A top education official in the US state of Oklahoma is facing criticism after ordering public schools to show students a video promoting a new department of religious freedom and patriotism.
State superintendent Ryan Walters, a Republican, announced the department on Wednesday, claiming it will address attacks on religious liberty and patriotism by “woke teachers’ unions.” The new office will operate under the state’s department of education.
On Thursday, Walters emailed school superintendents demanding they show his video announcement to all students and send it to parents.
“In one of the first steps of the newly created department, we are requiring all of Oklahoma schools to play the attached video to all kids that are enrolled,” the email read.
In the video, Walters claims that religious liberty has been attacked and patriotism mocked “by woke teachers unions,” before praying for US leaders.
“In particular, I pray for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country,” Walters said in the video.
He further said that students are not required to participate in the prayer.
According to Walters, the new department will “oversee the investigation of abuses to individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism.”

Two of Oklahoma’s largest school districts, Edmond and Bixby, have said they will not show the video. Oklahoma City Public Schools is reviewing the matter.
Oklahoma attorney general Gentner Drummond’s office declared Walters’ mandate unlawful.
“Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents’ rights, local control, and individual free-exercise rights,” the statement read.
This is not the first time Walters’ actions have drawn legal challenges. He is currently facing two lawsuits over a June mandate requiring schools to incorporate the Bible into lesson plans for grades 5 through 12, a directive several districts have refused to follow.

Gambling can be a shady profession. Everyone is looking for an angle. If a person has inside information into the physical condition of a key player, say a certain quarterback, it is a big advantage. That said, my sources say that Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is in excellent shape. That sort of news gives the Crimson Tide a better chance at success.

Sportsbook FanDuel has come out with their line on Alabama-Oklahoma and graced the Tide with a 14.5 point advantage. The Over/Under is set at 49.5.

Hopefully, you got in on the preseason number of Bama favored by two points for this game in Norman. The Sooners were not expected to win the SEC, but then again not many prognosticators had OU pegged at 5-5 coming into this game. The win total for Oklahoma this summer was set at 8.5. Those lucky enough to take the under have already profited.

Not only are the Sooners 5-5 overall, they are also 5-5 against the spread and in the Over/Under.

OKLAHOMA

The Sooners are 1-5 in the SEC with the one win coming against Auburn at home. Okie lost their other two SEC home games to Ole Miss by 12 and against a Brady Cook-less Mizzou by 7. Is the Tide a field goal better than OM? Can Milroe generate 8 more points than Drew Pyne?

If night games factor into your betting, Oklahoma won their first two of the season against Temple (51-3) and Houston (16-12). In Week 4, they fell to Tennessee under the lights in Norman 25-15.

The Sooners have lost four straight SEC games with a win over Maine mixed in, while playing musical chairs with their quarterbacks.

ALABAMA

The Crimson Tide is 8-2 and 4-2 in conference play. They have won three straight and covered the spread each time. A healthy Milroe is a good Milroe. But it’s the defense that has really stepped up. Alabama has given up 20 points in those three games with one of the touchdowns being a garbage score against the Tide reserves. It would seem Bama is getting back to Joyless Murderball.

Bama is 2-2 on the road and 4-0 in night games. Weather is not expected to be a factor.

MATH

With an over/under of 49.5 and 14.5 point spread, the final score could look something like BAMA 32, OK 17. Would you be willing to bet on this game?

[Erik Evans will have his thoughts on these numbers later in the week.]

Associated Press

Dallas Mavericks (6-7, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-2, first in the Western Conference)

Oklahoma City; Sunday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -5.5; over/under is 228.5

BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City aims to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Thunder take on Dallas.

The Thunder are 8-2 in conference matchups. Oklahoma City ranks eighth in the Western Conference with 25.2 assists per game led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 6.2.

The Mavericks are 4-6 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas is fourth in the league scoring 53.5 points per game in the paint led by Daniel Gafford averaging 10.9.

The Thunder average 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 more made shots on average than the 12.5 per game the Mavericks give up. The Mavericks are shooting 47.9% from the field, 6.4% higher than the 41.5% the Thunder’s opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 27.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals for the Thunder.

Kyrie Irving is scoring 24.9 points per game and averaging 4.9 rebounds for the Mavericks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 8-2, averaging 115.2 points, 40.9 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 12.1 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.2 points per game.

Mavericks: 4-6, averaging 114.9 points, 41.9 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.4 points.

INJURIES: Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein: out (hand), Chet Holmgren: out (hip), Alex Caruso: out (hip), Jaylin Williams: out (hamstring), Nikola Topic: out for season (acl).

Mavericks: Dante Exum: out (wrist).

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