Connect with us

Oklahoma

‘Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror’: See the exclusive trailer for moving documentary

Published

on

‘Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror’: See the exclusive trailer for moving documentary


play

Netflix is commemorating the 30th anniversary of one of the gravest days in our nation’s history with its upcoming documentary “Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror.”

USA TODAY can exclusively reveal a trailer for the moving 82-minute film, streaming April 18. It chronicles what was then considered the worst act of American domestic terror and the resilience of the capital city and those affected by the 168 lives lost. On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh drove a large rented truck containing a 4,800-pound bomb to the nine-story Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, where several federal agencies including the Secret Service and Army and Marine recruitment had offices employing hundreds. A daycare center also operated on the property.

Advertisement

McVeigh, an Army veteran who served during the Persian Gulf War, explained his motives for the anti-government attack in a letter published by The Guardian. “Foremost the bombing was a retaliatory strike; a counter attack for the cumulative raids (and subsequent violence and damage) that federal agents had participated in over the preceding years (including, but not limited to, Waco),” McVeigh wrote, referencing the fatal standoff between law enforcement and cult leader David Koresh exactly two years before the Oklahoma City bombing.

At 9:02 on that fateful spring morning, the bomb exploded, causing one-third of the Federal Building to crumble.

“I remember we were having breakfast,” Dr. Carl Spengler, who assisted in triage care, says in the preview, “and then there was this explosion that kind of rocked us out of our table.”

“The whole front of the Federal Building is gone,” a voice describing the emergency says. “All floors to the roof.”

Advertisement

Filmmakers reconstruct the events of that morning and the days that followed with people on site during the tragedy and law enforcement officers desperate to solve the case.

“I thought maybe I was dead,” remembers survivor Amy Downs, who worked in the building. “I realized I was buried alive.”

The preview touches on the rage lodged at callous McVeigh. A child smiles while holding a cardboard sign that reads, “Oklahoma justice hang the sucker.” A woman interviewed at the time declared to the camera, “I think they should let him loose out front and let everybody have at him.”

Advertisement

“Everybody that has somebody in the building,” Renee Moore, whose son attended daycare at the Federal Building, begins in the trailer, “we have to live with this.” Her pain, marked by tears, is a stark contrast to McVeigh. He can be heard saying coldly, “Am I remorseful? No.”

It’s the same alarming attitude that USA TODAY reporter Kevin Johnson experienced in a 1996 meeting with McVeigh, who was executed in 2001. “His self-absorption, against the backdrop of such enormous loss, was particularly striking,” Johnson wrote. “It remained a constant theme throughout the session.”



Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers vote to rename turnpike in honor of Toby Keith

Published

on

Oklahoma lawmakers vote to rename turnpike in honor of Toby Keith


OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) — Oklahoma lawmakers have voted to honor country music artist and Oklahoma native Toby Keith.

House Concurrent Resolution 1019 recognizes Keith’s lasting impact on music and proposes renaming a planned turnpike in his memory.

The concurrent resolution was authored by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Morgan, and Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman.

The planned route will extend from Interstate 44 east to Interstate 35, then continue east and north to I-40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Oklahoma

What could happen if Oklahoma State Superintendent becomes an appointed position

Published

on

What could happen if Oklahoma State Superintendent becomes an appointed position


Governor Kevin Stitt has said he wants the State Superintendent of Education to be a governor-elected position instead of an elected one. Political analyst Scott Mitchell examines what this would mean for the state.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging lawmakers to send a state question to voters that would make the state superintendent an appointed position, as he named Lindel Fields of Tulsa to the role and announced a turnaround team to help implement his education agenda.

Is the State Superintendent an elected role?

Yes, the State Superintendent of Education is still an elected role. Elections are scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

Cons of making the superintendent an appointed position

Advertisement

Mitchell said making this position appointed could cause distrust among some Oklahomans

“Over the years, we’ve seen that capture of regulatory sort of is easy to do when you have term limits, then lobbies become more powerful, and they have all the history. It’s very complicated.

He also said if the position were to be elected, they would likely have the same agenda as the governor.

“Yes, and I think the governor would be absolutely saying, ‘Yes, they’re going to do what I want them to do.’”

Changing how the superintendent is chosen changes what the founding fathers set.

Advertisement

“Voters are going to have to say yay or nay if it gets to them, is whether or not we want to change the way that the founding fathers set up the way that we make sure that power is not concentrated in Oklahoma,” he said.

Is Ryan Walters’ term the reason Stitt wants to make this position appointed?

Mitchell said he believes the former State Superintendent played a role in the government wanting to appoint this position.

During his time as superintendent, Walters was known to have multiple controversies. He resigned in 2025, allowing Stitt to appoint Lindel Fields.

“His impact on this, even though he’s gone, is certainly evident,” said Mitchell. “Walters left midstream, right? And so the governor had a chance to appoint someone. Well, it wasn’t just an appointment; it was chaos before and relative calm and competency after. And that has given the governor an opening for people to see with their own eyes. Yeah, you can put somebody in, we’re talking about Lindel Fields, that appears to get up every day, not trying to find some, get a click on social media, but rather to do his job. And across the board, for the most part, this guy’s getting thumbs up.

Advertisement

Stitt said electing Fields has already given him some leverage since he has been well perceived so far.

“That allows a governor to say, Look, I’ve got some standing, some leverage to go to the voters and say, let’s put expertise as the main reason that a person’s there, not because they were able to win an election because they had some sort of populist or dramatic ideas.”

Who is running for Oklahoma State Superintendent?

Republican Ballot

  • Sen. Adam Pugh
  • John Cox
  • Rep. Toni Hasenbeck
  • Ana Landsaw

Democrat Ballot

  • Craig Mcvay
  • Jennettie Marshall

Independent

To learn more about each candidate, click here.

Advertisement

A full breakdown of candidates in the 2026 Oklahoma State Superintendent race, including party affiliation, background and key education priorities.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers propose “Toby Keith Expressway” to honor late country star

Published

on

Oklahoma lawmakers propose “Toby Keith Expressway” to honor late country star


OKLAHOMA CITY –

An Oklahoma highway could soon be named after the late country superstar, Toby Keith, pending new legislation.

House Concurrent Resolution 1019 would rename a proposed turnpike project the “Toby Keith Expressway.” This roadway is set to be built from Interstate 44 East to Interstate-35, continuing East and North to Interstate 40. This road is a part of the ACCESS Oklahoma Long-Range Plan, which is meant to update and expand the state’s turnpike system.

This resolution was adopted by the House on Wednesday.

Advertisement

“Toby Keith was more than a country music star. He was a proud Oklahoman who never forgot where he came from,” said Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore. “Naming this turnpike in his honor is a fitting way to recognize a man who represented our state with ultimate patriotism and generosity.”

Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, raised in Moore and resided in Norman. He died on February 5, 2024, in a battle with cancer.

“Over the course of his legendary career, Toby Keith never forgot where he came from or what he stood for,” said Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. “His Oklahoma roots shaped him, and his love of America defined him. He was a country music superstar and a true patriot. I can think of no better way to honor his memory than by naming this future stretch of Norman turnpike in his honor, creating a lasting tribute to the legacy he leaves behind.”

Advertisement

During his career, Keith sold over 40 million records and more than 20 number-one singles

Legislation authors believe this would commemorate the life and legacy of Toby Keith.

The bill will now head to the Senate.

To read the full House Resolution, click here.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending