Oklahoma
Going to Oklahoma: Northern Colorado softball supporters turn out for send off to NCAA Tournament
The Northern Colorado softball team left Greeley Wednesday evening for Stillwater, Oklahoma where the Bears will play in the NCAA Tournament this weekend.
Before the team bus to Denver International Airport, the UNC players, coaches and staff making the trip received a mini send-off celebration. Fans, alumni, other UNC staff and athletes were among those gathered outside of Butler-Hancock Athletic Center to send good wishes to the softball team.
UNC (27-24) is making its second straight appearance in the 64-team NCAA Tournament after winning a second consecutive Big Sky Conference Tournament title last weekend in Pocatello, Idaho.
The Bears were placed in the Stillwater region and will play No. 5 seed and site host Oklahoma State (44-1) at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The tournament’s first round is comprised of 16 four-team tournaments in double elimination format through Sunday. Michigan and Kentucky are the other two teams in Stillwater.
UNC played Michigan twice in Santa Barbara, California in February during its non-conference schedule and lost both games to the Wolverines, 9-1 and 4-1. Michigan led 3-1 after four innings in the first game before scoring six with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to turn in the lopsided result. UNC led the second game 1-0 through five innings. Michigan hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth for the win.
“Everybody we play will be good,” UNC coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm said Sunday of facing Oklahoma State. “It’s time to go to the show.”
Pendleton-Helm asked the well wishers Wednesday evening to join the team to form a large circle of about 75 people on the sidewalk near the team bus. The coach made the same request Sunday evening with those who watched the tournament selection show and the announcement of the challenging task of facing national powerhouse Oklahoma State.
On both evenings, Pendleton-Helm thanked everyone who was there and insisted the circle close tighter in a show of unity, pride and team spirit.
Pendleton-Helm has been in the UNC program for 23 months. In two seasons, the UNC teams have a 53-47 record with a regular-season Big Sky Conference title this year, the two conference tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Bears played at the University of Washington in last year’s NCAA Tournament, where they lost to the host Huskies and Minnesota in region play.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon
YUKON, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon Monday night.
The shooting happened near Northwest 10th Street and South Yukon Parkway near the border of Yukon and Oklahoma City.
Police are on the scene, and officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the hip.
OKCPD said they have at least one person in custody.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property
As consumer electricity needs grow, lawmakers are discussing strategies to ease the burden on landowners who don’t want the towers and wires carrying that energy on their property.
As it’s written now, the bill would require transmission owners to pay landowners $2 per foot of line annually. During the committee meeting, Murdock said he introduced the legislation to “start a conversation.”
“ This is an idea of, maybe moving forward, if the landowners are getting a royalty off of the power being pushed across their property, it may make it a little more palatable for someone to have a transmission line go across their property,” he said.
Landowners can enter into easement agreements with companies to set aside portions of their land for the builds. But in some cases, eminent domain is used to obtain a right-of-way.
“ I’m not saying that this is going to do away with eminent domain,” Murdock said. “What I’m hoping is this just makes it a little more palatable.”
Murdock said he spoke with utility companies about the legislation, though he didn’t name them. The bill’s language could change after creating an alternative rate based on conversations with the companies, he said.
Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, said the bill could raise utility rates for consumers living in Oklahoma’s most populous counties if companies charge more to make up for the annual fee.
Murdock pushed back, noting the lines are necessary to deliver electricity to other counties.
“You understand that you flip that light on because — and have that ability to have electricity because — the people in my district have a transmission line that goes across them, getting you that power,” he said.
StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026
Steve McGehee reports live from Paycom Center with the latest on SGA’s return after missing nine games, the Thunder’s push to hold the top spot in the Western Conference, and what getting healthy means for OKC’s title hopes.
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