Connect with us

Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmaker sounds alarm over proposed ICE processing center in Oklahoma City

Published

on

Oklahoma lawmaker sounds alarm over proposed ICE processing center in Oklahoma City


OKLAHOMA CITY –

An Oklahoma warehouse in southwest Oklahoma City may soon be converted into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center, part of a larger federal plan to detain thousands of immigrants across the country.

State Sen. Cari Hicks says Oklahoma City facility could strain resources and impact nearby neighborhoods, schools.

Advertisement

ICE Targets 16 Cities Nationwide

Advertisement

Oklahoma City is reportedly one of 16 cities under consideration by ICE for processing and detention sites. The plan, first reported by The Washington Post, would convert warehouses into one large detention center and 16 smaller processing facilities to speed up deportations.

State Senator Raises Concerns About Lack of Transparency

State Senator Carri Hicks (D–Oklahoma City) says she recently learned about the plan and is alarmed by the lack of transparency at both the local and state levels.

“This is not a rumor. It is a developed plan and it’s being executed,” she said. “And there has been no transparency and no accountability either at the local level, municipal level or the state level. And I think that should concern every Oklahoman.”

Proposed Site Near Residential Neighborhood

Advertisement

A letter from the Department of Homeland Security to the city’s planning commission reportedly outlines plans to convert a more than 400,000 square foot warehouse at 2800 South Council into a 1,500-bed ICE processing center.

The site is less than two miles from Western Heights Public School, raising concerns among residents and lawmakers.

Community Impact: Fear and Safety Concerns

Senator Hicks says the proposed facility could create fear and anxiety among families in the nearby community.

“It brings a lot of fear to the students and to the families… because we’ve seen bold actions that are profiling folks based on their skin color.” She also warns that a processing center could strain local resources such as public safety.

Advertisement

What Would the Facility Include?

If approved, the building would be redesigned to include:

  • Detention Space
  • Offices
  • Restrooms
  • Cafeteria
  • Medical space
  • Visitor areas

Lawmaker Calls for Public Action

Senator Hicks has taken to TikTok and public forums to encourage citizens to speak out and contact lawmakers.

“We need to continue to put people over politics and tell Washington that this unilateral decision will not be tolerated in our community.”

Other ICE Facilities in Oklahoma

Advertisement

Oklahoma already has existing or planned ICE facilities in:

  • Newkirk
  • Cushing
  • Watonga
  • Guthrie
  • Tulsa





Source link

Oklahoma

Does Drew Mestemaker Have Path to Heisman at Oklahoma State?

Published

on

Does Drew Mestemaker Have Path to Heisman at Oklahoma State?


Oklahoma State hasn’t had a Heisman winner since 1988, but it might have a candidate next season.

Throughout OSU football history, there have been some iconic players to roll through Stillwater and plenty more iconic college football seasons. Most recently, Ollie Gordon’s 2023 campaign sent shockwaves through the college football landscape as he broke out to become the nation’s leading rusher and led OSU to a Big 12 Championship appearance and a 10-win season.

Of course, that would be the final big season of the Mike Gundy era. After that 10-4 campaign that saw OSU reach heights no one could have expected, the Cowboys fell off a cliff, winning only four games since.

Advertisement

With Gundy now out at OSU, Eric Morris is looking to bring another era of success to Stillwater, and it might all start with a bang with Drew Mestemaker running the show under center in 2026. Last season, Mestemaker was the starting quarterback for Morris’ North Texas squad and established himself as one of the top passers in the country.

Advertisement

While OSU has seen guys like Brandon Weeden, Mason Rudolph and Zac Robinson over the years, it’s been a while since the Cowboys have had an elite gunslinger, which Mestemaker could soon be in Stillwater. With the Mean Green in 2025, Mestemaker finished with 4,379 yards, 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions, marks which would make him the talk of college football if he can repeat that against Big 12 competition.

Of course, any Heisman campaign for Mestemaker will be about much more than his impressive numbers on the field. OSU has managed to win only two games against FBS teams in the past two years and is riding a 19-game Big 12 losing streak.

Anything Mestemaker can do in the stat sheet is great, but his real impact that would catch Heisman-like attention is how his play changes the Cowboys’ fate. If OSU can climb back into the Big 12 title picture in just one season after a 1-11 record in 2025, Mestemaker will almost certainly be at the front of that story. After Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman run at Indiana, the stage is clearly set for players like Mestemaker to use immense team success to their advantage in the Heisman race. 

Perhaps putting Mestemaker in any sort of Heisman talks is premature, but considering his year at North Texas and how quickly turnarounds can happen in this era of college football, don’t be shocked if a Cowboy is at the Heisman ceremony in December.

Advertisement




Source link

Continue Reading

Oklahoma

Two arrested on murder complaints following fatal NW OKC sledding crash

Published

on

Two arrested on murder complaints following fatal NW OKC sledding crash


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Two people were arrested on murder complaints following a deadly sledding crash in northwest Oklahoma City Sunday night, according to police.

Police said the crash happened near Northwest 81st Street and Northwest Walker Avenue.

According to police, Makayla Mitchell, 31, was on a sled being pulled by a car driven by Angel Walzier, 22. Police said the rope connecting the sled to the car broke, and caused Mitchell to stop in the street.

Advertisement

Police said James Kirk, 24, was in a separate car and hit Mitchell.

Mitchell was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.

Kirk and Walzier were both evaluated by a Drug Recognition Officer, who believed they both showed signs of impairment.

Police said blood draw warrants were completed for Kirk and Walzier.

Kirk was arrested on multiple complaints, including murder II, aggravated DUI, child endangerment, and causing fatality collision w/o a license.

Advertisement

Walzier was arrested on complaints of murder II and aggravated DUI.





Source link

Continue Reading

Oklahoma

ODOT warns Oklahomans of black ice forming overnight Sunday

Published

on

ODOT warns Oklahomans of black ice forming overnight Sunday


OKLAHOMA –

Oklahoma Department of Transportation is warning travelers of black ice throughout the state, discouraging any travel overnight Sunday.

Advertisement

Black ice is defined as a dangerous hazard that blends in with the dark road where it appears wet, but is a thin layer of ice that can cause cars to slide while driving.

Agency officials say they are continuing the roadway treatments and plowing statewide, with minor improvements in West and North/Central Oklahoma roadways.

ODOT says there are still various interstates and highways that can remain slick and snow-covered, including some in OKC and Tulsa.

If travel is necessary, drive with extreme caution.

Advertisement

You can find traffic advisories through the official ODOT portal here.

Live blog tracking Oklahoma traffic impacts, snow totals, and closures in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending