Oklahoma

First Native American woman to serve as federal judge in Oklahoma honored by Tulsa alma mater

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

First Native American woman to serve as federal judge in Oklahoma honored by Tulsa alma mater

Tulsa’s legal community is celebrating the appointment of a new judge to the Northern District of Oklahoma.

At the University of Tulsa on Friday, well-wishers gathered in a small reception to recognize graduate Sara Hill. Hill is the first Native woman to hold a federal judgeship in Oklahoma.

Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Hill is an inspiration.

“We can think about things today, and if you’re like me there are some things going on in the country that might trouble you. But I can tell you right now: a Cherokee girl can grow up to be a federal district judge in this country. As a Cherokee citizen, that is reason to celebrate,” said Hoskin.

Hill’s colleague, Gregory Frizzell, has been the only full-time judge in the Northern District for more than a year. He was visibly moved as he talked about his family’s role in tribal affairs.

“Being the son of a former law professor here at the University of Tulsa and a former solicitor at the Department of Interior who was tasked by President Nixon to begin his policy of tribal self-determination, this is an important milestone. I think my dad would be very happy that this happened today,” said Frizzell.

Hill said her time serving as Cherokee Nation attorney general from 2019 to 2023 prepped her for her new role in the Northern District.

“And learning to practice law on behalf of the Cherokee Nation, defending the Nation’s rights in court, was the highest honor. It still is, looking back. There will never be anything about it that i would change. I’m so proud of my service in the Nation,” said Hill.

Hill joins just a handful of federal judges with Native roots to ever be appointed.

We must note, TU holds the broadcast license for KWGS.

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Oklahoma

Trump nominates former Oklahoma officer Lance Schroyer to lead ICE

Published

3 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

13 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

23 hours 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.