Oklahoma
Multiple EF-3 tornadoes lay ruin to Oklahoma communities during deadly tornado outbreak
Most businesses in downtown Sulphur were completely destroyed by an EF-3 tornado on Saturday night during a severe weather outbreak. FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell said the situation is dangerous because buildings continue to collapse two days after the tornado.
SULPHUR, Okla. – At least three EF-3-rated tornadoes destroyed entire communities in Oklahoma over the weekend, killing four people in the state and leaving survivors searching through ruins.
Damage survey teams with the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, said they found damage consistent with at least EF-3 tornadoes based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale in the towns of Sulphur, Holdenville and Marietta. Further assessment is needed in Sulphur and Marietta, which might warrant a stronger tornado rating.
The tornado in Sulphur ripped through the downtown area, destroying nearly every business on West Muskogee Avenue. At least one death has been confirmed after a woman’s body was found in one of the buildings after the storm.
The only silver lining is that the twister hit late Saturday night when the downtown area was mostly empty.
Two other deaths were reported in Holdenvile and one in Marietta.
FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell reported from Sulphur on Monday, where the area most devastated by the storm continues to deteriorate. Some buildings crumble with gusts of wind, and the area is closed to the public because of the hazardous conditions.
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“Police have said they’re trying to limit people coming back here because they have had some buildings continue to collapse,” Campbell said.
Owners with businesses on West Muskogee Avenue are shocked that the entire stretch of a vibrant downtown community that was home to arts, restaurants and other shops is just gone.
Christy Morris, co-owner of The Mix Mercantile, was one of many business owners who suffered catastrophic damage from the EF-3 tornado that tore through historic downtown Sulphur on Saturday night. She hopes to rebuild.
Larry, Allison and Vicki Combs own an antique furniture business in Sulphur that was destroyed by the tornado. On Monday, they said their business wasn’t recognizable.
“You see it on TV, (in) other places, and you feel bad for those people, but you really don’t know it ’til it’s you, ’til it hits you,” Larry Combs said.
Christy Morris, owner of The Mix Mercantile, said she first learned the tornado was happening when the security alarm notified her the doors were ripped open.
After waiting for the path to be clear enough to see the damage the next morning, Morris said it was “catastrophic.”
Tornado damage to The Mix Mercantile business in downtown Sulphur, Oklahoma on April 28, 2024.
(Christy Morris)
“There is no way that we are going to be able to salvage it,” she said.
The Table restaurant, another local business that shared The Mix Mercantile building, was also destroyed in the tornado. Morris said it’s especially devastating because the historic building was constructed in the 1920s.
Still, Morris said they would like to rebuild in downtown Sulphur.
“It would be terrible if we couldn’t build back in that location, in that town, because it truly is a very special place,” Morris said.
Recovery efforts face more severe weather this week
A heavy fog settled over the destruction in downtown Sulphur on Monday, and local officials are concerned about the possibility of severe weather this week.
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Another round of severe weather is targeting the Plains and Midwest, shifting back into western Oklahoma by Wednesday.
Tornadoes, very large hail and damaging winds are the primary threats.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible for Sulphur on Wednesday and Thursday.
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — There are over 300 animal shelters and animal welfare organizations across Oklahoma, all working to care for thousands of homeless, abandoned, and rescued animals. But as stray animal populations continue to grow especially in rural areas lawmakers are considering a bill aimed at giving counties more control.
House Bill 3902 would allow all Oklahoma counties to create animal control programs and regulate dogs running at large. Current law limits that authority to counties with populations over 200,000.
If passed, the bill would take effect November 1, 2026.
Supporters of HB 3902 say Oklahoma’s stray animal problem is particularly severe outside city limits, where many counties lack animal control officers or shelters.
The bill was introduced in response to growing concerns about animal overpopulation, worsened by post-pandemic increases in unspayed and unneutered pets. Lawmakers behind the measure say removing population restrictions would allow counties to tailor solutions to their own communities.
Animal welfare groups, including the Humane Society of Tulsa, say the change is long overdue.
