An out-of-state anti-abortion group successfully lobbied to change Oklahoma law after it was rejected for public funding from a program that encourages women to keep their unplanned pregnancies. 

The landmark housing affordability bill known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law July 11 at midnight after 10 days of inactivity from President Trump.

The bipartisan 21st ROAD to Housing Act was first created by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in July 2025, advancing after a 24-0 vote on July 29. It was introduced as H.R. 6644 in the House of Representatives on Dec. 11, 2025 by French Hill (R-AR.)

Bipartisan bill in Congress aims to solve the nation’s housing affordability crisis

After six months of edits and exchanges of the legislation between the House and the Senate, the final Senate vote was June 22, passing 85-5. The House of Representatives voted 358-32 to pass the bill June 23.

Per congressional record of the votes, Oklahoma Representatives Bice, Cole, Hern and Lucas voted Yea, as well as Senators Armstrong and Lankford. Representative Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma’s 2nd District was one of 41 to not vote.

The 21st ROAD to Housing Act was sent to President Trump’s desk for action June 24. He canceled the signing via Truth Social post.

The president refused to sign the housing affordability bill despite previously supporting it due to his stronger support for the SAVE America Act. He referred to the SAVE America Act, which has still not been passed, as “a National Emergency.”

Trump cancels bipartisan housing bill signing, reiterates demand for SAVE America Act

Rep. Brecheen, who did not vote in the final house call for the housing affordability legislation, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, in support of President Trump’s stance.

President Trump posted to Truth Social July 10 that he still would not sign the housing affordability act into law.

Per the United States Constitution, Article I, Section 7, Clause 2, the president must either veto or sign a bill within ten days (excluding Sundays) of it being sent to his desk. In the event that the president does not either return or sign the bill, it becomes law as if it were signed.

As of midnight July 11, 2026, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became federal law. The law will combat a number of obstacles facing homeowners and those hoping to become homeowners.

A full list of what each section contains, published by the House Committee on Financial Services can be found here.

NORMAN —When Oklahoma headed into the SEC two years ago, the Sooners’ softball team appeared to be in the best position to compete immediately in the conference.

Patty Gasso’s team has certainly acquitted themselves well during its first two seasons in the league — winning back-to-back regular-season championships.

But the Sooners came into the league having won four consecutive Women’s College World Series titles and Texas has now won back-to-back WCWS championships.

While softball won’t be the most affected by Oklahoma’s athletic department receiving a full SEC revenue distribution share in this fiscal year, there certainly will be an impact.

The department received just $12.5 million in conference payouts, while fully vested members in the conference received approximately $72.4 million each.

The $1.03 billion total conference distribution figures to grow in the coming years.

In the fifth in our series on how Sooners’ programs will be affected by the department receiving such a share, we take a look at the OU softball program:

NIL, Roster Building

Softball was one of six Sooners’ athletics programs to be included in the direct revenue-sharing payments made possible by the House vs. NCAA settlement.

While football takes up the great majority of that money, with the basketball programs using much of the remaining balance, softball players at OU do get direct revenue-sharing payments.

In an environment where not every softball program is part of that division of a set total, that gives the Sooners an advantage.

And while NIL money isn’t extremely plentiful — outside of Texas Tech — small changes can lead the big results.

But Gasso has been much more focused on high school recruiting than added big-time talent in the transfer portal in recent years.

Last season, the Sooners did add pitchers Sydney Berzon and Miali Guachino but the most impactful additions to the roster were a group of freshmen headlined by Kendall Wells and Kai Minor.

This offseason, it appears if Gasso is taking a similar approach.

Oklahoma added outfielders Macie Harter of Middle Tennessee State and Adi Hansen from Southern Idaho to compete for a spot — with incoming freshman Payton Westra — to play alongside Minor and Ella Parker.

With Isabela Emerling’s eligibility done with and Riley Zache transferring, the Sooners needed to add a backup catcher to play behind Wells.

Finding a serviceable backup who is willing to transfer without the guarantee of much playing time — especially with several other options at first base — proved to be difficult.

Oklahoma ultimately added Loyola Chicago catcher Abbie Gregus. Gregus hit just .195 last year as a redshirt junior.

The Sooners would’ve liked to have added an arm in the portal, but not only was there not a pitcher like NiJaree Canady available this time around, there wasn’t much in the way of options that would’ve been improvements over what Oklahoma already had on the roster.

Plus the Sooners signed pitchers Keegan Baker, Malaya Majam-Finch and EK Smith in the 2026 class.

The freeing up of additional money, though, figures to give the program a chance to compete for top-line talent when it is available, and will provide considerable help in retaining vital roster pieces.

Oklahoma has generally done well in keeping players who were expected to play significant roles moving forward, though Kasidi Pickering did transfer over this offseason — to Texas Tech.

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Facilities

With Love’s Field just wrapping up its third season, and maintaining its presence as the crown jewel of college softball, there aren’t much in the way of major upgrades to make.

But there can always be small tweaks to the facilities — especially when it comes to the team spaces. From updated technology to improved training and workout facilities, there are ways to keep the facility moving forward as other programs race to emulate OU.

Then there’s the area just south of the stadium, which has been filled with plenty of dirt and some grass, that could stand to be upgraded to give the walk up to that park a much grander feel.