St. Isidore, which aims to serve 1,500 students online within Oklahoma by its fifth year of operation, has the backing of Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt as well as former state schools superintendent Ryan Walters. Proponents of the plan say the online school would be a boon for rural Oklahoma students who do not have a Catholic school in their area.
The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had in April 2023 voted unanimously to disapprove the school’s application, later in June approving the contract 3-2 after revisions to the application.
Brett Farley, executive director of the Oklahoma Catholic Conference and a board member for the proposed school, told CNA following the first disapproval that the plan’s backers were “not discouraged at all.” He said at the time he believed Oklahoma’s government presents a “favorable environment to negotiate protections for religious liberty” to ensure that the school’s Catholic identity is not threatened by the acceptance of public funds.
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City had pushed for approval of the school after former Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor issued an advisory opinion in late 2022 stating that because of the Supreme Court’s recent rulings, Oklahoma’s provisions banning religious schools from accessing public funds as charters could be unconstitutional. He cautioned that this legal change would not mean that religious schools using public funds “can necessarily operate however they want.” Drummond withdrew his predecessor’s opinion on the matter.
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In a dissent to the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s majority opinion, Justice Dana Kuehn argued that St. Isidore’s would be a partner of the state, not a government entity, and thus the state denying funds to St. Isidore’s because it is religious would violate the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.
“St. Isidore would not be replacing any secular school, only adding to the options available, which is the heart of the Charter Schools Act,” she wrote.
“The state is not required to partner with private entities to provide common education. But if it does, it cannot close the door to an otherwise qualified entity simply because it is sectarian … Contracting with a private entity that has religious affiliations, by itself, does not establish a state religion, nor does it favor one religion over another.”
Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.
Riley Green led Oklahoma fans in a very touching Toby Keith tribute over the weekend.
The Sooners pulled off a shocking 24-3 upset over Alabama in Norman Saturday night, and one of the coolest moments was when Green led the crowd in singing a classic Toby Keith song:
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“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
Riley Green leads Oklahoma fans in honoring Toby Keith.
The country music icon was a huge Oklahoma fan, and the football team has been honoring him all season long with fans singing his songs.
The moment from Saturday might have been the best as Riley Green led fans in singing the legendary pro-America song.
Check it out below, and let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
There’s no doubt that’s an awesome and chilling moment. Seeing a packed Oklahoma stadium rocking out to Toby Keith with Riley Green leading the way is epic.
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There’s no other way to describe it. Keith is among the most famous country music singers to ever walk the planet, and he passed away at the age of 62 after battling stomach cancer.
His death was nothing short of heartbreaking for country music fans. Yet, his legacy lives on, and that was on display Saturday night in Norman.
Oklahoma has been honoring Toby Keith all season long following his death. (Photo by Kevin Winter/ACMA2014/Getty Images for ACM)
Props to the Sooners and Riley Green for honoring Toby Keith. You simply love to see it. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
PFF notebook: What the numbers say about Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma
After defeating LSU on the road in Week 11, Alabama looked like a shoo-in for the College Football Playoff and had the inside track for the SEC Championship. However, two weeks later, the Crimson Tide’s momentum came to a halt as the 5-5 Oklahoma Sooners delivered a shocking 24-3 defeat in Norman, turning a trip to the Palace on the Prairie into a nightmare for Alabama.
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Alabama couldn’t find its footing in any way, shape or form. The Crimson Tide’s typically potent rushing attack was suffocated by a strong Oklahoma defense, while Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold carved up Alabama’s defense with his legs, delivering a standout performance that kept the Tide trailing the whole game. Even Alabama’s special teams had their blunders, with typically reliable punter James Burnip having several self-inflicted errors throughout the game.
“Extremely disappointed. Frustrated,” said Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. “We worked extremely hard, I thought, all week putting a plan together all week. Guys had good energy and were excited to come here on the road. We’ve just got to play better. We’ve got to be better.”
Before we turn the page to the now No. 13 Alabama’s matchup with Auburn in the Iron Bowl here’s a look at the Tide’s Week 13 performance through the lens of Pro Football Focus.
TOP PERFORMERS
Offense
(Player, position — offensive grade)
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Parker Brailsford, C — 70.5
The Washington transfer finished as the highest-graded offensive player in Alabama’s 21-point loss to Oklahoma. Among each offensive lineman who took at least one pass-blocking snap against the Sooners, Brailsford was the only one not to allow a pressure, although he did chart one penalty for the Crimson Tide.
Josh Cuevas, TE — 69.2
Cuevas finished with 40 receiving yards on two receptions, his second straight game hauling in two catches for at least 40 yards, helping him finish with a 71.6 receiving grade against Oklahoma. Unfortunately for the hybrid offensive piece, Cuevas allowed his first pressure of the season as a QB hit.
