ALTUS, Okla. (KSWO) – “Launch Rural Oklahoma” held a conference in Altus today, one that aimed to help local business owners thrive.

The Conference was targeted towards small business owners across southwest Oklahoma.

Several area groups, from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau to various career tech centers, came together to bring vital resources to the community.

Attendees learned about ways to market their businesses, how to learn from entrepreneurs, and what services state agencies can offer them.

One of the organizers, Economic Development Coordinator Amarie Barte, says they were thrilled to be able to give back to the people working to support Oklahoma’s economy.

“We consider this to be incredibly rewarding work,” Barte said. “Small businesses are the anchor to economic development in rural communities they provide jobs they sponsor youth programs and they create community and so we really believe in the power of small business and we want to help small business owners to have that support in their pocket.”

Launch Rural Oklahoma is also offering a digital avenue and they’ve set up an interactive resource map for business owners who couldn’t make the trip to the conferences.

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Balanced scoring, frenzied defense and dominant rebounding fueled No. 13 Oklahoma to an 89-65 victory over Florida on Thursday night in Gainesville.

“We started the fourth quarter on a pretty big run,” OU coach Jennie Baranczyk said on the postgame radio show. “Really proud of that, because that’s where you want to be playing your best. But I love the balance that we have right now, and I love the fun that we’re having.”

Six Sooners scored in double figures, led by Payton Verhulst’s 17 and Raegan Beers’ 16. Sahara Williams had 11 points and nine rebounds, Skylar Vann had 13 points and four steals, Liz Scott had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Zya Vann had 10 points, three assists, two steals and a block.

Verhulst also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals to pace the Sooners’ efforts.

Zaya Vann hit a 3 to give OU a 64-49 lead at the end the third quarter, and the Sooners went on a 21-7 run that was fueled by 3-pointers by Skylar Vann, Scott, Liz Allen and Lexi Keys.

OU won its sixth game in a row to improve to 22-6 overall and 10-5 in Southeastern Conference play, while the Gators fell to 14-15 and 5-10.

Nevaeh Tot played in her 151st career game on Thursday, breaking Taylor Robertson’s school record for career games played. The Columbus, OH, product has won 107 games at Oklahoma, tied with Skylar Vann for the fifth most in program history.

It was OU’s third straight 20-point victory and 13th of the season. 

“It’s one of those games that I just love the depth that we have,” Baranczyk said. “That’s, again, the nice thing is that everybody got in, everybody contributed everybody, you know, played really hard — but everyone practiced this hard every day, so when we do that, it’s really nice to be able to get those game minutes.”

Oklahoma came into Thursday ranked No. 5 in the nation in scoring offense and has surpassed 80 points in four consecutive games. OU is now 67-5 under coach Jennie Baranczyk when scoring 80 or more, and 20-0 this season when holding their opponent under 80. 

Florida led by a point late in the first quarter, but the Sooners pulled away to a 44-32 lead at halftime and then outscored the Gators 45-33 in the second half. OU led by as many as 30 in the fourth quarter thanks to a 36-24 advantage in the paint, a 21-7 edge in fast-break points and a 13-4 lead on second-chance points.

Earlier Thursday, Oklahoma was tabbed as the NCAA Selection Committee’s No. 13 overall team in its final reveal before Selection Sunday. As the top No. 4 seed, Oklahoma would host first- and second-round games of the NCAA Tournament if selections were made today.

OU hosts No. 20 Alabama (22-6, 9-5 SEC) at Lloyd Noble Center on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in a critical matchup for seeding at the SEC Tournament. Oklahoma, due to Kentucky’s win over Tennessee on Thursday, is locked into seeds Nos. 5-8 as the Wildcats are guaranteed a top-four spot in Greenville.

Oklahomans cannot afford to stay silent on this issue. We must urge our representatives in Congress to reject these devastating cuts and protect Medicaid.

In a move that threatens to upend the lives of millions of Americans, Congress is poised to slash $800 billion from Medicaid. For Oklahomans, this decision is not just a political abstraction — it is a direct attack on the health and well-being of our state’s most vulnerable populations. These cuts will have far-reaching consequences, disproportionately affecting low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. As a state that has only recently embraced Medicaid expansion, Oklahoma cannot afford to go backward. Congress must reconsider this reckless decision before it inflicts irreversible harm.

Medicaid is a lifeline for nearly 1 in 4 Oklahomans, providing essential health care services to those who would otherwise go without. The program covers prenatal care for expectant mothers, routine check-ups for children and long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities. It also supports rural hospitals, many of which are already teetering on the brink of financial collapse. Cutting $800 billion from Medicaid would force Oklahoma to make impossible choices: reduce coverage, slash benefits, or impose stricter eligibility requirements. No matter the approach, the result will be the same — more Oklahomans will suffer.

Medicaid cuts will impact rural communities, children and seniors

Oklahoma’s rural hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements to keep their doors open. According to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Report, 30% of Oklahoma’s rural hospitals are at immediate risk of closing. If Congress moves forward with these cuts, many of these facilities will be forced to shut down, leaving entire communities without access to emergency care, maternity services, or basic medical treatment. For rural Oklahomans, this isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a matter of life and death.

Children will also bear the brunt of these cuts. Medicaid covers nearly half of all children in Oklahoma, ensuring they have access to vaccines, doctor visits and treatments for chronic conditions. When children lose access to health care, the consequences extend far beyond their immediate health. Studies show that children without adequate health care are more likely to struggle in school, miss days due to illness, and face long-term health challenges. By cutting Medicaid, Congress is jeopardizing the future of an entire generation of Oklahomans.

Seniors and individuals with disabilities will also face dire consequences. Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care in the United States, covering nursing home stays and in-home care services for millions of elderly and disabled Americans. In Oklahoma, where the population is aging and rates of disability are higher than the national average, these cuts could force families to make heart-wrenching decisions about how to care for their loved ones. Many will be left with no choice but to shoulder the financial burden themselves, pushing them into poverty.

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It’s worth noting that Oklahoma only recently expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, after years of resistance from state leaders. The expansion, which took effect in 2021, has already proven transformative, providing coverage to more than 200,000 low-income adults. These individuals now have access to preventive care, mental health services, and treatment for chronic conditions — services that were previously out of reach. Congress’ proposed cuts would undermine this progress, leaving thousands of Oklahomans once again uninsured and untreated.

Proponents of the cuts argue that they are necessary to reduce the federal deficit, but this reasoning is both shortsighted and cruel. Slashing Medicaid will not solve the nation’s fiscal challenges; it will only shift the burden onto states and families, exacerbating poverty and inequality. Moreover, the economic ripple effects will be profound. Healthier populations are more productive, and thriving hospitals create jobs. By gutting Medicaid, Congress is not only harming individuals — it is undermining the broader economy.

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Oklahomans cannot afford to stay silent on this issue. We must urge our representatives in Congress to reject these devastating cuts and protect Medicaid. For too many in our state, this program is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Cutting $800 billion from Medicaid is not just bad policy; it is a moral failure. Congress must prioritize the health and dignity of its citizens over political expediency. The lives of Oklahomans depend on it.

Jena Nelson is director of programs for the Oklahoma Faith Network.