Good morning, Oklahoma! Happy Friday. What are your weekend plans?

Saturday is supposed to be cold and rainy. I’m thinking a big pot of chili is in my weekend future…

Oh, and the Thunder are home to Portland, Denver on Friday night and Sunday afternoon!

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Here is the Oklahoma journalism I’ve hand-picked for you this Friday:

• Ryan Walters teams up with Lee Greenwood to encourage Bible donations to Oklahoma classrooms

• Governor’s DOGE-OK initiative takes shape ahead of reporting deadline (The Frontier)

• Oklahoma State University leaders pledge ‘transparency’ after scathing audit finds misappropriation; Shrum responds (Oklahoma Voice)

• Sooners open SEC women’s tournament with 70-52 win over Georgia

Weather Update ⛆

Warm Friday. Cold (and rainy!) Saturday. Cool Sunday.

🌡️ Fri-Sat-Sun highs in OKC 72°-45°-60°
🌡️ Fri-Sat-Sun highs in Tulsa 72°–50°–61°

If you have weather photos you’d like to share with ‘Oklahoma Memo,’ email them to [email protected]!

1️⃣ Ryan Walters teams up with Lee Greenwood to encourage Bible donations to Oklahoma classrooms

📌 What’s happening: Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters and country singer Lee Greenwood have launched a national campaign, “Bibles Back in School,” to encourage Bible donations to Oklahoma classrooms. Oklahoma is the first state to implement the initiative.

📖 The details: The campaign promotes the “God Bless the U.S.A. Bible,” a version endorsed by former President Donald Trump. This follows Walters’ controversial $6 million proposal to supply Bibles to every classroom, a move that sparked legal challenges and public backlash. A Senate education subcommittee declined to consider a request this week for $3 million.

⚖️ The debate: Walters has pushed for the Bible as a "foundational" teaching tool in grades 5-12, arguing it’s essential for understanding American history. Critics say it violates the separation of church and state and amounts to religious indoctrination in public schools. Gov. Kevin Stitt isn’t against students having access to Bibles in school, but he has argued that the expenditure isn’t necessary considering students could have access to the YouVersion app, which was developed by an Oklahoman.

🔎 Big picture: Walters has made religion a key focus of his education policies, drawing support from Christian conservatives while facing legal and political pushback. The campaign also raises questions about taxpayer-funded religious materials in public schools.

Folks interested in donating can visit BiblesForOklahoma.com.

More Coverage 👀

• 🚨 BREAKING: Protest, taunts surround evangelical theocratic group hosting Ryan Walters (2 News Oklahoma)

• Oklahoma public schools leader questions state test results, calls for new scoring (Oklahoma Voice)

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2️⃣ Governor’s DOGE-OK initiative takes shape ahead of reporting deadline

By Garrett Yalch, Clifton Adcock and Dylan Goforth
Click here to read the story.

Oklahoma agencies must appoint a coordinator for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Oklahoma Division of Government Efficiency “as soon as possible,” according to an internal email dated Thursday.  

The coordinator must be an existing member of the agency who is “dedicated to President Trump’s vision for federal regulatory and budgetary reform in coordination and partnership with the State of Oklahoma,” according to the email from the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services obtained by The Frontier. OMES confirmed it has been in contact with state agencies to help fulfill the requirement. 

(Click the link to read more about what’s in Stitt’s executive order.)

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3️⃣ Oklahoma State University leaders pledge ‘transparency’ after scathing audit finds misappropriation; Shrum responds

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Emma Murphy
Click here to read the story.

A day after a critical audit of Oklahoma State University was made public, the university refused to answer questions on if it had prompted the sudden February resignation of the university’s president.

The audit found millions of dollars that were intended for specific programs instead went to unrelated funds, and OSU leaders understated the amount of money the university had in its budget.

In response to open records requests, the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents released the report Wednesday from its internal auditing office two days before the regents’ scheduled monthly meeting, shedding light on the financial circumstances during the tenure of OSU President Kayse Shrum. The regents’ Friday meeting agenda does not mention the audit or launching a search for a permanent replacement for Shrum. 

