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Oklahoma House passes controversial immigration bill criminalizing ‘impermissible occupation’

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Oklahoma House passes controversial immigration bill criminalizing ‘impermissible occupation’


The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed House Bill 4156 on Thursday by a vote of 77-20, which proposes the creation of the criminal act of impermissible occupation, targeting individuals who willfully enter and remain in Oklahoma without legal authorization to be in the United States.

Under the provisions of HB 4156, impermissible occupation is defined as the act of a noncitizen entering and remaining in Oklahoma without legal authorization. The first offense constitutes a misdemeanor, carrying penalties of up to one year in the county jail, a fine not exceeding $500 or both. Additionally, the individual must leave the state within 72 hours following conviction or release from custody, with subsequent offenses classified as felonies, punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

The measure also imposes penalties on noncitizens who have been denied admission, excluded, removed or departed from the United States while facing an outstanding removal order and then enter or attempt to enter Oklahoma. Law enforcement is mandated to collect identifying information of those arrested for impermissible occupation, which is cross-referenced with criminal databases by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Proponents of the bill argue that it is essential to uphold the rule of law and protect state borders. However, Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval (D) said the bill  “promotes racial profiling, which puts every Oklahoman at risk.” He further criticized the bill as “strictly political. This is not policy-focused. It’s not solution-focused. It’s campaign messaging.” House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, defended the bill, stating that “nothing inside this bill will allow racial profiling.”

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The Oklahoma bill largely mimics a similar immigration bill from the Texas Legislature, which was signed into law in December 2023 and has since been embroiled in legal challenges. Iowa also passed a similar law in March.



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Reno Red Cross volunteer goes to Oklahoma for disaster help

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Reno Red Cross volunteer goes to Oklahoma for disaster help


RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -A Reno woman headed to Oklahoma Thursday as part of an American Red Cross team helping with the disaster there.

Jocelyn Seemann, a disaster services program manager, was joined by fellow American Red Cross Utah/Nevada chapter member Jim Erickson of Salt Lake City.

Seemann has deployed to six disasters with the Red Cross. Erickson has deployed four previous times for the Red Cross and deployed to 18 hurricanes when he was in the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Our Utah/Nevada Red Cross staffers will join other Red Cross relief workers who are coordinating closely with community and government partners to ensure people have the help they need,” Heidi Ruster, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region, said in a statement. “Our Utah/Nevada team has shown unwavering dedication and I am incredibly proud of their commitment.”

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The Red Cross is helping across six states in the south and the Midwest after 130 tornadoes touched down.

The Red Cross said its disaster workers are conducting disaster assessments, offering safe shelter, meals, healthcare services, emotional support and distributing relief supplies across Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. In regions of Texas and Louisiana where heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, Red Cross disaster relief teams are responding, with additional workers and relief supplies ready for deployment if needed.

“I see the tangible impact our staff and volunteers have on communities recovering from disasters,” Seemann said. “Being there for people during their darkest moments, offering comfort and hope, is a privilege that highlights the enduring humanity driving our mission. I am honored to stand in solidarity with those we serve, providing unwavering support for our impactful work.”

To donate to the Red Cross, go to redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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Softball Series Preview: Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma

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Softball Series Preview: Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma


It’s Bedlam week. 

Coming off a series sweep against the Kansas Jayhawks last weekend, the Oklahoma State Cowgirls will square off against the Oklahoma Sooners in a three-game series at Loves Field in Norman. 

OSU (42-8, 19-5) is the No. 3-ranked team in the Big 12 Conference, and it still has a shot to take the regular season crown. 

With both teams inside the top five and fighting for the regular season conference title, the stakes couldn’t be any higher in the final regular season series for both teams. 

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When: Friday at 6 p.m.; Saturday at 12 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. 

How To Watch: Friday – FS1; Saturday – ESPN; Sunday – ESPN2

Series Storylines

One of the off the field storylines is bedlam softball will happen in 2025 as OU coach Patty Gasso announced on Tuesday. 

On the field, the main storyline is how Oklahoma State is going to handle the trio of Kelly Maxwell, Nicole May and Kierston Deal.

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Deal has been efficient all season long, posting a 1.00 earned run average in 18 appearances this season. 

Maxwell, who transferred from the Cowgirls this past season, has been her usual self this season, collecting a 1.66 ERA in 24 appearances. 

The Cowgirls will counter the Sooners’ pitching attack with an offense that is No. 8-ranked in home runs per game and No. 9-ranked in slugging percentage this season. 

Freshman Karli Godwin will lead the charge, for she has 12 home runs and 42 RBIs this season. Godwin already made history this season as she set the single-season home run record for a freshman at Oklahoma State in the series sweep against Texas Tech. 

Caroline Wang, who transferred from Liberty, will look to be a bright spot on offense as well. She has 16 home runs and 46 RBIs this season. 

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While the OSU offense has to be a factor in this series, the pitching staff will have to be dominant as well. 

Lexi Kilfyol will lead the pitching staff for the Cowgirls, and she has been taming teams all season long. The senior has a 1.16 ERA and 109 strikeouts this season. 

Ivy Rosenberry will look to finish strong as well. She has a 1.11 ERA and 83 strikeouts this season in 91 2/3 innings pitched for the Cowgirls. 

Want to join the discussion? Like AllPokes on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.





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Report: Oklahoma Quarterback General Booty Enters Transfer Portal

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Report: Oklahoma Quarterback General Booty Enters Transfer Portal


NORMAN — Oklahoma junior quarterback General Booty has entered the transfer portal.

247Sports’ Matt Zenitz first reported Thursday morning that Booty, who spent two seasons as OU’s backup behind Dillon Gabriel and Jackson Arnold, is the second Sooner this week to enter the portal after Gavin Freeman entered Tuesday night.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Allen High School (Texas) alum appeared in one game each of the past two seasons after transferring in from Tyler Junior College. In his freshman season at TJC, Booty led the NJCAA with 3,410 passing yards at a 61% clip for 27 touchdowns, leading Tyler to a 7-5 record and TIPS-CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl win.

Booty ran a 32-yard touchdown to help the Sooners offense defeat the defense in the annual Red/White Spring Game in his final appearance in a Sooners jersey on April 20.

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As an unrated prospect at Allen, Booty passed for 2,235 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 401 yards and nine scores his senior year. Booty’s uncles, John David Booty and Josh Booty, both were rotational quarterbacks in the NFL in the 2000s.



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