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Tulsa, Oklahoma is named official capital of Route 66: 'Exciting day'

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Tulsa, Oklahoma is named official capital of Route 66: 'Exciting day'

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America’s heartland is special — and now there’s a new reason to celebrate.

Tulsa, Oklahoma just secured the U.S. copyright as the official capital of the legendary Route 66, long-regarded as a central piece of the history of America’s Main Street. 

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Tulsa can now officially lay claim to the title of Capital of Route 66. 

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The Tulsa Route 66 Commission, an official entity through the City of Tulsa, secured a copyright on the term “Capital of Route 66” — solidifying Tulsa’s significance in the history of the famous route, a media statement noted. 

This process spanned over two years and was fueled by extensive research and surveys.

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission, an official entity of the City of Tulsa, secured a copyright on the term “Capital of Route 66” — solidifying Tulsa’s significance in the history of the famous route.  (iStock)

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The acclaimed final approval from the federal government happened in April. 

In 1926, the highway received its official designation as Route 66.  

“The Mother Road,” as it was referred to by John Steinbeck in his 1939 saga “The Grapes of Wrath,” was commissioned on Nov. 11, 1926. 

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It stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, according to Route66roadtrip.com. 

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“In our region, Tulsa has long been known as the Capital of Route 66,” said Josh Stout, chair of the Tulsa Route 66 commission. 

A black-and-white road sign for historic Route 66. Tulsa has been a positive incubator for Route 66 during its birth, the last century and now leading into the future.” (iStock)

“Now officially recognized, this will give our businesses and residents along Tulsa’s stretch of the most famous road in the world the proper recognition on a more national and even international scale,” said Stout to Fox News Digital. 

“As we build toward the 2026 centennial celebrations, our continued development of the authentic 66 tourism experience is in … overdrive,” he said.

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“Tulsa has been a positive incubator for Route 66 during its birth, the last century and now leading into the future.”

Tulsa boasts 28 miles of Route 66 within the city limits, bookended by Gateway Arches on the east and west. 

Other local dignitaries are just as proud. 

The Tulsa skyline with a park, pond, and fountains in the foreground. (iStock)

“Tulsa and Route 66 are deeply connected with the Mother Road running through the heart of our city,” Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said in a press statement. 

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“Route 66 is an integral part of Tulsa’s identity, and we’ve long been known as the Capital of Route 66,” said Bynum. 

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“To have this official designation is an exciting day for Tulsa, our region and the state of Oklahoma.” 

Tulsa boasts 28 miles of Route 66 within the city limits, bookended by Gateway Arches on the east and west, the commission reported.  

The downtown skyline of Tulsa, Oklahoma, at twilight. (iStock)

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This official copyright will further highlight Tulsa’s prominence in the Route 66 story, solidifying its place as a city that shaped the road in a profound way, the group also noted.

On June 27, 1985, Route 66 came to an end after 59 years after the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials decertified the road, and voted to remove its highway signs, according to History.com.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, JUNE 27, 1985, ICONIC ROUTE 66 REACHES THE ‘END OF THE ROAD’ 

The history of Route 66 intersects Tulsa in many regards. 

Of note, the first U.S. 66 Highway Association, the original association that promoted Route 66, was founded in Tulsa. 

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Route 66 brings in visitors to experience Americana on the Mother Road, as well as Mother Road Market, an expansive food hall. 

Tulsa’s stretch of Route 66 welcomes visitors to experience the history, charm and attractions of the city. 

A highway sign for Route 66 on the asphalt of the country road is shown.  (iStock)

“Tulsa is a vibrant, welcoming city connected to its history while looking toward the future,” Renee McKenney, senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and president of Tulsa Regional Tourism, told Fox News Digital. 

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She noted that Route 66 brings in visitors to experience Americana on the Mother Road, as well as Mother Road Market, an expansive food hall. 

