Oklahoma
15 dead, 100s wounded in tornado that hit Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky
Texas Gov. relays at a news conference that seven deaths, including two children, were reported near the Oklahoma border, where a night tornado hit near a mobile home park.
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Destroyed homes are seen after a deadly tornado rolled through the previous night, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Valley View, Texas (AP)
As of now, 15 people have been killed and hundreds have been wounded as a result of the tornado and storms that hit the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott relayed at a news conference on Sunday that seven deaths, including two children, were reported near the Oklahoma border, where a night tornado hit near the mobile home park.
Abbott confirmed that around 200 homes and structures were destroyed in the aftermath, saying, “The hopes and dreams of Texas families and small businesses have literally been crushed by storm after storm.”
A resident of Farmers Branch in Dallas County, Hugo Parra, said he survived the storm with 40 to 50 people in a truck stop bathroom when the storm tore the roof and the walls off the building and left damaged cars in the parking lot.
Read more: Deadly tornado batters Texas, wreaks havoc
AP quoted Parra as saying, “A firefighter came to check on us and he said, ‘You’re very lucky,’” adding “The best way to describe this is the wind tried to rip us out of the bathrooms.”
Meanwhile, police and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg in Kentucky confirmed a man was killed in the city when a tree fell on him.
More severe storms were expected in the states of Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Last year, between March and April, Arkansas and Mississippi suffered heavy damage and casualties as a result of the tornadoes that hit the region during that time of year.
Oklahoma
OHP remembers K-9 for protecting countless lives during career
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are remembering a dedicated K-9 officer who passed away earlier this month.
K-9 Dak was born in 2014 and began serving with the OHP in 2015.
Throughout his distinguished career, officials say Dak’s exceptional instincts made a significant impact on public safety across the state.
During his career, Dak was instrumental in the seizure of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 151 pounds of methamphetamine, and 99 pounds of fentanyl.
“These remarkable accomplishments represent countless lives protected and communities made safer through Dak’s service,” OHP wrote.
Dak worked his final shift on June 3 before peacefully passing away from natural causes on June 7.
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“More than his statistics and accomplishments, Dak was a loyal partner, trusted teammate, and beloved member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. His legacy will live on through the work he accomplished, the bond he shared with his handler, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” OHP said.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma captures third MCWS title, defeating North Carolina 13-2
It’s Boomer Sooner time in Omaha.
Oklahoma has won the 2026 Men’s College World Series, steamrolling through North Carolina in the winner-take-all Game 3, 13-2, capturing its first national title in over 30 years and third overall. The Sooners are the seventh straight SEC team to win the national championship.
A dogpile with cheers that made its way through the infiled, it closed out the Sooners’ one-for-the-ages NCAA tournament run.
for the third time in program history, the Oklahoma Sooners are national champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xEvjGxhqgM
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) June 23, 2026
It was an all-around masterclass for OU, jumping out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the third and never looking back. They put at least one run across the plate in four of the final six innings, including three in the fourth and four in the eighth.
The fourth was where Oklahoma’s upper hand became clear. Walker McDuffie’s three consecutive one-out walks loaded the bases, and UNC turned to star freshman Caden Glauber. The Tar Heels were previously 29-0 with whenever he pitched, but he was pulled after a walk and Jaxon Willits’ two-RBI single.
LJ Mercurius was outstanding on the mound, entering for starter Nick Wesloski in the third and tossing 5.2 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. It was his longest outing since April 17.
Outside of Mercurius, shortstop Jaxon Willits and Kyle Branch starred for the Sooners. The former went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and was named Most Outstanding Player, while Branch also went 3-for-4 with a homer and six RBIs, a career-high. He’s the third player all-time to record six or more RBIs in a national championship game.
The victory caps off OU’s gauntlet-like journey to the top. After finishing 11th in SEC regular season play, they knocked off five national seeds — three in the top five and two on the road — leaning on a trio of freshman arms and a historic power surge at the plate.
Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team:
- Catcher: Deiten LaChance, Oklahoma
- First base: Erik Paulsen, North Carolina
- Second base: Gavin Gallaher, North Carolina
- Third base: Tyrus Hall, West Virginia
- Shortstop: Jaxon Willits, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Jason Walk, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Owen Hull, North Carolina
- Outfield: Dasan Harris, Oklahoma
- Designated Hitter: Adrian Rodriguez, Texas
- Pitcher: Joey Volchko, Georgia
- Pitcher: Caden Glauber, North Carolina
THE 2026 #MCWS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wlaQxxYFL3
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 23, 2026
Oklahoma
Oklahoma National Guard announces loss of specialist
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma National Guard announced the loss of a specialist who passed away last week.
On Monday, the Oklahoma National Guard announced the passing of Spc. Blake C. Akin, who passed away on June 17.
“We are saddened by the loss of Spc. Blake Akin,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and fellow Soldiers during this difficult time.”
Akin, 24, enlisted as an infantryman in November of 2021. He was a member of Charlie Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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A memorial service for Akin will be held at 2 p.m. at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home Chapel, located at 14624 N. May Ave. in Oklahoma City.
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