An Oklahoma judge ruled on February 13 that a woman had no parental rights to a son she raised with her ex-wife but that the sperm donor for the child has a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lawsuit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">legal claim</a> as the father.
Kris Williams was married to Rebekah Wilson when Wilson gave birth to a baby in August 2019, per <a href="https://people.com/human-interest/woman-has-no-parental-rights-for-son-raised-with-ex-wife-oklahoma-judge-rules/">People</a>. Williams was listed on the child’s birth certificate as “second mother,” the publication notes. But everything got complicated after the pair split up. 
The ruling says that Williams intentionally chose a known sperm donor when she decided to have a child &#8220;in order for the minor child to know and have a relationship with his biological father.&#8221;
Wilson agreed to a &#8220;Known Sperm Donor Agreement&#8221; with sperm donor Harlan Vaughn. The document stated that she would &#8220;conceive and raise a child,&#8221; and that &#8220;Wilson and the ‘conceived child&#8217; would constitute a &#8216;family,'&#8221; per <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23649403-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">court documents</a>.
The documents further state that Wilson and Vaughn &#8220;participated in several at-home, non-medically assisted inseminations” in December 2018 which resulted in Wilson getting pregnant with Vaughn’s biological child.
Next, Wilson and Williams <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lgbtq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">married</a> on June 1, 2019, while Wilson was still pregnant and Williams was aware of that fact. Williams was present at the baby’s birth and the child was given the last name of Williams. Vaughn was not at the birth, but was notified, the documents say.
The filing also notes that Williams was an active part of the child’s life until November 2021, which is when Wilson filed a Victim Protective Order against Williams, citing “domestic abuse and harassment.” It was at this point that Wilson took the child and moved in with Vaughn, the child’s father.
Wilson filed for divorce from Williams in December 2021 and shared in the filing that the pair did not have any children, but that &#8220;there is one child that was born during the marriage, however, the alleged/biological father has held himself out as the father for approximately the last year and a half, the minor child knows his biological father and his biological extended family.” It was also noted in documents that the child called Vaughn &#8220;dad.&#8221;
One reason the Oklahoma judge ruled in favor of the biological father is that Williams failed to pursue legal adoption while she was still married to Wilson. 
&#8220;Williams, through her testimony and exhibits presented during the trial, admitted that she and Wilson discussed adoption. Furthermore, Williams admitted she knew that under Oklahoma Law she needed to adopt the minor child to establish parental rights,&#8221; Oklahoma County District Judge Lynne McGuire wrote in her decision. 
&#8220;The reality is that the law provides a legal remedy available to Williams. She knowingly chose not to pursue it.&#8221;
In 2022, Wilson gave birth to another baby with Vaughn. They all still live together, People noted. &#8220;The minor child now has a sibling that lives with him in the family home,&#8221; the judge stated in her ruling.
Williams’ lawyer plans to appeal the decision, claiming it’s discriminatory against the LGBTQ community. Robyn Hopkins argued that same-sex couples shouldn’t have to pursue legal adoption to be considered parents. 
&#8220;What happens when you&#8217;re in the middle of an adoption, but the two of you decide to separate? You have to be happily married because you need the birth mother to consent to the adoption,&#8221; Hopkins said. 
&#8220;But also, what happens if you can&#8217;t afford an adoption or don&#8217;t know how to do it or if you don&#8217;t believe in marriage? There&#8217;s tons of straight people out there that do paternity cases, and they&#8217;re not married.&#8221;

Photo of newborn baby feet

Judge Rules Woman Has No Parental Rights For Son She Raised With Ex-Wife, But Sperm Donor Does

Judge Rules Woman Has No Parental Rights for Son She Raised with Ex-Wife, But Sperm Donor Does

Adoption

Lawsuit

LGBTQ

Oklahoma

<a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma</a> Treasurer Todd Russ warned investment companies that they would lose access to state funds in two months if they fail to prove they are not involved in the environmental, social, and corporate governance movement, also known as <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/esg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESG</a>.
Russ sent a letter to several dozen financial companies, including asset managers BlackRock and Vanguard and investment banks JPMorgan Chase and UBS, warning that his office would enforce a <a href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2021-22%20ENR/hB/HB2034%20ENR.PDF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state law</a> passed last year against <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/oil-and-gas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">energy</a> company boycotts launched “without an ordinary business purpose.” Firms considered to be boycotting energy companies will be placed on a statewide list and will no longer be able to service government investments.
“Such a listing will prohibit Oklahoma governmental entities from investing in, and may potentially require divestment from your company, your company’s affiliates and subsidiaries, or investment vehicles affiliated with your company, its affiliates or subsidiaries,” said the letter obtained by The Daily Wire. “Your company may be presumed to be boycotting energy companies under Oklahoma law if you fail to timely respond to this request.”
The letter asks the companies whether they have “committed or pledged to meet environmental standards, such as reducing your greenhouse gas emissions, beyond applicable federal or state law” and whether they are members of the Net Zero Asset Managers or similar initiatives, under which firms <a href="https://www.netzeroassetmanagers.org/commitment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vow</a> to move portfolio companies closer toward eliminating net carbon emissions.
Vanguard recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vanguard-drops-out-of-climate-initiative-as-reaction-against-woke-investing-continues" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opted to withdraw</a> from the initiative to “provide the clarity our investors desire about the role of index funds and about how we think about material risks, including climate-related risks,” according to a <a href="https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/articles/update-on-nzam-engagement.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. The pivot occurred hours after lawmakers in the state of Texas <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-subpoenas-schedules-hearing-for-blackrock-playing-politics-using-texans-hard-earned-money" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a hearing over asset managers’ alleged mismanagement of taxpayer dollars driven by ideological motives.
Russ, who assumed office last month, said in a statement provided to The Daily Wire that he immediately began assembling a list of companies that “act against Oklahoma’s interests” because of their endorsement of the ESG movement. Critics of the investment philosophy assert that the strategy seeks outcomes in social causes, such as reducing emissions and achieving racial diversity, in a manner that compromises or distracts from profit maximization.
“It is my responsibility to ensure Oklahoman’s tax dollars will not be used to enrich organizations that act counter to our taxpayers’ interests and our values,” Russ remarked. “This questionnaire provides an opportunity for financial companies to attest to their business actions as they relate to Oklahoma. Other states are taking similar steps, and Oklahoma joins them in asserting that we will not do business with financial companies who discriminate against or boycott our energy industries and businesses.”
The action comes after Republican state treasurers <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/states-have-pulled-nearly-12-billion-from-blackrock-this-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">divested</a> some $12 billion from asset manager BlackRock last year over the firm’s promotion of the ESG movement. The Oklahoma Public Retirement System <a href="https://www.opers.ok.gov/investments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invested</a> roughly $7.4 billion through BlackRock investment products as of two years ago; Russ said that the fund now has $10 billion in assets, constituting more than 60% of its overall portfolio, invested with BlackRock.
Texas similarly passed a law against asset managers “refusing to deal with” companies involved in the production and use of fossil fuels “without an ordinary business purpose.” State lawmakers recently hosted a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-subpoenas-schedules-hearing-for-blackrock-playing-politics-using-texans-hard-earned-money" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hearing</a> to determine the extent to which taxpayer funds were placed at risk as a result of firms’ adoption of ESG investment strategies.

