Oklahoma

Oklahoma County helps 400 clear outstanding warrants at event

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

Oklahoma County helps 400 clear outstanding warrants at event

Organizers of Oklahoma County’s latest warrant clearance event already are looking forward to the next one in February.

Bob Ravitz, Oklahoma County chief public defender, said county prosecutors, public defenders and court officers from the city of Oklahoma City served nearly 400 people, nearly doubling the number of those they helped during a similar October event.

Persons who showed up to the mid-December event sought to either clear outstanding warrants by getting back on court dockets issued after they missed hearings or by agreeing to pay off owed fines and fees through payment plans set up by court officials.

Josue, of Oklahoma City, came to the event to clear an outstanding warrant he faced after failing to pay a ticket he had been issued for driving a vehicle with a bad headlight that he said he quickly replaced after being stopped.

“Honestly, I don’t remember getting the ticket. It was from 2022, they said,” he explained as he waited in line to visit with someone to get the matter resolved.

He learned there was a warrant for his arrest after trying to get his license renewed.

While it was taking a little bit of his time to get the issue resolved, Josue wasn’t complaining.

“They are moving as fast as they can, given the numbers of people who showed up. It is definitely worth it,” he said, adding he also was appreciative participants were being treated to a free lunch from Big Truck Tacos. “This is nice. I appreciate it.”

Also waiting in line was Allena, a woman who came to the clearance event after hearing about it from a neighbor.

“I knew I had a traffic ticket I hadn’t taken care of, so I decided to come down here and see what they could do for me,” she said. “If it will keep me out of jail because I missed my court date, it will be worth it to me.”

Josue and Allena did not provide their last names.

Municipal, district judges join court clerks to deal with issue

December’s warrant clearance event involved judges from Oklahoma County District Court, a city of Oklahoma City court judge, clerks and other associated personnel.

“When people take accountability for their actions, I think that it encourages them to be able to successfully complete what they have in front of them,” said District Court Judge Amy Palumbo. “They will be able to focus on making healthy choices, maintaining gainful employment and being productive members of our community.”

District Court Judge Cindy Truong said she had been told more people are making rescheduled court dates after participating in warrant clearance events.

“I think it saves taxpayers money any time that we can get people in and clear a warrant without having them being arrested and held in the county jail,” Truong said. “When they are arrested, they can lose their job, lose custody of their kids and even face evictions.

“Being arrested costs them more money, too,” she added. “Everybody wins.”

The Dec. 15 event helped 397 people, with more than 200 of those waiting when doors to the building where the event was held were opened at 9 a.m., Ravitz said.

An additional six attorneys beyond the six public defenders and two assistant district attorneys already working the event were summoned from Oklahoma County’s courthouse later in the day to help handle the crowd, he said.

Beyond that, representatives of Oklahoma County’s Diversion Hub, The Education and Employment Ministry and other organizations that provide services to city and county residents also set up tables where clearance participants could learn more about what they offered.

“We are probably pushing 300 right now,” Ravitz said at 11 a.m., adding the turnout surprised him.

“We are really helping people. I saw one lady who was facing a prostitution charge, and they were able to work that case out with her,” Ravitz said. “She was crying, she was so happy.

“We are able to do a whole lot, for a whole lot of people.”

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma bill aims to ban obscene materials in public school libraries

Published

10 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma bill aims to ban obscene materials in public school libraries

A local lawmaker is introducing a bill to prohibit obscene materials in Oklahoma public school libraries.

Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, filed legislation this week, House Bill 2978, that would update state law and prohibit the acquisition of materials that meet Oklahoma’s legal definition of obscenity.

The bill removes references to subjective community standards and relies on established statute, according to Banning.

“This legislation provides a straightforward statewide rule that helps ensure school libraries stay within the definition of education,” Banning said. “According to Black’s Law Dictionary, education is defined as providing proper moral, intellectual and physical instruction.”

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Oklahoma

How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Jan. 7

Published

22 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Jan. 7

The Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-5, 1-0 SEC) will host Xzayvier Brown and the Oklahoma Sooners (11-3, 1-0 SEC) at Humphrey Coliseum on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The game tips at 7 p.m. ET.

In the article below, we’ll give you all the info you need to watch this matchup on TV.

As college hoops matchups continue, prepare for the contest with everything you need to know about Wednesday’s game.

Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Game time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Starkville, Mississippi
Arena: Humphrey Coliseum
TV Channel: SEC Network
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State stats and trends

On offense, Oklahoma is averaging 87.3 points per game (29th-ranked in college basketball). It is surrendering 72.2 points per contest at the other end (153rd-ranked).
The Sooners are averaging 34.8 boards per game (99th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while allowing 29.1 rebounds per contest (85th-ranked).
Oklahoma is delivering 16.7 assists per game, which ranks them 67th in college basketball in 2025-26.
The Sooners are forcing 11.1 turnovers per game this year (240th-ranked in college basketball), but they’ve averaged only 8.9 turnovers per game (eighth-best).
Oklahoma is draining 10.5 threes per game (28th-ranked in college basketball). It has a 35.6% shooting percentage (94th-ranked) from three-point land.
The Sooners rank 283rd in college basketball with 8.6 treys allowed per game this year. Meanwhile, they rank 317th with a 36.1% shooting percentage allowed from three-point land.
In terms of shot breakdown, Oklahoma has taken 53.1% two-pointers (accounting for 65.7% of the team’s baskets) and 46.9% three-pointers (34.3%).

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Sooners (-1.5)
Moneyline: Oklahoma (-116), Mississippi State (-104)
Total: 159.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 3:47 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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Oklahoma opens applications for winter heating assistance

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma opens applications for winter heating assistance

OKLA. — Oklahomans who need help paying their heating bills can now apply for winter energy assistance through Oklahoma Human Services.

State officials announced Tuesday that online applications are open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The federally funded program helps qualifying households cover the cost of their primary heating source during the winter months.

Applications can be submitted online at OKDHSlive.org.

LIHEAP is offered twice each year — once during the winter for heating costs and again in the summer to help with cooling expenses.

Oklahoma Human Services also operates the Energy Crisis Assistance Program, which opens in the spring, along with year-round help for life-threatening energy emergencies.

Some households already receiving benefits through Oklahoma Human Services may be automatically approved for winter assistance and do not need to apply.

Those households have already been notified. Others who receive state assistance but are not pre-approved are encouraged to apply online.

Eligible households may receive one LIHEAP payment per year for winter heating, which is applied directly to their main energy source.

A household is defined as anyone sharing the same utility meter or energy supply.

Native American households may apply through Oklahoma Human Services or their tribal nation, but not both for the same program during the same federal fiscal year.

Income limits vary by household size. For example, a single-person household may earn up to $1,696 per month, while a family of four may earn up to $3,483 per month.

Larger households have higher income thresholds.

Applicants will need their most recent heating bill, a photo ID, Social Security number and proof of income.

Officials stress that utility information must be entered exactly as it appears on the bill.

Oklahoma Human Services expects high demand during the enrollment period and encourages applicants to apply online for faster processing.

Households with shutoff notices are not given priority and are urged to continue making payments or work with their utility providers to avoid service interruptions.

Funding for the winter heating program is limited, and applications will close once funds are exhausted.

The state has also announced tentative enrollment dates for other energy assistance programs in 2026: