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How to avoid contractor scams amid Oklahoma’s severe weather season

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How to avoid contractor scams amid Oklahoma’s severe weather season


The loss of property from storms can allow scammers to take advantage. The Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma offered some advice to protect people’s money. 

The BBB keeps track of vetted Oklahoma contractors. One expert said it’s important for people to take their time before agreeing to work with any business. 

Storms make communities vulnerable to scammers  

A natural disaster’s damage to homes can create an unnatural storm of con artists. 

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“Bad actors kind of come out of the woodwork, if you will,” said Casey Farmer, vice president of marketing at the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma. “Unfortunately, storm season is the time that we see a lot of fly-by-night contractors into our state.”  

Farmer’s organization helps identify fraudulent businesses to warn consumers. 

“They’re using these really high-pressure sales tactics to get your attention,” Farmer said. 

Homeowners should use caution when offered repair services 

Farmer encouraged caution for homeowners who are approached by anyone with one-time offers with deadlines with their services, and their addresses often appear as a P.O. Box. Fraudulent contractors will also demand a lot of money upfront. 

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“That is a big red flag. Be careful there,” Farmer said. “An honest, ethical, trustworthy contractor isn’t going to ask you to do that.” 

BBB’s database tracks trusted contractors  

The BBB has a database so people can search for businesses and learn about the company and its track record for services. 

“There are a lot of awesome roofers here in Oklahoma,” Farmers said. 

Farmer said it’s easy to fall victim to fraud because scammers prey on people’s emotions during vulnerable moments. 

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“Our homes are personal to us, right? When that’s affected, it can be tough,” Farmer said. “It affects our everyday lives and how we run through the reality of life.” 

No one is alone with fraud issues 

Data from the Federal Trade Commission in 2023 showed Oklahomans reported nearly $59 million in fraud losses. 

“It happens to the best of us.” Farmer said. 

Reporting scams to the BBB or FTC helps warn others 

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However, Farmer said those stories of mistakes can save communities from more harm. Reporting scams gives the BBB data to issues alerts and warnings. 

“With your story, you’re able to hopefully warn other people. There’s no shame in that,” Farmer said. 

Get multiple estimates to help identify scams 

The Oklahoma Attorney General’s office said homeowners should get multiple estimates in writing from different contractors. That allows people to compare if an offer is too high or too low. 

For more information 

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The BBB has a downtown OKC office people can call at 405-239-6081 or visit at 17 S Dewey Ave. Click here to search for credible contractors in Oklahoma. 





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Iowa State wrestling adds Brayden Thompson from transfer portal

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Iowa State wrestling adds Brayden Thompson from transfer portal


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Iowa State wrestling’s first commitment of the Brent Metcalf era will be a transfer portal addition.

The Cyclones added Oklahoma State transfer Brayden Thompson, who announced his commitment on April 18 via Instagram. Thompson is a one-time NCAA qualifier at the 2024 NCAA Championships, doing so as a true freshman. He redshirted in 2024-25, but competed in open tournaments at 184 pounds and was 9-0. He did not wrestle a match in 2025-26 and will have at least two years of eligibility remaining.

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Out of high school, Thompson was ranked the No. 3 pound-for-pound wrestler and No. 1 at 182 pounds in the 2023 recruiting class by Flowrestling. He also won Powerade and Ironman titles, two of the more prestigious high school tournaments in the nation. Assuming Thompson returns to 184 pounds where he last wrestled, he should fill in nicely as a potential replacement for Isaac Dean after his graduation.

Thompson is Iowa State’s first transfer portal addition after several departures, including Anthony Echemendia and Christian Castillo, who also entered the portal.

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.





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Oklahoma’s Jahsiear Rogers ‘Knew It Was Time to Showcase’ His Talents In Spring Game

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Oklahoma’s Jahsiear Rogers ‘Knew It Was Time to Showcase’ His Talents In Spring Game


NORMAN — The Oklahoma Sooners liked their wide receiver room a year ago. They want 2026 to be even better.

