Oklahoma
WATCH: New Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle Interviews
Watching a college football coach interact with the media to discuss the game, talk about his players, support his staff mates and reveal things about himself can help fans of the sport get to know the men hired to coach their team.
Oklahoma fans will get to know a little about their new offensive coordinator soon enough. Ben Arbuckle’s hire on Monday will likely be celebrated by head coach Brent Venables, who should be eager to let fans meet — at least virtually — Arbuckle.
Meanwhile there are already plenty of videos on YouTube where Arbuckle can be seen and heard talking football at his previous stops. Sooners On SI has curated the following collection for Sooner Nation to get a sneak peek at their new play caller:
Here’s a one-on-one from September with Arbuckle on “Cougs Corner” telling a little bit about his own story before talking about the Boise State game and more.
Here’s Arbuckle at Washington State talking about spring football — including the quarterback battle — back on April 9, 2024:
Here’s Arbuckle giving a midweek outdoor press conference in October 2023 before the Cougars played UCLA, talking about the “fourth down book,” what makes former WSU QB Cam Ward so special and more.
At Western Kentucky in March 2022, Arbuckle met with media after a spring practice to talk about the state of the offense, how much fun the start of his career has been and how he’s worked well with the rest of the staff.
Here’s Arbuckle at WKU in October 2022 talking midweek after a loss and talking about the framework of the offense and how the coaches try to make sure certain players get the football.
Here’s Arbuckle at WKU in November 2022 talking about a loss to Auburn, describing how he could have been better, going into details about pitch concepts scheming to get the ball to tight ends and preparing to play against Florida Atlantic.
Here’s Arbuckle in July 2022 at WKU Media Day talking about handling pressure, the Hilltoppers’ quarterback battle and what he thinks about how each position coach made his room better.
Oklahoma
Two arrested in Oklahoma City human trafficking investigation
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (KOKH) — Two people are facing a human trafficking charge after Oklahoma City Police received a 911 call in reference to a possible kidnapping.
According to the affidavit, the suspect, identified as Danasia Turner, met with a victim and the two became acquaintances.
The two moved in together, and Turner told the victim she was a prostitute and an escort.
According to the affidavit, Turner explained the rules, like no scrolling on her phone unless she’s making money, and that she would suffer physical abuse if she wasn’t making money or wasn’t willing to work and obey orders from the second suspect, identified as Alaze Grant.
One day, Turner showed up with a black eye and broken fingernails, telling the victim this is what happens when the rules are broken, according to the affidavit.
On Jan. 5, 2026, Turner told the victim to get into a car. The two drove to the Super Inn near I-240 and S Western Avenue. Turner is accused of making the victim rent a room and telling her to participate in prostitution dates.
The victim reportedly saw Turner hand all the money to Grant. The victim said she felt like she could not leave based on the injuries Grant had given Turner.
Turner is also accused of being very aggressive with the victim, controlling every aspect of the prostitution dates.
The victim was able to send several texts to a friend, saying she felt like she needed help, could not leave, and thought she was being sex trafficked.
Turner and Grant were arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center for human trafficking and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Their bond is set at $1 million.
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Oklahoma
‘I’m not a monster:’ Oklahoma Death Row inmate denied Clemency; family of victim speaks out
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied a recommendation for clemency for death row inmate Kendrick Simpson, clearing the way for his execution. Simpson was convicted in a 2006 drive-by shooting that killed two men in Oklahoma City.
Allison Crystal’s brother, Glen Palmer, was one of the men killed in the shooting. She said the journey for justice has been 20 years long, but after Wednesday’s clemency hearing, justice feels closer than ever.
“My brother is resting in peace now,” she said. “The soil will sit on his grave because it’s been rocky. It’s been shifty for us as a family and for his friends.”
Glen Palmer and his friend Anthony Jones were shot following a fight at an Oklahoma City nightclub.
“He was literally a monster in that nightclub looking for somebody’s life to take,” Crystal said. “My brothers meant the world to me, they were the stars of the family, they were the center of our family. Our family has been so broken into pieces since this tragedy has happened”
Prosecutors said Simpson followed the men three miles from the club and fired roughly 20 rounds from an AK-style rifle into their car. London Johnson survived the shooting. He spoke before the board recalling the trauma he suffered.
