Oklahoma
US jury awards $25mn to Oklahoma man after newspaper wrongfully identified him as racist
A jury in Oklahoma on Monday awarded a man $25 million in damages after he was erroneously named by a newspaper as a high school basketball commentator who insulted athletes based on their race.
Scott Sapulpa was one of two men who provided commentary on the girls’ playoff match between Midwest City High School and Norman High School in March 2021.
After the verdict, Sapulpa said he felt “numb”, adding that “My kids, their last name is cleared, too”, NonDoc.com reported.
In Muskogee County, Scott Sapulpa was granted $20 million in punitive damages in addition to $5 million in actual damages, The Associated Press reported.
Responding to the verdict, Sapulpa’s attorney Michael Barkett said, “We’re just so happy for Scott. Hopefully this will vindicate his name.”
According to Barkett, the jury determined that the newspaper had behaved with genuine malice in response to Sapulpa’s allegations of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, allowing them to consider punitive damages.
Lark-Marie Anton, a spokesperson for The Oklahoman’s owner, Gannett, said the company was dissatisfied with the jury’s verdict and would be filing an appeal.
“There was no evidence presented to the jury that The Oklahoman acted with any awareness that what was reported was false or with any intention to harm the plaintiff in this case,” Anton said.
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Norman-Midwest City girls high school basketball game
The aforementioned incident took place before the Norman-Midwest City girls basketball game in 2021. As one team knelt for the national anthem, one of the livestream announcers denigrated them and hurled racial slurs.
“They’re kneeling? (Expletive) them,” one commentator said. “I hope Norman gets their ass kicked … (Expletive) (epithet).”
At first, the comment was attributed to Sapulpa by the publication. The Oklahoman was informed by the streaming service’s owner, Matt Rowan, that he was the person who made the remarks. He sought an apology and blamed his use of racist language on his blood-sugar levels.
Meanwhile, Gannett lawyer Bob Nelon noted that the corporation swiftly removed Sapulpa’s name after realising its error.
He contended that awarding Sapulpa such a large sum of money would be detrimental to the community’s local newspapers.
“Newspapers are made up of people, and people make mistakes. Mistakes happen,” Nelon stated.
“Gannett is made up of people — over 11,000 people. When you punish Gannett, you’re punishing all those small-town newspaper editors.”
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.
Texas A&M baseball made a massive splash in the transfer portal Friday morning with the pickup of a premier left-hander from a Southeastern Conference foe.
Oklahoma southpaw Trent Collier is returning to his home state to play for the Aggies in 2027, according to reports from TexAgs’ Richard Zane. Collier pitched for the national-championship-winning Sooners this past season, posting a 3.80 ERA through 23.2 innings pitched and striking out 28 hitters. He was called upon for two appearances in Oklahoma’s postseason run to the national title, allowing no hits with two strikeouts against Georgia Tech and North Carolina.
Collier will come to Bryan-College Station to pitch for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies as a junior for head coach Michael Earley in 2027.
Rebuilding a depleted pitching staff was one of the top priorities for Earley this offseason, after posting a 5.24 team ERA in 2026. Collier is the sixth pitcher to commit to the Aggies out of the transfer portal and the ninth overall addition.
The lefty from Prosper, Texas, began his college career at Weatherford Junior College before landing with the Sooners. He made eight appearances, including nine starts, and earned second-team all-conference for recording a 2.65 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 68.0 innings.
After the program parted ways with Jason Kelly, following the regional final loss to USC in College Station, new pitching coach Barry Enright has reeled in some of the top-rated pitchers in the country this offseason, including Collier. The former Sooners star will have the opportunity to develop under Enright, who had stints in the MLB with the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Four people are in custody after Oklahoma City police seized approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and removed dozens of animals from a home in southeast Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Police executed what they confirmed was a drug-related search warrant at a home near Southeast 15th Street and High Avenue. Authorities have not released information about what led investigators to the residence.
Drug Investigation Leads to Large Seizure
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers recovered approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine from the home during the search.
Police said at least four people were taken into custody. Authorities have not released the identities of those arrested or any related charges.
Numerous Animals Removed From Property
Alongside the drug investigation, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare officers assisted in removing numerous animals from the property.
News 9 cameras captured at least 20 dogs being taken from the home, including one wearing a muzzle. Police said a horse, cats, chickens and snakes were also removed.
Neighbors watched as officers spent hours at the residence.
“This is crazy. Like this is literally crazy,” said Nisha who lives nearby.
Another resident said she saw several people in handcuffs but did not initially know what was happening.
“I saw a couple men in handcuffs. I had no idea what was going on until my neighbor,” Dora Garcia said.
Neighbors say they were aware the home had dogs but were shocked by everything else discovered.
“I knew they had dogs. Everybody over here knew they had dogs, but the rest of this is just mind-boggling,” Nisha said.
She also expressed concern about how close the investigation was to her homes.
“Too close for comfort. Way too close for comfort,” Nisha said.
Investigation Continues
Police said the search warrant was related to a drug investigation but have not released additional details about why officers targeted the home.
The investigation remains ongoing. Oklahoma City police said additional information about those in custody is expected to be released as it becomes available.
This is a developing story.
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