Isaiah Sategna’s return helps that desire. Earning experienced pass catchers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone via the transfer portal gives you added play makers. But after the Sooners Spring Game on Saturday, an unlikely hero emerged.

When Jahsiear Rogers flipped from Penn State to Oklahoma last December, he drew the usual excitement that comes with a new commitment. But few expected him to climb the depth chart this quickly, even with the injuries that hit Emmett Jones’ room.

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Rogers did just that and more on Saturday. He led all pass catchers with five receptions for 70 yards in Oklahoma’s annual Red/White game.

“I knew it was time to showcase,” Rogers said after the game. “It was amazing to see the fans and get used to the OU way. I’m a playmaker. They really want to put the ball in playmakers hands. I pretty much knew I had to lead the white team.”

Rogers got the ball rolling early. On the second offensive play for the white team, backup quarterback Whitt Newbauer rolled to his right wide, then stopped and looked towards the middle of the field where he saw Rogers running open. Newbauer connected with Rogers for a 39-yard gain.

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With Rogers on the white team, he is running against (most of) Oklahoma’s starting defense. As fate would have it, on that 39-yard reception, Rogers beat his favorite teammate to compete against — Reggie Powers.

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“He is just a leader, good guy,” Rogers said of Powers. “Me and him go after it every day in practice. Reggie is strong. When I come at him, I have to really come at him.”

Rogers’ big play over Powers was the second-longest catch of the spring game — Sategna’s 50-yard reception that appeared to be a touchdown before coaches pulled it back to set up a red-zone rep. The other four catches weren’t flashy, but they were important in their own way, and Rogers looked like he belonged on the field.

“I love it. As long as I can get the ball, I can be me. I love it,” Rogers said. “When I am on the field, I am ready to go. I am ready to be a playmaker.”

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The season is still months away, and Rogers hasn’t earned a spot high on the depth chart yet. A strong spring and an encouraging Red/White Game can only lead to early playing time if he carries that momentum into summer and fall camp.

More experienced players will return from injury and receivers who’ve been in the program for a few years will have an extra leg-up.

But Rogers is taking everything in stride and leaving no stone unturned in his development.

“Just learning from the older guys,” Rogers said. “Manny Choice, Isaiah Sategna, Trell Harris, Mackenzie Alleyne. Really all of them. We lean on each other, learn from each other. That is kind of how our room is.”

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Oklahoma knocks off Missouri in series opener

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Oklahoma knocks off Missouri in series opener


The Oklahoma baseball team is back in the mix and trending upward.

After a rough few weeks in Southeastern Conference play, the 14th-ranked Sooners have won three of their last four games to get to .500 at just beyond the halfway point of the league slate. Friday’s 9-6 win over Missouri allowed Oklahoma to move to 8-8, tied with three other teams for eighth in the standings.

Friday’s win wasn’t truly that close, even. OU took a 9-3 lead into the ninth before Mizzou made it somewhat interesting with three runs in the frame. Two of them came with two outs, though, and Mason Bixby induced a groundout with the bases empty to hold on.

The large edge came via a home run-happy night. The Sooners popped four over the wall at Kimrey Family Stadium, including three in a four-run seventh inning that gave OU a four-run lead.

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Jason Walk, who hit one of the four homers, had the best day at the plate. He went 2 for 5 with the shot, three RBIs and a run. Camden Johnson, who also homered, went 2 for 3 with a walk, a double and two runs, and Dasan Harris went 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs, and three runs. Trey Gambill hit the Sooners’ other jack.

Oklahoma jumped out to a four-run lead in the second behind four hits and a walk. Missouri helped the Sooners out with an error that resulted in a bases-loaded situation and three unearned runs registered to Tigers starter Josh McDevitt.

The runs were more than enough for Oklahoma’s LJ Mercurius, who pitched six strong innings, giving up three runs on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.

Game 2 in the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday and the finale will be played Sunday at 2 p.m., weather permitting.



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