Missouri
Are things getting 'spicy' between OU-Missouri? Not for the Sooners
NORMAN — This weekend might mark the first matchup between Oklahoma and Missouri in over 10 years, but that doesn’t mean there’s not familiarity between the two teams.
In fact, despite the break in competition, the connection between the two programs has only increased.
The Sooners and the Tigers were well-acquainted foes while both teams were in the Big 12, though the regularly-scheduled matchup was halted after Missouri joined the SEC in 2012. But whether it’s because Oklahoma has made its own jump to the SEC this season, or the well-known recruiting battles between the two teams over the last two years, there’s been a brewing rivalry ahead of Saturday’s matchup in Columbia (6:45 p.m. SEC Network).
But for OU coach Brent Venables, there hasn’t been any focus on outside noise heading into the weekend.
“They’re a program that’s going to recruit well in their own backyard,” Venables said. “It’s not spicy for me. Recruiting is incredibly competitive. Winning is incredibly hard. And we’re programs that certainly there’s a familiarity. But I don’t think (Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz) was on the staff, part of any of the past Oklahoma-Missouri meetings.
“And what happens in the past doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with what happens in the future, good or bad. And that doesn’t mean it has to change either. But I believe in what’s in front of you right now. (So it’s maybe) spicy maybe for the media or the fans. But staff-wise, it hasn’t.”
Missouri is certainly a familiar opponent for Venables, who faced the Tigers nine times while he was an assistant coach at Oklahoma from 1999-2011. A handful of those games were high-level matchups — the two teams played each other in back-to-back years for the 2007 and 2008 Big 12 Championships, with the Sooners winning both matchups.
It’s largely been a dormant, distant memory since Missouri left for the SEC, but the two teams have been intertwined in recent years. The Tigers notably bested OU in the recruiting battle for 2024 five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri and then poached former five-star offensive lineman Cayden Green via the transfer portal last offseason.
While those two battles are at the center of the recent animosity, the two teams share other connections. Former OU receiver Theo Wease transferred to Missouri prior to last season and has become an impact player, and this season he leads the Tigers in receiving with 37 receptions for 482 yards. OU receiver JJ Hester also transferred from Missouri in 2022 and has been a pivotal part of the Sooners’ receiver rotation this season.
Venables, unprompted, discussed Wease and Green’s tenures at Oklahoma, acknowledging that the transfer portal has increased the chances that programs will battle each other for roster construction.
“In regards to Theo, our offensive staff at the time didn’t feel like he was — Theo probably felt the same — a major part of what we were doing, and he’s looking for an opportunity,” Venables said. “And he was nothing but great. He was a really good leader, did everything that we asked of him. And what a great example of what opportunity and development looks like. And he’s kept his head down and just worked. Had a fantastic year last year. He’s having a great year this year.
“I think Cayden went in there and was a starter. He (was) a starter for us. We’re not surprised that he has success. Cayden’s fantastic. He was a freshman All-American. And that’s the world that we live in now. Players are free to come and go as they please and look for what’s best for them. And there ain’t no time for bitterness and things like that. You’ve got to move on and adjust and pivot and get better.”
Hester, who recorded the team’s first 100-yard receiving game last weekend against Maine, expects it to be an interesting atmosphere this weekend in Columbia.
“It will definitely be a fun one,” Hester said last week. “I still have some guys over there. It will be a reunion, probably some nostalgia, for sure, being a transfer from there. I’m looking forward to it.
“(I Know) a lot of the guys on offense and defense. (Quarterback) Brady Cook. I know Luther (Burden). Guys on the defense. Obviously, we have an o-lineman over there. Couple of other dudes from OU, so obviously, it’s a little weird right now. I know a lot of guys over there still. It’ll be good to see them compete against them.”
But ultimately, the Sooners have to focus on snagging a much-needed win. They sit at 5-4 on the season and are just one win away from becoming bowl eligible, while the Tigers (6-2, 2-2 SEC) have lost two of their last three conference games and may be without Cook this weekend.
So while the programs are certainly linked together, Venables is focusing on what’s ahead.
