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Oklahoma gets third positive rating outlook

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Oklahoma gets third positive rating outlook


Oklahoma’s credit quality is looking up, rating agencies say, with Fitch Ratings joining Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings in revising the state’s rating outlook to positive from stable.

Fitch, which rates Oklahoma AA, said Friday the revision reflects sustained improvements in expenditure flexibility and overall fiscal management, “particularly its adherence to conservative budgeting practices through economic cycles including the recent period of revenue volatility caused by the coronavirus pandemic.”

“Oklahoma has long been the best-kept secret, and the secret is out,” he said in a statement. “Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s all see that, and their positive ratings prove it.”

Oklahoma Treasurer’s Office

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“The state has consistently taken timely action to address revenue shortfalls and budgets only 95% of projected operating revenues,” it added.

Moody’s, which rates Oklahoma Aa2, revised its outlook in October, while S&P, which rates the state AA, moved the outlook to positive in July.

State Treasurer Todd Russ said Oklahoma has worked to diversify its economy, lower its debt, and “stand strong as a leader in many industries.”

“Oklahoma has long been the best-kept secret, and the secret is out,” he said in a statement. “Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s all see that, and their positive ratings prove it.” 

The outlook revisions come as Oklahoma is avoiding debt issuance by tapping a $600 million revolving loan fund created last year for projects and Gov. Kevin Stitt pushes for an income tax cut.

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Three projects totaling $135 million that had been slated for bond issuance through the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority were authorized for these loans, according to the treasurer’s office. 

As of the end of 2023, Oklahoma had no general obligation bonds outstanding, according to the annual state debt report. Lease revenue bonds issued through OCIA had outstanding principal of $1.336 billion. 

The Republican governor has been pushing to phase out the personal income tax, citing the state’s “record-breaking” reserves and other surplus funds.  The Republican-controlled Senate has held off on any action until certified budget numbers from the Board of Equalization are released Thursday.

The proposed tax cut comes amid a trend of declining state revenue, both nationally and in Oklahoma, where gross receipts in calendar 2023 were down 2.8% compared to 2022.

Oklahoma’s tax revenue could be adversely impacted by a case before the state Supreme Court on whether Native Americans who live and work on reservations should pay state income taxes.

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A decision by the high court, which heard oral arguments Jan. 17, can come at any time. In a court filing, the Oklahoma Tax Commission said a tax exemption for tribal members would result in “tens of millions of dollars in tax refunds and deprive the state of billions more in future taxes.”



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Mississippi State ends Oklahoma’s 9-year WCWS streak | Full highlights

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Mississippi State ends Oklahoma’s 9-year WCWS streak | Full highlights


Softball

May 24, 2026

Mississippi State ends Oklahoma’s 9-year WCWS streak | Full highlights

May 24, 2026

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Watch game 3 highlights from Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma in the super regionals. The Bulldogs became the first team to defeat Oklahoma to reach their first-ever Women’s College World Series, ending Oklahoma’s 9-year WCWS streak.



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Game Four Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

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Game Four Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder


After stealing home court advantage with a thrilling victory in Game One, the San Antonio Spurs had it taken away from them in a Game Three loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now the stakes are even higher in Game Four, as the Spurs try to avoid going down 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals.

So far, the Thunder have made the most impactful adjustments in the series. They’ve put a big man on Victor Wembanyama to keep him from dominating the paint, played with a lot of physicality on both ends, and relied on their bench scorers to hit open shots when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faced double teams. Now, after losing two games in a row, the Spurs will need to counter OKC’s counters to even up the series.

They’ll try to do it at seemingly full health. De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper avoided the injury report for Game Four, but remain hobbled as they both deal with lower-body injuries. Meanwhile, the Thunder will be without Ajay Mitchell and potentially Jalen Williams, removing two important ball-handlers who support SGA.

Only 15 teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Playoffs (including two this year). Tying the series at 2-2 significantly increases the Spurs’ odds of making the NBA Finals. They’ll need all hands on deck to do that in front of their home crowd.

