Oklahoma

Oklahoma County GOP voters choose Hines in SD47 runoff

Published

3 months ago

August 28, 2024

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Oklahoma County GOP voters choose Hines in SD47 runoff

Last Updated on August 27, 2024, 10:41 PM | Published: August 27, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Oklahoma County voters cast their ballots Tuesday night to decide the GOP nominee for Senate District 47 and weighed in on several ballot initiatives around the county.

In the northwest OKC Senate District 47 GOP runoff race, Kelly Hines overwhelmingly defeated Jenny Schmitt securing 60.3 percent of the vote compared to Schmitt’s 40 percent, according to the unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board.

In the June 18 primary, Hines led the field by 310 votes, outpacing Schmitt, who received the governor’s endorsement.

The seasoned Army veteran will go up against Democrat Erin Brewer in the November general election to replace Speaker Pro Tem Greg Term, who is term-limited.

“I’m glad that the voters put me in this position. I look forward to moving on securing the race against the Democrat,” said Hines in a phone interview with Free Press following the victory. “I’m very humble that, you know, I had an army of volunteers… This is truly a community outpouring that’s got me here.”

OKC and surrounding areas in the county held elections to determine whether to approve or reject several propositions related to tax increases and the authorization of bond sales.

OKC Hotel Tax increase

Oklahoma City residents voted overwhelmingly to raise the hotel tax from 5.5% to 9.25%, effective October 1. According to the unofficial results from the State Election Board, 68.4% voted for the initiative while 31.4% voted against it. The tax will apply to hotel guests or renters of home-sharing properties in OKC.

According to a financial impact report, Oklahoma City’s lodging tax rate has remained at 5.5% since 2004, bringing in approximately $18.8 million yearly. The 3.75% increase is estimated to generate an additional $11.8 million, primarily to promote tourism in the city. A small portion of the revenue will go towards event sponsorship and improving the OKC Fairgrounds and Convention Center.

Deer Creek Fire Protection [millage increase]

In Deer Creek, voters passed a ballot initiative to increase the mill or property tax rates to generate more revenue for the Deer Creek Fire Protection District.

For the first time in 28 years, the Deer Creek FPD has requested an increase in the millage rate from 7.3 mills to 10 mills in Oklahoma County. One mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. A rate of 10 mills means $10 of tax is applied to every $1,000 of property value.

This will lead to an annual increase of approximately $125 for the average property owner within the fire protection district in Oklahoma County. The additional funding will be used for increased staffing, capital improvements, and ambulance services.

The increase is set to take effect in late 2025 or the beginning of 2026.

Mcloud Public Schools’ propositions

In some Oklahoma County precincts, voters denied a bond package with two propositions for McLoud Public Schools.

According to the unofficial results, only 131 people voted and it failed to pass by just 15 votes.

The first, which totaled nearly $30 million, was proposed to fund district-wide improvements, from the Early Childhood Center to McLoud High School. The second, valued at $1.1 million would have been allocated for transportation equipment for the district.

Election results are still subject to change and won’t be considered final until they are certified by the appropriate election board.

Brianna Garcia is a freelance journalist covering local politics and culture for Free Press. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.

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Oklahoma

‘So what? Now what?’: Alabama players react to loss to Oklahoma

Published

4 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

‘So what? Now what?’: Alabama players react to loss to Oklahoma

No. 7 Alabama football should have defeated unranked Oklahoma. But the Crimson Tide didn’t.

Oklahoma had only won one SEC game all season. It wasn’t even bowl eligible before Saturday.

Then, the Alabama offense failed to score a touchdown and sputtered for much of the night. The Crimson Tide defense couldn’t stop Oklahoma’s rushing attack when the game was still close.

Alabama turned the ball over three times, with three Jalen Milroe interceptions.

As a result, the Crimson Tide fell 24-3 to the Sooners on Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

“There is no excuse,” linebacker Jihaad Campbell said. “None. Everybody saw it. Whoever was watching the game. We lost, and we’ve got to take it on the chin and keep learning from that.”

Alabama (8-3, 4-3 SEC) gave up 325 yards, with 257 yards, on the ground to Oklahoma and two touchdowns. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5) had the nation’s 90th ranked scoring offense entering the game.

“Our job was to out-execute those guys, and we fell short tonight,” Campbell said.

Meanwhile, the Alabama offense tallied only 234 yards, with 164 through the air and 70 on the ground, to score only a field goal.

Milroe, who gashed LSU on the ground two weeks ago, couldn’t get anything going with his legs with only seven yards on 15 carries.

“They had a great game plan for us,” offensive lineman Tyler Booker said. “We’ve just got to get a hat on a hat. We have to execute better.”

The Alabama players who took part in interviews postgame showed a clear and intentional interest in moving on quickly from the result and performance in Norman.

“So what? Now what?” Booker said. “Can’t do anything about what just happened. What we can do is make sure we prepare our tails off.”

Next up is a matchup with Auburn in the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium to close out the regular season. Alabama won’t make the SEC Championship Game, but it might not yet be eliminated from the playoff just yet. The Allstate playoff predictor on Saturday night gave the Crimson Tide a 31% chance to still make the postseason.

“Got a big game next week,” Booker said. “Got to put all of our focus and energy there. Can’t do anything about what just happened. We’ve got to put all of our focus and energy into next week.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

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Oklahoma

Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma

Published

13 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla.–– Alabama has one final road test to pass in the regular season if it wants to compete for an SEC title and make it back to the College Football Playoff.

The No. 7 Crimson Tide plays at Oklahoma on Saturday night in the first matchup as conference foes in the SEC. BamaCentral will have coverage all night from Norman. Follow along for updates.

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(latest updates at the top)

Who: Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) vs. Oklahoma (5-5, 1-4)

When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium

TV: ABC/ESPN+

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts).

Series: Oklahoma leads 3-2-1

Last meeting: Alabama defeated the Sooners in the Capital One Orange Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff 45-34. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns while the Crimson Tide rushed for 200 yards across 42 carries between Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris.

Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide dominated Mercer 52-7 at home behind three touchdowns from Jalen Milroe and two touchdowns from Ryan Williams. The Alabama defense forced three more turnovers as they’ve now forced 16 in the last five games, making life challenging on opposing offenses.

Last time out, Oklahoma: The Sooners were off this past week, but went to Missouri two weeks ago and lost 30-23 after losing a fumble for a touchdown in the game’s final minutes. Oklahoma’s played five conference games and only won at Auburn this season.

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Oklahoma

Staff predictions: Our picks for No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma

Published

21 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Staff predictions: Our picks for No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma

After falling twice away from home already this season, No. 7 Alabama will look to avoid a potential trap game in its final road trip of the regular season. The Crimson Tide (8-2, 5-2 in the SEC) will visit Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

This will be the seventh matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma. The Sooners hold a 3-2-1 advantage in the series, but the Tide won the most recent meeting, recording a 45-34 victory in the 2018 Orange Bowl. Alabama is currently a 14-point favorite for Saturday’s game, according to the Caesars Sportsbook.

Here’s how Tide Illustrated’s staff thinks the game will play out.

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