Oklahoma
As OKC continues to expand, it will encounter massive traffic problems similar cities have.
The traffic situation on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma is becoming increasingly problematic. Commuting south of the metro area down to the Red River can be challenging due to frequent accidents and traffic congestion that negatively impact the economy of the Sooner State.
The state of the highway is very much considered a negative, and for an ever-growing state, it continues to show that Oklahoma still needs to prepare for an influx of people who could move to the state in the coming years. Solutions proposed to fix the problem, such as ACCESS Oklahoma, continue to show that the state’s car-centric attitudes will be its demise. Adding more lanes or miles to I-35 differs from Oklahoma’s current needs. A decadelong construction project alongside this, while creating economic development, will bring more negatives than positives in the long term.
The state does not need one more lane; it needs other forms of transportation while modernizing what we currently have. The development of a more advanced regional public transit system while maintaining bike and road infrastructure is a great place to start with these lofty revisions.
The metro area is already perfectly set up for a regional commuter rail system, with BNSF and Union Pacific operating multiple rail lines in all directions out from OKC. The metro area could construct a world-class transit system that can clear current traffic challenges in and out of the city. Instead of adding more cars to the problem, we remove them and put them on already-built rails. The state would have to invest in infrastructure such as stations, locomotives and passenger cars, which may be seen as a negative. However, this could be done much quicker than a 10-year highway construction project that will relocate hundreds of people.
As Oklahoma City continues to expand, it will encounter massive traffic problems that similar cities are seen to have. Inadequate infrastructure that fast-growing cities tend to face is a severe challenge.
Due to insufficient and modernized infrastructure, we want to ensure new business and economic development opportunities can be set up in the state. Mass transit will become increasingly crucial, and passenger and commuter rail can be an incredibly positive solution. Increasing the development of mass transit can stabilize increased rates of congestion and maximize the transit routes in the metro.
With more than one option, people will spread out over different modes, increasing efficiency. Drivers will have to worry less about traffic volumes, while non-car commuters will enjoy a faster ride into and out of the city.
It requires a significant investment. However, the long-term benefits of reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality and increased transportation options for residents make it a worthwhile investment.
As for funding, there are various options, such as public-private partnerships, federal grants and dedicated tax revenues. Regarding flexibility, a regional rail system may not be suitable for everyone’s specific travel needs. However, it could still provide a valuable transportation option for many people. For those who need to make multiple stops or travel outside the designated rail routes, there could be complementary transportation options such as buses or ride-sharing services.
Ultimately, a regional rail system would provide an additional transportation choice that could help reduce traffic congestion and provide Oklahoma with a modern solution to a past problem.
Colin Caso is an undergraduate student from the University of Oklahoma.
New Iowa State wrestling coach Brent Metcalf outlines vision for team
New Iowa State wrestling coach Brent Metcalf outlines vision for team
Iowa State wrestling’s first commitment of the Brent Metcalf era will be a transfer portal addition.
The Cyclones added Oklahoma State transfer Brayden Thompson, who announced his commitment on April 18 via Instagram. Thompson is a one-time NCAA qualifier at the 2024 NCAA Championships, doing so as a true freshman. He redshirted in 2024-25, but competed in open tournaments at 184 pounds and was 9-0. He did not wrestle a match in 2025-26 and will have at least two years of eligibility remaining.
Out of high school, Thompson was ranked the No. 3 pound-for-pound wrestler and No. 1 at 182 pounds in the 2023 recruiting class by Flowrestling. He also won Powerade and Ironman titles, two of the more prestigious high school tournaments in the nation. Assuming Thompson returns to 184 pounds where he last wrestled, he should fill in nicely as a potential replacement for Isaac Dean after his graduation.
Thompson is Iowa State’s first transfer portal addition after several departures, including Anthony Echemendia and Christian Castillo, who also entered the portal.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
NORMAN — The Oklahoma Sooners liked their wide receiver room a year ago. They want 2026 to be even better.
