Monday, March 16, 2026 • Very cold and windy, oof. Highs in the 40s.💨

But Oklahoma warms quickly — and by Thursday and Friday, we could be looking at highs in the 90s! ☀️

By Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch
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ICE will soon deport a Chinese man who called 911 from an icy Oklahoma roadside during January’s snowstorm, despite his fully legal status, his attorney said.

Yingchao Fan held a valid work permit, a pending asylum case, and a California Real ID when his car wrecked on Interstate 40. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers arrived, questioned him about his nationality, and arrested him. He was not charged with a crime. He did not receive a traffic citation.

After weeks shuttled between three detention facilities, Fan has decided to stop fighting. 

“He, like many people, is just giving up,” said attorney Ted Hasse. “What seems to be the goal of the administration is to push people into this position where they’re just going to give up.”

Fan’s case illustrates how Oklahoma has built one of the most aggressive immigration enforcement infrastructures in the country, one that generates significant federal money for the state’s law enforcement agencies, detention facilities, and local economies, regardless of whether those arrested are in the country legally.

👉 Click here for the full story.

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

• Oklahoma homeowners insurance rates face scrutiny amid State Farm lawsuits (News 9)

• Study: Choctaw Nation ‘a major driver’ of Oklahoma economy (NonDoc)

• Medical Examiner's Office regains accreditation 16 years after losing it (Tulsa World)*

• Noble Public Schools Basketball Coach arrested for lewd acts (KFOR)

• Durant nurse arrested on drug charges after OBN investigation (KXII)

• One bitten by stray animal with rabies in Lawton (KSWO)

• Veterinarians warn vaccine skepticism is spreading to pet owners (News On 6)

• State anatomy experts explain how OU’s cadaver lab works, what has changed since 1900 (OU Daily)

• Closing a chapter: Marietta flower shop ending 74-year run (KTEN)

• Litigation surrounding Bartlesville's Price Tower ends (2 News Oklahoma)

• Get ready for festival season with these multi-genre mini-fests (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Community working to revitalize historic north Tulsa park (2 News Oklahoma)

• March Madness coming to Paycom Center next week with men's basketball tournament (KOCO)

Rep. Kevin Hern has the war chest built up, ready for a run at the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Markwayne Mullin upon confirmation to become the new secretary of Department of Homeland Security.

He also has President Trump’s endorsement.

National podcaster and former Oklahoma City journalist Grant Hermes joins me for our weekly chat about all-things politics. We talk about the Senate race, Gov. Stitt’s plans and the latest happenings from Iran.

Subscribe to “Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes” on Substack.

And then find Grant on YouTube as well.

👉 Click here for the full podcast.

A daily briefing connecting Oklahomans to the state’s best journalism — and original content from Oklahoma Memo. Got a news tip? Somebody I need to interview? Message me at [email protected].