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Remembering April 19, 1995 — plus Easter events and Thunder playoff preview

This is your round-up of the best in Oklahoma journalism for April 18, 2025

What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is April 18, and here are a few quickies:

• 2 people were killed and 6 injured in a mass shooting on the campus of Florida State University. The shooter was injured and taken into custody.

• Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. Garcia remains in custody there after what the United States government confirmed was an administrative error.

• Saturday’s OKC bombing ‘Remembrance Ceremony’ will be held indoors at First Church (due to weather). Details from News 9.

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Weather Update ⛈️ ☂️

Storms and severe weather are possible Friday evening. The biggest risks are hail and flooding. Easter Weekend could be quite rainy. Take an umbrella!

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 85°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 81°

30 years later: Remembering April 19, 1995

Oklahoma City bombing aftermath (Courtesy FBI)

It’s been 30 years since the worst act of domestic terrorism in American history happened in downtown Oklahoma City when Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols murdered 168 people at the Alfred P. Murrah federal building.

Why it’s important: April 19, 1995 forever changed America as the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in our history claimed 168 lives, including 19 children, at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Understanding Timothy McVeigh's radicalization through anti-government extremism and conspiracy theories helps us recognize similar warning signs today. Yet from this tragedy emerged the "Oklahoma Standard" – a powerful spirit of community resilience that inspired the nation. The Oklahoma City National Memorial now preserves not just historical facts but the human stories of those affected, making this history especially relevant in our current era of political division and misinformation, where remembering April 19th serves as both warning and call for vigilance.

🕊️ Oklahoma Remembers April 19

Oklahoma outlets have produced powerful journalism this week reflecting on the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Here’s a roundup of the most important reporting — from historical context to stories of healing:

Watch live coverage from the morning of April 19, 1995.

🔍 Must-Reads

  • Oklahoma City bombing: What happened, the lives lost and the perpetrators (KOCO)

  • Oklahoma City bombing, 30 years later: What's changed, what's next? (Oklahoman)

  • What did the Oklahoma City bombing teach you? From those who were there (Tulsa World)

  • ‘Everything we had’: OU Daily alums unpack Oklahoma City bombing’s impact on lives, newsroom legacy (OU Daily)

  • Timothy McVeigh's letters to Oklahoma journalist offer window into bomber's mind (Tulsa World)

  • OKC Bombing: Tulsa World newsroom shares what it was like to cover (Tulsa World)

  • Oklahoma’s changes to domestic terrorism response 30 years later (KTUL)

  • What happened to Timothy McVeigh, others 30 years after OKC bombing (Oklahoman)

  • How OKC bombing shaped trauma therapy across the U.S. (OKC Fox)

  • OKC Bombing play brings testimonies of hope to the next generation (KOSU)

🧠 Public Memory & Reflection

  • Is the memory beginning to fade? (Oklahoman)

  • Echoes felt at prayer breakfast (Oklahoman)

  • Bill Clinton remembers the victims (Oklahoman)

  • Tulsa World reporters tell the OKC bombing stories they can't forget (Tulsa World)

  • Teaching the bombing in Oklahoma schools (KJRH)

  • Youth commemorate the tragedy through music (KOSU)

  • ‘Time and distance’: How Oklahoma City bombing continues to impact OU alums 30 years later (OU Daily)

💔 Healing & Resilience

  • Left behind after the bombing: Tulsan explains why she keeps showing up for her mother (Tulsa World)

  • Oklahoma youth commemorate Oklahoma City Bombing 30th anniversary through music (KOSU)

  • Youngest survivor finds purpose in service (News 9)

  • A victim’s son reflects on 30 years (News 9)

  • 'The body still remembers': OKC bombing survivors hold on to memories even if mental health improves (KOCO)

  • Growing up with loss (KTUL)

  • Amy Downs: From rubble to hope (KTUL)

  • A principal’s journey from tragedy to teaching (KTUL)

🕯️ Commemoration & Culture

  • Remembrance Ceremony moved indoors (News 9)

  • Historic church rededicated (News 9)

  • Robin Marsh reflects in D.C. (News 9)

  • Marathon runner honors bombing victim (KTUL)

  • New Netflix doc offers summary, little else (OKC Free Press)

Easter events across Oklahoma

Easter Weekend in Oklahoma
Good Friday is April 18 and Easter Sunday is April 20 — and there are egg hunts, brunches, and community celebrations happening across the state. Here's a roundup of where to go and what to do.

🕊️ Good Friday – April 18

• First Baptist Church OKC: 6 p.m. worship service centered around the cross
• Oklahoma Collegiate Gospel Choir: 7 p.m. concert at Bethlehem Star Baptist, OKC

🥚 Egg Hunts & Family Events

• Orr Family Farm: Easter Eggstravaganza runs April 12–19
• Chicken N Pickle OKC: Hop, Hunt & Brunch April 12–13, 19–20
• OKC Parks Eggstravaganza: April 19 at community centers citywide, 10 a.m.–noon
• Moore Parks: Citywide egg hunts April 12, 10 a.m.
• Andrews Park, Norman: Spring Egg Hunt April 18, 5:30 p.m.
• Brookhaven Park, Norman: Paradigm egg hunt April 19, 10 a.m.
• CrossPointe Church, Norman: Egg hunts at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m., April 19
• Lakeview Baptist Church, Norman: Community Easter fest April 19, 3–5 p.m.

