Latest news with #RyanWalters
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ultra religious Oklahoma education boss breaks silence after he was 'caught looking at photo of NAKED woman on work TV'
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters is denying any wrongdoing after two members of the State Board of Education alleged they saw images of naked women on a television screen in his office during a closed-door meeting last week. The accusation has triggered demands for an investigation from top Republican leaders, including the governor. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday during an executive session focused on student attendance and teacher credentials. Board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage say they were stunned to see what appeared to be graphic, full-frontal nudity displayed on a screen connected to Walters' computer. Carson, a former teacher, said she confronted Walters immediately. 'I saw them just walking across the screen, and I'm like, "no. I'm sorry I even have to use this language, but I'm like, Those are her nipples. And then I'm like, "That's pubic hair." What in the world am I watching? I didn't watch a second longer. … I was so disturbed by it, I was like, "What is on your TV?" I was very stern, like I'd been a mother or a classroom teacher. And I said, "What am I watching? Turn it off now!" she told The Oklahoman. The superintendent, who was seated with his back to the screen, turned the TV off but did not apologize or offer an explanation. The incident unfolded just feet away from his colleagues. Walters, a hardline conservative who has made national headlines for mandating Bibles in classrooms and crusading against 'pornographic books' in schools, has denied the accusations outright. 'Any suggestion that a device of mine was used to stream inappropriate content on the television set is categorically false,' Walters said in a statement on Sunday. 'I have no knowledge of what was on the TV screen during the alleged incident.' He called the claims 'politically motivated attacks' from a hostile education board bent on derailing his agenda. But Republican leaders in the state aren't backing down. Governor Kevin Stitt said he was 'profoundly disappointed' if the allegations are true, while Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton called the claims 'bizarre and troubling,' urging clarity and transparency. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert demanded a third-party investigation and called on Walters to 'unlock and turn over all relevant devices' for review. 'We hold educators to the strictest of standards when it comes to explicit material,' Deatherage said. 'The standard for the superintendent should be no different.' The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services is now reviewing the matter, though key questions remain unanswered - including whether the content was inadvertently streamed from Walters' device or another source. A spokesperson for Walters, Quinton Hitchcock, claimed others had access to the superintendent's office and described the board as politically 'hostile.' The allegations are particularly explosive given Walters' political image. Since being elected in 2022, the former teacher and father of four has spearheaded a deeply conservative overhaul of the state's education system, targeting what he describes as 'radical leftist indoctrination' in public schools. His most controversial move: mandating that all classrooms display the 'God Bless the USA Bible' - a Bible endorsed by former President Donald Trump and country star Lee Greenwood, which includes the Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance. Disclosure reports showed Trump made $300,000 in royalties from the Bible's sales. The Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked the plan, but Walters filed a motion this week to reinstate it. Now, his credibility is being tested under a completely different lens. 'These falsehoods are the desperate tactics of a broken establishment afraid of real change,' Walters said. 'They aren't just attacking me - they're attacking the values of the Oklahomans who elected me to challenge the status quo. 'I will not be distracted. My focus remains on making Oklahoma the best state in the nation, in every category,' he went on. But for board member Becky Carson, who watched the alleged images appear on the screen, the moment was unforgettable. 'I was like, "Those are naked women," and then I was like, "No, wait a minute… this is just really bizarre," she said, initially wondering if the women were wearing tan bodysuits. She added that Walters never addressed what happened. 'There has to be accountability.' Walters' tenure has been marked by sharp rhetoric, high-profile battles with LGBTQ+ advocates, and controversial remarks about educators - whom he has previously labeled as 'perverts' when criticizing gender-inclusive curriculums.
Washington Post
20 hours ago
- Washington Post
Oklahoma authorities investigate reports of explicit images on state education chief's TV
An Oklahoma sheriff's office Monday opened an investigation over reports that images of nude women were displayed on the state's school superintendent office television during a meeting with education board members. Top Oklahoma lawmakers have sought answers over accounts given by two State Board of Education members, who said they saw the images during a meeting in Ryan Walters 's office Thursday. Another board member, Chris Van Denhende, said he was not in a position to see the television but that 'something was on the screen that should not have been,' based on Walters' reaction.