“A part of me died in that car as well,” he said. “Those were my best friends, my brothers. So many endless tears and sleepless nights of images of my friends laying there bleeding out, suffering from his careless thoughts and selfishness. My heart will forever be broken.”
Simpson addressed the board via live video, expressing remorse for his actions, apologizing to the victims’ families for killing their loved ones and for terrorizing Johnson. He said while he doesn’t deserve it, he asked the board for mercy.
“I’m not the worst of the worst, I’m not a monster,” Simpson said. “I’m ashamed of my actions. I’m ashamed of the destruction my actions caused. I’m ashamed of being a murderer. I’ve dedicated myself to nonviolence by traveling the road to redemption.”
His attorneys said his traumatic childhood, surviving Hurricane Katrina, and untreated PTSD contributed to his actions that night. While in prison, they says he worked to better himself, gaining his GED, taking college courses and even becoming an award winning poet. However, Simpson admits he is solely to blame.
“I’m responsible for their deaths,” he said. “I don’t make any excuses. I don’t blame others, and they didn’t deserve what happened to them. I’m ashamed of causing much pain and hurt, the type of pain and hurt that lives forever.”
Simpson’s sons also gave recorded video statements to the board saying even though he was in prison, he stayed a part of their lives and they were close. Despite Simpson’s plea and his family’s testimonies, the board ultimately denied to recommend clemency. For Crystal, she says after two decades without her brother, she finally feels relief.
“He (Simpson) has gotten to see his kids grow, to build a bond with them, something my brothers would never get to do. Their daughters would never get to know them,” she said. “This has really been tragic for our family. We are just excited that this is over with.”
Simpson is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Feb. 12 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Statement from AG Gentner Drummond:
“This ruthless and violent killer hunted and executed his victims without remorse,” Drummond said. “I commend the Pardon and Parole Board for rejecting clemency today. The victims’ families will finally see justice when the death sentence is carried out on Feb. 12.”
Statement from the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP):
“Is the State of Oklahoma capable of “extending grace to the man who Kendrick Simpson is today” or “reducing him to a one-dimensional character” punished for what happened on the worst day of his life? Ignoring the deep remorse that Kendrick Simpson expresses for the families of those whose lives were taken, the Oklahoma Pardon & Parole Board just showed that it is not fully capable of recognizing the positive impact of transformative rehabilitation and showed no mercy for Kendrick Simpson. This is a sad day for Oklahoma.”
Oklahoma
Absentee Shawnee tribal leadership responds after citizens report harassment by ICE
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma is responding after citizens reported incidents of harassment from federal agents, according to tribal leadership.
In a statement from Gov. John R. Johnson, Johnson says amid the federal government’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, federal officers have “begun to approach, question and even detain Tribal Members in Oklahoma.”
Johnson’s statement says Tribal Members were accosted by officers using unconstitutional racial profiling techniques, and also says there is no reasonable basis, suspicion, or probable cause to restrict the liberties of Native Americans based on skin color, hair color, eye color or a lack of identification.
“Just because a Native American may resemble, superficially, a migrant from Central or South America, that does not mean that federal officers have the right to approach,” Johnson’s statement says. “These prejudicial activities are being carried out by Immigration Customs and Enforcement, but our Members should expect either cooperation from state and local law enforcement agencies with ICE; and/or a complete adoption of these policies and procedures.”
Johnson’s statement also included recommendations for Tribal members who do encounter ICE or other law enforcement, including their rights under the U.S. Constitution, and also calling upon Tribal Members to contact Tribal leadership to report encounters with federal officers.
“This is an ongoing predicament for Indian Country, which will continue to evolve,” Johnson’s statement said. “If you or someone you know has been forced to interact with a federal officer and/or agent regarding your citizenship, immediately contact my office or the offices of any other Executive Committee Members.”
Griffin Media has reached out to ICE for comment, but has not yet received a response.
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