Oklahoma
'Not good for Oklahoma,' rancher says of Energy Dept. plans
MANNFORD, Okla. — As Mandie McCord drives through her Creek County ranch, she reflects on the lifestyle she loves.
“This is a way of life that we dream of, and a lot of folks … don’t even have an idea of what we could be missing once this is changed,” McCord said.
She fears infrastructure plans from the US Department of Energy could hinder her family’s lifestyle.
The McCords have horses, a donkey, a dog, and some registered Texas longhorns on their property.
She just added a sign out front, reading “NO FEDERAL TRANSMISSION CORRIDORS FOR CREEK COUNTY.”
It references the DOE’s National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. Preliminary plans are in place to add large infrastructure across the Great Plains, including Creek County.
“A whole host of things, that’s not really good for Oklahoma, or Oklahomans,” McCord said.
Large transmission lines, pictured below, headline the plans.
U.S. Department of Energy
McCord fears the DOE will use eminent domain to install them.
According to an answer on the DOE’s FAQ page, the use of eminent domain is a possibility. It’s up to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a permit.
“Once a permit is issued, then a court has to allow the exercise of eminent domain,” it says. Nowhere in the answer does it rule out its use.
“We care about our neighbors. We don’t want to see their land values go down,” McCord said, “We don’t want to see ranchers and farmers give up a piece of their land for this to come through.”
A public meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Creek County Fairgrounds. County commissioners and several other elected officials will attend.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Adds OF Adi Hansen From Southern Idaho
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.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news.
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.
Follow
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City police investigating early morning shooting
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.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
The woman has been taken into custody for questioning, but it is unknown if she will face charges just yet.
Oklahoma
North Carolina, Oklahoma advance to the Men’s College World Series finals
Oklahoma is just three outs away from steamrolling through the right side of the bracket and knocking out Georgia to reach the championship finals.
To prepare, let’s take a look at what arms we should expect for the Sooners just like we did for the North Carolina earlier.
The Sooners have leaned heavily on their freshmen pitching trio in Cord Rager, Xander Mercurius and Nick Wesloski throughout Omaha. The first two went at least seven innings, while Wesloski tossed 5.2 innings on Wednesday. Even though they used relievers LJ Mercurius and Jackson Cleveland in the first two games, neither pitched more than two innings nor allowed a run.
If LJ, who entered for Wesloski on Wednesday, finishes the game, he will have gone 3.1 innings.
That sets up Oklahoma very well to matchup with UNC, which went 3-0 and also hasn’t used many arms up to this point.
If OU does win, expect Rager, Xander Mercurius and Cleveland to be ready to go. Rager, who hasn’t pitched since their first round game against Alabama on Saturday, June 13, would have a full week of rest.
-
Fitness3 minutes agoWhen is the best time to exercise in the heat?
-
Movie Reviews13 minutes ago‘Maa Inti Bangaram’ Movie Review: Samantha Rocks, Writing Suffers
-
World25 minutes agoUS tells ASML it is concerned China may have top chip tool, Bloomberg News reports
-
News28 minutes agoSan Francisco Film Patrons Are Found Dead on Side of Highway
-
Politics33 minutes agoVideo: Reflecting Pool Turns Green, Paint Peels After Renovation
-
Health48 minutes agoNew At-Home DNA Test Reveals if GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Will Work for You
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoWhat does freedom actually look like? : It’s Been a Minute
-
Technology1 hour agoBarret Zoph is out at OpenAI again after just five months