“(I have) a lot of good, fond memories (of playing Missouri),” Venables said. “It’ll be) two good programs going at it and it’ll be another great challenge for us this week.”
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A bill requiring pornography websites to conduct age checks before granting access is headed to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Commercial websites and platforms must already verify that users are at least 18 if more than a third of their content is sexually explicit as part of a rule enforced by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway since December.
The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton, would codify that rule in state law, requiring websites to use third-party age verification providers.
“One of the things that was really compelling to me is that a lot of people growing up in today’s age look at a phone or they look at a computer, and they think that is reality,” Gallick told The Independent. “It’s very demeaning to women and to children.”
Sites that don’t comply would be subject to civil penalties, including fines up to $10,000 per day in violation of the law and an additional $250,000 if at least one minor accessed sexually explicit content. Sites could be charged $10,000 per violation of a provision prohibiting age verification providers from retaining users’ identifiable information.
The House passed the bill 112-25 Wednesday, May 13, with 20 Democrats and 5 Republicans in opposition and 11 Democrats voting “present.” The Senate passed the bill 32-0 on Tuesday, May 12, sending it back to the House for approval of a minor amendment.
The bill got initial House approval last year but was dropped from the calendar before getting a formal vote due to a challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court to a similar Texas law.
“The fear was, ‘Okay, what if they don’t uphold that? Then we would have to make some changes,’” Gallick said.
The court sided with Texas in July 2025, ruling that the state’s requirement that users prove their age by showing government-issued identification did not violate adults’ right to access constitutionally-protected content.
During House debate in March, Democratic lawmakers questioned the potential effectiveness of the bill and raised the possibility of unintended consequences.
Democratic state Rep. Eric Woods of Kansas City said young people are likely to find ways around age verification requirements.
“Kids are smart,” Woods said. “There are VPNs. There are browser settings that allow you to skirt around some of this stuff.”
House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, argued that age verification requirements could lead more prominent porn websites to block access in Missouri, driving traffic to less scrupulous sites with fewer content safeguards.
“The websites that are less inclined to follow the rules also tend to be the types of websites that are filled with child sexual assault material, that include nonconsensual sex acts,” Aune said.
The porn industry’s largest website, Pornhub, blocked access in Missouri after Hanaway announced her office’s rule, issuing a statement calling the new rule ineffective and raising data privacy concerns.
Gallick said that while she realizes some young people will still access sexually explicit material, putting age verification requirements in state law is an important step to protect children. She said pornography can be used by bad actors to “groom” children to engage in sexual activity.
“When there’s a leak in your house you turn the water off,” Gallick said. “When there’s pests that come into your house, an exterminator comes in and cuts off the source. This is the source. Children do not need to view pornography.”
This story was first published at missouriindependent.com.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing
22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 13 drawing
Midday: 2-6-1
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 7-8-3
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 13 drawing
Midday: 5-8-3-5
Midday Wild: 0
Evening: 8-7-7-9
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 13 drawing
Early Bird: 11
Morning: 15
Matinee: 14
Prime Time: 12
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 13 drawing
04-08-18-19-27
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 13 drawing
08-13-39-63-66, Powerball: 02
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Job Point YouthBuild participants demonstrated their construction skills and shared their personal stories at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on April 21.
The event, hosted by the Missouri YouthBuild Coalition, brought together trainees, staff and partners from across the state, according to a community announcement. The day included hands-on construction demonstrations, youth-led advocacy and opportunities for participants to engage with policymakers.
A hands-on project
Trainees spent the morning constructing the framework of walls and portable chairs in teams, demonstrating the skills they are developing through YouthBuild programs in Columbia, St. Joseph and Cape Girardeau. At the end of the day, they assembled the walls to create a room, symbolizing the collaboration among trainees from different regions.
“It was a very good day. We had to build the chairs over there. I did a little measurement, cutting, all of that,” one Job Point YouthBuild student said in the announcement.
The experience highlighted not only technical skills, but also the importance of teamwork and communication, according to the announcement.
