Oklahoma

Choctaw, Chickasaw unveil new statue at Southeastern Oklahoma

Published

1 year ago

October 5, 2024

Choctaw, Chickasaw unveil new statue at Southeastern Oklahoma

DURANT, Oklahoma (KXII) – There’s a new statue at Southeastern Oklahoma University that’s part of an old story.

The statue of the “Two Brothers” weighs 1700 pounds and symbolizes the bond between the Choctaw and the Chickasaw nations.

“We recognize and honor the historic connection between the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, which started many years before the story of the two brothers, Chiksa’ and Chatah, even began,” SOSU Student Senator Alexander Robinson said.

Before the Choctaw and the Chickasaw, there was just one tribe, led by two brothers.

Eventually, the brothers parted peacefully, each taking a part of the tribe with them.

The sculpture captures that very moment.

“It has been long known that we needed to create something to commemorate the importance of these two huge tribes and how important they are to the students that come here,” artist Jane Umsted said.

To this day, though they are separate, the two tribes work hand in hand.

They chose the SOSU campus because leadership in both tribes strongly believe in education.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said, when the youth excel, the whole tribe excels.

Before this ceremony, SOSU did not have any bronze art on campus. Now, the growing school is home to a piece of the past — and a model for the future.

“What we’re trying to do for our kids, for our grandkids, that’s so important to us, and the legacies we want to leave behind,” Choctaw Chief Gary Batton said. “A lot of times, I hope I’m just living out the vision our ancestors set for us many many years ago.”

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma WWII veteran, POW headed home for burial after 82 years

Published

12 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma WWII veteran, POW headed home for burial after 82 years

A Pawnee native who died in a Japanese prison during World War II is headed back to Oklahoma after officials identified his body 82 years later.

James M. Walker was an infantry corporal stationed on the Philippine Islands when Japan invaded in December 1941. U.S. forces battled the Japanese in intense fighting for months, but ultimately surrendered to the invaders in April 1942.

After being taken prisoner, Walker and thousands of other prisoners of war were forced to travel 65 miles to a prison camp on the notorious Bataan Death March. More than 2,500 POWs are reported to have died at the camp.

Prison camp records showed he died on Jan. 1, 1943 at the age of 46, but he was buried in a common grave with other deceased prisoners. After the war, the American Graves Registration Service exhumed the bodies, collected samples for identification analysis and reburied the remains in a memorial cemetery in Manila.

To identify Walker’s remains, scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System also used mitochondrial DNA analysis and mitochondrial genome sequencing data.

Although interred as an “unknown” for decades, Walker’s grave was meticulously cared for by the American Battle Monuments Commission. His name is listed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate his remains have been identified.

Upon his return to the United States, Walker will be buried in Maramec, Oklahoma in January 2026.

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Oklahoma

Suspect in custody after deadly shooting in Oklahoma City following heated argument

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

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Suspect in custody after deadly shooting in Oklahoma City following heated argument

OKLAHOMA CITY, (KOKH) — Oklahoma City police responded to a fatal shooting in the 2600 block of N. Kelly Friday evening.

According to OKCPD, the shooting occurred at around 6:20 p.m.

When officers arrived, they located one adult male with gunshot wounds at the scene. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died during surgery.

Police believe the shooting was a result of a verbal argument that escalated into a fistfight and then a shooting.

The suspect has been taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for questioning.

This is a developing story; please check back for updates.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys play in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys play in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-0) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (6-3)

Oklahoma City; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Sooners are 6-3 in non-conference play. Oklahoma is 1-0 in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Cowboys are 9-0 in non-conference play. Oklahoma State ranks eighth in the Big 12 with 16.9 assists per game led by Jaylen Curry averaging 5.1.

Oklahoma averages 84.7 points, 8.3 more per game than the 76.4 Oklahoma State gives up. Oklahoma State scores 16.3 more points per game (91.3) than Oklahoma gives up to opponents (75.0).

TOP PERFORMERS: Nijel Pack is scoring 17.2 points per game with 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Sooners. Tae Davis is averaging 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 53.3%.

Vyctorius Miller is averaging 15.9 points for the Cowboys. Parsa Fallah is averaging 14.6 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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