Latest news with #OklahomaStateUniversity
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
OSU receives historic $250M investment for veterinary teaching hospital
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) – Oklahoma State University (OSU) is celebrating a big boost from the state announcing on Thursday a historic $250 million fund supporting the construction of a new veterinary teaching hospital. OSU leaders say, the state appropriation is the university's largest in advancing the future of veterinary education, food, security and public health in Oklahoma. The new 255,000-square-foot facility is set to replace the existing veterinary hospital expanding the programs ability to train the next generation of veterinarians. OSU President Jim Hess says, veterinary medicine is a cornerstone of Oklahoma's economy and public health, highlighting the transformational investment directly supports OSU's land-grant mission to serve the state's needs. Thunder win Western Conference Finals, make first NBA Finals appearance since 2012 'Today marks a very historic day for Oklahoma State University and the entire state of Oklahoma,' Hess said. 'Gov. Stitt and the members of the Oklahoma Legislature are to be congratulated for their contribution and transformational dedication to our College of Veterinary Medicine, the food supply of Oklahoma and the agricultural economy of our state.' OSU officials say, the new facility continued compliance measures are tied to facility upgrades after the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine was previously placed on probationary accreditation in the fall of 2024. 'This $250 million investment powerfully answers the call to build a new teaching facility for OSU`s veterinary medicine school, and we thank our elected leaders for their commitment to this vital project and the veterinarians who fought for it,' said Oklahoma A&M Board Chairman Jimmy Harrel. 'We celebrate this significant progress as a win for Oklahoma State University, its veterinary students, and the agricultural community. The facility will serve the state for at least the next 40 years and equip our graduates to meet the evolving needs of Oklahoma's vital animal industries. Our mission is to be number one in the nation, and this will be the launching pad to achieve our shared vision, advancing the university's top-tier status as a land grant institution.' OSU officials confirm, its veterinary college is just 1 of 33 accredited veterinary colleges in the United States meeting veterinary workforce needs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The most concerning part of Oklahoma's new budget is what was left out
I want to commend the Oklahoma Legislature for getting the budget done. That's never an easy task. I was involved in budget negotiations during my last eight years in office and know firsthand how difficult those conversations can be. I appreciate the time and effort it took to reach an agreement. For the most part, I agree with this year's budget. In fact, my biggest concerns lie not with what was included — but with what was left out. Could we have done more? Absolutely. Still, there were meaningful wins: • Funding for Oklahoma State University veterinary school — We need to position OSU as the premier veterinary university in the country. • Support for the new pediatric hospital at OU Health — Our children deserve top-tier care right here at home. • $20 million in additional funding for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation — An investment in our roads and infrastructure is an investment in public safety and economic development. • Additional funding for deferred maintenance — Long-overdue needs finally being addressed. Though I'm no longer in elected office, I still care deeply about the direction of this state. My hope is that future leaders will have the courage to stand firm — not just for the politics of the moment, but for the people of Oklahoma. That means listening, being transparent and acting. The easy choice is to stay silent. This session won't just be remembered for what was passed — but for what was sidelined, ignored or vetoed. Our View: Three vetoes by Gov. Kevin Stitt should be overridden by the OK Legislature One of the most disappointing moments was the veto of a bipartisan bill championed by Rep. Melissa Provenzano to support women battling breast cancer. This wasn't about politics — it was about people. It had broad support across the aisle, yet was still shut down. If we can't come together on something that personal and human, it's not just disappointing — it's disheartening. Then came the social studies standards. Most of us weren't asking to throw them out — just to send them back to the Oklahoma State Department of Education for a responsible review. That didn't happen. Instead, the revised standards were moved forward without further input. Equally troubling is the continued inaction on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP). Oklahoma ranks second in the nation for MMIP cases — an unacceptable and heartbreaking reality. Native families have been crying out for years, and year after year, the state fails to act. