NOAA, National Weather Center cuts leave staff concerned, but are there more cuts to come?

Good morning, Oklahoma! We’ve made it to mid-week.

There were big winds forecasted for overnight. Hoping they didn’t cause any damage in your neighborhood.

Weather Update 💨🔥

It’s going to be downright cold and windy today. Don’t let the high fool you. That high will happen overnight — and it will be in the upper 40s all day.

🌡️ Wednesday high in OKC 72°
🌡️ Wednesday high in Tulsa 69°

1️⃣ NOAA, National Weather Center cuts leave staff concerned as severe weather season approaches

By Abby Young, Gaylord News
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WASHINGTON — Midafternoon on a late February day, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association in Norman received an email notifying them of their termination.

“I was just busily working away, and we got an email that said, you’re fired in an hour and 10 minutes,” the meteorologist, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said.

The first round of NOAA layoffs impacted about 800 NOAA employees nationwide, and their pay ceased that day. An anonymous employee who works for NOAA in Norman estimated that 15 to 20 employees were fired that day in Norman.

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2️⃣ Confusion but not much evidence as Oklahoma’s National Weather Center closure rumors persist

By Chloe Bennett-Steele, StateImpact Oklahoma
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In early March, reporter Graycen Wheeler and StateImpact reported that a lease on a building matching the description of NOAA’s Radar Operations Center in Norman was listed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The organization, run by billionaire Elon Musk, aims to close more than 700 leases with federal operations.

The news came days after several NOAA employees, including some with NWS, were fired as part of sweeping cuts to the nation’s federal workforce.

Now, a national outlet speculates another entity is at risk: The Storm Prediction Center in the National Weather Center on the University of Oklahoma campus. The building is owned by the university and NOAA leases about half of it.

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3️⃣ Oklahomans say USDA cuts could cause some farms to go under

By Kilee Thomas, KOCO
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Federal cuts to two food programs won't just impact the people facing hunger, but they are also hitting the bottom line for Oklahoma farmers.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture canceled two programs created to support small farms and put local produce in schools and the food bank. Operators of an Edmond farm said their business may not survive these cuts.

Click to read the rest of the story and watch the video.

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Oklahoma News Headlines 📰

• Oklahoma Senate passes restrictions on initiative petition process (Oklahoma Voice)

• “Don’t Kill for Me” vigil scheduled during execution of Wendell Grissom (Black Wall Street Times)

• Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson inaugurated as Langston University's 17th president (KTUL)

• Wak’o Owatsi dance honors and empowers Osage women (Osage News)

• Lawmaker asks for AG's opinion on Walters' endorsement of alternative teachers organization (Tulsa World, subscribe)

• Tito Jackson's legacy continuing with festival in Claremore, Tito's Spot in Tulsa (Tulsa World, subscribe)

• 'He’s fired shots at police': Muskogee PD shares chase video of murder suspect (2 News Oklahoma)

• Family mourns Broken Arrow dad after accidental shooting (News On 6)

• State House votes to better regulate slap fighting, bare-knuckle fighting, kickboxing events (Fox 23)

• OHP: 1 dead after crash on Highway 20 in Owasso (Fox 23)

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SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

Week 6 OU Baseball Report: Sooners prove their mettle taking series from Gamecocks

🚨🚨 UPDATE: The cardiac Sooners did it again! No. 8 Oklahoma wins in the bottom of the 9th inning (7-6) against UT-Arlington on Tuesday night. (SoonerSports)

By Clay Horning
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And click here to subscribe to Clay’s Substack.

If we’re being honest, South Carolina is kicking itself over Oklahoma’s 6-5 10-inning Sunday victory last weekend in Columbia.

The Sooners entered the top of the ninth inning down 5-3 and were the recipients of help from the Gamecock defense on the way to scoring two runs to tie the game.

South Carolina was charged with one error in the frame, yet Kyle Branch also came up with an infield hit and Dasan Harris hit into what was ruled a fielder’s choice, though no out was made.

Still, OU proved its mettle by not going quietly and putting the Gamecock defense in a position to have to earn victory, which it could not do.

Click to read the rest…

Cowboys advance to second round of NIT with 89-79 win over Wichita State

Oklahoma State beat Wichita State 89-79 on Tuesday night in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.

Leading the charge was guard Bryce Thompson, who tallied 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including a perfect 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. Forward Abou Ousmane contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while guard Jamyron Keller added 12 points, hitting all four of his three-point attempts.

More Sports Coverage 👀

• Printable men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament brackets (Yahoo!)

• Garcia named SEC co-player of the week, Landry Tabbed SEC co-pitcher of the week (SoonerSports)

• Paying student-athletes: Bill aiming for level playing field passes in Senate (Tulsa World, subscribe)

• OU's Jennie Baranczyk not overlooking dangerous FGCU with potential Iowa storyline looming (Tulsa World, subscribe)

• Oklahoma football set to hire Taylor Redd as assistant general manager (OU Daily)

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