Oklahoma
Three residents and a dozen pets escape early morning OKC house fire
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (KOKH) — Three residents and a dozen animals escaped an early morning house fire near S May Avenue and Southwest 89th Street in Oklahoma City.
Firefighters responded just before 5 a.m., where they found flames coming from a bedroom in the back of the house.
Three residents were able to self-evacuate, but reported there were 12 animals inside, six dogs and six cats. Crews believe they have located all of them, and some cats are getting treated.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials believe it was accidental.
As of now, there are no confirmed fatalities among the pets and no injuries reported from the residents or firefighters.
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ICE plans to sell or transfer $700m in empty warehouses
US Immigration & Customs Enforcement is reportedly planning to sell or transfer seven unused warehouse facilities that were purchased as part of a major immigrant detention expansion effort.
unbranded – Newsworthy
President Donald Trump announced June 27 he would nominate Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to serve as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The Senate must CONFIRM Lance, IMMEDIATELY — Do not delay,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, calling Schroyer a “patriot” and asserting he would help carry out Trump’s broader immigration push to detain and deport individuals the administration describes as serious criminal offenders.
The move to fill the position comes months after Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE who oversaw immigration enforcement crackdowns linked to killings in Minnesota and Illinois, resigned as acting director at the end of May.
Schroyer has over 29 years in law enforcement in Oklahoma and is a U.S. Marine, Trump said. Most recently, Schroyer’s spearheaded federal-local immigration enforcement partnerships with ICE, including a program that allows state and local agencies to assist federal immigration authorities.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also praised the selection, saying Schroyer’s background positions him to advance the administration’s immigration enforcement goals and called on the Senate to act quickly to confirm him.
Who is Lance Schroyer?
Schroyer currently serves as senior adviser to the Department of Homeland Security, where he helps coordinate immigration enforcement strategy and interagency cooperation among federal, state and local partners, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
He previously served as a major with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, overseeing emergency and special operations units that handled disaster response, civil disturbance planning, abducted child recovery efforts and tactical operations.
ICE leadership vacancy and broader enforcement debate
ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017 and has largely been led by acting officials.
The nomination comes as the agency continues to play a central role in Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda. The Trump administration has expanded detention and deporation efforts as part of the president’s goals to crack down on people entering the country illegally. Immigration rights groups have raised concerns about civil liberties and detention conditions. ICE has faced scrutiny over enforcement actions and deaths in custody, including incidents that have prompted protests and public debate.
ICE’s detention strategies continue to evolve, including adjustments to how custody facilities are planned and utilized. At the same time, immigration enforcement officers are being deployed in more states, pointing to a wider national presence as part of the administration’s enforcement efforts.
Contributing: Reuters
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
Nowata County Emergency Management is urging motorists to avoid several roads across the county as flooding continues following recent heavy rainfall.
Officials reported water over a bridge on County Road 408 south of Road 2, between Roads 2 and 3.
Roads to Avoid
Emergency management officials issued the following road advisories:
- Road 21 between Roads 420 and 419
- Road 419 north of U.S. Highway 60
- Road 420 between Roads 27 and 28
- Road 27 west of Road 421 near Panther Creek
Officials say these roads should be avoided because of flooding.
Road 2 Closed
Emergency management also announced that Road 2 (EW 2) is closed.
Officials said some areas of the roadway have approximately 12 inches of standing water.
Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded roadways and seek alternate routes until water recedes.
Resources at Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare are stretched thin after taking in more than 500 animals in an emergency rescue. Police arrested four people and saved the animals on Thursday in a methamphetamine bust at a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue.
FIRST REPORTED: Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, hundreds of animals seized from Oklahoma City home
Oklahoma City’s Development Services Director Brock Rowe answered questions about the largest animal seizure in the city’s history.
How many animals were rescued and what species were found?
Animal control officers rescued 523 animals. There were about 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons, and peacocks gathered from the property. Officers took 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, one horse, and reptiles.
What is the latest on the animals’ health and condition?
The animals were “taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to be severely abused of malnourished. The situation is believed to be animal hoarding, meaning there were simply too many animals on the property. Staff worked overnight to ensure the animals have food, clean water, bedding and proper car.
What resources is the shelter using to care for so many animals?
The shelter is using temporary crates, kennels, and indoor spaces to accommodate the overflow, especially for birds, while larger animals like the horse are kept outside. Animal welfare officials are reaching out to local partners and organizations that specialize in livestock and birds to help house and care for some of the animals. The shelter is running a “name your price” adoption event to quickly move existing animals out and free up space.
Are the animals considered evidence, and when could they become available for adoption or transfer?
The animals are currently on hold as evidence, and adoption or transfer will only happen after the legal process determines when they can be released.
What is the status of the criminal investigation, and are additional charges expected?
Police arrested four men on drug trafficking complaints during the warrant search. No word if the men will face charges for the animals.
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