What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Wednesday, July 30, and I got a chance yesterday to cover an event that reaffirmed my belief that love works best when it transitions from noun to verb.

Dewayne Pollard’s life forever changed in June 2019 when a car accident left him a quadriplegic at the age of 15. Eventually, he was able to secure a vehicle of his own, creating some semblance of independence for himself.

And on Tuesday, the Altus native got to see his new home, outfitted especially for him and his needs.

A home. Made for Dewayne.

It’s the first model of ‘Mattie Homes,’ a development near the campus of Bethany Children’s Health Center. These homes were created as part of a vision to support current and former patients who deserve a chance at independence with dignity.

This home is called the ‘Dewayne Model,’ a two-bedroom, two-bath residence — created in partnership with Iron Bison Homes. From the height of the mailbox to the width of the doorways, lowered counter heights and accessible bathroom features, Bethany Children’s and Iron Bison Homes created a space that’s not just accessible, but livable.

A livable space that will soon smell like dinner.

“I’ll probably cook some tilapia with fries and mashed potatoes — or some salmon. I’m a really big seafood person,” Dewayne said when asked what he might cook first.

The celebration Tuesday started with a ceremony led by Bethany Children’s CEO Nico Gomez, a prayer and then a ribbon cutting before Dewayne got to see his new home for the very first time.

What I do best here in the ‘Oklahoma Memo’ newsletter is lead you to the coverage from other newsrooms — and, really, it was like a reunion amongst newsies (says the guy who hasn’t been in a newsroom for seven months).

My friend Mike Glover from News 9 was there because, of course, this news was ‘Something Good.’

Kilee Thomas from KOCO was there, as was my friend Jason Doyle from OETA. I expect to see his story on The Oklahoma News Report this Friday at 7 p.m.

And I got to see my friend and very talented former colleague Mauricio Rodriguez, who now works for Bethany Children’s Health Center.

I’ll do my best to live up to his high standard when I put together my vertical videos from the event.

If you follow Oklahoma Memo’s social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok), I’ll post some Reels and Shorts over the next couple of days that give you a better look at the inside of Dewayne’s new home, this veritable miracle for a young man whose spirit oozes resilience.

And when I saw the joy in Dewayne on Tuesday, I felt like I could see love in action — from the builder to the entire Bethany Children’s team to everybody who came out to celebrate with him.

There’s a song by this guy named Danny Gokey. You might remember him from his time on American Idol in 2008. If you’re a fan of the show, you might remember his heart-wrenching story about the death of his wife.

I’m a fan of his. Good dude energy.

Anyway, he has a song from 2021 called “Make A Difference,” and the first two lines of its chorus really hit the mark:

We can make a difference
We can do our talking with our hands and feet

And when you do that, love goes from noun… to verb.

You can message me anytime at [email protected].

Weather Update ☀️

We might hit 100? Maybe?

🌡️ Tuesday's high in OKC 99°
🌡️ Tuesday’s high in Tulsa 98°

State superintendent suggests Oklahoma governor may be responsible for nude women allegations

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Superintendent Ryan Walters on Tuesday suggested Oklahoma’s governor was behind allegations that pictures of nude women were seen on his office television.

He insisted that an investigation had cleared him of wrongdoing.

Without citing any evidence, Walters implied that fellow Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt had encouraged state Board of Education members to fabricate claims that they saw nude women on his television during the closed door meeting last week.

“The governor needs to answer the questions,” Walters said during a brief, hastily called press conference at the Capitol in which he only took a few questions. “Did he tell these board members to come in here and do this? Did you coordinate with them afterwards to set all this up after the fact when you couldn’t disrupt the meeting?”

He said he met Monday with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, and that they concluded none of his devices were connected to the television.

The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office said that the probe into what happened during an State Department of Education executive session was in its early stages.

“No, we have not cleared him,” said Aaron Brilbeck, a spokesman for the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office. “Yes, our investigation is ongoing. This is in its infancy. We don’t just do an investigation in an hour and a half.”

Stitt’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Stitt appointed board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage, who last week told The Oklahoman and NonDoc that they had seen the women on the television screen, which was behind Walters’ back. Carson told the media outlets that she asked Walters to turn it off, which he did.

Click to finish the story.

See also 👀
Oklahoma officials examined Ryan Walters' office TV. Here's what they found (The Oklahoman)

Walters falsely claims investigators cleared him in nude images investigation, ignores questions seeking clarity (KFOR)

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Kay County Commissioner faces 10 felony charges filed by the Attorney General’s office (Kay News Cow)

• Wagoner County sheriff, DA seize list of petitioners seeking investigation of their offices (NonDoc)

• 'Clerical error' over Juneteenth omission creates hard feelings between Oklahoma County commissioners (KOSU)

• Arkansas police release sketch drawing in search for killer at Devil’s Den State Park (News On 6)

• As Trump ramps up deportations, some immigrants spend time in an Oklahoma for-profit prison (The Frontier)

• Drummond, state AGs: Congress should act to invalidate abortion shield laws (Oklahoma Voice)

• Rural Oklahoma kids were getting more counselors — then federal cuts pulled funding (KOSU)

• Norman nonprofit expects Trump order on homelessness to impact operations (KGOU)

• Tribal nations left with few options to resist Oklahoma's Westwin Elements due to complex history (KOSU)

• OKC tasked with eliminating decades-old racist language from hundreds of land covenants (KOCO)

• New rule places requirements on Oklahoma school counselors’ work time (Oklahoma Voice)

• Collington Index: Elliot Nelson takes a swing in trying to buy Utica Square (Tulsa World)

• Broadband expansion projects launched in southeastern Oklahoma (McAlester News-Capital)

• What the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ means for Indian Country and the Osage Nation (Osage News)

• Books to beds: How Tulsa’s Gaining Ground evolved beyond literacy (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Shine on: Beloved shoeshine man to be first to lie in state at Oklahoma County Courthouse (The Oklahoman)

• ‘Fighting More Than Fire’: Keith Daniels uncovers Tulsa’s Black firefighter legacy (The Black Wall Street Times)

• Local group has one month to save historic Film Row theater (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Muscogee Creek Nation makes $2M Tuckabatchee property purchase in Alabama (Mvskoke Media)

• Polaris Technologies files lawsuit against Muskogee over annexation (2 News Oklahoma)

• Woodward County community rallies around mother accused of shooting boyfriend after alleged abuse of infant son (News 9)

• Bar K members won't receive refunds as bar, dog park announces closure (KOCO)

• Court documents reveal reason behind cancellation of Lawton’s Army Birthday Parade (KSWO)

• Kremlin couple killed in crash Saturday on I-35 near Perry (Enid News)

• Sallisaw police search for suspect after Sunday shooting, considered armed and dangerous (KTUL)

• Worries for Oklahoma nursing homes shift to Medicaid cuts after Biden-era mandate blocked (Tulsa World)

• Gun confiscated at Ardmore City Schools athletic facility; juvenile brought weapon in backpack (The Ardmoreite)

• Police investigate Pontotoc County shooting (KTEN)

• Man arrested in Choctaw County, accused of kidnapping, assault (KXII)

• OSBI called to look into incident within Greer County Sheriff’s Office (KSWO)

• Former Muskogee County DA died of natural causes (Muskogee Phoenix)

• Head over heels: F-F Open Rodeo draws riders to Duncan (Duncan Banner)

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