Oklahoma
As Democratic National Convention nears, Oklahoma delegates reflect party uncertainty
Joe Biden calls for an end to Israel-Hamas war in solo news conference
In a solo press conference defending his ability to keep his presidential campaign alive, Joe Biden called for the Israel-Hamas war to end.
Reuters
With Republicans starting their national nominating convention in Milwaukee on Monday, Oklahoma’s Democratic delegates to their party’s Chicago convention in mid-August reflect the uncertainty many have over President Joe Biden’s selection to be a candidate in the November general election.
“Biden’s my guy,” says Alicia Andrews , head of Oklahoma’s Democratic party.
“If it was up to me, I would tell everybody to shut up about having him drop out of the race and focus on reelecting a president who will preserve our democracy,” Andrews told The Oklahoman in a brief interview.
Referring to former President Donald Trump, expected to be the Republican presidential nominee, Andrews said, “we sure don’t want that dictator wannabe. We need to ride with the guy who beat him once and can beat him again.”
But while Andrews is supportive of Biden, former Gov. David Walters said it will be increasingly difficult for Biden to continue as the party’s nominee if swing state polls continue to deteriorate. “Fifty states don’t elect a president anymore,” Walters said. “In reality, it’s only about 10 states.”
Should Biden step aside, Walters said he hoped the party would have an open and transparent nomination process. “It strengthens the ticket a lot more if there’s a little competition,” he said.
Walters, in addition to his spot as a delegate, also serves on the executive committee of the Democratic National Committee. Walters said he was attending this year’s convention with his 17-year-old grandson, Harrison Fried, who was serving as a page.
Is it too late to change the Democratic presidential nominee?
Walters said this year’s convention could be a historic one for Democrats, if it actually chooses the presidential nominee. “That’s the way it used to be done,” he said. “There’s no reason it wouldn’t work again.”
Walters also downplayed claims that it was too late in the process to change candidates. “If the UK can change its entire government in six weeks, then we should be able to,” he said. “So we’re going to prepare for what could be a very historic and interesting convention.”
The Oklahoma party’s website lists 13 of some 40 delegates from the state expected to attend the Chicago convention starting Aug. 19, including Walters and current state House Democratic leader Cyndi Munson, D-OKC. Walters served as governor from 1991-95.
More: Biden rallies to chants of ‘Don’t you quit,’ attacks press for giving Trump ‘free pass’
Currently the state has a Republican governor, all Republicans in its seven-member Congressional delegation and a strong majority of Republicans in both houses of the state legislature.
Discussions about Biden are distractions, Oklahoma Democratic delegate says
Oklahoma Democratic Committee delegate at-large Antwuan Jackson II said he thinks President Biden should stay in the campaign, noting he and the vice president are “our best hope for protecting the future of our country.”
“The opposition offers no credible alternative. They have shown themselves to be divisive, lacking in character, and detrimental to the interests of minorities, the middle class, working class Americans, and small business owners,” Jackson said in a statement.
Jackson said the discussions about President Biden’s age and mental acuity are distractions from substantial progress and meaningful change he and Vice President Kamala Harris have already achieved. He said he has heard from voters that they see a stark contrast between the presidential candidates, with Biden offering integrity and dedication to public service.
More: The GOP presidential nominee isn’t in question, but OK lawmakers expect debates at the convention
“Oklahoma voters, regardless of political affiliation, recognize the importance of a leader who can uphold the principles of honesty, competence and compassion in guiding our country forward,” he said.
Matthew Lucas, also an at-large delegate, said he believes that the party is firmly behind Biden. Lucas told The Oklahoman he believes the conversation surrounding Biden’s age and mental state are a “sideshow distraction.”
The Democratic National Convention in August should highlight the stark differences between the two parties, Lucas said, adding that more than 40 delegates from Oklahoma would be attending.
Opinion: No country for old men. Biden, Trump block the way for newer, younger leaders.
“I think that’s going to be a defining point of this convention, making sure that we reiterate not only to our state delegates and everyone, but to the American people as well, that it is a real threat to our democracy,” he said. Lucas is going to the national convention for the first time and he’s assigned as a floor whip for Oklahoma’s fourth congressional district. More than 40 delegates from Oklahoma are attending.
M. Scott Carter and Jordan Gerard contributed to this story.
Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.
In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.
“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”
Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.
If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
TULSA, Okla — Tulsa has seen a boost in its food industry, thanks in part to a growing population.
Local News
Study shows Hispanic population boom boosting Tulsa economy
The Hispanic and Latino population has also contributed to the Oklahoma economy through restaurants, catering businesses, and food trucks.
