Oklahoma
Oklahoma set to receive $797 million in federal funds for improved internet access
Oklahoma is poised to receive almost $800 million in federal grant funds to expand internet access across the state.
Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, said this week that Oklahoma, Montana and Vermont would receive a total of $1.6 billion from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment – BEAD – program this year.
“This is a game changer,” Sanders said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
On Thursday the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced approval of the state’s Initial Proposal Volume II, which outlined the selection process. Sanders said the Oklahoma Broadband Office has a year from the approval date to complete the process and award funds to eligible internet service providers.
Created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program. The states, U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., received billions in federal funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed internet networks to ensure the public has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed -internet service.
Sanders said Oklahoma would eventually spend a total of $1.3 billion in federal funds to expand internet access in remote areas. While the $797 million grant was “by far the largest pot,” Sanders said, he added that private funds would supplement that investment.
More: High-speed internet grants of more than $300 million awarded by Oklahoma officials
Sanders said the BEAD program was the largest high-speed internet expansion effort in Oklahoma history.
“We’re going to be changing generations for the better,” he said. “Whether it’s education, whether it’s heath care, whether it’s economic development. This will level the playing field between areas that have had high-speed internet and those who have not.”
Once the expansion is complete, he said, Oklahomans will see the benefits for years to come.
How will the federal money be used to expand broadband in Oklahoma?
Sanders said Oklahoma’s $797.4 million share of the program will be used to fund last-mile connections for unserved and underserved homes and businesses. However, before the award process can begin, the office will administer a challenge process to determine which locations in Oklahoma are eligible for funding.
Under the program, BEAD-eligible entities — the states, territories and the District of Columbia — are required to submit proposals to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for approval. The initial proposal must show how each entity plans to spend their BEAD allocation.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an earmarked $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed internet access in communities across the United States.
All states submitted their initial proposals last December.
Opinion: Older Oklahomans need affordable high-speed internet service ― and the skills to use it
One year from initial proposal approval, states must submit a final proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage. Oklahoma’s grant was the largest of the three awarded. The two other grants included $668 million allocated to Montana and $228 million to Vermont.
Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, said a reliable internet connection was a necessity that enables access to jobs, health care and education.
Sanders said federal approval of the state’s plan was the result of many months of intensive planning and stakeholder engagement.
“We want to ensure we can bridge the digital divide in this state once and for all,” he said. “Our office will continue to ensure this money goes directly to areas that don’t have high-speed internet access.”
Just 26%, or about one in four registered Oklahoma voters, cast a ballot in the race, according to an analysis of the results.
In total, 630,085 people weighed in on a state question to gradually increase the minimum wage. It was the only race open to Democrats, Republicans and independents, who weren’t eligible to vote in partisan races.
Democrats have typically opened their closed primaries to include independents, but failed to submit the paperwork for this year’s primaries on time. Some voters expressed frustration with the system on election day.
This year’s polls drew fewer voters than in 2018, the last time there was a similar gubernatorial race without incumbents. The election included a state question to approve medical marijuana, and 44% of registered voters cast ballots.
There are almost 1.3 million registered Republicans in Oklahoma, but the GOP race for governor only garnered about 400,000 ballots. Out of more than 613,000 registered Democrats, only about 172,000 voted in Tuesday’s election.
Even though general elections are usually better attended, Oklahoma’s numbers were also low during the 2024 presidential election. One report from the University of Florida rated Oklahoma’s turnout at the time as the lowest in the nation.
NORMAN — Oklahoma softball’s transfer portal activity may have been fairly slow developing.
But now, as the portal window nears its end, the Sooners have started having success.
Oklahoma added outfielder Adi Hansen, a standout at the College of Southern Idaho for the last two seasons on Thursday.
Hansen’s announcement, made on Instagram, followed shortly after Middle Tennessee outfielder Macie Harter announced her commitment to the Sooners.
Hansen led the Golden Eagles with a .457 batting average in 186 at bats in 2026, with an eye-popping 82 runs scored and a school-record 62 stolen bases on 67 attempts.
Hansen had 17 games with two or more stolen bases this season and twice had four stolen bases in a game.
Hansen had four triples and 21 RBIs, drawing 23 walks.
She earned NJCAA first-team All-America honors, helping her team finish 43-13 with a NJCAA Division I Juco World Series appearance.
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In 2025, as a freshman, Hansen hit .401 with 36 stolen bases and 62 ruyns scored.
Hansen is a Logan, Utah, product.
Hansen and Harter join a group of outfielders that includes Kai Minor in centerfield and Ella Parker in right field.
The Sooners lost Abby Dayton to graduation and Kasidi Pickering to transfer after the season. Pickering will reportedly transfer to Texas Tech.
Oklahoma finished 52-10 last season, missing the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2015 after falling to Mississippi State in three games in the Norman Super Regional.
The Sooners have a strong incoming recruiting class and return a trio of pitchers — Audrey Lowry, Miali Guachino and Allyssa Parker — as well as experienced hitters Kendall Wells, Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas plus Minor and Ella Parker.
In addition to the departures of Dayton and Pickering, the Sooners also lost pitchers Sydney Berzon and Kierston Deal, first baseman Isabela Emerling, and second baseman Ailana Agbayani to graduation. Outfielder Tia Milloy, pitcher Berkley Zache and utility player Riley Zache also entered the transfer portal.
Oklahoma’s incoming class includes Edmond Santa Fe pitcher Keegan Baker, Lakewood, Calif., infielder Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Mililani, Hawaii, infielder Ori Mailo, Fullerton, Calif., pitcher Malaya Majam-Finch, Katy, Texas, pitcher EK Smith, and Mesa, Ariz., outfilder Payton Westra.
Mailo was with the Sooners this season, redshirting after joining the program a year early.
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma City police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one man injured in northeast Oklahoma City.
Around 3 a.m. on Thursday, emergency crews were called to a reported shooting near Kelley and Wilshire Blvd.
Investigators say the shooting occurred between a couple inside the home, adding that the woman shot the man.
However, police say they are trying to determine if the shooting was accidental.
The victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
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The woman has been taken into custody for questioning, but it is unknown if she will face charges just yet.
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