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole stood before Congress and gave powerful testimony. He showed us what leadership looks like. I agree with him completely: We cannot give predators a place to prey, especially not in Indian Country. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, I stand with him and the families demanding justice. We also missed a chance to improve transparency with House Bill 2163, which would have expanded public access to open records. That bill revealed something many of us already knew: resistance to accountability runs deep. During my final years in office, I had to issue subpoenas just to get basic information. The public deserves to know how decisions are made, and why. Transparency should never be treated as a threat. Opinion: Ryan Walters uses Education Department to further his own political career Then there's the ¼ percent income tax cut. It made for a strong headline, but back home in Moore, South OKC and across Western Oklahoma, the question I hear most is simple: Why? No one has clearly explained what it means for everyday people. Maybe it's a good idea — but most folks are still scratching their heads. And to be clear — these aren't just my thoughts. These are the thoughts of people I hear from every week at coffee shops, cafes, the lumberyard, the feed store, gas stations and from business leaders across Oklahoma. They're not asking for less government — they're asking for responsible government. Better schools. Better roads. Safer communities. We currently rank 49th in the nation in education funding, and last in our region for per-pupil investment. People remember what it was like during the billion-dollar deficit years. They know that Oklahoma is a boom-and-bust state, and they have no problem with keeping a solid savings account for the next downturn. What they do have a problem with is political distractions. We need to stop chasing national political fights and start focusing on what Oklahomans are asking for. The answers won't come from Washington — they'll come from listening to our neighbors and acting with courage right here at home. This session reminded me of something I learned in my early days at the Capitol: Good policy often dies quietly. Not through public debate, but through silence, neglect or veto. Some of the greatest disappointments this year weren't in what we passed — but in what we failed to do. Mark McBride is a businessman and consultant and a former member of the House of Representatives, from 2012-2024. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: The most disappointing moments from the Oklahoma Legislature in 2025
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Oklahoma district attorney found dead in his home
Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Edwards has died after nearly four years as the county's top prosecutor. Muskogee police said Edwards was found dead in his home shortly after 8 a.m. May 12 by officers making a welfare check. Muskogee Police Public Information Officer Lynn Hamlin said there was 'nothing suspicious at this time' regarding Edwards' death. Kathryn Brewer, the executive coordinator of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, said in a statement that Edwards was known as "a serious and skilled prosecutor, a thoughtful mentor and a public servant." "His impact stretched across multiple jurisdictions, and he remained steadfast in his commitment to victim advocacy and community safety," she said. "His passing leaves a void in the Oklahoma legal community that will be deeply felt.' State Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, said Edwards had made a lasting impact on the community. 'Larry was deeply committed to justice and the well-being of our community, and his legacy of service will not be forgotten,' Frix said in a statement. 'My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this challenging time. He will be truly missed.' Gov. Kevin Stitt now is responsible for naming a person who will serve the remainder of Edwards' term.. Stitt had appointed Edwards as Muskogee County district attorney in October 2021 to fill the vacancy after the resignation of then-DA Orvil Loge. Edwards was elected to the post in 2022., A spokesman for Stitt said there is no timeline yet as to when Stitt might appoint Edwards' successor. Stitt said May 12 he was saddened to learn of Edwards' death. "My prayers are with Mr. Edwards' family, his colleagues in law enforcement and the entire Muskogee community," Stitt said. "We are grateful for his service to Oklahoma and the legacy he leaves behind." Edwards first graduated from Oklahoma State University with a marketing degree, then the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1990 before starting his prosecutorial career in Tulsa County. He worked as a homicide prosecutor, drug and gang unit specialist and liaison to the Tulsa Police Department. Edwards was cross designated as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts in the 2001 prosecution of James 'Whitey' Bulger, Stephen Flemmi and John Martorano in the murder of Roger Wheeler in 1981 in Tulsa – one of the most notorious crimes ever to occur in Oklahoma. Edwards went on to serve as first assistant district attorney in the office serving Rogers, Mayes and Craig counties in northeastern Oklahoma, and later held the same position in the Muskogee County office in 2020. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Muskogee County district attorney Larry Edwards found dead in his home
