Oklahoma
Oklahoma Hosts Ole Miss in Norman Once Again for Potential Playoff Primer
Earlier this year, Sooners On SI broke down Oklahoma’s opponents in 2026. With spring football in the rearview window, how do the Sooners’ foes look heading into the summer following their March/April practices? We continue with the Ole MIss Rebels.
As Oklahoma journeys deeper into November, the talent level keeps rising.
While Oklahoma worked to secure a pivotal player’s return for one final season, Ole Miss had already pulled off one of the offseason’s most impactful moves — locking in an extra year of eligibility for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Exit Lane Kiffin, enter Pete Golding. Well, that already happened before the College Football Playoff, but now the country waits to see if Golding will be able to continue his impressive run as a head coach into an offseason.
How did spring treat the Rebels? Even if Ole Miss appears strong on paper. OU does get the benefit of hosting the Rebels for a second straight season once November arrives.
The Injury Front
Good news and bad news for Ole Miss during spring ball: The good is that no players will be dealing with injuries deep into the summer.
The bad news was that an “injury bug” plagued the offensive line, causing the defensive-minded coach to scale back on full-contact drills and practice during the spring to avoid further injury.
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While injuries weren’t a large concern for Ole Miss this spring, they have to deal with replacing top-end talent — mostly on defense. Talents like edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, who transferred to LSU to follow Kiffin.
Ole Miss Strength
Chambliss ranks among the best quarterbacks in the country, and the way he rises to the occasion in Ole Miss’ biggest games makes the Rebels dangerous every time he takes the field.
Even without Kiffin, Ole Miss was busy during the transfer portal in trying to replenish a great deal of skill talent that either exited the program or graduated.
Post-Spring Oklahoma Opponent Breakdowns
With Kewan Lacy in the backfield and tight ends Dae’Quan Wright and Luke Hasz, the Rebels’ offense will no doubt be one of the tougher units Oklahoma will face.
If Golding is able to maintain his impressive control of the program he showcased during last season’s College Football Playoff, the offense should still be one of the best in the country.
The Final Verdict
Ole Miss has had Oklahoma’s number in the Sooners’ first two years in the SEC. Could a fortitous schedule factor — a second game in Norman in back-to-back years — finally get Oklahoma over the Rebels?
No matter the feelings prior to the game, Ole Miss may be one of the tougher games on the schedule for OU — including the first six-week crucible. Chambliss has proven to be that good, and despite the defensive departures, Ole Miss has proven to reload talent quickly.
Depending on Oklahoma’s record at the time of the game, their match with the Rebels could prove to pivotal for either team’s playoff chances. Last season for OU, this was the road game against Alabama.
OU will have the talent to combat Ole Miss, but the Rebels will have a sure-fire Heisman contender under center.
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Oklahoma
Drones Highlight Boom in the Valley – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Published July 14, 2026
TVSHKA HOMMA, Okla. – The Choctaw Nation hosted a new and exciting Boom in the Valley Friday, July 3 with more than 400 colorful drones lighting up the Tvshka Homma sky. Almost a dozen food trucks, three Choctaw artists’ booths, activities that included cultural games such as a stickball toss and rabbit sticks, as well as karaoke, dunk tank, face painting, and more were set up on the Historic Choctaw Nation Capitol Grounds. All ages from across the region attended the free, public celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
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Photo by Choctaw Nation
Oklahoma
Oklahoma senator renews push for new agency that focuses on child welfare services
Sen. Paul Rosino, R, Senate Health & Human Services Chairman, is renewing an effort to create a single Oklahoma agency focused exclusively on children after similar legislation failed to advance last year.
Senate Bill 1570 passed the Senate but never received a hearing in the House. Sen. Rosino, who is behind the proposal, says growing concerns about child welfare and the well-being of Oklahoma children prompted her to bring the idea back.
A “holistic approach” to children’s services
The proposal would combine several child-focused programs and agencies under one umbrella, including child welfare, foster care, behavioral health services, the Office of Juvenile Affairs and other youth-related programs.
The goal, he said, is to create a more coordinated system that addresses the full range of children’s needs.
“We need to have a sole agency that really concentrates on kids,” said Sen. Rosino. “By having a holistic approach, everything in one agency would be helpful to children.”
Concerns about child welfare
Sen. Rosino says Oklahoma must do more to protect abused and neglected children, noting that intervention doesn’t always mean removing a child from a home.
In some situations, he said, families simply need education, support or services. However, safety concerns can require children to be placed elsewhere.
He also pointed to growing behavioral health challenges facing Oklahoma adolescents as another reason for restructuring services.
DHS already handling broad responsibilities
The proposal is not intended as criticism of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, he said.
DHS currently oversees a wide range of programs, including aging services, childcare, family support and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“DHS is a behemoth,” said Sen. Rosino. “Those people work very hard over there.”
Still, the senator believes child welfare is an area where Oklahoma can improve by creating a dedicated agency focused solely on children.
Not a quick fix
The senator acknowledged the proposal is not a “silver bullet” and would take time to implement.
He said he worked with stakeholders, including foster care advocates, and revised the legislation multiple times based on feedback.
According to the proposal, most existing funding would move with the programs into the new agency, limiting the need for significant new spending outside of administrative costs.
Building support for a long-term change
Sen. Rosino described the effort as a multi-year project requiring lawmakers to understand why a structural change is needed.
While disappointed the bill stalled in the House last year, he said she believes support is growing.
“It’s going to take some time to change hearts and minds,” said Sen. Rosino. “I’m hoping this year we can make some headway there.”
Key Takeaway
Supporters say a standalone children’s agency would give Oklahoma a more focused approach to child welfare, foster care and youth behavioral health, while opponents and lawmakers continue to weigh the costs and logistics of a major government reorganization.
Oklahoma
OKFB pleased with newly proposed settlement in long-running State of Oklahoma poultry case | Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek released the following statement after the State of Oklahoma and 11 Arkansas-based poultry announced Monday, July 13, that a nearly $44 million settlement had been reached in the decades-long lawsuit regarding the application of chicken litter in the Illinois River Watershed.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are pleased with the proposed settlement reached between the State of Oklahoma and 11 poultry companies operating in Oklahoma’s Illinois River Watershed over the state’s long-running lawsuit that was based on outdated science and production methods.
The original lawsuit, filed in 2005, created uncertainty for family farmers and ranchers for more than two decades, and this agreement provides a way for Oklahoma farm and ranch families to continue their important work to feed Americans without being unnecessarily burdened.
We appreciate Attorney General Drummond working with the poultry industry to reach a proposed solution that allows the poultry companies and our family farmers to continue to produce the food products we all rely upon while ensuring our shared natural resources are safeguarded for generations to come.
Our state’s farmers and ranchers, including poultry producers in the Illinois River Watershed, are committed to implementing voluntary environmental stewardship practices each and every day to ensure their land is productive and our rural communities are protected.
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