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Oklahoma seeing decrease in STD cases through 2024: See the data

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Oklahoma seeing decrease in STD cases through 2024: See the data


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In 2022, Oklahoma saw some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections in the nation, specifically in syphilis and chlamydia. Now in 2024, the state has made great strides and Oklahoma is seeing improvement in trends.

According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States saw a decrease in cases for a majority of notifiable STIs between 2023 and 2024.

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Sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis and gonorrhea, are notifiable diseases, which means health providers are required by law to report positive tests to state or local public health officials. This data is then used by officials to track and prevent outbreaks. However, some STIs can remain asymptomatic, and those not regularly getting tested can unknowingly pass on an infection to a partner.

Here’s a look at how Oklahoma has progressed in STI rates through 2024:

Chlamydia 

Oklahoma saw 18,729 cases of chlamydia, the state’s most prevalent STI, from the start of 2023 to mid-December. This places the state near the top 10 states in the nation for highest Chlamydia rates at No. 11. 

According to CDC data, the number of cases in Oklahoma decreased 44% in 2024 to 10,461 statewide. This moves Oklahoma to the middle of the nation’s positivity rates and the lowest in the region, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

The drop is not singular to Oklahoma, either. All states, except South Carolina, saw a decrease in new cases, with over a quarter of a million fewer cases in 2024.

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Syphilis

Oklahoma was previously a leader in syphilis cases across the nation in 2022. But new Oklahoma cases have been cut in half compared to just last year. 

The CDC reports that in 2023 there were 1,112 primary and secondary cases of the infection and 78 for the congenital variant. However, by the end of 2024, both numbers had dropped substantially. Congenital syphilis cases dropped to 50 cases throughout the year, while the primary and secondary cases dropped over 50% to 517 total cases.

The nation’s year-end data also reflects this as well. Only four states weren’t a part of the national decrease. There were almost 20,000 fewer cases in 2024 than in 2023 for primary and secondary syphilis and roughly 1,200 fewer cases for the genital variant.

Gonorrhea

Similarly, the nation’s gonorrhea cases have decreased by over 100,000, with all states reporting lower numbers than in 2023. Oklahoma reported 6,774 new infections to the CDC in 2023 and will report 3,842 new cases in 2024. 

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Similar decreases were seen around the nation, with the total number of cases dropping from almost 600,000 in 2023 to 484,453 in 2024.

Hepatitis B

The CDC tracks three different forms of Hepatitis B: acute, chronic, and perinatal.

Acute Hepatitis B is the only CDC-reported STD that saw an increase nationwide, increasing about 150 cases. Oklahoma, however, did not contribute to the rise as the state fell from 19 cases to 4 throughout 2024.

The CDC has not published the nation’s chronic Hepatitis B cases for 2023. In Oklahoma, there were 213 reported positive cases in 2023. For comparison, the country reported 263 new cases just in the week ending Dec. 21, 2024. The Sooner state sits in the lower half of the country for total cases, while the country reaches 17,864.

Oklahoma did not contribute to any of the nation’s 7 Perinatal cases.

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Oklahoma

Texas A&M Aggies Land Another Oklahoma State Star Transfer

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Texas A&M Aggies Land Another Oklahoma State Star Transfer


With the offseason in full swing, head coach Trisha Ford and her staff are making all of the right moves as far as adding some dominant players to their roster. Ford just picked up Micaela Wark, the exclusive designated player from Oklahoma State, to add some extra power to Texas A&M’s offense.

The Aggies also landed Oklahoma State star infielder Tallen Edwards, who won the 2024 Gold Glove Award.

After redshirting her freshman year at Kansas, Wark headed down to Oklahoma State, where she played in 170 games with the Cowgirls as well as starting 157 of those. Before hitting the transfer portal, Wark put up impressive numbers in her three-year career at OSU with 29 home runs and 99 RBI.

Oklahoma State infielder Micaela Wark (12) hits a double during a softball game between Oklahoma State (OSU) and Tennessee.

Oklahoma State infielder Micaela Wark (12) hits a double during a softball game between Oklahoma State (OSU) and Tennessee at the Women’s College World Series at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in in Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 4, 2023. / NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

In 2024 and 2025, Wark played primarily as the designated player, giving her team some ease when she stepped into the batter’s box. She ended the 2025 season with a batting average of .241 with 28 hits and going deep eight different times.

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As far as what this means for the Aggies, it could mean a couple of different things. Last season, the designated player role was primarily graduate Mac Barbara before she fulfilled duties behind the plate, which is when it switched to incoming junior Mya Perez.

Perez played first base for the Aggies for the majority this season, but with a catcher injury sending Barbara behind the dish, Perez stepped in to the designated player role. With Wark primarily being a designated player for two seasons at OSU, Perez very much could go back to her early season role at first base.

With a senior coming into A&M, Wark will provide experience and expertise to a young Texas A&M team. With two seperate Women’s College World Series appearances in 2023 and 2024, Wark understands how to play under pressure.

