Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed into law Monday a bill, which aims to provide financial grants to construct or retrofit homes, making them more resilient against the destructive forces of tornadoes, windstorms and hail.

Under the new law, known as the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act, grants will be made available by the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) to residential property owners who meet specific eligibility criteria.

These criteria include an owner-occupied, single-family primary residence. The grants are intended to help homeowners achieve safety standards outlined by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready praises the Oklahoma Legislature and the Governor for approving this measure and the difference it will make to assist Oklahomans in fortifying their homes against natural disasters.

“The recent destruction we have seen across our state is a grave reminder why this legislation will be so important to help Oklahomans rebuild and protect their homes from severe weather,” said Mulready. “I am grateful to legislative leaders and the Governor for understanding our goal to help Oklahoma consumers reduce their homeowners insurance rates and fortify their homes against mother nature.”

The Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act will establish a grant program aimed at assisting homeowners in reinforcing their roofs with impact-resistant materials that meet FORTIFIED standards set by the IBHS. These funds will enable consumers to construct or retrofit their homes with impact-resistant shingles and other enhancements. Additionally, many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for homes with such modifications.

The new grant program created by the law will be in development through the end of the year, with the first grants going out in 2025.

Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department

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Oklahoma

The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home, losing 100-96. The loss means the series is even at two games a piece, and Game 5 shifts back north to Oklahoma City. The Mavericks had an opportunity to take control of the series, as teams that go up 3-1 win 95 percent of the time. Now they’ll have to win two of the next three games in order to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Shia Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 34 points, as well as eight rebounds. P.J. Washington led the Mavericks with 21 points, and also tied with Luka Doncic with 12 rebounds for most in the game. Doncic only scored 18 points, and Kyrie Irving didn’t do much better, scoring only nine points.

Here are four numbers to know from the game:

11: The number of missed free throws by the Mavericks

The Mavericks were awful at the charity stripe, only shooting 52 percent. That’s 11 misses from the line. Perhaps you noticed, Dallas lost by four points! Maybe hitting even half of those misses means they win the game. Championship contenders don’t give away free points, and that’s exactly what the Mavericks are doing. They need to fix it, immediately.

7: The number of turnovers by Doncic

Perhaps the most depressing stat of the night—Doncic had more turnovers (7) than field goals made (6). He’s banged up, obviously tired, but he has to be better. Sure, he ended up with a triple-double—18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists—but the Mavericks need Doncic’s scoring. Part of this is on the coaching staff. They need to make things easier on Doncic, help him get some easier looks off actions from Irving or even Washington. Whatever, the solution, the Mavericks won’t go very far with Doncic performing like this.

4: The number of field goals by Irving

Similarly, the Mavericks need more from Irving. He’s been oddly passive in this series, but it hasn’t mattered much, since the Mavericks were winning. But tonight, he looked completely off and not aggressive at all. He only had four makes from the field and five fouls. Irving only took two 3-pointers, missing them both. As mentioned above with Doncic, Irving can’t have games like this. He did have nine assists, but the pressure he puts on defenses when he’s looking to score changes the dynamic on offense, and the Mavericks need it.

13: The number of blocks by the Mavericks

One positive stat! The Mavericks had 13 blocks as a team. The Dallas bigs were active and mean around the rim. Dereck Lively II and Derrick Jones Jr. had four blocks each. Daniel Gafford had three. Washington and Doncic even got in on the block party with one each. The game result was disappointing, but the defense around the rim was incredible.

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The Dallas Mavericks (2-1) face the Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2) in Game 4 of the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs on Monday, May 13, 2024 (5/13/24) at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas.

HOW TO WATCH: Fans can watch the games via a free trial to DirecTV Stream or via a subscription to SlingTV, which is offering 50% off for the first month.

Here is what you need to know:

What: Western Conference second round Game 4

Who: Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

When: Monday, May 13, 2024 (5/13/24)

Where: American Airlines Arena

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

TV: TNT

Channel finder: Verizon Fios, DirectTV Stream, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Hulu, fuboTV, Sling.

Live Stream: Sling (50% off the first month), DirecTV Stream (free trial)

Here’s a recent NBA story from the AP:

NBA teams were told Monday that Bronny James, the son of the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, has been medically cleared to play in the league and is expected to participate in the draft combine this week, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press.

Teams were told of the clearance in a memo sent Monday morning, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league did not publicly release any details. All players at the draft combine in Chicago undergo medical examinations.

ESPN first reported the NBA’s decision.

The clearance determination was likely expected, given that Bronny James was able to play the final 25 games for Southern California this past season as a freshman. He suffered cardiac arrest during a practice session in July 2023 and needed a procedure to fix what was diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, then missed several months while recovering.

The NBA convened what is known as a fitness-to-play panel — three doctors who review medical records — to determine if James should be cleared. They determined that he is “medically able and fit to play basketball in the NBA,” which means he can take part in the combine.

James is on a roster to participate in on-court games Tuesday, though rosters and playing plans often change at the combine. All players at the combine are also expected to participate in a media session on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists at USC this past season. He has until later this month to decide if he is going to stay in the draft or return to college basketball for at least one more season.

LeBron James — the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and someone who just finished his 21st season in the league — said many times in recent years that he would like to play in the league alongside his son. But when this season ended, the Lakers star who could become a free agent this summer said he hasn’t “given much thought lately” about the notion of playing on a team with Bronny James.

“The kid has to do what he wants to do — and I don’t even want to say kid no more — the young man will decide what he wants to do and how he wants his career to go,” LeBron James said when the Lakers’ season ended with a playoff loss to Denver. “I just think the fact that we’re even having the conversation is pretty cool in the sense of that. Obviously, we’ll see what happens.”

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