“Other must-see spots include Black Wall Street in the Historic Greenwood District and T-Town’s notable music and entertainment icons, like the 100-year-old Cain’s Ballroom, The Church Studio, the Bob Dylan Center and Woody Guthrie Center archives, or the Outsiders House Museum,” McKenney said. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews/lifestyle

“No matter where visitors come from or what they’re seeking, they can find it in Tulsa.” 

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Texas requires students learn about ‘perils of communism’ in sweeping new curriculum overhaul

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Texas requires students learn about ‘perils of communism’ in sweeping new curriculum overhaul

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A rewrite of Texas’ social studies curriculum will require educators to teach students about the perils of communism, according to a recent report.

“The new framework, known as the ‘comprehensive’ model, introduces a novel chronological approach to history and signals that the process will result in drastically different new standards,” the Houston Chronicle reported.

Set to take effect in the fall of 2030, “the model, favored by conservatives on the board, boosts the proportion of Texas history, and removes standalone world cultures courses,” the piece said. 

“Third grade will now begin with ‘birth of Western civilizations’ and eighth grade will become a Texas history-only capstone course.”

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LET’S TEACH OUR KIDS WHY AMERICA IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR  

A rewrite of Texas’ social studies curriculum will require educators to teach students about the perils of communism, according to a recent report. (fstop123/iStock via Getty Images Plus)

The State Board of Education approved the Social Studies plan by a vote of 8-7 in September.

Under the revised standards, the curriculum will focus more on Texas history and U.S. history rather than world history and cultures. 

The Houston Chronicle reported that Democrats on the board raised concerns about the changes.

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“Democrats on the board say the new framework reduces representation, will be more difficult for teachers to explain and delays lessons about nonwhite people to later grades,” the piece said. 

“Looking at this storytelling thing, when do people that look like me get to learn about themselves before the fifth grade?” Staci Childs, D-Houston, was quoted as saying in the article, speaking about herself and other Black or Hispanic members of the board. 

The Houston Chronicle also reported, “The standards are also being revised to align with recently-passed state law that requires students to be taught about the perils of communism.”

FIVE HOPEFUL SIGNS COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE SEEKING TRUTH ONCE MORE 

Under the revised standards, the curriculum will focus more on Texas history and U.S. history rather than world history and cultures.  (Fox News/Paul Steinhauser)

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In the revised framework, according to the report, “Students must learn about ‘atrocities attributable to communist regimes,’ including the Cambodian genocide, guerrilla movements in Latin America and the ‘oppression and suffering experienced by people living under communist regimes.’ The lessons must also touch on modern threats posed to the U.S. and its allies by communist regimes and ideologies.” 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Texas State Board of Education; Rep. Aaron Kinsey, R-Midland, chair of the Texas State Board of Education; and Childs for comment. 

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State Democrats raised concerns about the new curriculum, with one state lawmaker saying it reduces representation of Black and Hispanic Texans.  (Getty)

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Southwest

San Antonio teen who vanished Christmas Eve found dead by suicide in nearby field after days-long search

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San Antonio teen who vanished Christmas Eve found dead by suicide in nearby field after days-long search

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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Texas authorities confirmed on Thursday a missing San Antonio teen who vanished on Christmas Eve took her own life.

Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, was last seen alive at about 7 a.m. on Dec. 24, walking a few blocks from her home.

Olmos’ body was found Tuesday in a field just a few hundred yards from her home, next to a gun, according to a report from affiliate FOX 7 Austin.

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Officials confirmed they found the body of Camila Mendoza Olmos, who went missing on Christmas Eve. (Help Find Camila Mendoza Olmos via Facebook)

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The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body as Olmos on Wednesday, determining the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and ruling the manner of death a suicide, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office previously said Olmos had a history of suicidal ideation and depression, noting there were no signs of foul play.

Camila Olmos was reported missing on Christmas Eve morning. (Bexar County Sheriff)

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MISSING CAMILA MENDOZA OLMOS: DASHCAM CAPTURES LAST SIGHTING OF TEXAS TEEN WHO VANISHED CHRISTMAS EVE

The body appeared to have been in the location where it was found for several days, according to authorities.

In a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, family members thanked the community for their support.

