Sponsored by
Thursday, August 13, 2026 • The heat is (still) on… Highs near 103. ☀️
Poll results:
We received 213 votes on the Monday poll, “Oklahoma is in the middle of another summertime heat wave. Are you ready for fall weather?”
196 said, “Yes. Bring on football and hoodie weather!”
17 said, “No. Give me summer all year long!”
New poll question at the bottom of today’s newsletter. (You can also suggest a poll question by emailing me at [email protected].)
Former Thunder star, NBA MVP Russell Westbrook retires after 18 seasons
Russell Westbrook in an undated publicity photo (Oklahoma City Thunder)
By Ryan LaCroix, KOSU
👉 Click to support their newsroom
Former Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook is retiring from the NBA after 18 seasons.
He made the announcement on his social media channels on Wednesday afternoon, through a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan.
Westbrook was taken fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, but the franchise relocated to OKC and became the Thunder less than one week later.
He played 11 seasons with the Thunder, helping lead them to the 2012 NBA Finals and nine playoff appearances. He earned local legend status in 2016 when he signed a contract extension just one month after Kevin Durant left OKC in free agency.
“You guys have basically raised me. I’ve been here since I was 18, 19 years old and you guys did nothing but great things for me, through the good and the bad, you guys supported me overall and through it all and I appreciate it,” Westbrook said at the time.
Westbrook was named the league’s MVP that season, leading the NBA in scoring with 31.6 points a game and breaking a 55-year-old record for most triple-doubles in a season.
“You guys have been riding with me since day one, you guys have been riding with me through good games and bad games, always there lifting me up, so I’m just so thankful for all the fans there” Westbrook said accepting the award in 2017.
Known for his athleticism and fierce competitiveness on the court, the nine-time All-Star played on six more teams to finish out his career, most recently with the Sacramento Kings.
Westbrook has continued to stay involved in Oklahoma City, most recently by investing in the city’s new 10,000-seat multipurpose stadium. He was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony earlier this summer.
"I never wanted to let the people down here," Westbrook said of the duty he feels toward OKC. "I always gave it everything I had."
I'm 63 With $1.5M. Can I Spend $10K a Month?
You’ve saved $1.5 million. Now comes the real test.
Can it produce $10,000 a month, or will that pace drain your portfolio?
Most retirees do not get a clear answer until it is too late.
The issue is not just how much you have. It is whether your portfolio was built to pay you, not just grow.
That difference can determine whether your money lasts decades or starts breaking down early.
Sequence of returns, taxes on withdrawals, healthcare costs, and whether the 4% rule still applies all play a role.
Fiduciary advisors created a breakdown showing what drives sustainable income and why the same $1.5M can produce very different outcomes.
If you have $1M or more invested, do not guess.
The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:
Gentner Drummond and Robert Franklin make their cases to voters at Tulsa Press Club event after opposition doesn’t show up (Tulsa Flyer)
Oklahoma Superintendent Fields “may provide support” as Republican primary runoff nears (KJRH)
Voters to decide sales tax hike for new jail as Oklahoma City reveals development plans (Oklahoma City Free Press)
Despite warnings even more OK rural hospitals set to close (KFOR)
Stitt orders state review of CAIR, a non-profit Muslim civil rights and advocacy group (Fox 25)
Stitt-backed report calls for charter schools to receive local property taxes (The Oklahoman)*
‘Extremely angry’: Barry Christian’s family questions suicide finding by medical examiner (NonDoc)
Evacuations lifted after crews contain wildfire in Norman, no injuries reported (Fox 25)
Osage Nation Congress asks for principal chief to consider reopening language immersion school (KOSU)
Manna is ready for takeoff in Tulsa. Some see drone deliveries as a sign of the city’s tech promise. (Tulsa Flyer)
Landlords are failing to provide essential services, but tenants have little recourse (Oklahoma Watch)
Charges filed against Sand Springs man accused of ramming vehicle during anti-Trump protest (News On 6)
'He fell for it': Oklahoma homeowner lures contractor accused of scam back to his house for arrest (KOCO)
Oklahoma City doctor cast on 'Traitors' season 5: Premier dates, details (The Oklahoman)*
Thursday Poll
Future Hall-of-Famer Russell Westbrook retired from the NBA on Wednesday. Do you wish he would have joined the Thunder for just one more season?
How to support Oklahoma Memo
✅ Want to partner with Oklahoma Memo? Click here.
✅ Message me anytime at [email protected].
✅ News tips and reader comments: [email protected]
✅ NEW! Follow Oklahoma Memo on LinkedIn
