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Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy apologizes after saying 'most people are weak' when talking about fan criticism

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Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy apologizes after saying 'most people are weak' when talking about fan criticism


Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy posted an apology to social media late Tuesday night for comments he made during his Monday news conference about Oklahoma State fans who have been critical of the way the season has unfolded.

“I apologize to those who my comments during Monday’s media call offended,” the longtime Oklahoma State coach said. “My intent was not to offend any of our fans who have supported us and this program through the years.”

Oklahoma State is 3-6 and 0-6 in the Big 12 a season after making it to the Big 12 championship game. After starting the season with three straight non-conference wins, the Cowboys are in a tailspin. Four of the six losses have been by double digits.

The team’s performance amidst its losing streak was a prominent theme in Monday’s news conference. And after he was asked about fan criticism earlier in the availability, the topic came up again. Gundy said that “most people are weak” when things don’t go well and that those people then find someone to point the finger at.

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He then went on from there.

“This place has had tremendous success for 18-and-a-half years, or 19, I can’t do the math real good,” Gundy said. “And so, unfortunately, in life, most people are weak and as soon as things start to not go as good as they thought, they fall apart and they panic. And then they want to point the finger and blame other people. You see it happening in everyday life. People do it all the time. That’s why I refuse to watch the TV and watch the news because I get tired of people complaining and b****ing about this and that versus just doing something about it and trying to figure out a way and make it better.

“And that’s what happens in college athletics, and as [a reporter who asked a question earlier in the news conference] said, she’s exactly right. It’s just on the bigger stage where people can voice their opinion. And in most cases, the people who are negative and voicing their opinion are the same ones that can’t pay their own bills. They’re not taking care of themselves. They’re not taking care of their own family. They’re not taking care of their own job but they have an obligation to speak out and complain about others because it makes them feel better. But then in the end when they go to bed at night, they’re the same failure that they were before they said anything negative about anybody else.”

The former Oklahoma State quarterback has been the Cowboys’ head coach since 2005 and the team’s 18-year bowl streak will be snapped if Oklahoma State doesn’t win each of its final three games of the season.

That looks like a very tough task. Oklahoma State plays at TCU on Saturday before games against Texas Tech and No. 20 Colorado to finish the season. If Oklahoma State loses at least one more game, it will be the first time the school hasn’t won at least seven games in a single season since the Cowboys went 4-7 in Gundy’s first season.

Two big reasons for the team’s struggles are the lack of a run game and a porous defense. Ollie Gordon was an All-American in 2023 with 1,732 yards and finished seventh in the Heisman voting. This season, he has 146 carries for 593 yards and the team is averaging just 3.7 yards a carry. The defense, meanwhile, is allowing 6.9 yards per play and the 31.2 points per game OSU is allowing ranks 109th out of 134 teams at the top level of college football.



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Oklahoma initiative kicks off by training librarians to help with telehealth visits

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Oklahoma initiative kicks off by training librarians to help with telehealth visits


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Oklahomans living in areas with limited internet access soon will be able to receive help with virtual doctor’s appointments at their local library.

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An initiative from Arkansas-based Heartland Forward, a “policy think-and-do tank,” and a grant from the James M. Cox Foundation is making this possible.

Here’s what we know.

Librarians receiving training on supporting telehealth visits

With the help of a $25,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, the nonprofit and philanthropic arm of Cox Enterprises, Oklahoma librarians will be trained on accessing and preparing for a telehealth appointment using the Telehealth DigitalLearn module, according to a news release.

Librarians can then use the module, which was funded by the Ford Foundation, to help community members learn more about telehealth.

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Why Heartland Forward is targeting Oklahoma, Arkansas for telehealth access

According to the latest benchmark from the Federal Communications Commission, broadband or high-speed internet is defined as receiving 100/20 mbps download and upload speeds.

The latest FCC broadband map shows just over 91% of Oklahoma homes and businesses are covered by broadband, not including satellite technology, which Engagement Director Nicholas Camper, with the Oklahoma Broadband Office, said amounts to about 450,000 Oklahomans without high-speed internet access.

According to the Oklahoma Broadband Office’s interactive map, there are more than 100,000 locations in Oklahoma that could receive broadband that have not, and more than 80,000 locations that are underserved.

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In addition, a Heartland Forward study found that 25% of counties surveyed in the region had a population-to-primary care physician ratio more than double the U.S. average. Telehealth can help bridge this gap, but only for those with access to the internet.

The new initiative will allow libraries to connect Oklahomans to “critical health services,” Education Secretary Nellie Sanders said in the news release.

“Libraries are often the first place community members turn to for resources and support, especially in areas where healthcare access can be limited,” Natalie Currie, director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, said in the release. “By training librarians to help Oklahomans navigate telehealth technology, we’re opening doors to essential healthcare services and enhancing the well-being of our communities.”