Toronto Sun
20 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Oklahoma authorities investigate reports of explicit images on state education chief's TV
Two State Board of Education members said they saw the images during a meeting in Ryan Walters 's office Published Jul 28, 2025 • 2 minute read Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters speaks during a special state Board of Education meeting, April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sue Ogrocki / AP An Oklahoma sheriff's office Monday opened an investigation over reports that images of nude women were displayed on the state's school superintendent office television during a meeting with education board members. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Top Oklahoma lawmakers have sought answers over accounts given by two State Board of Education members, who said they saw the images during a meeting in Ryan Walters 's office Thursday. Another board member, Chris Van Denhende, said he was not in a position to see the television but that 'something was on the screen that should not have been,' based on Walters' reaction. The investigation is in the early stages, said Aaron Brilbeck, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. He said it was not clear if any laws were violated. Walters, a Republican, has spent much of his first term in office lauding President Donald Trump, feuding with teachers unions and local school superintendents, and trying to end what he describes as 'wokeness' in public schools. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Brilbeck said the sheriff's office was investigating at the request of the state's Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which handles technology, human resources and property management issues for state government. Education board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage told the online news outlet NonDoc that they saw a video featuring naked women in Walters' office during the executive session. They said that they were the only people seated in places where they could see the screen. Carson said that when she asked Walters to turn it off he expressed confusion before doing so. Walters said in a post on the social platform X on Sunday that 'any suggestion that a device of mine was used to stream inappropriate content on the television set is categorically false.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I have no knowledge of what was on the TV screen during the alleged incident, and there is absolutely no truth to any implication of wrongdoing,' he wrote. Walters' office did not immediately reply to a request by The Associated Press for comment about the investigation on Monday. Van Denhende told the AP that he's fine with the sheriff's department investigating, though 'I'm not certain if it is a violation of law or state policy.' Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, a Republican, in a news release on Friday said it was 'a bizarre and troubling situation,' and that 'the accounts made public by board members paint a strange, unsettling scene that demands clarity and transparency.' State Sen. Adam Pugh, a Republican who is the Senate education chairman, said in the news release that the reports from the meeting 'raise a number of questions.' Carson nor Deatherage immediately replied Monday to a request for comment from the AP. MLB Toronto & GTA Golf Celebrity World
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma authorities investigate reports of explicit images on state education chief's TV
An Oklahoma sheriff's office Monday opened an investigation over reports that images of nude women were displayed on the state's school superintendent office television during a meeting with education board members. Top Oklahoma lawmakers have sought answers over accounts given by two State Board of Education members, who said they saw the images during a meeting in Ryan Walters 's office Thursday. Another board member, Chris Van Denhende, said he was not in a position to see the television but that 'something was on the screen that should not have been,' based on Walters' reaction. The investigation is in the early stages, said Aaron Brilbeck, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. He said it was not clear if any laws were violated. Walters, a Republican, has spent much of his first term in office lauding President Donald Trump, feuding with teachers unions and local school superintendents, and trying to end what he describes as 'wokeness' in public schools. Brilbeck said the sheriff's office was investigating at the request of the state's Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which handles technology, human resources and property management issues for state government. Education board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage told the online news outlet NonDoc that they saw a video featuring naked women in Walters' office during the executive session. They said that they were the only people seated in places where they could see the screen. Carson said that when she asked Walters to turn it off he expressed confusion before doing so. Walters said in a post on the social platform X on Sunday that 'any suggestion that a device of mine was used to stream inappropriate content on the television set is categorically false.' 'I have no knowledge of what was on the TV screen during the alleged incident, and there is absolutely no truth to any implication of wrongdoing,' he wrote. Walters' office did not immediately reply to a request by The Associated Press for comment about the investigation on Monday. Van Denhende told the AP that he's fine with the sheriff's department investigating, though 'I'm not certain if it is a violation of law or state policy.' Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, a Republican, in a news release on Friday said it was 'a bizarre and troubling situation,' and that 'the accounts made public by board members paint a strange, unsettling scene that demands clarity and transparency.' State Sen. Adam Pugh, a Republican who is the Senate education chairman, said in the news release that the reports from the meeting 'raise a number of questions.' Carson nor Deatherage immediately replied Monday to a request for comment from the AP. Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Oklahoma authorities investigate reports of explicit images on state education chief's TV
An Oklahoma sheriff's office Monday opened an investigation over reports that images of nude women were displayed on the state's school superintendent office television during a meeting with education board members. Top Oklahoma lawmakers have sought answers over accounts given by two State Board of Education members, who said they saw the images during a meeting in Ryan Walters 's office Thursday. Another board member, Chris Van Denhende, said he was not in a position to see the television but that 'something was on the screen that should not have been,' based on Walters' reaction. The investigation is in the early stages, said Aaron Brilbeck, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. He said it was not clear if any laws were violated. Walters, a Republican, has spent much of his first term in office lauding President Donald Trump, feuding with teachers unions and local school superintendents, and trying to end what he describes as 'wokeness' in public schools. Brilbeck said the sheriff's office was investigating at the request of the state's Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which handles technology, human resources and property management issues for state government. Education board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage told the online news outlet NonDoc that they saw a video featuring naked women in Walters' office during the executive session. They said that they were the only people seated in places where they could see the screen. Carson said that when she asked Walters to turn it off he expressed confusion before doing so. Walters said in a post on the social platform X on Sunday that 'any suggestion that a device of mine was used to stream inappropriate content on the television set is categorically false.' 'I have no knowledge of what was on the TV screen during the alleged incident, and there is absolutely no truth to any implication of wrongdoing,' he wrote. Walters' office did not immediately reply to a request by The Associated Press for comment about the investigation on Monday. Van Denhende told the AP that he's fine with the sheriff's department investigating, though 'I'm not certain if it is a violation of law or state policy.' Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, a Republican, in a news release on Friday said it was 'a bizarre and troubling situation,' and that 'the accounts made public by board members paint a strange, unsettling scene that demands clarity and transparency.' State Sen. Adam Pugh, a Republican who is the Senate education chairman, said in the news release that the reports from the meeting 'raise a number of questions.' Carson nor Deatherage immediately replied Monday to a request for comment from the AP.
