What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is May 12, and here are a couple of headlines before we get started:

• The Trump administration is planning to accept a luxury jet from the royal family of Qatar.

• Pope Leo XIV calls for end to war in Ukraine and Gaza in his first Sunday blessing.

• Stock futures rise in anticipation of U.S.-China trade deal? Click for live updates.

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Weather Update ☀️

A dry, almost summer-like start to the week. Temperatures will get higher throughout the week — and there is talk of severe weather next weekend.

🌡️ Monday's high in OKC 81°
🌡️ Monday’s high in Tulsa 81°

Allergy report: grass pollen (very high)

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Oklahoma Election Preview: Open legislative seats, school bonds and sales taxes

By Abigail Siatkowski, KOSU
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Voters in 25 Oklahoma counties will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in elections for legislative seats, school bonds and sales taxes. Early voting began on Thursday and will continue through Friday.

To view a sample ballot and find your polling location, visit the OK Voter Portal.

In this story, you’ll get a preview of Senate District 8, House District 74, House District 71, school bonds and sales taxes.

Click to finish the story.

Editor’s Note: I would strongly encourage you to also check out NonDoc, which always does a fantastic job with election previews.

Tom Cole’s Bipartisan Reputation Gets Put to the Test in Trump’s Partisan Washington

By Em Luetkemeyer, Oklahoma Watch
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If you ask lawmakers to describe Rep. Tom Cole and his more than 20 years of service in the House, Republicans and Democrats will both give him praise. Knowledgeable. A bipartisan negotiator. A friend.

But for the last year as Appropriations chair, the Oklahoma Republican has overseen one of the most bitter and partisan processes lawmakers have ever gone through while exercising Congress’ power of the purse. And Democrats are concerned this upcoming appropriations cycle will somehow be more bitter and partisan than the last.

Along with so many other norms, President Donald Trump has upended the practice of reaching across the aisle — particularly when it comes to appropriations bills. Lawmakers used to come together at the end of the year and approve a sweeping spending bill, after they were mostly unable to pass individual appropriations measures.

But during the last spending cycle, Republicans and Democrats weren’t able to agree on anything. Instead, Republicans rammed through a glorified continuing resolution that mostly extended the previous spending deal, with some notable exceptions that Democrats disagreed with.

Now, as Congress starts the appropriations process again, Cole is tasked with appeasing his GOP colleagues and somehow getting buy-in from Democrats to negotiate after they were largely shut out of talks last time.

“I’ve never seen it quite as challenging as it is now to come to deals,” Cole said.

Click to finish the story.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Oklahoma AG to 23andMe consumers: Delete your data (Oklahoman)

• 911 records shed light on emergency response in crash that killed 2 Holland Hall students (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma's Own Zach Bryan buys historic church in Massachusetts for Jack Kerouac Center (News On 6)

• New law creates statewide license for food truck owners (2 News Oklahoma)

• Notice of default filed to city of Norman regarding Rock Creek Entertainment District (OU Daily)

• OKC has so far remained silent on crumbling downtown sidewalks and broken lights (Oklahoman)

• Davis Public Schools announces death of senior student (KTEN)

• Minnesota couple killed in Atoka County crash (KXII)

• OHP: 26-year-old man dead after wreck along Oklahoma road (KOCO)

• 19-year-old convicted for 2023 Oklahoma State Fair shooting (KFOR)

• Man killed after shootout with law enforcement (KFOR)

• State lawmakers answer questions at legislative luncheon (Ardmoreite)

• Cherokee Nation declares May MMIP Awareness Month (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Osage Nation Secretary involved in altercation with employee at Welcome Center (Osage News)

• OSU Agriculture offers research, education to extend life of Ogallala Aquifer (Woodward News)

• City of Lawton repairing water damage to historic Carnegie Library (Lawton Constitution)

SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

NBA Playoffs Game 4: Oklahoma City 92, Denver 87

Best-of-seven series tied 2-2. Game 5 is Tuesday night at 8:30. on TNT/truTV/Max.

• Give OKC Thunder bench — Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace — credit for Game 4 win (Oklahoman)

• Tramel’s ScissorTales: Thunder bench keys massive Game 4 win over Denver (Tulsa World)

• No. 2 national seed Oklahoma hosts regional May 16-18 (SoonerSports)

• NCAA softball tournament predictions: Which eight teams will make to WCWS in OKC? (Oklahoman)

• Cowgirls softball heads to Fayetteville for regional with No. 4 national seed Arkansas (OKState)

• Ex-OU pitcher Cade Horton was flanked by family for surreal MLB debut with Chicago Cubs (Tulsa World)

• Contract details revealed for OSU football coordinators Todd Grantham, Doug Meacham (O’Colly)

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