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
High School Senior Dies in Crash Just Days Before Graduation: 'Only 2 Miles from Her House', Family Says
Davis High School student Averiee Osmundson, 18, died in a traffic collision near U.S. Highway 77 in Oklahoma, almost a week before her graduation In a statement, her cousin said that she was planning to attend Oklahoma State University on a scholarship 'She could always just put a smile on everybody's face,' said Osmundson's auntA high school student who was about to graduate in a few days was killed in a single-vehicle collision in Oklahoma last weekend. In an incident report obtained by PEOPLE, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) stated that the crash occurred on Saturday, May 10, on Foothill Road about 0.4 miles west of U.S. Highway 77, which is approximately 3 miles north of Springer. The OHP report said that a 2005 Lexus RX330 driven by Averiee Osmundson, 18, was traveling eastbound on Foothill Road. The vehicle departed the roadway to the left when it 'overcorrected reentering the roadway before overturning an unknown amount of times.' The Lexus was ejected 'approximately 78 feet from where the vehicle came to rest,' continued the report. Osmundson, who hailed from Springer, was pronounced dead at the scene following injuries sustained in the crash, according to authorities. Her body was taken to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office. The OHP report also noted that a seatbelt was not in use at the time. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Kegan Muth, Osmundson's cousin, paid tribute to her in a statement shared with KOKH. 'She was more than an 18-year-old graduating high school; she was a beautiful, young, talented girl,' Muth's statement read in part. 'She knew just the right words to say and when to say them. She had a scholarship to attend Oklahoma State University, which she couldn't wait to attend, even if her bubs said to rethink it.' 'She wanted to be a pediatrician,' the statement continued. 'All she ever wanted was to help the ones who needed the help. She always made everyone smile and happy. She didn't see life like everyone else. She saw the bright light in the pitch black dark.' Osmundson was a senior at Davis High School and was scheduled to graduate on Friday, May 16, per CBS affiliate KOTV. Davis Public Schools acknowledged Osmundson's death in a letter shared on Facebook Sunday, May 11. 'This devastating loss will be deeply felt throughout our entire school community, especially among the Senior Class of 2025,' read the letter in part. 'Our deepest sympathy goes out to Averiee's family, friends, and our entire school community,' the letter added. 'Please continue to keep her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.' Cassie Muth, Osmundson's aunt, told KOTV that the family has been shattered by what happened. 'She was only two miles from her house," said Muth. Muth remembered her niece for having an amazing heart. 'She could always just put a smile on everybody's face. She was very adventurous, very outgoing,' Muth said. 'Honestly, I'm still in disbelief that she's been taken from us at such a young age with so much potential and a lot still ahead of her,' she said, per KOTV. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Radio-collared Pronghorn shot, left to rot in Oklahoma
BOISE CITY, Okla. (KSNW) — Authorities in Oklahoma are looking for whoever shot and killed a Pronghorn in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Oklahoma Game Wardens say a Pronghorn was shot with a high-powered rifle around 11 a.m. Monday. It happened in a field near the intersection of N0250 Road and E0150 Road, northwest of Boise City. Game wardens say the animal, sometimes referred to as the American Antelope, was shot, killed, and left to rot. Her dead twin fawns were found with her. Still no new judge for suspect in murdered moms case The doe was wearing a radio collar and was being monitored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Oklahoma State University. A cash reward is being offered to anyone who comes forward with information about who killed the doe. Callers can choose to remain anonymous. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Lt. Mike Baker, Game Warden, at 580-651-9135. The fastest land mammal in North America and the second fastest animal in the world, next to the cheetah, pronghorns are not related to deer or antelopes, but they are in the same family as giraffes. Although not directly considered endangered, their numbers have declined from historic levels. Two subspecies of pronghorn are listed as endangered: the Peninsular and Sonoran. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
