What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Wednesday, July 9, and I need to make a quick correction.

In Tuesday’s Oklahoma Memo, I wrote that outgoing University of Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione hired Patty Gasso — and that is not the case.

She was hired in 1994 by previous coach Marita Hynes.

Either way, Coach Gasso sure made Joe C. look good over the years!

Before we get into the news of the day, I wanted to acknowledge the passing of a Sooner great: Michael Dean. He was a longtime fixture on Oklahoma Sooners football broadcasts, but I got to be his coworker for many years at Griffin Media.

And he loved to talk about the Sooners!

Specifically, we used to chat about one of my favorite OU topics, Oklahoma basketball under Billy Tubbs. I think Billy was the most innovative coach in the history of college hoops. His run-and-gun offense was an original, and his personality was a lot like we came to see later from beloved college coaches like Mike Leach.

Michael always had some great stories from back in the day, and I always enjoyed hearing them.

Very nice man.

And one of a kind. Boomer Sooner.

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Weather Update 🌩️

Slight chance of storms for Wednesday. Otherwise, sunny and hot!

🌡️ Wednesday's high in OKC 92°
🌡️ Wednesday’s high in Tulsa 94°

Trump administration wants to close down key weather labs nationwide

By Em Luetkemeyer, Oklahoma Watch
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The National Severe Storms Laboratory sits on a campus of radar equipment and office buildings at the University of Oklahoma, off State Highway 9 in Norman. It’s responsible for radar breakthroughs in forecasting that the nation relies on for storm warnings and emergency preparedness.

But the Trump administration wants to shut it down, prompting a rare rebuke from a prominent Republican member of Congress.

“I want to make sure that whoever’s proposing this actually goes down there and looks at it and meets them,” said Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the Appropriations Committee. “I’ve allowed things in my district to be closed before, but this is a national asset, and I want to be very careful about what we do with it.”

The Trump administration is looking to make sweeping cuts at the nation’s weather agencies, including the closure of all federally funded meteorology labs, such as the National Severe Storms Laboratory. They’re facilities that experts credit for research that has saved countless lives; the deadly flooding in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend underscored just how crucial it is to have adequate warning systems in place to anticipate natural disasters.

These facilities also support local economies. According to the University of Oklahoma, the federal lab in Norman helps sustain more than 900 jobs in the region.

Click to finish the story.

Oklahoma state park restaurants closed until further notice following dispute

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY – State park restaurants have been closed following a contract dispute with the vendor, officials announced Tuesday.

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation said they made the decision to close The Lookout Kitchen restaurants because the vendor owes the state $254,943, hasn’t supplied required records and still must provide a $500,000 surety bond or letter of credit, according to a letter made public by the agency.

“Please note that until such time that your client has taken care of the gross receipt remittances and reporting listed above, OTRD is unable to execute or negotiate any change in the monthly payment amount,” the letter said.

Brian Buswell, an attorney for RPW ENT LLC, which operates The Lookout Kitchen, said they were “currently negotiating with the state” on those issues. He said couldn’t comment further.

The company had operated restaurants at Beavers Bend, Lake Murray, Robbers Cave, Roman Nose, Quartz Mountain and Sequoyah state parks.

State officials said the restaurants will be closed until further notice.

Click to finish the story.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Oklahoma City man arrested after shooting death of three-year-old (KFOR)

• Suspect in News 9 radar vandalism arrested by Oklahoma City Police (News 9)

• Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to grace cover of upcoming NBA 2K26 (KOCO)

• Who's on 'Big Brother' 27's cast? Meet Oklahoma's Rylie Jeffries as he heads in the house (The Oklahoman)

• Severe flooding in Sallisaw after storms in Eastern Oklahoma (KTUL)

• Bojangles, a popular chicken and biscuit chain, is expanding into Oklahoma City (The Oklahoman)

• Guymon water shortage: What to know about cause, where to find water (The Oklahoman)

• SNAP and Medicaid cuts leave thousands of Oklahomans at risk, advocates say (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Joe Castiglione says Norman entertainment district is a priority before he leaves. It won't be easy (KOCO)

• Andretti Indoor Karting and Games opening in north OKC July 15 (KFOR)

• Amazon Prime Day: Oklahoma businesses you can support online (News On 6)

• Lawsuit seeks to make portion of Will Rogers Turnpike free (Tulsa World)

• Muscogee Nation celebrates Sovereignty Day on anniversary of McGirt decision (Mvskoke Media)

• Developer pulls out of Cry Baby Hill project, statue almost completed (2 News Oklahoma)

• More progress at Family Center for Juvenile Justice as probation status is lifted (2 News Oklahoma)

• City of Lawton officials share updates on Cache Road bridge constructions (KSWO)

• Economic impact of Oklahoma higher ed tops $14 billion, study finds (Oklahoma Voice)

• Two-Spirit discrimination persists, as questions swirl around Aubrey Dameron's murder investigation (KOSU)

• Choctaw Nation District 4: Incumbent Jess Henry challenged by Kenneth Marshall (NonDoc)

• Seminole Nation General Council election will determine 8 seats (NonDoc)

• Tahlequah city council hears suggestion for curfew, more lights in parks (Tahlequah Daily Press)

• Cameron University to hold multiple meet and greets for new University President (KSWO)

• Boys & Girls Club of Red River Valley Oklahoma affected by loss of 21st century grant (KXII)

• High water pressure isn't causing increase in water main breaks, OKC Utilities Dept. says (Fox 25)

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Have a great Wednesday! Halfway to the weekend!!