Oklahoma
Voters sent some Oklahoma lawmakers packing while others wound up in runoffs • Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY – Races for the statehouse on Tuesday saw some surprises.
Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, lost to Republican challenger Jonathan Wingard, of Ada.
McCortney, considered to be more moderate than some of his GOP colleagues, was the Senate Majority floor leader and was slated to become the next president pro tem.
He did not immediately return a message left seeking comment.
No Democrat, Libertarian or independent filed, so Wingard will represent Senate District 13.
House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, faces a runoff with Republican Jim Shaw, of Chandler, for state representative District 32. They were the top two vote getters in a three-way race.
Wallace was a key player in budget negotiations.
Sen. Cody Rogers, of Tulsa, lost to Republican challenger Aaron Reinhardt, of Jenks, in the Senate District 37 race.
Reinhardt faces independent Andrew Nutter, of Tulsa, in the general election.
Gov. Kevin Stitt recently campaigned for Rogers, telling supporters that special interest groups were out to get the incumbent, who does not always vote the way Senate leadership wants him to vote.
Rogers recently said he was the target of a smear campaign and dozens of negative mailers had been sent out against him.
Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, lost her primary to Kendal Sacchieri, of Blanchard, in Senate District 43. Sacchieri faces a Democrat in the general election.
Garvin said she spent four years doing good work.
“I am really thankful for that opportunity,” she said.
Garvin was not sad about the outcome and looked forward to spending more time with her family and growing her business.
Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, narrowly avoided a runoff, winning in a four-way primary that included Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, who Jett previously defeated.
No Democrat, Libertarian or independent filed for the post, so Jett secured reelection to Senate District 17.
Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, narrowly defeated Republican challenger Cody Anderson, of Ringwood, to secure reelection to Senate District 27.
Molly Jenkins of Coyle was elected to House District 33 after defeating Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater. No Democrat, Libertarian or independent filed for the post.
Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, will leave the Legislature, losing his race for Senate District 25.
In the race for House District 98, Rep. Dean Davis heads to a Aug. 27 runoff with challenger Gabe Woolley.
Both are Republicans from Broken Arrow.
The winner will face Democrat Cathy Smythe, of Broken Arrow.
Sen. Blake Cowboy Stephens will face Julie McIntosh, of Porter, in the Republican runoff. They were the top two vote getters in a three-way race for Senate District 3. The winner faces independent Margaret Cook of Tahlequah in the general election.
Stephens said he was pleased with his performance Tuesday.
“Voters responded to a cowboy who will shoot you straight and has never missed a day of work,” he said.
Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, secured reelection to Senate District 1 after defeating Houston Brittain of Pryor.
In the race for Senate District 11, Democrat Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, easily defeated Democrat Joe Williams. She will replace Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, who is termed out.
No independent, Libertarian or Republican candidates filed for the seat.
Emma Murphy contributed to this report.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Two people are dead, and three others are injured after an overnight shooting at a party in southwest Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a fight broke out at a party, leading to a shooting.
Authorities said police responded to Dos Cinco Mexican Restaurant and Bar near SW 25th Street and S Hudson Ave after a fight broke out during an event at the business.
The fight escalated into gunfire, and five people were shot. OKCPD said the victims were transported to the hospital by EMSA and private vehicles.
One victim was pronounced deceased after arriving at the hospital, and a second victim later died at the hospital.
Detectives said they were working to determine what led to the shooting and identify everyone involved.
Dos Cinco Restaurant released a statement following the shooting, extending its condolences to everyone affected by the shooting.
Last night our community experienced a heartbreaking tragedy, and our hearts are heavy as we process the events that unfolded.
What began as a normal evening was tragically cut short when an altercation escalated into an act of gun violence, resulting in the loss of two lives. We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, loved ones, and everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy. No family should ever have to endure such a devastating loss.
The safety of our guests and staff has always been a top priority. Our security team conducted security screenings at the entrance however, despite those measures, firearms were somehow brought into the establishment by both parties. We are committed to understanding by how this occurred and to doing everything possible to help prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.
Dos Cinco has provided ALL surveillance footage to the Oklahoma City Police Department and will continue to fully cooperate with detectives throughout their investigation. Out of respect for the victims, their families, and the ongoing investigation, Dos Cinco will remain closed until further notice. We ask our community to keep everyone impacted in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
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The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday’s card in Oklahoma City, including a pair to the main event fighters.
After UFC Fight Night 281, four fighters picked up an extra $100,000 for their performances at Paycom Center. Additionally, two fighters got $25,000 extra checks for finishes that weren’t bonus-winners.
Check out the list of winners below.
Dricus Du Plessis (24-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC) put on a masterful performance with a unanimous decision over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (21-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC), whose return to middleweight ended in failure – and him saying he didn’t want to be a sore loser, then listing about six reasons why he was being precisely that. Du Plessis frequently made Usman look slow, though the broadcast team starting in the third round lauded him for his grit. DDP’s scorecards included a 50-45, which Usman took particular exception with as part of his “I’m not a sore loser” sore loser time on the microphone with Daniel Cormier, who seemed unsure if he should feel sorry for him or be embarrassed for his assertion that he somehow was in a competitive fight.
Performance of the Night: Felipe Franco ($100,000)
Felipe Franco (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) turned in a performance to remember for his first win in the UFC when he took out Levi Rodrigues (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with a second-round TKO. Back at 205 pounds after a loss in his UFC debut at heavyweight, Franco mounted Rodrigues and pounded him out in the second frame.
Performance of the Night: Tommy McMillen ($100,000)
Tommy McMillen (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) looked like a star has been born when he set a new promotional record for significant strikes in a three-round featherweight fight. And thought he took a few licks himself from Alberto Montes (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), he put him away with about 90 seconds left in the fight after a torrid of standup punishment.
Finish bonus: R.J. Harris ($25,000)
R.J. Harris (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had a stellar debut in the UFC at heavyweight when he drilled Alvin Hines (7-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) with an uppercut in the first round that took him off his feet. Harris was on him in the bat of an eye and a few punches later had a stoppage in 100 seconds.
Finish bonus: Dione Barbosa ($25,000)
Dione Barbosa (10-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) made things look easy against Alice Melisano (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC). Knowing her easiest path to victory was on the canvas, she took the UFC newcomer and “TUF” grad down right away, then worked her way to an eventual rear-naked choke finish in the opening round. Barbosa was the second biggest betting favorite on the card at 7-1.
The Oklahoma Sooners surprised the college football world with their breakthrough 2025 season. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff after a 6-7 season in 2024.
The Sooners navigated one of the toughest schedules in college football and still finished the regular season with a 10-2 record. With another offseason of development and the return of several key contributors, expectations are high around Norman heading into 2026. However, that optimism has not carried over to the national conversation.
ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) projects the Sooners will finish with a 7-5 record this season. Despite that projection, FPI still ranks Oklahoma as the No. 12 team in the country. That disrespect likely comes from the up-and-down tenure under head coach Brent Venables. So far, he’s had two double-digit-win seasons, while also having two losing seasons. Oklahoma hadn’t had a losing season since 1998 until Venables took over before the 2022 season.
On3’s Ari Wasserman said that Oklahoma has been overlooked nationally on his show with Andy Staples.
Oklahoma has already shown it can compete at the highest level after making the College Football Playoff in its first season as an SEC member. Now, the challenge is proving that last season was not just a one-year breakthrough.
With a talented roster, an elite defense, and key players returning, the Sooners have the opportunity to exceed national expectations and establish themselves as a consistent contender in the SEC.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
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