Oklahoma
Gov. Stitt signs off on $4.3M arch at Oklahoma Capitol
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday signed a measure to build an arch on the south side of the Oklahoma Capitol complex.
The cost is $4.3 million.
House Bill 4012 said the purpose of the arch is to honor the Oklahoma National Guard, which has a lengthy history of state and federal service.
Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, is the House author.
He said the arch could be built within the next two years.
“I think it will be a great addition to the Capitol complex to honor the Oklahoma National Guard,” McBride said.
He said the arch will tell the story of the Oklahoma National Guard, including the conflicts in which the men and women served.
Architect Solomon Layton included drawings of the arch in early plans for the Capitol, which was completed in 1917.
It was one of the structures, like the dome, that was not constructed because of a lack of funding at the time.
Some have been critical of spending money on an arch.
OPINION: Investing in a $4.3 million arch is a waste of Oklahomans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars
Sometimes people take for granted the freedoms they have, McBride said, adding that it is important to build the arch to demonstrate and honor the sacrifices.
The arch is expected to be 30 feet tall and 60 feet tall.
An amphitheater seating 100 people and a veteran’s park will also be constructed, said Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City.
“I am thrilled to death he signed it,” said Stanley, the Senate author. “It is going to be gorgeous.”
She said the arch will separate the Oklahoma Capitol from any other capitol in the country.
The state recently completed a $245 million renovation and upgrade to the building.
Years ago, a dome was added to the facility.
In 2015, the State Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee unveiled possible plans for a $65 million three-story parking garage, a reflecting pool and the arch.
The garage and reflecting pool have not been pursued.
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Catch up on Oklahoma’s top headlines of the week for Dec. 12, 2025
Here are Oklahoma’s top headlines of the week for Dec. 12, 2025
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.
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 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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