Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 • Sunny and lower 60s. ☀️

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In today’s Memo:

• Oklahoma falls to Alabama. The Sooners were up 17-0 against the Crimson Tide, but ‘Bama outscored Oklahoma 34-7 from there to move on in the College Football Playoff. Alabama wins 34-24.

• Who should regulate AI? My weekly conversation with John Croisant is about artificial intelligence (AI) and the tug-of-war between federal and state lawmakers over who should regulate it.

• Where’s Grant? Our weekly visit with Grant Hermes from the “Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes” podcast will be ready for the Monday edition of the Oklahoma Memo. We met in person this week and had a ton to chat about. It will be available on the Oklahoma Memo YouTube channel on Saturday.

By Ryan Welton & Jeremy Cook, Oklahoma Memo
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Oklahoma’s season ended with a familiar frustration: a strong start, followed by missed opportunities and unanswered adjustments.

The Sooners jumped out to a 17–0 lead against Alabama, controlling the game early with efficient offense and defensive pressure. But the momentum flipped quickly. Alabama scored 34 of the game’s final 41 points, capitalizing on special teams miscues, stalled OU drives, and a turnover-free night for the Crimson Tide.

Despite outgaining Alabama in total yards (362–260) and rushing yards (55–28), Oklahoma couldn’t replicate the defensive takeaways that fueled its late-season surge. The Sooners forced zero turnovers, a stark contrast from the stretch that helped them reach the playoff.

Alabama’s second-half adjustments — particularly in the run game — shifted the tone. After being bottled up early, the Tide broke off chunk plays and controlled field position. Oklahoma’s offense, sharp in the opening quarter, struggled to sustain drives as the game wore on.

Special teams played a pivotal role. A mishandled snap on a punt set up an Alabama touchdown, and missed field goals erased chances to swing momentum back in Oklahoma’s favor.

The loss caps a 10–3 season for the Sooners and reignites offseason questions about offensive consistency, quarterback play, and whether defensive takeaways masked deeper issues late in the year.

But all in all, it was still a terrific season. Here’s to the Sooners!

By Ryan Welton, Oklahoma Memo
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Congressional District 1 candidate John Croisant says Oklahoma must balance innovation with oversight as artificial intelligence and large-scale data centers rapidly expand across the state.

In a recent conversation on the Oklahoma Memo podcast, Croisant described AI as a powerful tool that can boost productivity for individuals, businesses, and schools — but one that carries risks if deployed without safeguards.

Croisant raised concerns about the infrastructure required to support AI, particularly the electricity and water demands of large data centers. He noted that some facilities require millions of gallons of water for cooling and draw energy loads comparable to entire cities.

Croisant said regulation should involve both federal and state governments, arguing that AI systems operate globally while resource impacts are often local. He emphasized transparency, public input, and long-term planning — particularly in a state prone to drought and energy constraints.

The discussion comes as multiple data centers are reportedly planned across Oklahoma, raising questions in smaller communities about water access, electricity rates, and land use.

Croisant said the goal should be responsible growth that benefits communities without shifting long-term costs onto residents.

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

• Leaders will have 5.6% less to spend on Oklahoma’s next budget (Oklahoma Voice)

• After decades, federal judge issues cleanup plan in Oklahoma poultry pollution lawsuit (KOSU)

• Ajay Pittman denies fraud allegations, Anastasia Pittman seeks paper shredder for ‘surgery recovery’ (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma’s campaign finance database is back online (Oklahoma Watch)

• State Farm dodged billions in 2018 settlement, now faces fresh RICO charges in Oklahoma (Oklahoma Watch)

• Oklahoma AG's opinion orders wildlife officials to stop ticketing tribal citizens on reservations (KOSU)

• Memorial site grows for Deer Creek High School students killed in crash (KOCO)

• Reductions to Oklahoma child care subsidies to remain (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma lawmakers warn Trump’s AI order could threaten state authority (News On 6)

• ‘WIN time’: Data, early intervention drive rural school’s reading success (NonDoc)

• Stitt appoints new OMES director to lead core state functions (Oklahoma Voice)

• ICE arrests in Oklahoma continue to rise with the help of local law enforcement (KOSU)

• Oklahoma Supreme Court permanently overturns social studies standards (Oklahoma Voice)

• All-Black cast will perform ‘A Christmas Story.’ Black Broadway Tulsa says it’s making history. (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• More Mexican nationals in Oklahoma seek Plan B for their children: dual citizenship (Tulsa Flyer)

• Hochatown fights for its own ZIP Code (Oklahoma Watch)

• Oklahoma City Black Lives Matter leader indicted on embezzlement, money laundering charges (KOSU)

• Oklahoma child care group sues DHS over cuts to subsidies for school-age children (KGOU)

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