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Good morning, Oklahoma! Fire danger is going up across the state. The weather has been gorgeous, but be careful out there.

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Here is the Oklahoma journalism I’ve hand-picked (or put together) for you this Wednesday:

• Oklahoma Reports 2 Probable Measles Cases Amid Texas, New Mexico Outbreak

• U.S. Supreme Court won't hear case from Oklahoma, other states to restrict legal action against oil and gas giants (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• Court blocks superintendent Walters’ Bible purchase, for now (Oklahoma Watch)

• Full results from OU's 2025 Pro Day with Billy Bowman, Danny Stutsman, others (OU Daily)

Weather Update ⛅

The warmth continues across Oklahoma, albeit a dab less warm today.

The fire danger is only going to worsen as the week continues, and there is a severe weather chance in the southeastern part of the state.

🌡️ Wednesday high in OKC 73°
🌡️ Wednesday high in Tulsa 76°

If you have weather photos you’d like to share with ‘Oklahoma Memo,’ email them to [email protected]!

1️⃣ Oklahoma Reports 2 Probable Measles Cases Amid Texas, New Mexico Outbreak

Officials announced Tuesday that the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has identified two probable measles cases in the state, linked to the ongoing outbreak in Texas and New Mexico.

The individuals reported exposure associated with the outbreak and developed symptoms consistent with measles. They took precautions by isolating themselves throughout their contagious period, reducing the risk of transmission to the public, OSDH said.

“These cases highlight the importance of being aware of measles activity as people travel or host visitors,” said Kendra Dougherty, director of infectious disease prevention and response at OSDH. “When people know they have exposure risk and do not have immunity to measles, they can exclude themselves from public settings for the recommended duration to eliminate the risk of transmission in their community.”

There has been no indication of where in Oklahoma these cases are.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which is about 97% effective with two doses. The vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 to 15 months and again at four to six years of age.

Individuals exposed to measles who are not immune should consult a healthcare provider to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis is needed. They should also stay out of public settings for 21 days unless symptoms develop. If symptoms appear, individuals should remain isolated until five days after the rash starts. Those seeking medical care should call ahead to alert providers of their symptoms and exposure.

Per Oklahoma Administrative Code 310:515, measles is an immediately notifiable disease. Health care providers, laboratories, and hospitals must report suspected, tested, or diagnosed cases to OSDH, which will coordinate testing and public health responses.

Measles cases fall into two categories: probable and confirmed. Probable cases show symptoms but lack a confirmatory test result or a direct link to a lab-confirmed case. Confirmed cases have either a positive test result or a link to a confirmed case.

“If a measles case is identified, the OSDH team will work with the individual on next steps and guidance to mitigate the spread and protect others,” Dougherty said. “If there is a risk of spread to the public, the OSDH will notify the public and share any information necessary to protect the health of Oklahomans.”

OSDH provides public health services across Oklahoma and offers guidance to 68 county health departments and two independent city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. More information is available at Oklahoma.gov/health.

More Coverage 👀

• First measles cases reported in Oklahoma, but public health officials remain mum on details (Oklahoma Voice)

• MAP: Which Oklahoma counties have highest, lowest measles vaccination rates? (KOCO)

• Oklahoma State Department of Health reports first 2 measles cases (KOSU)

• West Texas measles outbreak spreads into Oklahoma (NBC News)

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2️⃣ U.S. Supreme Court won't hear case from Oklahoma, other states to restrict legal action against oil and gas giants

By Chloe Bennett-Steele, StateImpact Oklahoma
Click here to read the story.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond joined the challenge last year against Democrat-led states that filed lawsuits against fossil fuel entities like BP, Exxon Mobil and the American Petroleum Institute.

Lawsuits against oil and gas companies cite deception over the effects of human-induced climate change and the billions of dollars spent cleaning up after disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. The federal government estimates climate-related disasters in 2024 accounted for $182.7 billion in damages.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the lawsuit Monday, the Associated Press reported.

(Click the link above to find out which states filed the original lawsuit.)

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3️⃣ Court blocks superintendent Walters’ Bible purchase, for now

By Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch
Click here to read the story.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court temporarily blocked the state from purchasing Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms. 

A court order issued Monday bars Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, the Department of Education, the Board of Education and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services from further implementing or enforcing Walters’ Bible mandate until a lawsuit over the Bibles is resolved. 

The order applies to the 55,000 King James Bibles sought by the state last year as well as an effort initiated last month to buy biblical character instruction manuals.

(Click the link to find out what Walters had to say in reaction to the court’s decision.)

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Oklahoma News Headlines 📰

• Oklahoma tribes prepare to repatriate 19 relatives who walked on at Carlisle Indian Boarding School (KOSU)

• Logan County landowner says pipeline project left groundwater contaminated with dangerous chemicals (KFOR)

• Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols looks back on first 100 days in office (Tulsa World, paywall)

• Nichols announces plan to have zero homelessness in Tulsa by 2030 (KTUL)

• Tulsa Public Schools concerned over possible cut to federal education funding (2 News Oklahoma)

• New bill hopes to address DHS daycare website loophole (Fox 23)

• Civil trial begins for case of 14-year-old shot by OKC police officer in 2019 (KOCO)

• Oklahoma House passes chemical castration bill for child sex offenders seeking parole (KOCO)

• Mark Nash, Tom Robins agree to ‘Runoff Rematch’ Edmond mayoral debate (NonDoc)

• Watch the Oklahoma City City Council debate, Ward 7 (News 9, NonDoc)

• Dreamland’s community kickball fundraiser brings Tulsa leaders together at ONEOK Field (Black Wall Street Times)

• Cherokee veterans embark on 12th Warrior Flight to D.C. (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Osage Nation Museum launches ‘Generations of History’ lecture series (Osage News)

• Plan to address 11.2% faculty salary deficits proposed (The O’Colly)

• ‘The Next Phase’: OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. outlines new goals, changes in strategic plan refresh (OU Daily)

• OKCMOA examines institutions of life in Wiseman film series (Oklahoma City Free Press)

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Sports Headlines 🏀⚾

Full results from OU's 2025 Pro Day with Billy Bowman, Danny Stutsman, others

By Hannah Bryant, OU Daily
Click here to read the story.

Oklahoma had 17 players participate in its 2025 Pro Day on Tuesday.

Safety Billy Bowman Jr, cornerback Dez Malone, linebacker Danny Stutsman, defensive back Woodi Washington, and defensive linemen Ethan Downs, Trace Ford, Davon Sears, Da’Jon Terry, and Caiden Woullard were the defensive participants.

Tight end Jake Roberts, quarterback Casey Thompson, and offensive linemen Spencer Brown and Michael Tarquin were the offensive participants.

(Click the link above to get their results.)

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• Rams WR Drake Stoops suspended 2 games for PED violation (Rams Wire)

• Deer Creek upsets reigning Class 6A boys basketball champion Owasso in state quarterfinals (The Oklahoman, paywall)

• Dean sets steals mark in Cowboys’ Big 12 tournament loss to Cincinnati (OKState)

No. 12 Sooners baseball hosts Louisiana Tech at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, and the No. 1 Sooners softball team plays Tulsa in Tulsa at 5 p.m.

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