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Watch: NBC / Peacock | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: No injuries to report.

Thunder Injuries: Thomas Sorber – Out (knee), Ajay Mitchell – Out (calf), Jalen Williams – Questionable (hamstring)

The Thunder’s bench outscored the Spurs’ bench by 53 points in Game Three. San Antonio’s bench unit has been largely ineffective in the series so far. Keldon Johnson has struggled to score for the majority of the playoffs. Harper is dealing with an injury. Luke Kornet is constantly attacked at the rim. No one else has stepped up to provide a spark when the starters sit. For most of the season, the Spurs were seen as a deep team. Their depth is getting exposed against OKC. The Spurs’ bench doesn’t have to outscore the Thunder’s backups to win the series, but they can’t be completely played off the floor. Just a slight improvement in their play would go a long way toward tying the series.

So far, the Spurs’ strategy for guarding the Thunder’s star guard has been to get the ball out of his hands and make someone else beat them. That strategy backfired in Game Three, as Gilgeous-Alexander made the Spurs pay by swinging the ball to shooters for open threes. The Thunder shot 17-38 (45%) from three in Game Three, and most of those were lightly contested. Perhaps the adjustment for Game Four is making SGA beat the Spurs with one-on-one scoring. San Antonio can use multiple defenders to guard him one-on-one to avoid foul trouble, but they don’t need to send multiple bodies at him every time he crosses half-court. It’s a simple adjustment, but it could help them avoid the three-point barrage they saw in Game Three.

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San Antonio has been at its best this postseason when they are getting out in transition or pushing the ball ahead after a miss. Their offense has slowed down majorly against the Thunder. They aren’t turning OKC. over, and are getting bogged down in a half-court game that better suits the Thunder. Even if they aren’t able to get steals to get easy buckets in transition, the Spurs have to speed up the game to give themselves a better chance. That means pushing the ball quickly after misses and makes, looking to attack the rim before the Thunder get set.



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Broken Arrow Defensive Back Bryson Brown Commits to Oklahoma State

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Broken Arrow Defensive Back Bryson Brown Commits to Oklahoma State


After having one pledge in their 2027 recruiting class for about a month and a half, the Cowboys picked up two more within the past week.

Broken Arrow defensive back Bryson “BB” Brown announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on Saturday. He joins Pryor receiver Cooper Hooker as in-state pledges to pick the Pokes this week, and both join Iowa Colony (TX) quarterback Carson White as the Cowboys’ three commitments.

Listed at 6-feet, 186 pounds, Brown is the No. 731 player in the Rivals Industry ranking, which tabs him as the No. 80 safety in the 2027 class and the No. 13 player from the state of Oklahoma. He picked OSU over offers from Arkansas, Kansas, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and others.

MaxPreps had stats for eight of Brown’s games during his junior season, where he had 31 tackles and a tackle for loss playing at a more traditional safety spot and some work at nickel.

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Brown will also bring track speed with him to Stillwater. Athletic.net credited Brown with a 10.90 100 meters at his regional track meet earlier this month, and he has a 10.8 time on his X profile.

The OSU staff prioritized Brown early. Eric Morris was posing for a photo with Brown at his school on Jan. 21, not too long after Morris got the job. Brown announced in early March will take an official visit to Stillwater from June 4 to June 6. Two days after he made that announcement, he was posing with OSU defensive backs coaches Jordan Malone and Julian Wilson for a photo. Then earlier this week Malone, Wilson and defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity visited Brown at his home.

So, the Cowboys’ class sits at three, but will only continue to grow over the coming months as official visits get rolling. The Cowboys’ staff seems to be after another Broken Arrow DB in Noah Gillespie, who this week also shared a photo of Cassity, Wilson and Malone visiting him. On top of that, four-star athlete Hunter Haug included OSU in his Top 5 earlier this week.

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