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Oklahoma vs Alabama injury report: Initial updates, news for Week 13

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Oklahoma vs Alabama injury report: Initial updates, news for Week 13


Injuries have plagued the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2024 season. It’s been an unfortunate reality for Brent Venables and his staff, particularly on the offensive side of the football.

With a pivotal game coming this week in Norman against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Sooners are hoping for any sort of positive news on the injury front. Oklahoma looks like they’ll get one of their key offensive linemen back this week, Michael Tarquin. That should help provide better protection for quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Here’s a look at Wednesday’s initial injury report.

Oklahoma injury report

Player Position Status 11/20
Jayden Gibson WR OUT
Gentry Williams DB OUT
Geirean Hatchett OL OUT
Nic Anderson WR OUT
Kendel Dolby DB OUT
Andrel Anthony WR OUT
Jacob Sexton OL OUT
Jake Taylor OL OUT
Deion Burks WR Doubtful
Jovantae Barnes RB Questionable
Joshua Bates OL Questionable

 Alabama injury report

Player Position Status 11/20
Keon Sabb DB OUT
Cole Adams WR OUT
Quandarrius Robinson LB OUT

Michael Tarquin injury update

After missing Oklahoma’s last two games against Maine and Missouri, it looks like starting tackle Michael Tarquin will be back in action this week after not landing on the initial injury report. Now, the question becomes, does he take over at right or left tackle?

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Deion Burks injury update

Deion Burks was concussed late in the Sooners’ loss to Missouri. He had been out of action since the Tennessee game and looks like he’ll be unavailable this week against Alabama.

Jovantae Barnes injury update

Jovantae Barnes sprained his ankle during his 200-yard effort against Maine and was forced to miss the game against Missouri. Though listed as questionable for this week, he’s had two weeks to rest. Depending on how severe the initial injury was, he could be back in action this week.

Gavin Sawchuk injury update

Running back Gavin Sawchuk was off the injury report for Oklahoma’s game against Missouri but didn’t play. Instead it was Taylor Tatum, Xavier Robinson, and Sam Franklin getting the running back snaps. Could Sawchuk be available this week to help the Sooners rushing attack?

Joshua Bates injury update

Joshua Bates missed the game against Missouri with an undisclosed injury. Troy Everett has solidified the center position for the Sooners but you would like to have some depth available.



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Oklahoma’s House members sworn in at Capitol

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Oklahoma’s House members sworn in at Capitol


The newly elected and reelected members of the Oklahoma House are sworn into office Wednesday at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY — Members of the Oklahoma House were sworn into office Wednesday in the House chambers at the Capitol. 

Both newly elected and reelected members took time to recognize their family, friends and constituents who elected them to serve. 

The Oklahoma House Republican caucus elected Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, Tuesday as Speaker-Elect of the House for the 60th Legislature. 

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“Together, we must rise to the occasion of the urgent challenges facing Oklahomans, including the ongoing pinch of inflation, a widening workforce skills gap and much-needed investment in our public infrastructure system including transportation, water, wastewater and broadband connectivity,” he said in a statement Tuesday. “Our caucus is ready to make the tough decisions needed to move Oklahoma forward.”

The House will formally vote for the next Speaker of the House on its organizational day in January. If elected, Hilbert, 30, will be the youngest House speaker in Oklahoma history. 

Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, was in attendance with her mother, Anastasia Pittman, who previously served in the Oklahoma House and Senate. 

“I stand before you today as the new chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus,” she said. “And I’m just so humbled to the constituents of House District 99 and the voters for allowing me to come back here for my fourth term and continue the legacy of leadership.”

Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, thanked his constituents and colleagues as he offered advice to the freshman lawmakers. 

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I would like to thank the constituents in House District 16 for electing the unelectable for the past eight years,” he said. “Going into my ninth year … I’m looking forward to serving with everybody in this room. If you’re a freshman the one thing that I would like to impart to you is that if I yell at you while we’re on the floor, it’s not personal.”

Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, welcomed new members of the House in a statement Wednesday. 

“I am excited to work with these incredible individuals and look forward to serving the State of Oklahoma alongside my House Democratic colleagues returning to the state Capitol,” Munson said in a statement. “House Democrats will remain focused on lowering costs for working Oklahoma families, keeping public dollars in public schools, pushing back against harmful rhetoric and actions from our state superintendent, and ensuring Oklahomans have access to the health care they need.”

The 101 members of the House will convene for an organizational day Jan. 7 ahead of the upcoming legislative session on Feb. 3. 

The Oklahoma Senate was sworn in Nov. 13.

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