“In the name of the Olmos family, we want to give a humble and heartfelt thank you to all the news reporters, churches, friends, families, and communities for your support and prayers,” Nancy Olmos wrote in the post. “Our beloved Camila Mendoza Olmos is now with the Good Lord.”

Camila Mendoza Olmos’ manner of death was ruled a suicide, according to officials. (Help Find Camila Mendoza Olmos via Facebook)

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“We kindly ask that you please respect our pain and, most importantly, keep my cousin Rosario—Camila’s mom—and my nephew Carlos—Camila’s brother—in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” she added. “Thank you, and God bless you all.”

Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

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University of Oklahoma teaching assistant fired after flunking Christian student files appeal with school

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University of Oklahoma teaching assistant fired after flunking Christian student files appeal with school

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A University of Oklahoma graduate teaching assistant who was fired after flunking a Christian student who cited the Bible in an essay, causing a national uproar, is appealing the school’s decision. 

Brittany Stewart, a self-employed and self-described civil rights lawyer, said she is representing William “Mel” Curth, who assessed student Samantha Fulnecky a zero out of 25 on an assignment about gender norms.

“Today, my client, Mel Curth, submitted her appeal of the University’s Institutional Equity Office finding that she engaged in arbitrary and capricious grading of a student’s assignment in violation of that student’s religious liberty,” Stewart said on Bluesky earlier this week.

OU student Samantha Fulnecky, with her Bible, in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman/Imagn Images)

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“Ms. Curth fully denies that she engaged in any discriminatory behavior,” the statement continues. “It is her position that the investigation was flawed, failed to consider all possible motives and issues, and that new evidence has come to light that undermines the investigation’s conclusion.”

CONSERVATIVE PROFESSOR SLAMS 0 GRADE FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENT’S BIBLICAL ESSAY AS PUNITIVE: ‘VERY INAPPROPRIATE’

Stewart did not specify what the new evidence is.

For the assignment, Curth, who uses she/they pronouns, asked students to read a short paper called, “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 if they don’t conform to gender norms.

The students were instructed to provide a “thoughtful discussion of some aspect of the article.”

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Fulnecky, a junior at the school, responded by saying she thought gender norms should not be viewed as stereotypes. She cited Genesis, the first book of the Bible, in which God created men and women equally, but with separate purposes.

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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)

“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.”

She later described the normalization of non-binary gender as “demonic.”

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Curth took exception to Fulnecky’s response.

“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, later adding that the essay was “offensive” and claiming that science backs the idea that “gender is neither binary nor fixed.”

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There were three grading criteria, according to Fulnecky, who said none of those criteria listed empirical evidence as a requirement.

“Does the paper show a clear tie-in to the assigned article?” was the first, worth up to 10 out of the assignment’s 25 total points.

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“Does the paper present a thoughtful reaction or response to the article, rather than a summary?” was the second, also worth up to 10 points.

“Is the paper clearly written?” was the last criterion, worth up to five points.

OU student Samantha Fulnecky, with her Bible, in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

OU STUDENT’S ZERO FOR CHRISTIAN-BASED GENDER CRITIQUE TRIGGERS CONGRESSIONAL PUSHBACK OVER ACADEMIC BIAS

Fulnecky filed an official religious discrimination complaint with the school after receiving the zero grade, and Curth was put on administrative leave pending an investigation.

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On Dec. 22, the University of Oklahoma released a statement saying Curth had 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 school said. “The graduate teaching assistant will no longer have instructional duties at the University.”

Stewart said in her statement that Fulnecky had an ulterior political motive for challenging the grade, and slammed the university for making public statements while she said Curth is bound by “confidentiality rules.”

“Rather than engaging in discrimination, Mel Curth has been the target of a political movement that seeks to silence and/or oust LGBTQ people from academia,” Stewart’s statement concludes. “Ms. Curth will continue to fight back against these harmful allegations.”

A University of Oklahoma campus sign is pictured in Norman, Oklahoma, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Stewart and the University of Oklahoma for comment.

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