Southwest
Oklahoma teaching assistant fired after uproar over flunking Christian student who referenced Bible in essay
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Weeks after a University of Oklahoma student’s story about being flunked on a paper that touted her Christian faith caused a viral uproar, the teaching assistant behind the grade has been fired.
“Based on an examination of the graduate teaching assistant’s prior grading standards and patterns, as well as the graduate teaching assistant’s own statements related to this matter, it was determined that the graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper,” the state’s flagship school said in a Monday evening statement. “The graduate teaching assistant will no longer have instructional duties at the University.”
Samantha Fulnecky, a junior at the school, received zero out of 25 on an assignment in which she referenced the Bible after graduate teaching assistant William “Mel” Curth, who uses she/they pronouns, scored the paper.
The teaching assistant tasked Fulnecky and her classmates with writing a response to a scholarly article titled “Relations Among Gender Typicality, Peer Relations, and Mental Health During Early Adolescence,” which discusses results of a study about gender norms among middle schoolers and the social ramifications children may face for not conforming to gender norms.
OU student Samantha Fulnecky, with her Bible, in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Nov. 24, 2025. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman/Imagn Images)
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They were asked to provide a “thoughtful discussion of some aspect of the article.” The rubric for the assignment did not require students to provide empirical evidence in their responses.
The third-year student responded by saying that gender norms should be celebrated, not denigrated. She cited Genesis, the first book of the Bible, in which God created men and women equally, but with separate purposes.
“Gender roles and tendencies should not be considered ‘stereotypes,’” Fulnecky wrote in her essay. “Women naturally want to do womanly things because God created us with those womanly desires in our hearts. The same goes for men. God created men in the image of His courage and strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty. He intentionally created women differently than men and we should live our lives with that in mind.”
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Students walk on campus between classes at the University of Oklahoma on March 11, 2015, in Norman, Oklahoma. (Brett Deering/Getty Images)
She later described the societal push toward nonbinary gender identification as “demonic.”
Curth took exception to Fulnecky’s essay, and gave her a zero out of 25.
“Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs, but instead I am deducting point [sic] for you posting a reaction paper that does not answer the questions for this assignment, contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive,” Curth’s explanation for the grade said.
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Curth said the concept of only two sexes is not backed by science.
“You may personally disagree with this, but that doesn’t change the fact that every major psychological, medical, pediatric, and psychiatric association in the United States acknowledges that, biologically and psychologically, sex and gender is neither binary nor fixed,” Curth said.
Samantha Fulnecky, with her Bible, in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Nov. 24, 2025. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The graduate teaching assistant also called Fulnecky’s essay “highly offensive.”
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“I definitely think that I was being punished for what I believe because I very clearly stated in my essay in my response to the article, I very clearly stated my beliefs and stated what — not just my beliefs — but what the Bible and what God says about gender and about those roles,” Fulnecky told Fox News Digital amid the uproar.
Curth was placed on administrative leave after the student filed a discrimination claim, as the university conducted an investigation.
In its statement announcing Curth’s firing, the university said the school’s provost, described as the “highest-ranking academic officer,” personally reviewed the incident before the decision to fire Curth was made.
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“Because this matter involves both student and faculty rights, the University has engaged in repeated and detailed conversations with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to ensure there is an understanding of the facts, the process, and the actions being taken,” the statement said.
The essay grade at the University of Oklahoma caused an uproar. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The school also noted that Fulnecky’s grade had been restored.
“The University of Oklahoma believes strongly in both its faculty’s rights to teach with academic freedom and integrity and its students’ right to receive an education that is free from a lecturer’s impermissible evaluative standards. We are committed to teaching students how to think, not what to think. The University will continue to review best practices to ensure that its instructors have the comprehensive training necessary to objectively assess their students’ work without limiting their ability to teach, inspire, and elevate our next generation.”
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Southwest
Christmas gift at the pump: Gas prices hit 4-year low for holiday travelers nationwide
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Christmas travelers are getting a major break at the pump this year.
Gas prices have hit their lowest level in four years, leaving a little extra room in the budget for everything else that comes with the season.
Some 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday period of Saturday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Jan. 1, AAA projects.
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Over 8 million travelers will take domestic flights — while 109.5 million Americans will be traveling by car for their year-end trips, the report noted.
In 2024, the national average price of gas was $3.04. This year the national average has dropped to its lowest in the past four years.