“We are such a rural state that I don’t think people realize how many stray animals, dumped animals happen outside of city jurisdictions,” said Lawrence DePriest, Director of Operations for the Humane Society of Tulsa.
DePriest says the Humane Society of Tulsa receives 10 to 12 calls every day from people reporting stray or at-large animals many from outside city limits.
However, as a private organization, the Humane Society does not take in stray animals, because it lacks the legal authority and resources to process stray holds. Instead, it relies on municipal shelters to handle those cases.
“If all my kennel space is full, I don’t have the luxury of bringing in another animal, even though we want to help,” DePriest said.
In a News Channel 8 poll, viewers were asked whether Oklahoma should require animal control programs statewide or leave the decision up to local governments.
Responses were mixed with many saying animal control should be statewide only if state funding is provided.
HB 3902 remains under legislative review as lawmakers continue discussions on how best to address Oklahoma’s stray animal crisis.
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Expand Energy Corporation has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from OKlahoma City to Houston, Texas, later this year.
The move comes a week after the Devon Energy Corporation announced its plan to move to Houston last week as part of a merger with Coterra Energy. In late 2025, part of the Expand Energy corporate campus in northwest Oklahoma City was acquired by Oklahoma City-based real estate firm Robinson Park for a future redevelopment project.
Oklahoma City-based real estate firm Robinson Park has acquired part of the Expand Energy Campus in Oklahoma City, with plans to redevelop and rebrand the area.
Devon Energy and Coterra Energy say the all-stock merger will strengthen their Delaware Basin footprint and drive long-term per-share growth.
Expand Energy Corporation, formerly known as Chesapeake Energy, says the relocation will primarily focus on the executive leadership team and will strengthen the company’s relationships with “key industry and commercial partners.”
The company says Oklahoma City will remain a center of Expand’s business and operations, with the company saying it “remains committed to supporting its Oklahoma City employees and the local community.”
In addition to the relocation, Expand says it has also announced leadership changes, effective immediately. Michael Wichterich, Chairman of the Board, has been appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. According to EEC, Dell’Osso stepped down as a director of the Board and will serve as an external advisor for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition.
Expand says its board of directors has commenced a search for a permanent CEO with the assistance of an independent recruitment firm.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Nick for his leadership and many contributions since first joining the company in 2008,” Wichterich said. “During his tenure as CEO, the Company has grown from a $5 billion business to a $26 billion investment-grade enterprise included in the S&P 500 Index. We are grateful for his leadership in setting a strong foundation for our future.”
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Oklahoma State was fined $50,000 following an investigation into inappropriate chants that referenced Mormons during a men’s basketball game against BYU last week, the Big 12 Conference announced Sunday.
After Oklahoma State defeated BYU 99-92, BYU head coach Kevin Young claimed he heard “F— the Mormons” chants coming from the student section.
“In accordance with the Big 12 Conference Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, the Conference has issued Oklahoma State University a $50,000 fine following its investigation into inappropriate chants which referenced the Mormon religion that occurred during Wednesday’s men’s basketball game,” the statement said.
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The giant screen shows the OSU logo during a game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Kansas State Wildcats at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Nov. 15, 2025. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
“The Big 12 Conference will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others.”
Oklahoma State said it will not appeal the fine in a statement.
“The reference to religion did not meet our standards and expectations,” the university said in a statement. “Oklahoma State respects the Big 12’s decision and will not appeal the fine.”
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BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young reacts during the Kansas Jayhawks game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri, on Jan. 24, 2026. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
It was at least the fourth time in a year that BYU teams have been the target of anti-Mormon chants. The Big 12 fined Colorado $50,000 in September after football fans directed expletives and religious slurs at Mormons during a game against the Cougars in Boulder.
Similar incidents occurred at an Arizona men’s basketball game last season and a Cincinnati football game in November. Neither school was fined.
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A view of the Big 12 logo and scoreboard before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the BYU Cougars at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 6, 2025. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
BYU athletic director Brian Santiago said they are trying to eliminate the derogatory chants.
“What we’re trying to do is eliminate the behavior from happening and the apologies that come afterward,” Santiago said Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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