Oklahoma
$15 Big Macs? As inflation drives up fast food prices nationally, here’s how OKC compares
Inflation falls for first time in 2024, but remains higher than Federal Reserve’s goal
Inflation eased in April after several months of rising costs, but it remains higher than the Fed’s goal.
Scripps News
Across the nation families looking for a quick option to feed the family have seen prices rise as inflation has taken a bite out of the fast-food experience.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest reading from the so-called fast-food index saw annual inflation for the sector come in at 4.8%.
The BLS also found that prices in “limited-service restaurants” increased by 47% since 2014.
Fast food has become a staple of the American diet meaning that price increases at the drive-thru can make a major impact.
Between 2013 and 2016 36.6% of adults consumed fast food on a given day, according to a 2018 CDC study. Market research company Drive Research reported in 2023 that 65% of respondents ate fast food once a week.
A team of USA TODAY reporters surveyed combo meal prices from across the country for five major hamburger chains.
Here’s what we found.
How have fast-food prices increased in the past decade?
Carls Jr. Hardees experienced a more than double price increase between 2014 and 2024. Wendy’s followed, with a nearly double price increase during that same time period.
How do burger prices compare across the country? How much are burgers in Oklahoma City?
The USA TODAY team surveyed locations of McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Carls Jr./Hardees and Five Guys in 18 markets across the country. The team asked for the price of the restaurants signature combo with cheese, in a medium size before tax.
A Big Mac combo was most affordable in Houston, Texas where a medium sized meal rounded out to $7.89.
On the opposite side, Seattle residents will pay close to $15 for a Big Mac Combo.
In Oklahoma City, a medium sized Big Mac Combo costs a little over $9.
Wendy’s is one of the more affordable fast-food options in the U.S. In downtown Columbus, Ohio a Wendy’s Dave’s cheeseburger meal is $9.29 – the cheapest of the 18 cities USA TODAY reporters surveyed.
In Oklahoma City, a Wendy’s Dave’s cheeseburger meal is $9.89.
Out of the 15 plus cities surveyed, the most expensive combo was a cheeseburger, regular fries and drink from Five Guys in Chicago.
In Oklahoma City, this combo is about $20.50.
What was the average cost of each fast food restaurant’s signature meal?
When looking at 2014 prices – which were obtained through menus found on the website fastfoodmenuprices.com in the Internet Archive’s Wayback machine – we found that Carls Jr./Hardees had the cheapest signature meal a decade ago, with the quarter pound thick burger combo priced at $5.29 (the closest listed equivalent to the Famous Star combo). The website uses a singular data point while USA TODAY’s comparison is an average.
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.
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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.
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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.
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The woman has been taken into custody for questioning, but it is unknown if she will face charges just yet.
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.
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