Christmas travelers are saving big as gas prices drop to their lowest level in four years, at an average of $2.855 across the nation. (iStock)
The record high prices of gas were recorded on June 14, 2022, at an average of $5.016.
The average price for a regular gallon of gas on Dec. 22 was recorded at $2.855 by AAA.
Eleven states are right now below the national average price for a gallon of regular gas. (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
Eleven states have been recorded below the national average.
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Take a look at this list from AAA.
Oklahoma $2.293
Iowa $2.430
Arkansas $2.418
Colorado $2.441
Texas $2.467
Wisconsin $2.472
Oklahoma has the lowest national price of gas at $2.293. (Chip Chipman/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Tennessee $2.474
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Kansas $2.487
Louisiana $2.488
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Mississippi $2.486
Missouri $2.498
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Southwest
Multiple fatalities reported as Mexican Navy plane crashes off Texas coast, recovery effort underway
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A Mexican Navy aircraft conducting a medical support mission crashed near the Galveston Causeway in Texas on Monday, prompting a multi-agency response from local law enforcement and Texas officials as investigators began working to determine the cause.
The Mexican Navy secretary said on X that one of the Navy’s planes was conducting a medical mission in coordination with the Michou and Mau Foundation when it experienced an incident during its approach near Galveston, Texas.
The Mexican Navy said in a statement that the aircraft involved was a King Air ANX 1209.
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Galveston Bay connects Houston, Texas to the Gulf Of Mexico. (Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2023)
According to the Mexican Navy, eight people were on board the aircraft – four naval crew members and four civilians – when it crashed during its approach near Galveston.
Search and rescue protocols were immediately activated following the crash in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, which has rescued six people so far. Four were found alive, while two deaths have been confirmed. Efforts remain underway to rescue two additional people still believed to be inside the wreckage, the Mexican Navy said.
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A Mexican Navy aircraft conducting a medical support mission crashed near the Galveston Causeway, triggering a multi-agency response and investigation. (Credit: KRIV)
According to the Michou and Mau Foundation’s website, its vision is to “provide assistance so that children with severe burns have the best advanced treatment programs and multidisciplinary care.”
The Mexican Navy added that search and rescue efforts were immediately activated in coordination with local authorities.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said its personnel also responded to the plane crash near the base of the causeway.
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A Mexican Navy aircraft conducting a medical support mission crashed near the Galveston Causeway, triggering a multi-agency response and investigation. (Credit: KRIV)
“Sheriff’s Office personnel, including the dive team, crime scene unit, drone unit and patrol are assisting at the scene,” the sheriff’s office said, adding that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is leading the crash investigation with the help of the sheriff’s office and Galveston Police Department.
Fox News Digital has reached out to DPS and the Michou and Mau Foundation for additional information about the crash.
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Search and recovery efforts are underway as the investigation continues.
This is a developing story.
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Southwest
Multiple people, including pregnant woman, struck by alleged drunk driver at Navajo Nation Christmas parade
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An alleged drunk driver struck multiple people at a Christmas parade on the Navajo Nation in Arizona on Monday, according to officials.
The Navajo Police Department said officers responded at about 5 p.m. after four people were struck by a driver who was allegedly intoxicated. The driver drove into the parade route as bystanders were waiting for it to start.
Police confirmed “life was [lost] during this tragic event as family gathered for this joyous occasion to brighten the holiday season.”
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Police confirmed “life was [lost] during this tragic event as family gathered for this joyous occasion to brighten the holiday season.” (Navajo Police Department)
Damages to vehicles and property were also reported.
The driver was arrested and transported to the local Department of Corrections.
“A tragic event during the holidays can change someone’s life and hurt families across the Navajo Nation,” police wrote on Facebook. “If you see someone who may be impaired, take their keys, help them get home safely, or call your local Navajo Police Department.”
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The driver was arrested and transported to the local Department of Corrections. (Navajo Police)
The incident remains under investigation. The FBI and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation are assisting Navajo police in the investigation.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said the people hit by the vehicle include a “young person” who remains in critical condition and a pregnant woman.
“This event was meant to bring joy, unity, and holiday spirit to our community—and is a time for families to come together and celebrate,” Nygren wrote on Facebook. “No one should have to experience tragedy during a season meant for love and togetherness.”
The FBI and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation are assisting Navajo Police in the investigation. (Getty Images)
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Kayenta Township said “an accident occurred along Navajo Route 591 near the Kayenta Rodeo Grounds.”
“Our primary concern is the well-being of those affected. We ask that you keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers,” the community wrote on its Facebook page.
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