With one remaining year of eligibility, Wark has decided to come back to her home state for the last season of her college softball career.



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Oklahoma City Council passes new Thunder arena agreements, fails another

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Oklahoma City Council passes new Thunder arena agreements, fails another


On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Council passed a series of new agreements related to its $900 million new arena project, and the future home of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mayor David Holt celebrated a 115-page arena use license agreement, or lease, as the principal accomplishment. Council also passed a food and beverage agreement and a preferential rights agreement for the site of the current Paycom Center.

Under the preferential rights agreement, the Thunder would have first rights to redevelop the site after the new arena for up to five years after the new arena opens. There is no limitation for what the Thunder can build on the site, although a spokesperson confirmed demolition would be part of its plans.

“We’re excited at the opportunity to purchase and develop the current arena site,” the spokesperson said. “It will enable the Thunder to provide the vision for a sustainable and vibrant concept to enhance the area and seamlessly complement the new Paycom Center.”

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Another developer could make an offer to the city, although the Thunder would be granted a chance to match.

Separately, the City Council voted down a facilities management agreement. Opposed council members cited a lack of assurances about employment for those working at the new arena, including the absence of a labor peace agreement previously endorsed by the council in 2023.





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Oklahoma 2025 Football Opponent Preview: Illinois State Redbirds

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Oklahoma 2025 Football Opponent Preview: Illinois State Redbirds


Oklahoma opens the 2025 season against an NCAA Division I FCS opponent.

The Sooners host Illinois State of the Missouri Valley Conference on Saturday, Aug. 30. The Redbirds went 10-4 a year ago and went two rounds deep in the FCS playoffs.

Oklahoma Sooners 2025 schedule

Oklahoma 2025 football schedule / OU Athletics

Here’s what to know about the Redbirds:

Illinois State went 4-3 in its first seven games before ending the regular season on a five-game winning streak to reach the FCS playoffs. The Redbirds beat Southeastern Missouri State in the first round before falling to No. 5 UC Davis in the second round. 

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Their only game against an FBS opponent came in Week 1, when Illinois State fell 40-0.

QB Tommy Rittenhouse (Sr.), RB Wenkers Wright (Sr.), WR Daniel Sobkowicz (Sr.), LB Tye Niekamp (Jr.).

TE Caleb Schmitz (Cincinnati), S Christian LeBrun (UMass), WR Kaevion Mack (Western Michigan), DL Christian Lorenzo (Georgia State), DB Shadwel Nkuba II (Louisiana), OL Jack McGarry (Missouri), OL Logan Brasfield (Coastal Carolina).

Illinois State’s biggest strength is offensive experience: The Redbirds return their leading passer, rusher and receiver from the 2024 season this year.

Next Man Up: Even Without Da’Jon Terry, Oklahoma’s Defensive Interior Looks Deep
Next Man Up: Oklahoma’s Defensive Line Will Lean on Youth Without Ethan Downs
Sunday Offering: Oklahoma Hosts 4-star RB on Official Visit, Extends New Offers

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As a junior, Rittenhouse completed 66.4% of passes for 2,840 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 480 yards and eight touchdowns.

Wright, Illinois State’s leading tailback, went for 1,120 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. And Sobkowicz caught 80 passes for 1,108 yards and nine touchdowns.

Illinois State was an FCS playoff team in 2024, and with so much returning offensive talent, it’s likely that the Redbirds return to the playoffs this year.

While Illinois State had the Missouri Valley’s fourth-best scoring defense (24.9 points allowed per game) in 2024, the Redbirds struggled mightily to defend pass plays.

The Redbirds finished 10th out of 11 teams in the conference, allowing 266.3 passing yards per contest. That mark was No. 115 of 123 teams that compete at the FCS level.

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Illinois State also lost a handful of its most productive defensive players — linebacker LaVoise-Deontay McCoy (graduation), defensive back Keondre Jackson (graduation), defensive lineman Jalan Gaines (graduation) and defensive lineman Steven Curtis (transferred to Minnesota) — during the offseason.

Illinois State isn’t a bad team by any means. The Redbirds were among the FCS’ best a year ago, and with so much returning talent, they should maintain that status in 2025.

But the season opener shouldn’t be particularly difficult for the Sooners.

Illinois State’s pass defense struggled mightily in 2024. With new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer, the Sooners’ offense will likely be very pass-heavy. The season opener will be an opportunity for that duo to show what they bring to the program.

The Redbirds’ offense is proven at the FCS level, but Oklahoma’s defense should overpower them with sheer athleticism and size. Though it will be interesting to see the defense’s performance without Danny Stutsman, Ethan Downs, Billy Bowman Jr. and Woodi Washington.

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It’s possible that the Redbirds can keep things close in the first half, but the Sooners’ advantages across the depth chart should allow them to win comfortably and start the season 1-0.



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