Latest news with #OklahomaStandard
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Expel all for the misdeeds of a few? That's not the 'Oklahoma Standard'
Just a few years ago, in the fall of 2021, we began welcoming the arrival of what would amount to about 1,800 Afghan refugees into our community. They came at a time when our country was withdrawing its military forces from Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban and its brutal, hardline regime to retake control of that war-ravaged land. Some of the refugees had worked for U.S. and alliance forces and various non-governmental organizations, charities and media outlets operating in the country. They rightly feared Taliban retribution. Gov. Kevin Stitt, working with a Christian organization, Catholic Charities, welcomed the refugees to Oklahoma, as did the state's two Republican senators at the time, James Lankford and Jim Inhofe, and Republican Reps. Frank Lucas, Stephanie Bice and Tom Cole. Support for the Afghans was seen as a concrete example of the "Oklahoma Standard," forged in the aftermath of the tragic Oklahoma City bombing 30 years ago this past April. Maintaining that standard, often expressed as "people helping people," over the past three decades since the bombing has been a source of pride for Oklahomans regardless of their political affiliation, race or ethnic background. There was an earlier and more relevant example, as well, when Oklahoma welcomed thousands of refugees from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon 50 years ago. The thousands of immigrants we accepted then reshaped Oklahoma City in ways that forever changed the city for good. So, what are we to make of our attorney general, Gentner Drummond, who now is saying all Afghan refugees in this country should be expelled? In his public announcement, Drummond said he was following the lead of President Donald Trump in issuing "a proclamation effectively banning Afghan nationals from entering the United States." "I am demanding that Gov. Stitt reject the approval he gave to the Biden Administration so all Afghan refugees can be removed from Oklahoma," said Drummond, who has announced he will be a candidate for governor in 2026. Has Drummond made some sort of political calculation that Oklahoma voters will approve of throwing the Oklahoma Standard out the window and punishing all Afghans for the acts of just a few of them? Drummond is defending his call for expulsion by pointing out that an Afghan refugee shot and wounded two police officers in Virginia in April and that two others in Oklahoma allegedly plotted a mass shooting on Election Day 2024 before being arrested. The attorney general did not elaborate on the legal principle he believes justifies the expulsion of all members of a particular ethnic group — who came to this country legally — because a few members of that group broke the law. Drummond criticized Stitt and former President Joe Biden for "not properly vetting" the Afghans that were admitted, apparently under the illusion that some piece of paper would serve as a guarantee against future law-breaking. The Oklahoman rejects this reasoning. If Drummond is to be our next governor, and early polls show him to be well on that path, we urge him to accept the invitation put forth in a recent op-ed by Veronica Laizure-Henry, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Oklahoma Chapter, to meet with members of the Muslim community and our new Afghan neighbors and learn more about them before making broad, inflammatory deportation demands. We admire many of the stands Drummond has taken since being sworn in as attorney general in 2023, particularly in protecting religious freedom. But we deplore the political posturing and the lack of merit in his generic attack on a group of people who are following the law, contributing to our community, and to whom, in many cases, we owe a debt of gratitude for their actions to aid and protect our servicemembers and other Americans when we were strangers in their land. This editorial was written by William C. Wertz, and represents the position of The Oklahoman editorial board, which includes deputy opinion editor Wertz, opinion editor Clytie Bunyan and executive editor Ray Rivera. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Trump and AG Drummond are wrong on Afghan refugees | Editorial
The Herald Scotland
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Part of Thunder's identity traces roots to Oklahoma City bombing
But they all have knowledge of the crime and tragedy because every Thunder employee - from the business side to basketball operations, from first-round draft pick to a player on a two-way G League contract - visits and tours the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. "I was on that tour within a month of working here," said Daigneault, who was hired as the franchise's G League coach in 2014. "There's literally no one that's ever put a logo on their chest that has not been through there because it's just such a big part of the story of the city and the kindness, the compassion that the city has and this community has not only for the team but for one another." April 19 marked the 30th anniversary of the bombing, and the memorial and museum has conducted several events honoring victims and their families and sharing history. There is no question the bombing shaped the city and region, contributing to its resolve, strength and sense of community. The memorial and museum are one mile north of the team's arena in downtown Oklahoma City, and about 500,000 people visit the sacred ground annually. The memorial is marked by solemnity and a reminder of evil. On a recent morning, visitors walked through the outdoor portion of the memorial. At one end, the 9:01 Gate "represents the innocence before the attack" - the bombing happened at 9:02 - and the 9:03 Gate "symbolizes the moment healing began." The 168 chairs represent each of the people killed in the bombing, the survivor wall - a remnant from the explosion - and the survivor tree, "a living symbol of resilience," are part of the outdoor memorial. Kari Watkins is the president and CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum and has had a significant role in creating a space that honors and teaches through a variety of storytelling methods, including interactive exhibits. Watkins, one of USA TODAY's 2025 Women of the Year, was the memorial and museum's first employee. She said Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti