Oklahoma
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.
“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.
“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.”
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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The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday’s card in Oklahoma City, including a pair to the main event fighters.
After UFC Fight Night 281, four fighters picked up an extra $100,000 for their performances at Paycom Center. Additionally, two fighters got $25,000 extra checks for finishes that weren’t bonus-winners.
Check out the list of winners below.
Dricus Du Plessis (24-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC) put on a masterful performance with a unanimous decision over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (21-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC), whose return to middleweight ended in failure – and him saying he didn’t want to be a sore loser, then listing about six reasons why he was being precisely that. Du Plessis frequently made Usman look slow, though the broadcast team starting in the third round lauded him for his grit. DDP’s scorecards included a 50-45, which Usman took particular exception with as part of his “I’m not a sore loser” sore loser time on the microphone with Daniel Cormier, who seemed unsure if he should feel sorry for him or be embarrassed for his assertion that he somehow was in a competitive fight.
Performance of the Night: Felipe Franco ($100,000)
Felipe Franco (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) turned in a performance to remember for his first win in the UFC when he took out Levi Rodrigues (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with a second-round TKO. Back at 205 pounds after a loss in his UFC debut at heavyweight, Franco mounted Rodrigues and pounded him out in the second frame.
Performance of the Night: Tommy McMillen ($100,000)
Tommy McMillen (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) looked like a star has been born when he set a new promotional record for significant strikes in a three-round featherweight fight. And thought he took a few licks himself from Alberto Montes (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), he put him away with about 90 seconds left in the fight after a torrid of standup punishment.
Finish bonus: R.J. Harris ($25,000)
R.J. Harris (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had a stellar debut in the UFC at heavyweight when he drilled Alvin Hines (7-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) with an uppercut in the first round that took him off his feet. Harris was on him in the bat of an eye and a few punches later had a stoppage in 100 seconds.
Finish bonus: Dione Barbosa ($25,000)
Dione Barbosa (10-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) made things look easy against Alice Melisano (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC). Knowing her easiest path to victory was on the canvas, she took the UFC newcomer and “TUF” grad down right away, then worked her way to an eventual rear-naked choke finish in the opening round. Barbosa was the second biggest betting favorite on the card at 7-1.
The Oklahoma Sooners surprised the college football world with their breakthrough 2025 season. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff after a 6-7 season in 2024.
The Sooners navigated one of the toughest schedules in college football and still finished the regular season with a 10-2 record. With another offseason of development and the return of several key contributors, expectations are high around Norman heading into 2026. However, that optimism has not carried over to the national conversation.
ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) projects the Sooners will finish with a 7-5 record this season. Despite that projection, FPI still ranks Oklahoma as the No. 12 team in the country. That disrespect likely comes from the up-and-down tenure under head coach Brent Venables. So far, he’s had two double-digit-win seasons, while also having two losing seasons. Oklahoma hadn’t had a losing season since 1998 until Venables took over before the 2022 season.
On3’s Ari Wasserman said that Oklahoma has been overlooked nationally on his show with Andy Staples.
Oklahoma has already shown it can compete at the highest level after making the College Football Playoff in its first season as an SEC member. Now, the challenge is proving that last season was not just a one-year breakthrough.
With a talented roster, an elite defense, and key players returning, the Sooners have the opportunity to exceed national expectations and establish themselves as a consistent contender in the SEC.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
Du Plessis returns to the Octagon for the first time since losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev last August. Standing across from him is Usman, a former welterweight champion who defended his title five times, with signature wins over Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. The pair headline a stacked card filled with rising contenders and can’t-miss prospects.
Where To Watch UFC Oklahoma City
Live results, highlights, fight recaps, post-fight interviews and more will be added throughout the event. Preview each matchup below before the action begins. The main card kicks off Saturday at 8pm ET/5pm PT live on Paramount+ in the United States.
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