According to a study conducted by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the number of Hispanic and Latino individuals who have gone into the state’s food service industry has grown by more than 12,000 between 2001 and 2021.
To help continue this growth, the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation is starting up its “Lanzamiento Program” for Spanish speakers who are interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry.
Local News
Mother Road Market hosts program for Hispanic, Latino food entrepreneurs
The classes are held in partnership with Mother Road Market for 12 weeks.
Wendy Henriquez is the owner of Sugar Crave and completed the program back in 2024.
She said it was a huge help when it came to learning the ins and outs of the industry.
It also helped her that it was all in Spanish, the language she prefers.
“All of the classes were focused on the regulations here in the United States and Oklahoma needing to be met,” she said. “In every class, we had experts talk to us about things like taking out loans, insurance, credit.”
“Wow, I mean it isn’t easy, but it’s possible,” she said. “Perseverance is important.”
Abel Aguilar is the Program Manager in charge of the Lanzamiento course.
“We believe it’s important because not only do we have a strong population of both Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs here in Tulsa, they may not know the resources that they have available to them,” he said.
While tuition doesn’t start off as being free of charge, there are financial assistance options to help.
We Street Credit Union has also pitched in to offer funds for financial assistance so some weight can be taken off of the participant.
Aguilar also said Lobeck Taylor will work something out if finances are the only obstacle to applying.
For others interested in other resources to help kickstart their business, Avanzando Juntos is also a non-profit organization that can help.
Primarily for Spanish speakers, Avanzando Juntos helps connect business owners with grants and funding that can help eliminate some of the costs that come with starting a business.
For those interested in applying to the “Lanzamiento” Program, you can visit the Kitchen 66 website for the application.
Isabel Flores is your North & East Tulsa reporter.
Is there something you think she should know about or look into?
You can email her at Isabel.Flores@kjrh.com.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
1. Death of inmate at Oklahoma County Detention Center under investigation
Oklahoma County Detention Center.
• 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow found unresponsive
• Taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead
• Active investigation ongoing
Officials are investigating the death of an inmate at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Officers found 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow unresponsive just before 7 p.m. Sunday. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Whitecrow had been booked into the jail in April.
This remains an active investigation.
The Oklahoma County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating after Dancing Feathers Whitecrow, 33, died in custody.
2. Deadly hit-and-run in southwest Oklahoma City
• Pedestrian struck and killed near Southwest 61st and May
• Crash happened just before midnight
• No description of the vehicle yet
Oklahoma City Police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run that happened late Tuesday in southwest Oklahoma City.
One person was struck and killed by a vehicle near Southwest 61st and May just before midnight on Wednesday.
Police say they currently have no description of the vehicle involved.
3. Elderly Moore woman mauled to death by dog
• 86-year-old Beatrice Carruth found dead July 2nd
• Dog belonged to her son, who was previously arrested in a related incident
• Dog has been euthanized
An 86-year-old Moore woman was mauled to death in her home by her son’s dog.
Beatrice Carruth was found dead on July 2nd. Family members say the dog, a Labrador and American Pit Bull Terrier mix, had previously attacked her in May.
The dog was euthanized Monday.
The Moore Police Department arrived at the scene near Northeast 27th Street and Highland Drive to find a woman with severe injuries.
4. Cattle rescue after semi overturns on I-40 near Tinker
News 9
• Mayberry family from Oklahoma City Stockyards helped clear the scene
• 109 head of cattle in trailer; more than 80 survived
• Similar crashes have happened in recent years
A family of ranchers helped rescue cattle after a semi overturned on I-40 near Tinker Air Force Base.
The Mayberry family responded to the scene and worked to safely remove the animals. They say they’ve assisted with several similar crashes over the past four years.
A trailer carrying 62 head of cattle overturned Tuesday morning, leaving only a single westbound lane of I-40 open for hours as crews rescued trapped animals.
5. Attorney General Drummond sues Allstate over insurance practices
• Lawsuit accuses company of denying or underpaying wind and hail claims
• Alleges use of undisclosed restrictive standards
• Similar lawsuit previously filed against State Farm
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is suing Allstate, accusing the insurance company of running a scheme to deny or underpay wind and hail claims.
The lawsuit alleges Allstate used undisclosed restrictive standards to limit coverage for Oklahomans. Drummond says the company is putting profits ahead of policyholders.
A similar lawsuit was previously filed against State Farm.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court and alleges violations of state consumer protection and anti-racketeering laws.
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Editor’s note: We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.
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