🚨🚨 UPDATE: Dr. Shrum sent a statement to media outlets on Thursday:

More Coverage 👀

• Former OSU president Kayse Shrum responds to audit, says legal counsel was followed (News On 6)

• OSU audit: Fiscal decisions ‘violated state laws’ with ‘improper’ diversion of $41 million (NonDoc)

• Audit: Oklahoma State University mismanaged $41 million (KOCO)

• 'Are we concerned? Yes': Lawmakers react to audit uncovering financial missteps at OSU (Fox 25)

Oklahoma News Headlines 📰

• Gov. Kevin Stitt wins court tussle with AG Gentner Drummond (Tulsa World, paywall)

• Stitt, Colorado governor issue statement on potential Medicaid cuts (KFOR)

• Bill would allow third-party delivery of alcohol to Oklahomans (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma bill proposes death penalty for sexual assault crimes against children (KOCO)

• 2 bills aiming to change the way powerful judges are appointed in Oklahoma move forward (Fox 23)

• Former Lone Star School teacher in Sapulpa arrested, accused of embezzling over $28,000 from Booster Club (News On 6)

• Broken Arrow Police investigate deadly accidental shooting (KTUL)

• Tulsa Mayor finalizes staff with Dr. Jabraan Pasha and Brentom Todd (Black Wall Street Times)

• Stewart encapsulates Cherokee National Treasures in cornhusk dolls (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Chief Standing Bear: BIA closures ‘meant to reshape trust relationship’ (Osage News)

• Muscogee Creek Nation sues Tulsa County District Attorney and Sheriff (Mvskoke Media)

• Reba makes a donation to Southeast Oklahoma State University’s music program (KTEN)

• Clinton family grieving after man shot and killed (KOCO)

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Sports Headlines 🏀⚾

No. 10 Sooners open SEC tourney with 70-52 win over Georgia

No. 10 Oklahoma (24-6, 11-5 SEC) looks to secure a spot in the SEC semifinals on Friday, facing fourth-seeded  No. 12 Kentucky (22-6, 11-5 SEC) in Greenville, S.C. The fifth-seeded Sooners advanced with a 70-52 win over Georgia in Thursday's second round, extending their win streak to eight. (SoonerSports)

• Check out full coverage of the start of spring football for OU (SoonerSports)

• WATCH: Highlights From Oklahoma's First 2025 Spring Practice (Sports Illustrated)

• Sooners softball opens SEC play vs. South Carolina (SoonerSports)

• 3 selected for Cowboy baseball hall of fame (OKState)

• Cowgirls set for action at Big 12 tourney (OKState)

• Who has qualified for 2025 Oklahoma high school basketball Class 6A-3A state tournament? (The Oklahoman)

• Outdoor adventures in Oklahoma: Sand bass fishing, shooting sports & more this spring (News On 6)

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Fun things to do this weekend in Oklahoma City

🎭 Julius Caesar at CitySpace Theatre – Shakespeare’s classic tragedy comes to life at the Civic Center Music Hall. Runs through March 16. More info

🎶 Pink Martini & China Forbes – A genre-blending mix of jazz, pop, and classical, celebrating their 30th anniversary at the Civic Center Music Hall. Shows on March 7-8. More info

🎉 MasQUErade 2025 – A stylish masquerade ball with live music and dancing. Dress to impress and enjoy a night of mystery. March 8 at 9 PM. Tickets

🍷 Wine & Palette at Picasso Cafe – Get artsy with a glass of wine in hand at this guided painting event in the Paseo Arts District. Sunday, March 9. Sign up

Fun things to do this weekend in Tulsa

☘️ Tulsa IrishFest 2025 – Celebrate Irish culture with music, dance, food, and storytelling all weekend long. More info

🎻 Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys at Cain’s Ballroom – Western swing fans won’t want to miss this tribute to the legendary Bob Wills. March 8-9. Tickets

🏀 Tulsa vs. Wichita State Basketball – The Golden Hurricane takes on the Shockers in a big rivalry game. March 9 at Charles Koch Arena. Game details

🌅 Sunset Paddleboarding on the Arkansas River – A peaceful way to unwind and take in the views. Rentals available at River Parks.

Plenty to do whether you’re in OKC or Tulsa! Have fun out there! 😃

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