Obscenity bill targets drag shows? Meteorologists warn about NOAA cuts, especially now that it's May

What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is May 2, and here are a few quickies:

• McDonald’s U.S. sales decline in biggest dip since pandemic.

• KXII: Rodeo legend Roy Cooper has died in a house fire.

• Looking for things to do this weekend in Tulsa? in Oklahoma City?

• If you’re in Norman, Pride is happening this weekend. 🏳️‍🌈

• Travel in OKC could be slow. I-35 lanes to close at I-44: See map, construction timeline.

• Stock futures rise again as China says it’s open to trade talks with U.S. (Click here for live updates.)

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Weather Update ⛅

Early storms overnight and possibly for your commute — but then a partly cloudy and seasonably cool Friday. The weekend is looking gorgeous.

What are you planting? I’m clearing out a spot for some petunias, peonies, somethin’. Open to your recommendations! We’re headed to the nursery on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean I have any idea what I’m doing.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 71°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 73°

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Public obscenity bill that could impact drag shows heads to Oklahoma governor

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday sent Gov. Kevin Stitt a bill that would bar obscene performances on public property or areas where minors are present despite concerns that it is unconstitutional and aimed at impacting drag shows.

House Bill 1217 makes it a crime to engage in adult performances, or to permit them, on public property where a minor could view them. Violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a fine of up to $1,000, one year in jail or both.

Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, the Senate author, said the bill does not mention drag shows.

“If the behavior is obscene, regardless of dress, then it should not be allowed in front of minors,” Bullard said.

Critics said state law already prohibits obscene displays. They said the measure targets drag performances, the LGBTQ+ community and violates constitutionally protected free speech rights.

“Let’s be clear from the outset that House Bill 1217 is an anti-speech, anti-queer, anti-art bill masquerading as a protection against obscenity,” said Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City. “It does not use the word drag. But make no mistake. This bill is absolutely about drag.”

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Amid Oklahoma tornado season, scientists warn NOAA cuts could impact forecasting, public safety

By Chloe Bennett-Steele, StateImpact Oklahoma
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Norman is a nexus of national weather and climate science. But swift layoffs and deep budget cuts could disband it and other organizations nationwide.

Like many in the field of meteorology, Mark Fox’s career path was shaped by an atmospheric phenomenon. At age nine, the sight of an Oklahoma twister fascinated him, setting off a future of study to better understand how movement overhead affects life on the ground.

Fox grew up in Stillwater and now works as the meteorologist-in-charge for the National Weather Service in Norman. In mid-March, he oversaw operations as historic fires blazed on, causing evacuations for thousands. His hometown was among the most affected.

" If this were a tornado event, this would be like El Reno back in 2013 or May 3, 1999," Fox said of the two Oklahoma weather events that resulted in dozens of deaths and millions of dollars of damage.

Yet the office environment was calm, set to the low hum of meteorologists working together and interpreting displays of weather data. Fox was in a group message with emergency managers and workers at the State Emergency Operations Center to collaborate on alerts and evacuations.

The Norman office is inside the University of Oklahoma’s National Weather Center, a research hub with the National Severe Storm Laboratory (NSSL), the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO), the School of Meteorology and others.

The center is an ecosystem of science and technology overlapping with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), housed within the Department of Commerce. The federal agency is the country’s premier organization for weather forecasting, vast data collection, ocean and climate research and more.

It’s also among the targets of a broad directive to lean out the federal workforce under the Trump administration.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Oklahoma SCOTUS case set to be a new landmark for religious freedom (Gaylord News)

• Lawmakers OK stop to Oklahoma mental health hospital construction, pivot to new OKC location (Oklahoma Voice)

• County, state officials react to bill establishing new standards for Oklahoma detention facilities (OU Daily)

• Key Legislation Impacting Tulsans Has Advanced At The State Capitol (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Oklahoma nonprofits among the casualties of federal cuts (KOCO)

• Wagoner Co. residents petition for grand jury investigation into sheriff, DA (2 News Oklahoma)

• As Gov. Stitt overhauls Oklahoma education board, lawmakers won't consider this nominee (Oklahoman)

• Ryan Walters to pay $18,300 settlement to resolve fundraising accusations (Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma group files petition to legalize recreational marijuana (KXII)

• Blanchard residents stranded as County Road 1322 washes out following severe flooding (Fox 25)

• Former Norman mayor urges city to create stormwater utility after severe flooding (Fox 25)

• Tulsa Mayor says budget cuts won’t derail his goal of eliminating homelessness (The Frontier)

• City of Hominy facing water shortage after heavy rain breaks main line (2 News Oklahoma)

• Lake Waxhoma dam concerns ease in Osage County; permanent fix could cost $7 million (News On 6)

• Flooding concerns along the Washita River (KTEN)

• Levels rising at Lake Texoma (KTEN)

• Edmond officer stabbed in bizarre encounter during traffic stop (KOCO)

• Woman sentenced for fatal shooting at Sand Springs convenience store (Tulsa World)

• Purcell athletic trainer arrested (Purcell Register)

• Loved ones remembering Tulsa woman after fatal motorcycle crash (News On 6)

• Price Tower bid a winner for Tulsa firm that revitalized historic Mayo Hotel (Tulsa World)

• Philbrook Museum's interim president named its new CEO (Tulsa World)

• Black Wall Street Legacy Fest announces Tobe Nwigwe as 2025 Festival Headliner (Black Wall Street Times)

• Tulsa nonprofit introduces Lactation Lounge for nursing mothers at this year's Mayfest (Fox 23)

• Broken Arrow paper tag crackdown goes "full force" Thursday (Fox 23)

• Listen Frontier: Cyndi Munson talks about education, abortion and why she thinks a Democrat can be Oklahoma’s next governor (The Frontier)

• Red Brick Nights to launch July 5 with fireworks, new monthly format (Guthrie News Page)

• Great Salt Plains Health celebrates reopening nearly year after storm damage (Enid News & Eagle)

• Thai prosecutors to not pursue royal insult charges against OU alum Paul Chambers — but was decision to drop tariff-motivated? (OU Daily)

SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

• Oklahoma softball beats Florida 6-5 tonight. Sooners need just one more win this weekend for SEC title.

• Maybe this team just knows how to win (Clay Horning)

• Sooners baseball host Rebels for Top-25 series (SoonerSports)

• Cowgirl Softball rounds out regular season at home against Utah (OKState)

• OU basketball adds Jake Hansen, three-star SG, to 2025 recruiting class (Oklahoman)

• Comets clobber Chihuahuas, 12-5. Series continues through Sunday.

• Travelers salvage split vs. Drillers. Series continues through Sunday.

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