'Not good for Oklahoma,' rancher says of Energy Dept. plans

Published

11 months ago

December 7, 2024

'Not good for Oklahoma,' rancher says of Energy Dept. plans

MANNFORD, Okla. — As Mandie McCord drives through her Creek County ranch, she reflects on the lifestyle she loves.

“This is a way of life that we dream of, and a lot of folks … don’t even have an idea of what we could be missing once this is changed,” McCord said.

She fears infrastructure plans from the US Department of Energy could hinder her family’s lifestyle.

The McCords have horses, a donkey, a dog, and some registered Texas longhorns on their property.

She just added a sign out front, reading “NO FEDERAL TRANSMISSION CORRIDORS FOR CREEK COUNTY.”

It references the DOE’s National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. Preliminary plans are in place to add large infrastructure across the Great Plains, including Creek County.

“A whole host of things, that’s not really good for Oklahoma, or Oklahomans,” McCord said.

Large transmission lines, pictured below, headline the plans.

U.S. Department of Energy

McCord fears the DOE will use eminent domain to install them.

According to an answer on the DOE’s FAQ page, the use of eminent domain is a possibility. It’s up to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a permit.

“Once a permit is issued, then a court has to allow the exercise of eminent domain,” it says. Nowhere in the answer does it rule out its use.

“We care about our neighbors. We don’t want to see their land values go down,” McCord said, “We don’t want to see ranchers and farmers give up a piece of their land for this to come through.”

A public meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Creek County Fairgrounds. County commissioners and several other elected officials will attend.

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Two Key Oklahoma Defenders Upgraded Ahead of Tennessee Game

Published

10 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Press Room

Two Key Oklahoma Defenders Upgraded Ahead of Tennessee Game

In the second SEC Availability Report of the week, released on Thursday, Oklahoma saw status upgrades for two of its top defenders.

Linebacker Kobie McKinzie and cornerback Gentry Williams, both of whom were questionable on Wednesday’s report, are now probable to play in the Sooners’ game against Tennessee.

McKinzie exited last week’s loss to Ole Miss after playing just 15 snaps. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables revealed after the defeat that McKinzie “tweaked his groin.”

Williams exited the first quarter of OU’s win against South Carolina and did not return. He missed the entirety of the Sooners’ loss to Ole Miss but appears to be on track to play in Knoxville.

Running backs Taylor Tatum and Jovantae Barnes and offensive lineman Logan Howland are all still listed as questionable, as they were on Wednesday.

Barnes suffered an injury during warmups against Texas and hasn’t played since. In four games in 2025, Barnes has rushed for only 45 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Tatum has appeared in only one game for the Sooners, and he was a late addition to last week’s availability report.

Howland was on the injury report all week ahead of the Ole Miss game but was taken off in the final one, meaning he was available to play. The offensive tackle, however, did not appear against the Rebels.

Wide receiver Keontez Lewis and offensive lineman Derek Simmons are both doubtful to play against the Volunteers.

Lewis suffered a scary injury in the Sooners’ 44-0 win over Kent State but returned for the Texas game. He suffered a setback in that contest, though, and missed OU’s games against South Carolina and Ole Miss.

Simmons missed the Ole Miss game after suffering an injury against Texas but returning for South Carolina, and it appears less likely that he’ll play against the Volunteers.

Offensive linemen Jake Taylor, Jacob Sexton and Troy Everett are all ruled out for the Tennessee game. Everett is out for the remainder of the season, while Sexton hasn’t played since OU’s season opener against Illinois State. Taylor has not appeared in a game for the Sooners this year.

Another availability report will be released on Friday before a final report is released no later than 90 minutes until kickoff between the Sooners and Volunteers.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Neyland Stadium.

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Oklahoma

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1 day ago

October 30, 2025

Press Room

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma law now requires hospitals to post prices of procedures

Published

2 days ago

October 29, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma law now requires hospitals to post prices of procedures

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — If you have ever undergone a medical procedure, you know one of the scariest parts is not knowing how much you will have to pay.

That will no longer be the case for Oklahomans starting Saturday, November 1st.

Governor Kevin Stitt held a press conference Tuesday with other supporters of the new Hospital Price Transparency Law.

“It’s asking for transparency in pricing at hospitals, pretty common sense for consumers,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said.

Starting November 1st, Oklahoma hospitals must post prices for procedures, so patients know how much they are paying before the bill arrives.

“We should be able to know how much things cost and not be surprised by humongous medical bills,” Gov. Stitt said.

“This law protects consumers who say if they’ve been harmed by overcharges, they also have a private right of action to go after the hospital for way overcharging them beyond the prices they were to have paid,” Cynthia Fisher, Founder and Chairman for Patient Rights Advocate said.

Fisher says in their most recent report, only 12% of Oklahoma hospitals reviewed were fully complying with the federal hospital price transparency rule first implemented nearly five years ago.

“And what has happened in the shadows is there is wide price variation,” Fisher said. “One patient may pay with their plan $1,200, and another patient may be billed over $12,000 for that very same procedure.”

Supporters believe this law will create a free market system, and in turn, bring down prices.

“I think we’ll see prices fall and quality soar,” Dr. Keith Smith, Co-Founder of the Free Market Medical Association and Surgery Center of Oklahoma said.

The State Department of Health will make sure hospitals post prices.

We reached out to a couple of hospitals to see how they plan to roll this out.

Integris Health never got back with us, and OU Health said they would send over something Wednesday.

Gov. Stitt says there is one main goal behind this law.

“We’re going to put power back into the consumers hands, going to lower health care cost across the state of Oklahoma,” Gov. Stitt said.

You can find the price transparency tool here.

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