Oklahoma
Several new House, Senate members win seats in Oklahoma Legislature • Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY — Tuesday’s election swept in several new House and Senate members vying for open seats, but also proved to be a good night for incumbents.
Not a single incumbent state House or Senate lawmaker lost Tuesday.
Incumbent Republican Warren Hamilton of McCurtain easily defeated Democrat challenger Jerry L. Donathan of McAlester in the race for Senate District 7 by a vote of 77% to 23%.
In the race for Senate District 15, Republican Lisa Standridge bested Democrat Elizabeth Foreman by a vote of 62% to 38%. Both are from Norman.
Standrige is the spouse of Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, who is leaving due to term limits.
The seat for Senate District 21 became open when Tom Dugger, D-Stillwater, decided not to seek another term.
Republican Dr. Randy Grellner of Cushing defeated Democrat Robin Fuxa of Stillwater by a vote of 65% to 35%.
Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, fended off Democrat Melissa Bryce of Tulsa in the race for Senate District 39. The vote was 56% to 44%.
The seat for Senate District 43 became open when Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, lost her reelection bid in the primary.
Republican Kendal Sacchieri of Blanchard defeated Democrat Sam Graefe of Purcell by a vote of 80.5% to 19.5%.
Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, could not run again for Senate District 46 due to term limits.
Democrat Mark Mann of Oklahoma City beat Republican Charles Barton of Del City and David Pilchman, an independent from Oklahoma City. Mann garnered 60.42% of the vote.
Republican Kelly E. Hines defeated Democrat Erin Brewer in the race for Senate District 47, which became open when Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, termed out. Both are from Edmond. The vote was 53% to 47%.
In the race for House District 4, Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, easily defeated Democratic challenger Christopher Wier, also of Tahlequah. The vote was 68% to 32%.
Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow, chose not to seek reelection to House District 12.
Republican Mark Chapman of Broken Arrow beat Democrat Crystal LaGrone of Coweta by a vote of 79% to 21%.
Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, easily defeated Democratic challenger Rosie Lynch, also of Okmulgee, in the race for House
District 16. The vote was 71% to 29%.
“I am just thankful the citizens of House District 16 reelected me for a ninth year,” Fetgatter said. “I am excited to get to work and work with new leadership.”
In the race for House District 26, Rep. Dell Kerbs defeated Democrat Kerri Keck, also of Shawnee, by a vote of 62% to 38%.
Kerbs said he commends anybody who puts their name on the ballot to run for office.
“It takes a lot of courage and hard work,” Kerbs said.
He said he appreciated the voters of House District 26 for sending him back to the Capitol.
Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, beat Republican challenger Andrew Muchmore, also of Stillwater, in the race for House District 34. The vote was 59% to 41%.
In the race for House District 37, Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, beat independent Carter Rogers of Fairfax by a vote of 79% to 21%.
“It has been an honor and privilege for me to serve this district and listen to the concerns, issues and problems here in rural Oklahoma,” Luttrell said.
He said he will work to see that students have a path to success and stay in Oklahoma. He also wants to work on finding common sense solutions to problems.
“I am honored and humbled by the support,” Luttrell said.
Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Yukon, defeated Democrat Mike Bockus of Edmond in the race for House District 41. The vote was 68% to 32%.
In the race for House District 43, Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, beat independent Cassie Kinet, also of Yukon, by a vote of 70% to 30%.
Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, bested Republican Alexander W. Torvi of Norman in the race for House District 46. The vote was 54% to 46%.
Polling showed the race was going to be tight, Rosecrants said.
Rosecrants thanked his opponent, who he said ran a good race.
“What this shows, though, is that my constituents don’t like extremism,” Rosecrants said. “They don’t like (State Superintendent) Ryan Walters.”
Rosecrants said he ran on being accessible and working across the aisle.
Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, held on to House District 70. She beat GOP challenger Bradley Banks, also from Tulsa, by a vote of 56% to 44%.
Republican David B. Hooten of Nichols Hills was unsuccessful in his attempt to unseat House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, in the race for House District 85. The vote was 61% to 39%.
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Oklahoma
Firefighters respond to commercial fire in Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to a commercial fire near the area of NW 10th and N Western Avenue.
OKCFD were at the scene of a commercial fire around 7 p.m. Saturday night, when they arrived there was heavy smoke visible from multiple floors of a boarded up building.
One adult female was found in the building and taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
At this time no cause has been reported.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma
Navy Coach Brian Newberry Talks Oklahoma Prep, Going for 10 Wins
NORMAN — Bowl season is a bit unconventional for Navy.
The Midshipmen annually play against Army six days after the bowl schedule is released. That was the case this year, as Navy beat the Black Knights 31-13 on Dec. 14.
Beating Army is always a highlight for the Midshipmen. But the drawback for them is that they have less time than their bowl opponent to prepare for the game.
In this case, that’s Oklahoma. The Sooners will enter the game with more than two weeks of preparation for Navy’s triple-option offense.
