DALLAS (AP) — Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines jet that triggered a low-altitude alert as it prepared to land in Oklahoma City but was still nine miles from the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that an air traffic controller notified the Southwest pilots after an automated warning sounded around 12:05 a.m. Wednesday morning.

According to data from Flightradar24, the plane descended to about 525 feet above the ground as it passed over Oklahoma City suburbs on the way to Will Rogers World Airport.

“Southwest 4069, low altitude alert. You doing OK?” an air traffic controller asked the Southwest pilots.

“Yeah, we’re going around, 4069,” one of the pilots responded, as captured by LiveATC.net. The air traffic controller told him to maintain 3000 feet.

The Dallas-based airline said the plane, a Boeing 737, landed safely just after midnight.

“Southwest is following its robust safety management system and is in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration to understand and address any irregularities with the aircraft’s approach to the airport,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal appellate court has ruled against a state ban prohibiting individuals from changing their gender on birth certificates. 

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in a decision Tuesday found that the state policy “is not rationally related to the Defendant’s asserted interest in the accuracy of vital statistics.”

Lambda Legal, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and represents the plaintiffs, praised the decision.

“This ruling stands as a monumental win for the transgender community in Oklahoma and nationwide, sending a clear message to lawmakers everywhere that unconstitutional discrimination against transgender people will not be tolerated by the courts,” said Peter Renn, senior counsel. “This ruling comes at a critical time amidst a surge in anti-transgender policies of all stripes across the country.”

Gov. Kevin Stitt in 2021 issued an executive order prohibiting the Oklahoma State Department of Health from changing gender or sex on birth certificates.

His action came after the state health department issued Oklahoma’s first nonbinary birth certificate to an Oregon resident.

Three transgender individuals sued over Stitt’s order. The district court dismissed the case. The plaintiffs appealed.

The three allege the state prohibition means the sex on their birth certificates does not match their gender identities, and it forces them to involuntarily disclose that they’re transgender when providing birth certificates to others, a violation of their due process right to privacy.

The court found that the ban purposefully discriminates on the basis of transgender status and sex.

“I’m always going to protect Oklahoma values and our way of life,” Stitt said in response to the decision. “My executive order from 2021 made it clear that Oklahoma birth certificates will align with science and Oklahoma law, not a social agenda. Oklahoma will continue that fight as it continues to work through the courts.”

The court wrote that the state’s inability to offer a legitimate justification for the policy suggests it was motivated by animus towards transgender people.

“There must be some rational connection between the policy and a legitimate state interest,” the opinion said. “There is no rational connection here — the Policy is in search of a purpose.”

This June marks 50 years since the classic film, “Where the Red Fern Grows,” made its debut in theaters in 1974.

Based on the 1961 novel by Oklahoma author Wilson Rawls, this heartwarming coming-of-age story is about a young boy and his adventures to save his money to purchase two red-bone hound hunting dogs in Tahlequah.

With scenes and sets shot across Oklahoma, including Vian, Tahlequah and Natural Falls State Park, this movie put our state on the big screen and started us on a path toward building an industry that is now flourishing.

Our diverse landscapes, talented workforce and supportive infrastructure have attracted numerous films over the years, leading to a burgeoning industry that contributes significantly to our local economy.

More: Keep it rolling: Oklahoma’s growing film and TV industry tries to maintain ‘upward trajectory’

In the 2021 fiscal year alone, Oklahoma saw 34 projects filmed in-state, which spent a collective $170 million in local state expenditures, supporting a total of 11,004 hires and wages over $100 million. This impact does not include the over 150 productions outside the state’s incentive program, including commercial projects, music videos and more.

The presence of a vibrant film sector not only creates jobs and stimulates economic growth, but also elevates Oklahoma’s profile as a cultural and artistic tourist hub, drawing in visitors to see the places where their favorite movies and shows were filmed. Visitors to film sites further drive economic impact in local communities by exploring the towns and areas nearby.

More: Guest: With worst times behind it, Fairfax, Oklahoma, is ready for its best of times

To commemorate the landmark 50th anniversary of “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and celebrate the role of film in the state’s tourism industry, our team at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department will be hosting an event June 22 at Natural Falls State Park, one of the filming sites.

Visitors will have the opportunity to step into the world of the movie, exploring the exact trails where Billy and his dogs, Little Ann and Old Dan, roamed. The event will feature guided hikes to one of the filming locations, a movie at the Reunion Center and a variety of activities that celebrate both the film and Natural Falls.

The health of our tourism sector is intertwined with the success of our film industry. By continuing to showcase Oklahoma’s scenic locations and fostering a welcoming environment for filmmakers and tourists alike, we ensure that our state remains a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and visit.

I hope you’ll join us at Natural Falls on June 22 to reflect on the legacy of films like “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and ensure its impact endures for generations to come, inspiring new audiences and showcasing the best of what our state has to offer.

Shelley Zumwalt is the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.