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.
On April 28, a series of powerful tornadoes swept through Oklahoma, leaving a trail of injuries and widespread damage. The storms struck late on April 27 and early the following day, with the National Weather Service reporting multiple tornadoes on the ground across the state. The city of Sulphur was particularly hard-hit, with at least two large tornadoes damaging property and prompting flood warnings. Emergency services are responding to reports of damage and assisting affected communities.
Filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung’s upcoming sequel ‘Twisters’ captures the essence of the 1996 disaster film ‘Twister’ while exploring the evolving nature of storms and the technology surrounding them. Filmed in Oklahoma, the movie showcases the state’s unpredictable tornado season and the passion of a new generation of storm chasers.
Oklahoma authorities have apprehended a fifth suspect, Paul Grice, in connection with the gruesome murders of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. The victims, both Kansas mothers, vanished on March 30 while driving to retrieve their children. Their bodies were later discovered in rural Texas County, igniting a search for their killers. The case has taken a sinister turn with the involvement of ‘God’s Misfits,’ an anti-government group linked to some of the earlier arrests. Authorities suspect foul play and are actively investigating the motive behind this heinous crime.
An Oklahoman recently lost a fantasy football bet and had to undertake a nearly 15-mile walk from Edmond to the Paycom Center as punishment. Despite minimal physical preparation, the man received support from various organizations and even won two tickets to a Thunder game. His friends accompanied him on the journey, and the experience reminded him of the lesson that “the last shall be first and the first shall be last.”
Oklahoma prosecutors have charged a fifth member of an anti-government group with the murder and kidnapping of two Kansas women. Paul Jeremiah Grice, 31, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit murder in Texas County. Grice admitted his involvement in the killing and burial of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jillian Kelley, 39, of Hugoton, Kansas, to an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent, according to court documents. Grice is being held without bond at the Texas County Detention Center. Court records do not indicate whether he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Four other members of the group, including Tifany Adams, 54, and her boyfriend, Tad Cullum, 43, of Keyes, and Cole, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, of Texhoma, Oklahoma, have also been charged in connection with the deaths and are being held without bail.
Jason Zan, an archeologist from Edmond, Oklahoma, and his girlfriend, Harriet Campbell, a professional baker from New Zealand, are embarking on a mission to provide food for Ukrainians close to the front lines. The couple met online when Campbell needed assistance sending tourniquets to Ukraine, and Zan’s experience volunteering in the country led him to help her. They have since volunteered in western Ukraine and plan to move to the country for three months in August to cook and distribute meals. Zan and Campbell are raising funds through Sooner Hope for Ukraine to support their mission and encourage Oklahomans to continue caring about the ongoing war.