reached out to her. "I met with him, talked to him and took him through (the memorial and museum), and we've become good friends," Watkins told USA TODAY Sports. "He is more than a GM to me. He is a friend." Presti is on the memorial and museum's executive committee. "We have this term called the Oklahoma Standard," Watkins said. "It was a term that (Tom) Brokaw coined the first night of his broadcast in 1995 talking about how Oklahomans were a little different. They were cowboy tough, they were resilient, they were strong, and they had set the standard he had never seen before. ... "I'll never forget one board meeting, I don't know, 10 years ago, eight years ago, Sam said, 'You guys take this for granted. You think everybody takes care of their neighbors.' Everybody steps up, and it says so much about the people of the city. They just go and do things. They serve others, they help others. And there's a kindness level here, and we've worked on that harder because of Sam's influence." OPINION: How Pacers coach Rick Carlisle helped Thunder GM Sam Presti break into NBA C-suite USA TODAY Women of the Year: Pacers CEO Mel Raines relishes building community through sport On Friday, June 6, Watkins led NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Thunder owner Clay Bennett on a tour. "I was telling the commissioner the reason I think it's so important is because we are starting to see the same dehumanization and hear the same anti-government rhetoric, and we're hearing all those same noises we heard in 1995, and we've got to stop it," Watkins said. "We've got to figure how to sit down and listen." Caruso, the Thunder's key reserve guard, started his professional basketball career with the Thunder's G League team in 2016. That's when he visited the memorial and museum for the first time. "The cool thing about the organization is no matter how big, small, what your role is on the team, you make a trip out there just to learn about the history of it and how it did impact the community and understand why the relationship is so tight between this team and organization and the community," Caruso said. Said Watkins: "What the perpetrators sought to do in 1995 was to divide our city. And if you're here, you see a city that's united. And so those were the lessons we learned, and we just want to keep, we're passing them on to thousands of school kids a year. "But when you wear the words Oklahoma City on your jersey, you are an ambassador for your city. And so when they come through, they learn the story. Most of them don't know it. They weren't alive. And unless they've Googled it or seen it somewhere, they don't know the story." They now know the story, woven into the heart and soul of the city. Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Thunder trace ties to tight-knit fan community to 1995 Oklahoma City bombing
Thunder trace ties to tight-knit fan community to 1995 Oklahoma City bombing Most Thunder players weren't born when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed 30 years ago. But everyone in the organization knows how the tragedy shaped the city. OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault was just 10 years old at the time of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. Just two players on the Thunder's roster had been born at that time – Alex Caruso had just turned 1, and Kenrich Williams was 4 months old. But they all have knowledge of the crime and tragedy because every Thunder employee – from the business side to basketball operations, from first-round draft pick to a player on a two-way G League contract – visits and tours the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. 'I was on that tour within a month of working here,' said Daigneault, who was hired as the franchise's G League coach in 2014. 'There's literally no one that's ever put a logo on their chest that has not been through there because it's just such a big part of the story of the city and the kindness, the compassion that the city has and this community has not only for the team but for one another.' April 19 marked the 30th anniversary of the bombing, and the memorial and museum has conducted several events honoring victims and their families and sharing history. There is no question the bombing shaped the city and region, contributing to its resolve, strength and sense of community. The memorial and museum are one mile north of the team's arena in downtown Oklahoma City, and about 500,000 people visit the sacred ground annually. The memorial is marked by solemnity and a reminder of evil. On a recent morning, visitors walked through the outdoor portion of the memorial. At one end, the 9:01 Gate 'represents the innocence before the attack' – the bombing happened at 9:02 – and the 9:03 Gate 'symbolizes the moment healing began.' The 168 chairs represent each of the people killed in the bombing, the survivor wall – a remnant from the explosion – and the survivor tree, 'a living symbol of resilience,' are part of the outdoor memorial. Kari Watkins is the president and CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum and has had a significant role in creating a space that honors and teaches through a variety of storytelling methods, including interactive exhibits. Watkins, one of USA TODAY's 2025 Women of the Year, was the memorial and museum's first employee. She said Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti reached out to her. 'I met with him, talked to him and took him through (the memorial and museum), and we've become good friends,' Watkins told USA TODAY Sports. 'He is more than a GM to me. He is a friend.' Presti is on the memorial and museum's executive committee. 'We have this term called the Oklahoma Standard,' Watkins said. 'It was a term that (Tom) Brokaw coined the first night of his broadcast in 1995 talking about how Oklahomans were a little different. They were cowboy tough, they were resilient, they were strong, and they had set the standard he had never seen before. … 'I'll never forget one board meeting, I don't know, 10 years ago, eight years ago, Sam said, 'You guys take this for granted. You think everybody takes care of their neighbors.' Everybody steps up, and it says so much about the people of the city. They just go and do things. They serve others, they help others. And there's a kindness level here, and we've worked on that harder because of Sam's influence.' OPINION: How Pacers coach Rick Carlisle helped Thunder GM Sam Presti break into NBA C-suite USA TODAY Women of the Year: Pacers CEO Mel Raines relishes building community through sport On Friday, June 6, Watkins led NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Thunder owner Clay Bennett on a tour. 