“Working together as a team, putting things together was exquisite. Communication was key,” another student shared in the announcement.
Sharing personal journeys
The event also provided a platform for participants to share their personal journeys. Many YouthBuild participants have faced significant barriers, including interruptions in education and limited access to employment opportunities. Through programs like Job Point’s YouthBuild, they are reconnecting with education, gaining workforce certifications and building pathways to meaningful careers, according to the announcement.
For students, the experience of participating in a statewide event and demonstrating their abilities in such a visible setting was both affirming and inspiring.
“I loved it! I had a great time. We built chairs. It was a good experience,” another participant said in the announcement.
Jerrell Morton, director of Job Point’s YouthBuild, emphasized the importance of visibility. Morton said in the announcement, “At its core, this day is about visibility — showing lawmakers, community leaders and the public what these young people are capable of. Our students aren’t just learning skills — they’re building confidence, leadership and a vision for their future.”
Addressing workforce needs
The event also highlighted the broader need for investment in workforce development initiatives like YouthBuild at the state level. Across Missouri, employers continue to report unfilled jobs and growing skills gaps. YouthBuild programs are helping to address that challenge by equipping young adults with practical training, work experience and the tools needed to succeed in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, IT and manufacturing.
For Job Point, participation in the event reinforced its commitment to empowering opportunity youth to overcome barriers, reclaim their education and achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability, according to the announcement.
“It’s a great experience. I love Job Point,” another student reflected in the announcement.
As the day concluded, trainees left with a new sense of confidence after meeting with their state representatives, senators and their staffers and standing up on the Missouri House and Senate floors, according to the announcement.
Job Point YouthBuild participants demonstrated their construction skills and shared their personal stories at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on April 21.
The event, hosted by the Missouri YouthBuild Coalition, brought together trainees, staff and partners from across the state, according to a community announcement. The day included hands-on construction demonstrations, youth-led advocacy and opportunities for participants to engage with policymakers.
A hands-on project
Trainees spent the morning constructing the framework of walls and portable chairs in teams, demonstrating the skills they are developing through YouthBuild programs in Columbia, St. Joseph and Cape Girardeau. At the end of the day, they assembled the walls to create a room, symbolizing the collaboration among trainees from different regions.
“It was a very good day. We had to build the chairs over there. I did a little measurement, cutting, all of that,” one Job Point YouthBuild student said in the announcement.
The experience highlighted not only technical skills, but also the importance of teamwork and communication, according to the announcement.
“Working together as a team, putting things together was exquisite. Communication was key,” another student shared in the announcement.
Sharing personal journeys
The event also provided a platform for participants to share their personal journeys. Many YouthBuild participants have faced significant barriers, including interruptions in education and limited access to employment opportunities. Through programs like Job Point’s YouthBuild, they are reconnecting with education, gaining workforce certifications and building pathways to meaningful careers, according to the announcement.
For students, the experience of participating in a statewide event and demonstrating their abilities in such a visible setting was both affirming and inspiring.
“I loved it! I had a great time. We built chairs. It was a good experience,” another participant said in the announcement.
Jerrell Morton, director of Job Point’s YouthBuild, emphasized the importance of visibility. Morton said in the announcement, “At its core, this day is about visibility — showing lawmakers, community leaders and the public what these young people are capable of. Our students aren’t just learning skills — they’re building confidence, leadership and a vision for their future.”
Addressing workforce needs
The event also highlighted the broader need for investment in workforce development initiatives like YouthBuild at the state level. Across Missouri, employers continue to report unfilled jobs and growing skills gaps. YouthBuild programs are helping to address that challenge by equipping young adults with practical training, work experience and the tools needed to succeed in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, IT and manufacturing.
For Job Point, participation in the event reinforced its commitment to empowering opportunity youth to overcome barriers, reclaim their education and achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability, according to the announcement.
“It’s a great experience. I love Job Point,” another student reflected in the announcement.
As the day concluded, trainees left with a new sense of confidence after meeting with their state representatives, senators and their staffers and standing up on the Missouri House and Senate floors, according to the announcement.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
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