The big story in Oklahoma on Thursday was Gov. Kevin Stitt granting clemency to Tremane Wood, minutes before he was to be executed for the 2002 death of 19-year-old Ronnie Wipf. Stitt did so at the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board. The Frontier has been covering this story from the beginning, and they have the report about the clemency announcement.

But then the story took a scary turn. Wood was found unresponsive in his cell.

He was taken to a hospital, and it turns out there was a reasonable explanation for what happened — after being moved to a new cell, Wood fell asleep and rolled out of his bunk. The medical diagnosis was dehydration and stress. KOCO has that update.

Also in today’s newsletter, a fascinating read from Oklahoma Watch about a rabble-rousing former attorney turned YouTuber — and Bedlam Buds make their college football picks for Week 12.

One more thing… Starting tomorrow (Saturday), there will be a weekend edition of Oklahoma Memo. It will be comprised primarily of podcasts, videos, and longer reads in the world of news and politics, with maybe some sports and pop culture, too.

If you have a friend who would enjoy this newsletter, it would mean the world to me if you spread the word. The URL to share is oklahomamemo.com/subscribe

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By Ashlynd Baecht, The Frontier
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Gov. Kevin Stitt granted death row prisoner Tremane Wood clemency less than an hour before his scheduled execution on Thursday. It is the second time since 2021 that Stitt has granted clemency for a death row prisoner claiming innocence. 

​​Wood, 46, was sentenced to death in 2004, accused of fatally stabbing Ronald Wipf, 19, in 2002. His brother, Zjaiton Jake Wood, who was a co-defendant to the crime, confessed to the killing during Wood’s 2004 trial. The court sentenced Zjaiton to life in prison without parole, while Tremane received a death sentence.

“After a thorough review of the facts and prayerful consideration, I have chosen to accept the Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation to commute Tremane Wood’s sentence to life without parole,” said Governor Stitt in a press release. 

Click here to finish the story.

Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.

By Elizabeth Caldwell, Oklahoma Watch
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In a livestream beamed to his more than 33,000 Facebook followers, Ronald Durbin advised Coweta Public Schools on how to handle recently surfaced sexual assault allegations. 

“You need to pray to God you can settle all these claims in a way that doesn’t defund your school system for the next 20 years,” Durbin said to the camera during the 30-minute recording made at his home. “You’re gonna have to write a check for this one.”

Supporters contend Durbin’s aggressive, inflammatory tactics are just what’s needed to hold power to account. But parents say his allegations are exaggerated, his demeanor disrespectful and his intent nefarious. Durbin’s mission, he said, is to destroy public education.

Durbin said he learned of the sexual assault allegations at Sloat Middle School from two distressed mothers who phoned him one evening in late October. The next day, he entered Sloat with his livestream rolling and told the registrar at the desk he was there to talk about kids being sexually abused on the playground. When the woman replied that Sloat doesn’t have a playground, Durbin scoffed.

“Are we really going to get into the semantics of where kids are being abused?” he said.

Principal Dave Wineinger, who’d been with the district for 12 years, approached and told Durbin to get in touch with Superintendent Max Myers across the street. As Wineinger retreated to his office, Durbin followed and peppered him with questions about how to obtain records as the principal repeated he couldn’t comment, eventually faltering.

Click here to finish the story.

By Ryan Welton & Jeremy Cook, Oklahoma Memo
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It’s College Football Pick ’Em time with Bedlam Buds — Ryan (Boomer Sooner) and Jeremy (Go Pokes). We break down Oklahoma–Alabama, Oklahoma State–Kansas State, a packed Top 25 slate, plus the 112th Grey Cup for dessert.

We talk playoff scenarios, style points, revenge games, and where the best upset potential might be hiding. Below is a full list of our picks so you can follow (or fade) us all weekend.

Oklahoma at Alabama (-6.5)

Kansas State (-19.5) at Oklahoma State

Clemson at Louisville (-2.5)

Minnesota at Oregon (-25.5)

UCLA at Ohio State

Wisconsin at Indiana (-28.5)

South Carolina at Texas A&M (-19.5)

Notre Dame (-12.5) at Pittsburgh

Michigan (-11.5) vs Northwestern at Wrigley Field

Navy at South Florida (-9.5)

Arizona at Cincinnati (-6.5)

UCF at Texas Tech (-23 / -23.5)

Georgia Tech (-16.5) at Boston College

Iowa at USC

(“Do the favorites hold?” segment)

Ryan:

Jeremy:

Texas at Georgia (-6.5)

Montreal Alouettes vs Saskatchewan Roughriders (in Winnipeg)

Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.

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

• Weatherford chemical spill sends several to hospital, 2 in critical condition (News 9)

• Mayor delivers annual State of the City address (Public Radio Tulsa)

• ‘Be serious about reality’: Tulsa mayor talks tough topics in State of the City speech (NonDoc)

• Oklahomans to receive full SNAP benefits for November (KOCO)

• Tulsa settles for $26.25 million with man wrongly incarcerated for rape (Tulsa World)*

• Two Osage County deputies shot during standoff in Pawhuska (Kay News Cow)

• Top police investigator accused of siding with child sex predator — again (Tulsa World)*

• OU Stephenson cancer hospital breaks ground in Tulsa, aims for 2028 opening (Tulsa World)*

• New Tulsa health coalition brings experts and patients together for better outcomes (Tulsa Flyer)

• Oklahoma mental health agency buys vacant OKC hospital for Griffin Memorial relocation (The Oklahoman)*

• Oklahoma high court resolves dual office-holding spat (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma State University reveals $2 billion fundraising campaign (Oklahoma Voice)

• As federal government reopens, Oklahomans still struggle with food insecurity (KOSU)

• Oklahoma Health Care Authority pauses requiring providers to disclose abortion-related activities (KGOU)

• Oklahoma’s senators discuss health care subsidies and the filibuster’s future (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Oklahoma Turnpike Authority ‘puzzled’ over recent crashes in construction zone on Turner Turnpike (News On 6)

• TCC students honor alumnus Wes Studi for career elevating Indigenous voices in film and beyond (Tulsa Flyer)

• Tulsa schools stepped up to feed families during the SNAP freeze. Many will continue through the holidays. (Tulsa Flyer)

• Meet Mareo Johnson, the new president of Tulsa’s NAACP branch (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Oklahoma Corporation Commission denies utility request for controversial cost-recovery method (The Oklahoman)

• Owasso man pulls daughter out of the high school after what he calls a hazing incident (News On 6)

• CANCELED: Amber Marie Manor tours stopped after Tulsa sends violation notice (2 News Oklahoma)

It’s a May in November kind of Friday!

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 80°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 77°

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