Oklahoma

Devon–Coterra Energy merger raises questions about Oklahoma City’s economic future

Published

5 months ago

February 2, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY –

A major announcement coming out of Devon Energy on Monday has state and local leaders bracing for its economic impact. Devon announced a merger with Houston-based Coterra Energy and said it is moving its headquarters to Texas.

Devon Energy and Coterra Energy say the all-stock merger will strengthen their Delaware Basin footprint and drive long-term per-share growth.

February 2, 2026 08:12 AM

2 min read

Governor Kevin Stitt was one of the first to react to the merger, telling News 9 Devon Energy’s CEO Clay Gaspar assured him a majority of its employees will stay in Oklahoma City. Energy experts said only time will tell.

State and local leaders respond to news of Devon Energy’s planned merger with Houston-based Coterra Energy, as well as Devon’s future headquarters shift to Texas.

February 2, 2026 10:39 AM

2 min read

It remains unclear how the merger will impact Oklahoma City and the local economy, but local economist and energy expect Steve Agee does not think there should be panic.

“Oklahoma has diversified its industries and so 50 years ago the oil and gas sector probably accounted for about 30 percent of our gross state product,” said Agee. “And now it’s probably down to about 12 percent.”

Agee said the Devon Energy executive team will likely be the first to move to Houston. Agee did not want to speculate on how many of the current 2,000 employees will be impacted or what the merger could mean for the Devon Tower.

“It will be interesting to see what happens with that and whether or no they sublease some of that,” said Agee. “Or in terms of a move, we don’t know how many people will move or even need that size of a facility anymore.”

Agee said if base employees remain working locally, Devon will continue to have a financial presence in the city. “Devon has too big of a footprint in Oklahoma City for them to just go away,” said Agee.

Neither Devon or Coterra announced any layoffs or job cuts in the merger announcement.

Devon Energy and Coterra Energy announced an all-stock merger that would combine operations and reshape the future of both companies. Read along to see what we know about the merger.

February 2, 2026 08:36 AM

2 min read

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Oklahoma

Trump nominates former Oklahoma officer Lance Schroyer to lead ICE

Published

10 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Press Room

Trump nominates former Oklahoma officer Lance Schroyer to lead ICE

President Donald Trump announced June 27 he would nominate Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to serve as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“The Senate must CONFIRM Lance, IMMEDIATELY — Do not delay,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, calling Schroyer a “patriot” and asserting he would help carry out Trump’s broader immigration push to detain and deport individuals the administration describes as serious criminal offenders.

The move to fill the position comes months after Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE who oversaw immigration enforcement crackdowns linked to killings in Minnesota and Illinois, resigned as acting director at the end of May.

Schroyer has over 29 years in law enforcement in Oklahoma and is a U.S. Marine, Trump said. Most recently, Schroyer’s spearheaded federal-local immigration enforcement partnerships with ICE, including a program that allows state and local agencies to assist federal immigration authorities.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also praised the selection, saying Schroyer’s background positions him to advance the administration’s immigration enforcement goals and called on the Senate to act quickly to confirm him.

Who is Lance Schroyer?

Schroyer currently serves as senior adviser to the Department of Homeland Security, where he helps coordinate immigration enforcement strategy and interagency cooperation among federal, state and local partners, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

He previously served as a major with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, overseeing emergency and special operations units that handled disaster response, civil disturbance planning, abducted child recovery efforts and tactical operations.

ICE leadership vacancy and broader enforcement debate

ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017 and has largely been led by acting officials.

The nomination comes as the agency continues to play a central role in Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda. The Trump administration has expanded detention and deporation efforts as part of the president’s goals to crack down on people entering the country illegally. Immigration rights groups have raised concerns about civil liberties and detention conditions. ICE has faced scrutiny over enforcement actions and deaths in custody, including incidents that have prompted protests and public debate.

ICE’s detention strategies continue to evolve, including adjustments to how custody facilities are planned and utilized. At the same time, immigration enforcement officers are being deployed in more states, pointing to a wider national presence as part of the administration’s enforcement efforts.

Contributing: Reuters

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT

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Oklahoma

Flooded roads prompt travel warnings across Northeast Oklahoma

Published

20 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Press Room

Flooded roads prompt travel warnings across Northeast Oklahoma

NOWATA COUNTY, Okla. –

Nowata County Emergency Management is urging motorists to avoid several roads across the county as flooding continues following recent heavy rainfall.

Officials reported water over a bridge on County Road 408 south of Road 2, between Roads 2 and 3.

Roads to Avoid
Emergency management officials issued the following road advisories:

Road 21 between Roads 420 and 419
Road 419 north of U.S. Highway 60
Road 420 between Roads 27 and 28
Road 27 west of Road 421 near Panther Creek

Officials say these roads should be avoided because of flooding.

Road 2 Closed
Emergency management also announced that Road 2 (EW 2) is closed.

Officials said some areas of the roadway have approximately 12 inches of standing water.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded roadways and seek alternate routes until water recedes.

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Oklahoma

523 animals rescued in SE Oklahoma City meth bust, animal welfare overwhelmed

Published

1 day ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

OKLAHOMA CITY –

Resources at Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare are stretched thin after taking in more than 500 animals in an emergency rescue. Police arrested four people and saved the animals on Thursday in a methamphetamine bust at a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue.

FIRST REPORTED: Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, hundreds of animals seized from Oklahoma City home

Oklahoma City’s Development Services Director Brock Rowe answered questions about the largest animal seizure in the city’s history.

How many animals were rescued and what species were found?

Animal control officers rescued 523 animals. There were about 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons, and peacocks gathered from the property. Officers took 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, one horse, and reptiles.

What is the latest on the animals’ health and condition?

The animals were “taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to be severely abused of malnourished. The situation is believed to be animal hoarding, meaning there were simply too many animals on the property. Staff worked overnight to ensure the animals have food, clean water, bedding and proper car.

What resources is the shelter using to care for so many animals?

The shelter is using temporary crates, kennels, and indoor spaces to accommodate the overflow, especially for birds, while larger animals like the horse are kept outside. Animal welfare officials are reaching out to local partners and organizations that specialize in livestock and birds to help house and care for some of the animals. The shelter is running a “name your price” adoption event to quickly move existing animals out and free up space.

Are the animals considered evidence, and when could they become available for adoption or transfer?

The animals are currently on hold as evidence, and adoption or transfer will only happen after the legal process determines when they can be released.