“It’s just a little different,” Navy coach Brian Newberry told reporters earlier this week. “They’ve known they’re going to play us for a little time now.”
Navy Coach, Oklahoma Native Brian Newberry Grew Up On OU Football
Navy does, however, enter the Armed Forces Bowl with momentum.
The Midshipmen (9-3) eased past Army last week in Landover, MD. They outgained the Black Knights 384-179 and forced Army quarterback Bryson Daily to throw three interceptions.
Navy’s rivalry win was its third in the last four games after the Midshipmen went on a two-game skid in the middle of the season. Newberry cited his team’s physicality in recent games, particularly in the Midshipmen’s drubbing of Army.
“I was so impressed with how our kids handled the moment,” Newberry said. “Army’s a really, really good football team. I thought we physically dominated the game in the way that we blocked, beat blocks, the way we tackled. I thought we outplayed them in all three phases, so I’m really, really proud of that.”
A stark difference between the teams is the number of players that have entered the transfer portal.
The Sooners have seen 25 players from their 2024 team enter the portal. The Midshipmen have suffered only one departure in the winter portal window with defensive back Lorenzo Vitti.
On one hand, that makes Oklahoma preparation tough for Navy.
“It’s interesting,” Newberry said. “We’re going through their two-deep and trying to figure out who’s going to play and who isn’t. It’s a little bit of a challenge in that regard. And it could certainly change with a different quarterback.”
But largely, the Midshipmen’s lack of transfers gives Newberry confidence that his team will be bought in for one more game in 2024.
“The portal can affect us, players can jump in the portal — we’re not getting that,” Newberry said. “It’s challenging to build a culture anywhere in college football right now, one that’s built on a certain level of trust. They know each other really, really well. They’ve fought through adversity. They stay the course, they pay the price and they have an opportunity.”
Navy will also play for more than just another win; the Midshipmen are looking to make history.
Navy has reached the 10-win mark just four times in program history. The Midshipmen did so three times under former coach Ken Niumatalolo from 2009-2019.
Having a shot at history while playing Oklahoma — the state that Newberry hails from — excites the coach.
“It’s the last time that this team gets to play together,” Newberry said. “They want to go out the right way against a storied program like Oklahoma. It’s a great reward to play in a bowl game, but it’s a game we want to win.”
The Midshipmen and Sooners will play in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth at 11 a.m. on Dec. 27.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma LB Kip Lewis Sees Armed Forces Bowl as Growth Opportunity
As Danny Stutsman departs from Oklahoma, Kip Lewis seems to be the next man up.
A redshirt sophomore linebacker in 2024, Lewis was one of the Sooners’ better defenders. In addition to his 28 solo tackles, Lewis intercepted two passes, running both of them back for touchdowns.
Lewis hopes to be the leader that Stutsman was over his four years at OU. But his goal isn’t to be a Stutsman clone.
“I feel like I’m my own player and my own leader in how I do things,” Lewis said. “Danny’s a great player, great leader. Taught me everything I need to know. I think I’m just my own person. I don’t think I need to step into his role and be the Danny. There’s only one.”
Lewis played and started in all 12 of the Sooners’ games in the 2024 season. It was his second season as a regular on OU’s defense after playing in just two games as a true freshman.
In Oklahoma’s first season as an SEC squad, Lewis and his defensive counterparts saw plenty of offensive stars. Between Garrett Nussmeier at LSU and Quinn Ewers at Texas, there was never really a dull moment for the Sooners during conference play.
Lewis will see a different type of challenge at the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy.
WATCH: Navy HC Brian Newberry Ahead of Armed Forces Bowl vs. Oklahoma
The Midshipmen — like the other service academies — run a triple-option offense. While Navy, Army and Air Force struggle to get the highly-touted recruits that other programs draw, the unconventional offense sets them apart.
Thankfully for Lewis, this style of offense isn’t new.
“I’m a little used to it. So it’s been a minute since I played it, but it brought me back to my roots playing the Wing-T. There’s a team called Pleasant Grove out there in Texas, so they used to give me a run for my money back in the day.”
Navy finished the regular season 9-3. The Midshipmen started the season 6-0 before losing three times in a four-game span.
They ended the season well, though, beating both East Carolina and Army by double digits to end the regular season.
Lewis and multiple of his teammates tuned in as the Midshipmen beat Army in the annual rivalry game.
“They showed a lot of fight, a lot of grit,” Lewis said. “I think that’s an important key into playing football.”
Lewis will play only one more game as an underclassman. Then, he’ll step into the role of other defensive leaders the Sooners have seen recently, whether that’s Stutsman, Billy Bowman Jr., Woodi Washington or others.
Games like the Armed Forces Bowl will help him get there.
“Just always having to bring my best effort every day,” Lewis said. “Just bringing everything I’ve got. Just every day, I bring my value into whatever that is, whatever I’ve gotta do for my team. I think it’ll be a big role.”
The Sooners will battle the Midshipmen on Dec. 27 in Fort Worth. The game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
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