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Oklahoma won’t participate in new summer food program for children

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Oklahoma won’t participate in new summer food program for children


Okla. (KXII) – Later this year, the USDA will implement Summer EBT, a new spin on an existing nutrition program.

The CEO and President of Hunger Free Oklahoma Chris Bernard says that the program has actually been around for a while.

“It’s actually been operating since the pandemic started,” Bernard said. “It was called Pandemic EBT, and it was designed to cover the cost of meals that people missed because of quarantine and all of those things.”

Now, the program will provide grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children while schools are closed for the summer.

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“It doesn’t just fight food insecurity,” Bernard said. “It stimulates local economies, creates jobs and frankly supports a lot of struggling rural grocery stores that rely on SNAP and these sorts of benefits to continue running.”

Bernard says the state’s decision not to participate is disappointing.

“Especially because honestly, Oklahoma’s kind of been a leader at leveraging these programs over the last few years,” Bernard said.

One of every five children in Oklahoma is living through food insecurity, and the state spends $2 billion per year on food security programs.

In a statement from Governor Kevin Stitt, he said that they will keep working to make sure that no child in Oklahoma goes hungry, but they believe that large, duplicative federal programs won’t accomplish that goal.

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“We know they see the importance of nutrition, food security and their overall mission to serve these families,” Bernard said. “So we’re disappointed that these administrative hurdles caused them to decide not to do it.”

Although Oklahoma won’t participate state-wide, both the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nation have signed up for the program, and there are still plenty of programs out there for those in need.

“If you are on free lunch or your kids on free lunch, that income threshold is the same as SNAP,” Bernard said. “SNAP is the most impactful food insecurity benefit we have in the country.”

Bernard encourages everyone to reach out to their local legislators and give their opinion on the issue.

“There’s great opportunity to make sure more kids have access to the nutrition they need so they can thrive at school,” Bernard said. “Just because the bill hasn’t been filed yet doesn’t mean it won’t be, but (legislators) need to know it’s important to their constituents.”

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For more information on Hunger Free Oklahoma and their resources, click here.

For more information on finding no-cost meals for kids in the summer, click here.

For more information on SNAP and how to apply in Oklahoma, click here.

For more information on SNAP and how to apply in Texas, click here.

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Oklahoma bill aims to ban obscene materials in public school libraries

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Oklahoma bill aims to ban obscene materials in public school libraries


A local lawmaker is introducing a bill to prohibit obscene materials in Oklahoma public school libraries.

Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, filed legislation this week, House Bill 2978, that would update state law and prohibit the acquisition of materials that meet Oklahoma’s legal definition of obscenity.

The bill removes references to subjective community standards and relies on established statute, according to Banning.

“This legislation provides a straightforward statewide rule that helps ensure school libraries stay within the definition of education,” Banning said. “According to Black’s Law Dictionary, education is defined as providing proper moral, intellectual and physical instruction.”

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How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Jan. 7

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How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Jan. 7


The Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-5, 1-0 SEC) will host Xzayvier Brown and the Oklahoma Sooners (11-3, 1-0 SEC) at Humphrey Coliseum on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The game tips at 7 p.m. ET.

In the article below, we’ll give you all the info you need to watch this matchup on TV.

As college hoops matchups continue, prepare for the contest with everything you need to know about Wednesday’s game.

Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma: How to watch on TV or live stream

  • Game day: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
  • Game time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: Starkville, Mississippi
  • Arena: Humphrey Coliseum
  • TV Channel: SEC Network
  • Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

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Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State stats and trends

  • On offense, Oklahoma is averaging 87.3 points per game (29th-ranked in college basketball). It is surrendering 72.2 points per contest at the other end (153rd-ranked).
  • The Sooners are averaging 34.8 boards per game (99th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while allowing 29.1 rebounds per contest (85th-ranked).
  • Oklahoma is delivering 16.7 assists per game, which ranks them 67th in college basketball in 2025-26.
  • The Sooners are forcing 11.1 turnovers per game this year (240th-ranked in college basketball), but they’ve averaged only 8.9 turnovers per game (eighth-best).
  • Oklahoma is draining 10.5 threes per game (28th-ranked in college basketball). It has a 35.6% shooting percentage (94th-ranked) from three-point land.
  • The Sooners rank 283rd in college basketball with 8.6 treys allowed per game this year. Meanwhile, they rank 317th with a 36.1% shooting percentage allowed from three-point land.
  • In terms of shot breakdown, Oklahoma has taken 53.1% two-pointers (accounting for 65.7% of the team’s baskets) and 46.9% three-pointers (34.3%).

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State Odds and Spread

  • Spread Favorite: Sooners (-1.5)
  • Moneyline: Oklahoma (-116), Mississippi State (-104)
  • Total: 159.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 3:47 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.



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Oklahoma opens applications for winter heating assistance

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Oklahoma opens applications for winter heating assistance


Oklahomans who need help paying their heating bills can now apply for winter energy assistance through Oklahoma Human Services.

State officials announced Tuesday that online applications are open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The federally funded program helps qualifying households cover the cost of their primary heating source during the winter months.

Applications can be submitted online at OKDHSlive.org.

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LIHEAP is offered twice each year — once during the winter for heating costs and again in the summer to help with cooling expenses.

Oklahoma Human Services also operates the Energy Crisis Assistance Program, which opens in the spring, along with year-round help for life-threatening energy emergencies.

Some households already receiving benefits through Oklahoma Human Services may be automatically approved for winter assistance and do not need to apply.

Those households have already been notified. Others who receive state assistance but are not pre-approved are encouraged to apply online.

Eligible households may receive one LIHEAP payment per year for winter heating, which is applied directly to their main energy source.

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A household is defined as anyone sharing the same utility meter or energy supply.

Native American households may apply through Oklahoma Human Services or their tribal nation, but not both for the same program during the same federal fiscal year.

Income limits vary by household size. For example, a single-person household may earn up to $1,696 per month, while a family of four may earn up to $3,483 per month.

Larger households have higher income thresholds.

Applicants will need their most recent heating bill, a photo ID, Social Security number and proof of income.

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Officials stress that utility information must be entered exactly as it appears on the bill.

Oklahoma Human Services expects high demand during the enrollment period and encourages applicants to apply online for faster processing.

Households with shutoff notices are not given priority and are urged to continue making payments or work with their utility providers to avoid service interruptions.

Funding for the winter heating program is limited, and applications will close once funds are exhausted.

The state has also announced tentative enrollment dates for other energy assistance programs in 2026:

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  • Energy Crisis Assistance Program: April 14
  • Summer Cooling Assistance: July 14



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