Jalen Milroe, QB — 67.7
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Although Milroe cracks into the top three, his placement here shows how abysmal Alabama’s offense was against the Sooners. Milroe’s grade was the second lowest of the season for the junior quarterback while simultaneously finishing with his lowest-graded rushing performance this year. In the passing attack, Milroe only charted one turnover-worthy play despite the career-high three interceptions.
Defense
(Player, position — defensive grade)
Tim Smith, DT — 82.5
The fifth-year defensive lineman was Alabama’s most consistent defender in the 24-3 loss to the Sooners, finishing with Alabama’s second-highest run defense grade, 78.0, and charting a lone pressure. Smith finished the day with four tackles on 38 snaps.
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DeVonta Smith — 74.1
Smith had a good game against the Sooners, totaling eight tackles and finishing with Alabama’s third-highest tackle rating (83.1). The defensive back allowed one reception for five yards in coverage,
Malachi Moore — 73.9
Alabama’s defensive leader, Moore, is set to play in his final regular season game for the Crimson Tide in the upcoming Iron Bowl, but had a solid performance in his final SEC road game. Moore finished the day with 10 tackles and a team-leading 74.7 grade in coverage.
Qua Russaw, OLB – 73.5
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Russaw lands in the top four with a consistent performance across the board. The redshirt freshman finished with four tackles and above a 70.0 grade in each overall defense, run defense tackling and coverage.
TOP BLOCKERS
Pass blocking
Jam Miller — 85.5 (10-pass-blocking-snaps)
Tyler Booker — 83.0 (34-pass-blocking-snaps)
Jaeden Roberts — 78.5 (24-pass-blocking-snaps)
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Parker Brailsford — 74.1 (24-pass-blocking-snaps)
Geno VnDeMark — 70.3 (10-pass-blocking-snaps)
Outlook: Alabama’s pass blocking finished with its second-lowest overall grade of the season, 59.0, only behind Alabama’s Week 8 loss to Tennesee. The Crimson Tide blockers allowed 12 pressures in total, with Elijah Pritchett allowing five; this was his fifth time of the season allowing at least three pressures in a game. The unit also totaled four penalties against the Sooners.
Run blocking
Kadyn Proctor — 67.7 (29-run-blocking-snaps)
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Parker Brailsford — 66.8 (29-run-blocking-snaps)
Jam Miller — 64.3 (12-run-blocking-snaps)
Outlook: Alabama’s run blocking also turned in its second-lowest grade of the season, 53.9. The Crimson Tide’s run game was abysmal against Oklahoma, only rushing for 70 yards on 30 attempts (2.3 yards per carry)
PASSING DEPTH
Jalen Milroe
Deep (20+ yards past LOS): 2 of 5 for 62 yards, 1 interception
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Medium (10-19 yards past LOS): 1 of 3 for 15 yards
Short (0-9 yards past LOS): 6 of 12 for 73 yards, 1 interception
Behind LOS: 2 of 4 for 14 yards, 1 interception
Ty Simpson
Behind LOS: 0 of 1
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Outlook: Jalen Milroe delivered his least efficient passing performance of the season against Oklahoma, finishing with an adjusted completion rate of 62.5% and recording his first turnover-worthy play in four games. Despite the interception, Milroe showed flashes in his deep passing game, logging two big-time throws and nearly a third, which was taken away by an illegal touching penalty on Alabama after Ryan Williams caught a fourth-quarter touchdown. Milroe’s passing in the short game was abysmal, finishing with a 50.2 grade on those passes, but three drops from his receivers also impacted his play in the range of the field.
Oklahoma City Thunder (13-4, first in the Western Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (12-4, second in the Western Conference)
San Francisco; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Golden State hosts Oklahoma City aiming to extend its five-game home winning streak.
The Warriors are 9-3 against Western Conference opponents. Golden State is second in the Western Conference scoring 117.6 points while shooting 46.5% from the field.
The Thunder are 10-4 against Western Conference opponents. Oklahoma City averages 115.2 points while outscoring opponents by 11.3 points per game.
The 117.6 points per game the Warriors average are 13.7 more points than the Thunder give up (103.9). The Thunder are shooting 46.2% from the field, 3.3% higher than the 42.9% the Warriors’ opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Draymond Green is shooting 43.1% and averaging 8.7 points for the Warriors.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring 29.2 points per game and averaging 5.1 rebounds for the Thunder.
LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 7-3, averaging 115.5 points, 50.1 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 8.6 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.
Thunder: 6-4, averaging 116.5 points, 40.8 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 11.3 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.6 points.
INJURIES: Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga: out (illness), De’Anthony Melton: out for season (acl).
Thunder: Chet Holmgren: out (hip), Ousmane Dieng: out (finger), Jaylin Williams: out (hamstring), Nikola Topic: out for season (acl), Alex Caruso: out (hip).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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