would place the jail standards into state statute.

One new thing the bill would do is allow county sheriffs and other jailers to ask the Oklahoma State Department of Health for waivers if meeting the standards would impose “undue hardship.” The Health Department “may” ask jail officials to submit a plan and a timeline for compliance with the standards, but it wouldn’t be required. 

Weaver said SB 595 isn’t intended to help jails dodge state inspections. The goal is to allow detention centers to get waivers in the event of an emergency like a fire or tornado, he said. 

Click to finish the story.

Frank Lucas is Trying to Exempt Oklahoma’s Aviation Academy from Government Shutdowns

By Em Luetkemeyer, Oklahoma Watch
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A member of the House of Representatives is trying to exempt the Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma City from any future government shutdowns.

The school churns out thousands of trained air traffic controllers at a time when there’s a national shortage. The legislation introduced by Rep. Frank Lucas would keep the academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, one of the FAA’s largest facilities, open if funds stopped flowing due to a federal government shutdown and would exempt employees and students employed by the FAA from a furlough.

“In recent times because of the challenges we’ve had with air safety, because of the tragic crashes — think about the near misses — there’s no more important time than now to have a steady stream of capable, talented, well-prepared people to be in those towers,” Lucas, whose district is home to the academy, said.

Click to finish the story.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A concise summary of the latest news from across the state.

• OSBI investigates homicide after two found dead in Haskell County (Tulsa World)

• Muskogee family devastated after man killed in crash on Muskogee Turnpike (News On 6)

• House lawmaker representing Oklahoma City resigns, setting up special election (Oklahoma Voice)

• WATCH: University of Central Oklahoma football coach Adam Dorrel arrested on suspicion of DUI (KOCO)

• Man arrested after threatening to bomb OKC rehabilitation hospital, court documents say (KOCO)

• Police arrest suspect, release identity of man killed in Stillwater shooting (KOCO)

• COPES gets state funding extension for Tulsa mobile mental health service (Tulsa World)

• Education bills: Despite some ‘shared agreement,’ plenty to debate halfway through session (NonDoc)

• Mullin: Suggesting violence for disputes between press, government was a joke (2 News Oklahoma)

• Coweta man recovering after daughter says propane explosion destroys RV, asking for community support (News On 6)

• Deadline Approaching: Real ID required for domestic travel starting May 7 (News On 6)

• Bill limiting virtual school days advances in Oklahoma (News 9)

• Judge grants habeas hearing for Oklahoma woman 'serving an illegal sentence', lawyers say (KTUL)

• Cross Canadian Ragweed members visit city council (O’Colly)

• Joey Tucker appointed as Bryan County Sheriff (KTEN, KXII)

• Lawton Police identifies body found near Baldwin (KSWO)

• Duncan man charged for refund scheme that nets over $22,000 (Lawton Constitution)

• Oklahoma City man accused of murder in February drug death (Oklahoma City Free Press)

SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

• Week 9 OU Softball Report: Bedlam up next, 'Bama awaits (Clay Horning)

• Oklahoma boosts roster with two transfer additions, Tae Davis from Notre Dame and Miami's Nijel Pack (News On 6)

• OKC Thunder gives superfan signed Rumble doll after losing his (KOCO)

• Rudy Garcia retires after 30 years as Union's boys basketball coach (Tulsa World)

• Cowboy Baseball Pitching Duo Collects Big 12 Honors (OKState)

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