A new Oklahoma law legalizing bottle rockets and allowing year-round fireworks sales in some parts of the state is drawing praise from fireworks retailers while prompting city officials to remind residents that local fireworks bans remain unchanged in some communities.

The Rockets’ Red Glare Act recently took effect and primarily applies to unincorporated areas of Oklahoma where county regulations govern fireworks sales and use. Cities such as Oklahoma City, Yukon, and Midwest City continue to enforce their own ordinances.

Oklahoma City Ban Remains in Place

Despite the new state law, fireworks remain illegal within Oklahoma City limits.

“The important thing for everybody within the city of Oklahoma City needs to know is fireworks are still illegal to buy, sell, purchase or light off within the city limits of Oklahoma City,” said Scott Douglas, a battalion chief and public information officer with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

Douglas said Oklahoma City’s fireworks ordinance has been in place since 1912 and is not affected by the Rockets’ Red Glare Act.

“This law does not affect us. It does not affect the city of Oklahoma City. It does not affect our ordinance,” he said.

Bottle Rockets Return

One of the most significant changes under the new law is the return of bottle rockets, which had been prohibited in Oklahoma since 1981.

Robert Johnson of Good Guys Fireworks said the change will give Oklahomans an opportunity to purchase the products locally rather than traveling across state lines.

“We’re very excited to add some stick rockets back to the inventory,” Johnson said. “They’ve been outlawed since 1981.”

Johnson said customers have responded enthusiastically to the law’s passage.

“We want them to shop local in Oklahoma,” he said.

Johnson’s company operates 18 fireworks locations across central Oklahoma.

Limited Impact in Mustang

In Mustang, officials say the law will result in only minor changes.

“We’ve always had fireworks discharge in Mustang,” said Fire Marshal Eric Halter. “The only thing that changed for our municipality with the state law is the bottle rockets.”

According to Halter, residents may discharge fireworks from June 27 through July 4. Fireworks are allowed from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 27 through July 3 and from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4.

The city also recommends that people who live outside Mustang use Wild Horse Park for fireworks activities.

Safety Concerns Remain

Officials in both Oklahoma City and Mustang stressed the importance of fireworks safety ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

Halter encouraged residents to follow manufacturers’ instructions, keep children from lighting fireworks, avoid holding fireworks in their hands and properly extinguish fireworks before throwing them away.

“A lot of the fires that we see are people throw discharged fireworks away in their trash can, and then they pull the trash cans up next to their house,” Halter said.

He warned that fireworks can continue smoldering for hours before igniting trash containers or nearby structures.

Douglas said the Oklahoma City Fire Department continues to discourage the use of consumer-grade fireworks because of the risks they pose.

“Our stance on fireworks is there’s no safe way to handle consumer-grade fireworks,” he said.

Douglas noted that sparklers can burn at temperatures of approximately 1,200 degrees and that fireworks frequently cause fires in homes, fields and other properties.

Retailers Expect Strong Holiday Sales

As the Fourth of July approaches, Johnson said fireworks retailers are anticipating a strong season, fueled in part by the return of bottle rockets and increased interest surrounding the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.

“We are expecting them to explode,” Johnson said of sales. “Twenty percent up is what we have planned for.”

Officials are encouraging residents to familiarize themselves with local regulations before purchasing or using fireworks, noting that rules vary widely depending on where they live.

The road to Omaha runs through Lawrence this weekend.

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Oklahoma and Kansas will meet in the NCAA Super Regionals with a trip to the College World Series on the line. The best-of-three series features two of the hottest teams in college baseball after both pulled off major upsets during regional play.

The Sooners advanced by eliminating No. 2 national seed Georgia Tech in Atlanta, while Kansas swept through its home regional, including two wins over Arkansas.

Kansas radio analyst Kevin Wheeler joined Toby Rowland on the Oklahoma’s Own Sports Podcast this week and said the atmosphere at Hoglund Ballpark should be unlike anything fans have seen this season.

Kansas expects a packed and loud Hoglund Ballpark

“Every single pitch, the crowd lived and died with that moment,” Wheeler said. “It was really special to see that.”

Wheeler said the Jayhawks benefited from one of the best home-field environments in program history during regional play and expects an even larger crowd for the Super Regional.

Kansas recently expanded fan areas around the stadium and has continued to set attendance records during its historic season.

Historic season fuels Jayhawks’ confidence

The Jayhawks enter the weekend in the middle of one of the best seasons the program has ever seen.

Kansas won the Big 12 regular-season championship for the first time in more than 70 years, captured its first conference tournament title in two decades and hosted its first NCAA Regional.

Wheeler credited head coach Dan Fitzgerald for building a culture centered on team-first players.