Isaiah Sategna’s return helps that desire. Earning experienced pass catchers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone via the transfer portal gives you added play makers. But after the Sooners Spring Game on Saturday, an unlikely hero emerged.
When Jahsiear Rogers flipped from Penn State to Oklahoma last December, he drew the usual excitement that comes with a new commitment. But few expected him to climb the depth chart this quickly, even with the injuries that hit Emmett Jones’ room.
Rogers did just that and more on Saturday. He led all pass catchers with five receptions for 70 yards in Oklahoma’s annual Red/White game.
“I knew it was time to showcase,” Rogers said after the game. “It was amazing to see the fans and get used to the OU way. I’m a playmaker. They really want to put the ball in playmakers hands. I pretty much knew I had to lead the white team.”
Rogers got the ball rolling early. On the second offensive play for the white team, backup quarterback Whitt Newbauer rolled to his right wide, then stopped and looked towards the middle of the field where he saw Rogers running open. Newbauer connected with Rogers for a 39-yard gain.
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With Rogers on the white team, he is running against (most of) Oklahoma’s starting defense. As fate would have it, on that 39-yard reception, Rogers beat his favorite teammate to compete against — Reggie Powers.
“He is just a leader, good guy,” Rogers said of Powers. “Me and him go after it every day in practice. Reggie is strong. When I come at him, I have to really come at him.”
Rogers’ big play over Powers was the second-longest catch of the spring game — Sategna’s 50-yard reception that appeared to be a touchdown before coaches pulled it back to set up a red-zone rep. The other four catches weren’t flashy, but they were important in their own way, and Rogers looked like he belonged on the field.
“I love it. As long as I can get the ball, I can be me. I love it,” Rogers said. “When I am on the field, I am ready to go. I am ready to be a playmaker.”
The season is still months away, and Rogers hasn’t earned a spot high on the depth chart yet. A strong spring and an encouraging Red/White Game can only lead to early playing time if he carries that momentum into summer and fall camp.
More experienced players will return from injury and receivers who’ve been in the program for a few years will have an extra leg-up.
But Rogers is taking everything in stride and leaving no stone unturned in his development.
“Just learning from the older guys,” Rogers said. “Manny Choice, Isaiah Sategna, Trell Harris, Mackenzie Alleyne. Really all of them. We lean on each other, learn from each other. That is kind of how our room is.”
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The Oklahoma baseball team is back in the mix and trending upward.
After a rough few weeks in Southeastern Conference play, the 14th-ranked Sooners have won three of their last four games to get to .500 at just beyond the halfway point of the league slate. Friday’s 9-6 win over Missouri allowed Oklahoma to move to 8-8, tied with three other teams for eighth in the standings.
Friday’s win wasn’t truly that close, even. OU took a 9-3 lead into the ninth before Mizzou made it somewhat interesting with three runs in the frame. Two of them came with two outs, though, and Mason Bixby induced a groundout with the bases empty to hold on.
The large edge came via a home run-happy night. The Sooners popped four over the wall at Kimrey Family Stadium, including three in a four-run seventh inning that gave OU a four-run lead.
Jason Walk, who hit one of the four homers, had the best day at the plate. He went 2 for 5 with the shot, three RBIs and a run. Camden Johnson, who also homered, went 2 for 3 with a walk, a double and two runs, and Dasan Harris went 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs, and three runs. Trey Gambill hit the Sooners’ other jack.
Oklahoma jumped out to a four-run lead in the second behind four hits and a walk. Missouri helped the Sooners out with an error that resulted in a bases-loaded situation and three unearned runs registered to Tigers starter Josh McDevitt.
The runs were more than enough for Oklahoma’s LJ Mercurius, who pitched six strong innings, giving up three runs on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.
Game 2 in the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday and the finale will be played Sunday at 2 p.m., weather permitting.
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