'I was telling the commissioner the reason I think it's so important is because we are starting to see the same dehumanization and hear the same anti-government rhetoric, and we're hearing all those same noises we heard in 1995, and we've got to stop it,' Watkins said. 'We've got to figure how to sit down and listen.' Caruso, the Thunder's key reserve guard, started his professional basketball career with the Thunder's G League team in 2016. That's when he visited the memorial and museum for the first time. 'The cool thing about the organization is no matter how big, small, what your role is on the team, you make a trip out there just to learn about the history of it and how it did impact the community and understand why the relationship is so tight between this team and organization and the community,' Caruso said. Said Watkins: 'What the perpetrators sought to do in 1995 was to divide our city. And if you're here, you see a city that's united. And so those were the lessons we learned, and we just want to keep, we're passing them on to thousands of school kids a year. 'But when you wear the words Oklahoma City on your jersey, you are an ambassador for your city. And so when they come through, they learn the story. Most of them don't know it. They weren't alive. And unless they've Googled it or seen it somewhere, they don't know the story.' They now know the story, woven into the heart and soul of the city. Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
57th Law Enforcement Memorial Service honors fallen officers, deputies across Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – 'Not heroes because they died, but because the lives they lived.' That's the sentiment used to honor fallen officers and deputies all across Oklahoma Friday morning at the 57th Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Department of Public Safety. 'There is a sacrifice that's made for what we do here, for the badges that we wear, for the uniforms that we wear and for the flag and the constitutions that we defend,' The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial Chairman Bill Williams said. LOCAL NEWS: Construction company displays the Oklahoma Standard by donating free roof It's something the men and women in uniform never take lightly. The service continues a tradition of honoring those before them that gave everything. People in a line held one rose, accompanied by representatives from agencies across the state, while waiting for a fallen officer or deputies name to be called. They would then walk up and place that rose on an Oklahoma cut out. 'We got to remember these these men and women that give the time in their lives to serve,' retired Deputy Sheriff Van Maples said. Maples was a deputy sheriff out of Denton County Texas for almost a decade. He's originally from Del City, Oklahoma. He drove up to place a rose for the man's black and white picture you see below. 'Dan Maples was my fifth cousin,' Maples said. Dan Maples was a Deputy U.S. Marshal in 1887. He was shot and killed in Tahlequah, Oklahoma while investigating illegal whiskey operations. The Maple family lineage including a heart for serving and blue in their bloodline. LOCAL NEWS: 102-year-old WWII vet honored at Oklahoma State Capitol 'It's in the heart,' Maples said. 'It's not just a job. It's a it's a calling for most of us and we work hard at it.' The memorial holds the names of fallen officers and deputies from all across the state, dating back years and years. All of them paid the ultimate sacrifice as Dan Maples did over 130 years ago. All of them gone, but never forgotten. You can visit the memorials website by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nonprofit supporting developmentally disabled expands with new programs building
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A community for people with developmental disabilities got bigger and better with a new state of the art learning space for their members. The 37,000 sq. ft. facility marks the end of their campaigns first phase to enhance their programs and members lives. From things like cooking to art, it's a world of opportunity to learn for members at Wings. They are the nonprofit building a community for adults with developmental disabilities. 'I love everything up here. Wings is just perfect for me. It fits me really well,' said Sarah Wolfe, a member at Wings. Activities inside Wings' Gregory and Sandra Olson Program Center. Photo courtesy KFOR. Activities inside Wings' Gregory and Sandra Olson Program Center. Photo courtesy KFOR. Activities inside Wings' Gregory and Sandra Olson Program Center. Photo courtesy KFOR. 'I have a lot of fun days here at Wings. They're really awesome,' said Chase Moles, a member at Wings. The members all embraced several learning programs at their newest home on Wednesday. The new Gregory and Sandra Olson Program Center offers multiple instructor and volunteer led programs inside. The programs deal in hobbies, technology, life skills, spirituality and even helping their community. Construction company displays the Oklahoma Standard by donating free roof 'It is designed exactly for them to be able to develop those skills and continue on after high school and be able to have meaning and purpose and what they do every day in their lives and show the community how much they can do,' Executive Program Director Nicole Marcoux said. It's their 21st year. They've been growing since the program started with two hour classes in a much smaller building near Belle Isle. Marcoux said the building completes phase one of their thriving together campaign to grow the organization and their members like Sarah Wolfe. 'I love their heart and their love,' Wolfe said. 'Wings is just perfect up here.' Sitting on 75 acres, they say expansion plans also include a communications building, community living, a chapel and more. 'This is an amazing day for Wings,' Marcoux said. Right now, the organization has over 80 members with ages ranging from 18 to 63. They plan to expand to about 300 program members with their new plans. They also plan to have up to 120 people that live on their property as well as their plans continue to come to fruition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Oklahoma City.