🌅 Easter Sunday – April 20

Oklahoma City Area

First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City
1201 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City
• 9:00 AM: All-church breakfast
• 10:30 AM: Worship service

Quail Springs Baptist Church
14613 N May Ave, Oklahoma City
• 8:15 AM: Classic worship with orchestra
• 9:30 AM: Contemporary worship
• 11:00 AM: Traditional blend service

Frontline Church South OKC
737 SE 89th St, Oklahoma City
• 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM: Celebration services

Calvary Church (Del City)
3900 Epperly Dr, Del City
• Special "WORTH LIVING" Easter experience
• Childcare, Spanish translation, and hearing impaired interpretation available
• Reservations required

Christ the King Catholic Church
8005 Dorset Dr, Nichols Hills
• 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:15 PM: Easter Masses
• Easter Egg Hunt after 10:00 AM Mass

People's Church (Multiple Campuses)
• Oklahoma City (800 E Britton Rd): 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• Northwest OKC: 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM
• Midwest City: 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM
• Edmond: 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM
• Eggstravaganza events at select services

Life.Church (Oklahoma City Campuses)
• OKC Northwest (5821 Northwest Expressway): 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• OKC Southwest (12400 S Western Ave): 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• OKC South (7800 S Walker Ave): 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• Edmond (4600 E 2nd St): 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• Midwest City (9821 SE 15th St): 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• Moore (2916 S Telephone Rd): 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• Additional services Friday and Saturday at all campuses

Church of the Servant
14343 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City
• 6:30 AM: Sunrise Service

Northwest Baptist Church
3030 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City
• 9:30 AM: Community Groups
• 10:45 AM: Corporate Worship

Fairview Missionary Baptist Church
1700 NE 7th St, Oklahoma City
• 9:00 AM: Resurrection Sunday Worship Service

First Moore Baptist Church
301 NE 27th St, Moore
• 9:00 AM: Life Groups
• 10:30 AM: Worship Gathering

Crossings Community Church
14600 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City
• Multiple services throughout Holy Week
• Visit official website for specific times

Tulsa Area

Life.Church South Tulsa
7071 E 71st St, Tulsa
• Easter Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• Additional services Friday and Saturday

Life.Church Midtown Tulsa
900 S Boston Ave, Tulsa
• Easter Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM
• Additional services Friday and Saturday

Asbury Church
6767 S Mingo Rd, Tulsa
• 6:30 AM: Sunrise Candlelight Service
• 9:00 AM: Traditional Worship
• 11:00 AM: Modern Worship

First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa
709 S Boston Ave, Tulsa
• 6:30 AM: Sunrise Service at Camp Loughridge
• 8:00 AM: Traditional Worship
• 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM: Contemporary Worship
• 11:00 AM: Traditional and International Worship

Redeemer Church
5415 E 101st St, Tulsa
• 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM
• In-person and online options

RiverGate Church
1439 E 71st St, Tulsa
• 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM

Crescent Valley Baptist Church
25641 S Crescent Valley Rd, Tahlequah
• 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM: Worship services

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

Government and Policy

  • Tulsa County DA tells lawmakers Mental Health Department is in need of overhaul (Tulsa World)

  • State reps match Bible verses in 'Christ is King' resolution debate (Tulsa World)

  • Oklahoma House passes “Christ is King” resolution (KFOR)

  • Oklahoma County Commissioner Lowe, local pastors survey 'inhumane' jail conditions (KOSU)

Crime and Justice

  • Teenager from Afghanistan pleads guilty to getting rifles for Election Day terrorism plot (Oklahoman)

  • 'Need to do something': Tulsans call for street safety after 7-year-old's death (2 News Oklahoma)

  • Investigators link string of car burglaries in Stillwater, Mannford, Yale (News On 6)

  • OU graduate living in Thailand arrested, charged with defamation (Fox 23)

Health

• Potential measles case at Comanche County hospital (Lawton Constitution)
• Measles vaccinations are on the rise in Oklahoma, health officials say (KOSU)
• Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation unveils Center for Biomedical Data Sciences (KGOU, StateImpact Oklahoma)

Infrastructure and Environment

  • Finance district re-established at Ardmore Airpark (KTEN)

Business and Economy

  • Stillwater officials estimate nearly $2M boon from 'Boys From Oklahoma' (2 News Oklahoma)

Politics and People

  • Findings from investigation into former Ada city manager released (KTEN)

People and Community

• Durant coach Tony Robinson remembers his son Will, talks coach of the year honors and memorial scholarship (KXII)

SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

** OU baseball alert: Sooners beat Missouri 17-4 **

NBA Playoffs Game 1: Oklahoma City vs. either Dallas or Memphis, NOON Sunday on ABC

Everything you need to know to cheer on the Thunder during their 2025 playoff run (KOCO)

• How OKC Thunder has prepared for NBA Playoffs all season through experimentation (Oklahoman)

• 2025 NBA championship odds: Thunder open playoffs as title favorite ahead of Celtics, Cavaliers (The New York Times)

• Most Important Role Players for the OKC Thunder in the NBA Playoffs (Sports Illustrated)

• OKC Thunder’s Isaiah Joe Could See Stock Soar in Playoffs (Sports Illustrated)

• Is OKC Thunder the NBA's most likable team? We're about to find out in playoffs (Oklahoman)

• CHECK IT OUT: Curbside Apparel releases new Thunder collection ahead of playoffs (News 9)

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