“He doesn’t want the best player in the country. He wants the best teammate in the country,” Wheeler said.

Dominic Voegele and Kansas lineup present major challenge

Kansas is expected to start ace Dominic Voegele in Game 1.

Wheeler described Voegele as one of the best pitchers to ever wear a Jayhawk uniform, highlighting his upper-90s fastball, elite breaking ball and dominant strikeout numbers.

Offensively, the Jayhawks are led by shortstop Tyson LeBlanc, who has already broken the program’s single-season home run record.

Wheeler said Kansas’ lineup is dangerous from top to bottom, featuring a mix of power, athleticism and lineup balance that has helped fuel one of the nation’s most productive offenses.

Why Kansas respects Oklahoma’s postseason run

While Kansas has enjoyed a dream season, Wheeler said the Jayhawks understand the challenge awaiting them this weekend.

Oklahoma enters the series after knocking off Georgia Tech twice in Atlanta and overcoming multiple deficits during regional play.

“If I was Oklahoma, I’d be on cloud nine,” Wheeler said. “I think that’s the kind of team that doesn’t even think they can get beat right now.”

Both programs enter the weekend believing they have what it takes to reach Omaha.

Game 1 between Oklahoma and Kansas is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday in Lawrence. Game 2 will be played Sunday at 5 p.m., with a winner-take-all Game 3 set for Monday if necessary.

One team will leave Lawrence headed to the College World Series.

Texas swept Texas Tech in the 2026 Women’s College World Series to secure back-to-back DI softball national championships. The in-state rivals faced off in the WCWS for the second straight year, with Texas coming out on top each time.

Texas ace pitcher Teagan Kavan earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the second year in a row. She is the first ever two time MOP in WCWS history.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA DI softball tournament, including the bracket, schedule, scores and more.

This year’s championship bracket was revealed on Sunday, May 10. Action started at 16 regional sites on Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17. Super regional play then began on Thursday, May 21, and ran through Sunday, May 24. 

🎟️ Click or tap to secure your ticket to the WCWS

2026 NCAA softball tournament bracket

👉 Click or tap to view the interactive bracket

2026 NCAA softball tournament schedule, scores

Click or tap here for a live scoreboard.

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Women’s College World Series: May 28 – June 4/5 | Devon Park in Oklahoma City, OK

• Wednesday, June 3
  • Championship Series Game 1 
• Thursday, June 4
  • Championship Series Game 2

Women’s College World Series results

• Thursday, May 28 
• Friday, May 29
• Saturday, May 30
• Sunday, May 31
• Monday, June 1

• Selection show: Sunday, May 10 on ESPN2
• Regionals: Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17
  • Tuscaloosa Regional
  • Baton Rouge Regional
  • Tallahassee Regional
  • Los Angeles Regional
  • Fayetteville Regional
  • Durham Regional
  • Stillwater Regional
  • Lincoln Regional
  • Norman Regional
  • Eugene Regional
  • Lubbock Regional
  • Gainesville Regional
  • Knoxville Regional
  • Athens Regional
  • College Station Regional
  • Austin Regional
  • Super regionals: Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24
    • Knoxville Super Regional 
    • Lincoln Super Regional
    • Gainesville Super Regional
    • Fayetteville Super Regional
    • Norman Super Regional
    • Tuscaloosa Super Regional
    • Austin Super Regional
    • Los Angeles Super Regional

Where is the WCWS?

👀 LOOK BACK: Texas wins the 2025 NCAA DI softball championship

The historic Devon Park holds 13,000 fans and has hosted the WCWS every year since 1990 (with exception to 1996 when the event was held in Columbus, Georgia to preview the Atlanta Olympics). The stadium, which was once known as the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, is set to host the softball portion of the LA Olympics in 2028. 

The mecca of college softball is nestled in a town that has nurtured the growth of the sport throughout the years, seeing the likes of Jocelyn Alo, Monic Abbott and Jennie Finch take the field. 

NCAA DI softball selection process

The 2026 NCAA DI softball tournament features a 64-team field that was announced during a selection show on Sunday, May 10 on ESPN2. 

Thirty-one conferences were granted automatic qualification bid while 33 teams earned an at-large bid. To be considered, teams must have an overall win-loss record of .500 or better against DI competition. The DI softball committee championship subcommittee also evaluates teams’ strength of schedule and others measures to be selected. 

NCAA DI softball championship history

Texas captured the 2025 national title with a decisive 10–4 victory over Texas Tech in Game 3, securing the Longhorns’ first championship in program history. UCLA remains the all-time leader with 13 titles, most recently winning in 2019, while Oklahoma holds the record for the longest championship streak, claiming four consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024.

*Indicates undefeated teams in final series. 

#-UCLA’s 1995 national championship was later vacated by the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions