Oklahoma
Navy nuclear submarine to be named U.S.S. Oklahoma | Broken Arrow Sentinel
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt Tuesday revealed the creation of the U.S.S. Oklahoma Commissioning Committee to build a 29th Virginia Class, fast attack nuclear submarine in collaboration with the U.S. Navy and Newport News Shipbuilding.
Carrying Tomahawk missiles and MK-48 torpedoes, the U.S.S. Oklahoma will home 132 sailors and 18 officers, and feature advanced stealth capabilities to make it virtually undetectable in water, officials said.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have Oklahoma so well represented in our nation’s Navy,” said Stitt. “I’m grateful to Director Slavonic and the committee members for their leadership. Not only will this submarine represent the patriotic, God-fearing culture of Oklahoma, but it will symbolize our commitment to innovation, security, and the men and women who protect our country. It’s an honor to help bring her to life.”
The submarine is being built in Groton, Conn. and Newport News, Va. The traditional keel laying occurred in 2023 and the christening will occur late 2025 or early 2026.
After a year of sea trials, the commissioning ceremony — where the U.S. Navy officially accepts the submarine in her fleet— will be in mid-2027. The U.S.S. Oklahoma already has a 60-man crew training and overseeing the boat’s construction.
“The citizens of Oklahoma should take pride in knowing the U.S. Navy decided after 80 years to have another navy vessel named ‘Oklahoma.’ Not since the battleship U.S.S. Oklahoma, which was sunk by the Japanese when they attacked our naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, has a ship or submarine borne the name Oklahoma,” said executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Greg Slavonic.
“Four hundred and twenty-nine sailors and marines lost their lives that fateful day — second most to U.S.S. Arizona. The new Oklahoma submarine will project power, keep our sea lanes open and ensure freedom for every Oklahoman and our nation.”
The makeup of the commissioning committee will be U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Naval Seabee Rocky Goins as chair, retired Commander Tucker McHugh as treasurer, and Slavonic, among others.
Stitt, U.S. Senator James Lankford and Senator Markwayne Mullin will serve as honorary chairs. Molly Slavonic serves as the vessel’s official sponsor.
As one of their first acts, the committee hopes to develop scholarship opportunities for the Oklahoma sailors to further their education, even while serving underwater.
“It is difficult for young sailors to further their education when they may be underwater for months at a time without internet,” said Goins. “We have had initial and productive conversations with Oklahoma Chancellor Allison Garrett and Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders to see if our Oklahoma colleges can develop programs that our sailors can take with them on their cruise to further their development. This could be a game changer for them if we can create a program which the Navy will approve.”
Commander Aaron “Okie Skipper” Stutzman, Captain Select of the U.S.S. Oklahoma, plans to have crew members visit Oklahoma regularly to embrace the “Okie spirit.”
Commander Stutzman is enthusiastic about the committee’s interest in expanding the sailor education program and exploring opportunities with the Navy.
“To make all of this happen in a first-class manner, we will be relying upon Oklahoma’s generosity in sponsorships for this historic event,” said Commander Stutzman. “We want the crew to know that our state will support them during their commissioning and beyond as they protect our shores and sea lanes.”
The commission’s website can be found here and their Facebook page can be found here.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) — Oklahoma lawmakers have voted to honor country music artist and Oklahoma native Toby Keith.
House Concurrent Resolution 1019 recognizes Keith’s lasting impact on music and proposes renaming a planned turnpike in his memory.
The concurrent resolution was authored by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Morgan, and Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman.
The planned route will extend from Interstate 44 east to Interstate 35, then continue east and north to I-40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike.
Copyright 2026 KSWO. All rights reserved.
Governor Kevin Stitt has said he wants the State Superintendent of Education to be a governor-elected position instead of an elected one. Political analyst Scott Mitchell examines what this would mean for the state.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging lawmakers to send a state question to voters that would make the state superintendent an appointed position, as he named Lindel Fields of Tulsa to the role and announced a turnaround team to help implement his education agenda.
Is the State Superintendent an elected role?
Yes, the State Superintendent of Education is still an elected role. Elections are scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
Cons of making the superintendent an appointed position
Mitchell said making this position appointed could cause distrust among some Oklahomans
“Over the years, we’ve seen that capture of regulatory sort of is easy to do when you have term limits, then lobbies become more powerful, and they have all the history. It’s very complicated.
He also said if the position were to be elected, they would likely have the same agenda as the governor.
“Yes, and I think the governor would be absolutely saying, ‘Yes, they’re going to do what I want them to do.’”
Changing how the superintendent is chosen changes what the founding fathers set.
“Voters are going to have to say yay or nay if it gets to them, is whether or not we want to change the way that the founding fathers set up the way that we make sure that power is not concentrated in Oklahoma,” he said.
Is Ryan Walters’ term the reason Stitt wants to make this position appointed?
Mitchell said he believes the former State Superintendent played a role in the government wanting to appoint this position.
During his time as superintendent, Walters was known to have multiple controversies. He resigned in 2025, allowing Stitt to appoint Lindel Fields.
“His impact on this, even though he’s gone, is certainly evident,” said Mitchell. “Walters left midstream, right? And so the governor had a chance to appoint someone. Well, it wasn’t just an appointment; it was chaos before and relative calm and competency after. And that has given the governor an opening for people to see with their own eyes. Yeah, you can put somebody in, we’re talking about Lindel Fields, that appears to get up every day, not trying to find some, get a click on social media, but rather to do his job. And across the board, for the most part, this guy’s getting thumbs up.
Stitt said electing Fields has already given him some leverage since he has been well perceived so far.
“That allows a governor to say, Look, I’ve got some standing, some leverage to go to the voters and say, let’s put expertise as the main reason that a person’s there, not because they were able to win an election because they had some sort of populist or dramatic ideas.”
Who is running for Oklahoma State Superintendent?
Republican Ballot
- Sen. Adam Pugh
- John Cox
- Rep. Toni Hasenbeck
- Ana Landsaw
Democrat Ballot
- Craig Mcvay
- Jennettie Marshall
Independent
To learn more about each candidate, click here.
A full breakdown of candidates in the 2026 Oklahoma State Superintendent race, including party affiliation, background and key education priorities.
An Oklahoma highway could soon be named after the late country superstar, Toby Keith, pending new legislation.
House Concurrent Resolution 1019 would rename a proposed turnpike project the “Toby Keith Expressway.” This roadway is set to be built from Interstate 44 East to Interstate-35, continuing East and North to Interstate 40. This road is a part of the ACCESS Oklahoma Long-Range Plan, which is meant to update and expand the state’s turnpike system.
This resolution was adopted by the House on Wednesday.
“Toby Keith was more than a country music star. He was a proud Oklahoman who never forgot where he came from,” said Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore. “Naming this turnpike in his honor is a fitting way to recognize a man who represented our state with ultimate patriotism and generosity.”
Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, raised in Moore and resided in Norman. He died on February 5, 2024, in a battle with cancer.
“Over the course of his legendary career, Toby Keith never forgot where he came from or what he stood for,” said Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. “His Oklahoma roots shaped him, and his love of America defined him. He was a country music superstar and a true patriot. I can think of no better way to honor his memory than by naming this future stretch of Norman turnpike in his honor, creating a lasting tribute to the legacy he leaves behind.”
During his career, Keith sold over 40 million records and more than 20 number-one singles
Legislation authors believe this would commemorate the life and legacy of Toby Keith.
The bill will now head to the Senate.
To read the full House Resolution, click here.
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