Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, Ryan Walters, has announced a plan to incorporate the Bible into school curriculum for grades 5-12, sparking controversy and backlash. He argues that the Bible is essential for understanding American history and Western civilization, while critics claim it violates the separation of church and state.
Oklahoma has become the first state to mandate Bible instruction in public schools, sparking debate over its educational purpose and potential infringement on religious freedom. Superintendent Ryan Walters claims the move aims to educate students about the Bible’s historical influence on American history, while critics argue it promotes a specific religious viewpoint.
Hemant Mistry, a 59-year-old Indian American motel manager, died after being assaulted by a stranger in Oklahoma. The assailant, Richard Lewis, has been arrested. Mistry was punched in the face after asking Lewis to leave the property. The incident has sparked reactions on social media, with some users expressing outrage and others discussing the need for intervention in such situations.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., successfully defended his seat in the House of Representatives, securing a victory in the Republican primary. Cole, who chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee, fended off a challenge from political outsider Paul Bondar, a businessman who poured millions of his own dollars into the race. Cole’s victory sets him on track for his 12th term in Congress.
Rep. Kevin Hern, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has won the Republican primary in Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, setting up a November race against either Evelyn Rogers or Dennis Baker. Hern, who has held the seat for six years, faced off against Paul Royse, who ran on a platform that was “against Trump.” Hern raised nearly $1.6 million, while Royse did not file any campaign finance disclosures.
Powerful storms have wreaked havoc across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, claiming the lives of 15 people, including two children, and leaving thousands without power. A tornado tore through Cooke County, Texas, leaving a trail of destruction and killing seven people, including two young children and three family members. In Oklahoma, guests at an outdoor wedding were injured as storms caused widespread damage, while in Arkansas, at least five people have been confirmed dead, including a 26-year-old woman found outside a destroyed home. Kentucky has also reported one fatality as the storms continue to impact the region. The storms have caused extensive property damage, flipping mobile homes and knocking down trees and power lines. Over 470,000 people are without electricity, with search and rescue efforts ongoing in affected areas.
The Biden administration is threatening legal action against Oklahoma over a new law that criminalizes illegal immigration and grants local law enforcement authority to arrest and deport undocumented individuals. The Justice Department contends that the law intrudes on federal jurisdiction over immigration enforcement, and the state is vowing to defend the measure. Similar laws in Iowa and Texas have already been challenged in court by the administration.
Multiple tornadoes struck Oklahoma and Nebraska on Saturday night, resulting in tragic fatalities, severe injuries, and widespread damage. In Oklahoma, the storms left at least four people dead, including an infant, and hundreds injured. The town of Sulphur was particularly hard-hit, with significant damage to buildings and homes. In Nebraska, a tornado struck an industrial building near Lincoln, collapsing the structure with 70 people inside. All occupants were safely evacuated with three non-life-threatening injuries reported. Other tornadoes caused damage in Omaha and surrounding areas, with wind speeds estimated at up to 165 mph.
Multiple tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands of residents without electricity. The storms flattened buildings in Sulphur, a town with a population of around 5,000, and injured over 100 people. Emergency responders conducted water rescues as heavy rain accompanied the tornadoes, leading to significant flooding. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency to mobilize resources for recovery efforts.
Oklahoma and neighboring Great Plains states have been battered by an exceptional outbreak of tornadoes, with separate weather systems spawning dozens of twisters across the region. At least two individuals have perished in the storms, including a four-month-old infant in Holdenville, Oklahoma. The National Weather Service confirmed 78 tornadoes on Friday, primarily in Nebraska and Iowa, followed by 35 more tornado reports on Saturday in areas stretching from northern Texas to Missouri. The storms have caused widespread devastation, flattening buildings, overturning vehicles, and stripping trees of vegetation. Rescue crews are tirelessly searching for victims and survivors amidst the wreckage, while officials have declared a state of emergency to expedite aid to impacted counties. The region is renowned for its frequent and powerful tornadoes during the spring season, but back-to-back major tornado outbreaks within a short period are highly unusual.
