Connect with us

Oklahoma

4 Oklahoma Teachers Up For Investigation Following OSDE Monthly Meeting

Published

on

4 Oklahoma Teachers Up For Investigation Following OSDE Monthly Meeting


Tensions were high and the agenda was packed for July’s State Department of Education meeting. Board members discussed the revocation process of four Oklahoma teachers, voting unanimously to move forward with hearings. 

“We will do our jobs to keep our schools safe,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

The teachers in question were Scott Renken, Alison Scott, Anthony Deason, and Regan Killackey.

Deason is accused of child exploitation in the Eastern District Court, and his case is set to be heard in a federal grand jury trial in October.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, two other teachers are making headlines for their social media posts. 

“Nobody will be allowed to teach in the state of Oklahoma if they advocate the assassination of President Trump or any elected official,” said Walters.

A Facebook post from Ardmore teacher Alison Scott first gained national attention on a popular X account, “Libs of TikTok” in a post that’s now been viewed millions of times.

In the post, Scott commented on a Facebook post as if upset that the attempted assassination of Trump was unsuccessful.

Scott wrote, “wish they had a better scope.”

Advertisement

“We can’t tolerate behavior like that and we’re not going to in the state of Oklahoma,” said Walters.

Ardmore City Schools released a statement last week saying they are investigating the matter and quote “strongly condemn acts of physical violence and any words that seek to encourage it, no matter their target.” “To be clear it’s inappropriate if it was President Biden, no matter what elected official it is,” said Walters.

The second teacher first made headlines when he sued the state over the highly controversial House Bill 1775. Regan Killackey was one of multiple plaintiffs in the case, joining the ACLU and BERT.

Last week a 2019 Instagram post from the Edmond teacher resurfaced. “We had images of knives being held to President Trump’s throat,” said Walters.

The post, depicting Killackey holding a toy knife up to a mask of Trump, was made years ago, before the July shooting.

Advertisement

Still, Walters says it’s not appropriate for Oklahoma schools. “We cannot allow these individuals to continue to teach in the state of Oklahoma,” said Walters. 

News 9 has not been told why Scott Renken is being investigated.

Board members voted unanimously to have a hearing officer investigate each teacher, where the officer will decide whether revoking their teaching license will be necessary.

The teachers are not suspended at this point.





Source link

Advertisement

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State outlasts UCF in overtime, Houston next

Published

on

Oklahoma State outlasts UCF in overtime, Houston next


ORLANDO, Fla. –

The Oklahoma State Cowboys men’s basketball bounced back in a big way Tuesday night.

Anthony Roy scored 27 points and Kanye Clary added 23, including seven in overtime, as Oklahoma State defeated the UCF Knights men’s basketball 111-104 in Orlando.

The Cowboys controlled the extra period, finishing overtime on an 11-4 run and outscoring UCF 17-10.

Advertisement

Clary played a major role in closing it out. He hit a key 3-pointer and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in overtime to help seal the win.

The victory moves Oklahoma State to 18-12 overall and 6-11 in the Big 12, and gives the Cowboys two wins in their last three games after snapping a five-game losing streak. UCF, now 20-9 (9-8 Big 12), has dropped two straight.

Roy and Clary led a balanced offensive effort. Jaylen Curry and Christian Coleman each added 16 points, while the Cowboys shot 49% from the field (35-of-72) and 80% from the free throw line (32-of-40).

Themus Fulks led UCF with 22 points, while Riley Kugel added 18.

Late-game drama forces overtime

Advertisement

The final seconds of regulation were chaotic.

With 24 seconds remaining, Isaiah Coleman threw down a dunk to give Oklahoma State a 94-91 lead.

But UCF answered quickly when Chris Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left, tying the game at 94-94.

Oklahoma State had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Jaylen Curry missed a shot, and John Bol blocked Roy’s attempt, sending the game to overtime.

Cowboys respond after tough loss

Advertisement

The Cowboys showed resilience after Saturday’s lopsided loss to Cincinnati.

The team traveled directly to Orlando following that defeat and was pushed through two intense practices by head coach Steve Lutz and the coaching staff.

The response was clear.

Led by Roy’s scoring and Clary’s clutch overtime performance, Oklahoma State delivered a gritty win and swept the season series against UCF

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon

Published

on

Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon


Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon Monday night.

The shooting happened near Northwest 10th Street and South Yukon Parkway near the border of Yukon and Oklahoma City.

Police are on the scene, and officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the hip.

OKCPD said they have at least one person in custody.

Advertisement

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.



Source link

Continue Reading

Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

Published

on

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property


As consumer electricity needs grow, lawmakers are discussing strategies to ease the burden on landowners who don’t want the towers and wires carrying that energy on their property.

As it’s written now, the bill would require transmission owners to pay landowners $2 per foot of line annually. During the committee meeting, Murdock said he introduced the legislation to “start a conversation.”

“ This is an idea of, maybe moving forward, if the landowners are getting a royalty off of the power being pushed across their property, it may make it a little more palatable for someone to have a transmission line go across their property,” he said.

Landowners can enter into easement agreements with companies to set aside portions of their land for the builds. But in some cases, eminent domain is used to obtain a right-of-way.

Advertisement

“ I’m not saying that this is going to do away with eminent domain,” Murdock said. “What I’m hoping is this just makes it a little more palatable.”

Murdock said he spoke with utility companies about the legislation, though he didn’t name them. The bill’s language could change after creating an alternative rate based on conversations with the companies, he said.

Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, said the bill could raise utility rates for consumers living in Oklahoma’s most populous counties if companies charge more to make up for the annual fee.

Murdock pushed back, noting the lines are necessary to deliver electricity to other counties.

“You understand that you flip that light on because — and have that ability to have electricity because — the people in my district have a transmission line that goes across them, getting you that power,” he said.

Advertisement

StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending