What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Wednesday, July 16, and folks are really interested in what’s going on with the new arena.

ICYMI, it was announced on Monday that Paycom would retire the rights to the arena come 2028, when the new structure is set to open.

In an exclusive from The Oklahoman late Tuesday afternoon, we learned that Paycom CEO Chad Richison is interested in developing the current arena property when it becomes available. (That story is only available to Oklahoman subscribers, fyi.)

It’s really an interesting development, too, because what will be left behind from the old Paycom Center is going to be a hot, hot property. Will it be a business district? An entertainment district?

If you’ve ever been to Globe Life Field in Texas or Truist Park in Atlanta, you’ve seen first-hand how awesome an entertainment district can be. It brings the area to life.

But when I posted about the arena news to TikTok, most of the interest was on who might be the next naming sponsor. I made a couple of suggestions — Love’s Travel Stops Center, Continental Resources Arena and even Life Church.arena.

Here were some of your suggestions:

• Devon Energy Arena
• Hobby Lobby Arena
• Sonic Thunderdome
• ONEOK Arena
• QuikTrip Arena
• OnCue Arena

What do you think? Message me at [email protected].

Weather Update ☀️

After today, it will start to get hotter!

🌡️ Wednesday's high in OKC 90°
🌡️ Wednesday’s high in Tulsa 91°

Oklahoma sends aid to New Mexico, additional support to Texas to help with flood recovery

By Ylleana Berryhill, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has sent a support team to New Mexico to help with recovery from flash flooding that occurred last week. 

The state also sent more swift water rescue teams to Texas to help that state recover from deadly flooding. The personnel will join two other Oklahoma teams and human remains detection dogs that are already working in Texas’ Hill Country where 10 inches of rain fell July 4, causing the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet. Officials said over 130 people died in the flash floods, and at least 100 remain missing, officials said.

The New Mexico support team consists of 10 people that will aid the State Emergency Operation Center with incident management. The team is expected to be deployed for seven days.

Two additional personnel from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety were also sent to New Mexico Tuesday, said Keli Cain, a spokesperson for the state Department of Emergency Management. 

According to officials, monsoon rains caused the Rio Ruidoso to rise to more than 20 feet. The Ruidoso mountain village received about 3.5 inches of rain. Officials said all who were missing are now accounted for. Of the three people who have died during the flooding, two were children. About 200 Ruidoso homes were damaged by the flooding, officials said.

Support teams deployed Monday to aid in incident management. The team consists of personnel from the state Department of Emergency Management, the Office of Homeland Security, and from the Oklahoma City Fire and Tulsa Police departments. 

“Oklahomans know what it means to stand beside our fellow Americans in times of need,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement. “We will continue to serve our neighbors with strength and compassion, because that’s who we are. My prayers are with families who continue to recover from these tragic events, as well as the responders from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and dozens of other states who are heeding the call to help.”

The two additional teams sent to Texas include personnel from the Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Verdigris and Mustang fire departments and the Grand River Dam Authority.

The teams are expected to be deployed for 14 days.

4 Oklahoma grocery stores slated to close next month

By Anna Pope, KOSU
Click to read the story.
Donate to KOSU.

A handful of grocery stores in rural Oklahoma cities are going to close their doors in August.

Grocery stores are closing in Pauls Valley, Kingfisher, Jay and Ponca City.

Homeland Acquisition Corporation officials said in a statement the stores will officially be closed Aug. 16. While the cities will lose a grocer, KOCO reports 85 employees will be affected by the closures.

“This was not an easy decision, and it comes with heavy hearts,” according to the statement. “For years, you have welcomed us into your lives and allowed us to serve this community we care about so deeply.”

United Supermarket in Kingfisher, Discount Foods in Ponca City, a Homeland in Jay and a Homeland in Pauls Valley are the stores being closed in the state.

Click to finish the story.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Express Employment Professionals co-founder Bob Funk Sr. dies (News 9)

• Police release body camera footage of Midtown OKC mass shooting (KOCO)

• Oklahoma City Council approves $2.7 billion general bond to be voted on in October (KFOR)

• Oklahoma Charter School Board approves Epic audit after financial crisis, mass layoffs (KGOU)

• Ryan Walters appeals order to pay journalists' attorneys fees in First Amendment suit (The Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma Grand Jury decides not to charge officer in June fatal SE OKC shooting (KFOR)

• Over 400 dogs rescued from Stroud pet store; Owner faces animal cruelty charges (News On 6)

• Why did people in Oklahoma get a 'Blue Alert' from Texas last Friday? (KOSU)

• TK Health ends contract with Cleveland County Detention Center after years of complaints, in-custody deaths (OU Daily)

• Oklahoma among 18 states that stops cities from enacting paid leave standards, report finds (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma rethinks employment options for people with disabilities (The Frontier)

• Former ride-share driver accused of second sexual assault in Oklahoma (KOCO)

• Broken Arrow, Owasso school leaders share funding freeze impact (Tulsa World)

• Council denies long-litigated Edmond Walmart proposal as legal ‘consequences’ loom (NonDoc)

• Tulsans push back on Reworld’s plan to burn medical waste (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Durant updates residents on June ransomware attack (KXII)

• Guthrie school board adopts cell phone ban in compliance with new state law (Guthrie News Page)

• Former principal alleges school district overlooked teacher discipline issues, child being struck (Ardmoreite)

• Community rallies with fundraisers after house fire claims three lives (Guthrie News Page)

• Beloved OKC bakery known for classes and summer camps is closing its doors (The Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma Turnpike Authority hopes to wrap up I-35 access project sooner than expected (Oklahoma Voice)

• GoFundMe launched to rebuild Boys & Girls Club of Sequoyah County after July 8 flooding (KTUL)

• Pistol Pete statue stolen from fraternity (The O’Colly)

• Two new eateries open in Mother Road Market (Tulsa World)

• Woman arrested after Love County stabbing (KTEN)

• Polaris accuses city of not negotiating annexation (Muskogee Phoenix)

• Luther third Saturday market supports Texas Hill Country flood victims with petting zoo (Luther Register News)

• Big energy companies at forefront of state emissions rebates (Oklahoma Watch)

• Oklahoma cooling assistance programs now accepting applications (2 News Oklahoma)

• Racing legend Mario Andretti visits OKC for grand opening of karting facility (KOCO)

• Oklahoma City to host first Olympic event of 2028 Games, with 16 straight days of competition (News 9)

• 'Babies at the Museum' brings Oklahoma City's youngest art enthusiasts closer to masterpieces (KOSU)

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