Oklahoma
Mark Daigneault’s ‘Standard’ Lifting Oklahoma City to New Heights
Although it may seem like it, Oklahoma City’s rise to the top didn’t happen overnight. It has been a process over the last few years, instilling a foundation and a culture to build on when the day to compete would come.
Part of that rebuild started when Russell Westbrook and Paul George were traded, but even then, Chris Paul and the team of veterans started setting the table for what was to come. When the full reset button was pressed, Oklahoma City hired Mark Daigneault to lead the Thunder through the dark days, and it has proven to be the best decision the organization could’ve made.
Daigneault holds everyone to a high standard, and that trickles down to the leaders on the team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was on the team from Daigneault’s first days as head coach, and he’s demanded a lot out of his teammates. Part of that is thanks to Daigneault’s mindset and what he has demanded out of the team as a whole.
“He’s annoying,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Always nagging. But the best thing about him is that no matter who you are, he has a standard.
“Doesn’t matter if you been here five years, if you’re the best player on the team, worst player on the team. If you got here last week. There’s a standard. I think that’s what’s allowed our culture to be what it is.”
The standard was set with tough defense, discipline, and grit on the floor. Even when Oklahoma City was at the top of the lottery, they still managed to have solid defenses that put up a fight. Daigneault knew that it would translate on both ends of the floor someday in the future.
The future came quicker than expected, and Daigneault’s demanding approach as a head coach has paid off. Oklahoma City has the No. 3 offensive rating and No. 4 defensive rating and looks like a contender by every single metric. The annoying nagging that Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned is all worth it if Oklahoma City continues to play this well as a team.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma Contemporary to host free ‘Polar Party’ event with winter activities
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center is inviting families, children and community members to participate in its monthly Second Saturday program.
Organizers say Second Saturday is a free afternoon of hands-on art-making and gallery exploration held on the second Saturday of each month.
Families can enjoy guided activities, family-friendly gallery chats and take-home art experiences designed for all ages. Materials are provided at no cost, and no advance registration is required.
Periodically, the center expands the event into Second Saturday XL, which is a larger celebration featuring multiple art stations, performances and seasonal programming across the Oklahoma Contemporary campus.
The upcoming Second Saturday XL: Polar Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1 p.m. 5 p.m.
Guests can take part in winter-themed projects, including wreath making, cookie decorating and snow-globe crafting, along with music, treats and additional family activities throughout the center.
See the full lineup of activities here.
All programming is free and open to the public.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair resigns due to personal reasons
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Democratic Party has announced a new Chair following Representative John Waldron’s resignation due to personal reasons.
Waldron serves as the Representative for Oklahoma House District 77 and announced his resignation on Monday.
“It is with sincere consideration that I announce my resignation as Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party for personal reasons,” Waldron said. “With the legislative session coming up and pressing family commitments, I am handing over the reins to my capable partners on the executive committee. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in revitalizing our party statewide over the past six months and I’m confident that work will continue under Erin Brewer’s leadership. Put simply, I’ve been pushing myself too hard, working four jobs very intensively this year. I lost my mother in October and my son is a junior in high school. I need to focus on my family and my own health. Thanks for understanding.”
The Oklahoma Democratic Party Vice Chair Erin Brewer has assumed the role of Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. According to the Oklahoma Democrats, Brewer is hitting the ground running and continuing to bring her strong track record of relentless organizing, policy expertise, and ability to mobilize resources and voters to the table.
Brewer said she is ready to continue Waldron’s work and keep up the momentum.
“Over the last six months, Oklahoma Democrats have knocked thousands of doors, cheered as 100 candidates have stepped up to run for office, rebuilt our county party operations, earned the trust of donors large and small, and elevated our visibility and brand statewide,” Chair Erin Brewer said. “We are ready to maintain and expand this momentum into 2026. I am beyond grateful to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters.”
The Oklahoma Democratic Party said it is confident in the ongoing partnership of its elected officials, staff, local Democratic organizations, and State Central Committee, stating:
“We will continue to make progress toward our goal of flipping seats in 2026. It is as important as ever that we remain singularly focused on our mission to engage, connect, and organize in order to elect more Democrats across Oklahoma.”
The party said it is thankful for Waldron and what he did for the party during his time as chair:
“We are beyond grateful for his service to our state and party, particularly his commitment to building a strong slate of candidates for 2026.
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Oklahoma
Idaho Falls pilot killed in Oklahoma helicopter crash – East Idaho News
MAYES COUNTY, Oklahoma — An Idaho Falls man died in a helicopter crash Friday in Oklahoma.
Emanuele Tsikoudakis, 56, was piloting the helicopter when it crashed nose-first into the ground near County Road East 550 and County Road 4355 in Mayes County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
According to an OHP report, two people were working on pulling lines around 9 a.m. with the helicopter overhead guiding them so they would not catch a wire. The people told investigators the helicopter was hovering overhead when it suddenly flipped over backwards and dove straight to the ground, Fox 23 News reports.
Tsikoudakis was the only person in the helicopter. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The FAA and NTSB is investigating the crash.
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