Oklahoma State Capitol Building

Oklahoma Treasurer Puts Banks And Asset Managers On Notice, Moves To Purge ESG Investments From State Government

Oklahoma Moves To Purge ESG Investments From State Government

Climate Change

Energy

Oil and Gas

Politics

A search for missing Oklahoma 4-year-old Athena Brownfield ended in tragedy after remains discovered last week were positively identified as belonging to the missing girl.
Brownfield was first discovered missing on January 10 after a mail carrier found her 5-year-old sister wandering around outside of a home in Cyril, Oklahoma, CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/17/us/athena-brownfield-ivon-adams-caretaker-beat-death-affidavit/index.html">reported</a>. Ivon Adams and his wife Alysia were arrested days later and charged in Brownfield’s disappearance. The two were caring for the two young girls, police allege.
“Due to a gag order filed in Caddo County District Court, there is no additional comment on the investigation from the OSBI,” the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) said in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OSBI.OK?hc_ref=ARTg3ns84Qw9tROP8G2jVWmBNURNGrblR3I_3nZj8dNsL0bPr70Zf6WXx3GHirQFq7g&amp;fref=nf&amp;__xts__%5b0%5d=68.ARBYEH2kAoHekDVReyu0X5lNwZiLwd_2MVejobQRkQ1PMNHKSCvvW6uFBtdS1fKf9dYeSf6whEKL23qV1D-H6sAGR_zZEl5SWuv43BvklVGPVQ21XL-H1oJ0Ztl57fLCZH4ce7QUC4ZGrCtM01fK4mNCB5pq0gPSfYhDAOAeCxHVmwjpQKh1P5PRejb8RNIRMXZwGK3K2lHHudaRXEoLkeDeBZzdbAp7e5-5hKlIGrznUn91jhkL0GKGMsh8ZOWaqj87cUSVHv4eD2A2lMpH3j5654_5lUKdnaErw9D1RkmTbc8">a statement</a> posted to Facebook.
Ivon faces additional charges of first-degree murder and felony child neglect and is accused of beating Brownfield to death and burying her near his old house. Alysia has pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony child neglect. She is accused of “failing to protect (Athena) from physical abuse” from her husband, a charging document said.
On January 12, Alysia confessed in an interview with authorities that Ivon beat Brownfield multiple times on Christmas night, leading to her death.
Alysia detailed the brutal details of her husband’s alleged murder, saying that after he beat Brownfield, he “held her up by her arms” and saw that she was “not moving and her eyes were barely open,” the arrest affidavit said.
Ivon allegedly then “laid her on the ground and punched her at least three more times in the chest.” Brownfield stopped moving after that beating.
He then allegedly “buried her near a fence line” outside their old house in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, according to court documents. Alysia allegedly told authorities that Ivon placed a “large broken branch” over the ground where he buried the young girl.
Ivon was arrested in Arizona and was extradited back to Oklahoma, where he is currently in jail.
On January 17, the OSBI <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OSBI.OK/posts/pfbid0232hmWocnfWh3o1nrADxmYJ4TJaF9sCk1sjMe6XPftb8Y5Zvbf7HUsi1VNpEbP9ghl">announced</a> that it had “recovered the remains of a child in rural Grady County outside of Rush Springs.” At the time, the bureau couldn’t confirm the remains were those of Brownfield, but said they had been taken to the medical examiner’s office in Oklahoma City for identification.
Court documents revealed that the Adams had been caring for Brownfield and her older sister for the past two years, after the children’s biological mother left them in their care for unknown reasons. The couple allegedly didn’t take the girls to the doctor and didn’t enroll Brownfield’s older sister in school.
A funeral for Brownfield was held on Wednesday.

Forensic Science

Remains Found In Oklahoma Identified As Missing 4-Year-Old Athena Brownfield

Child Abuse

Children

Crime

Murder

U.S.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma</a> State head football coach Mike Gundy slammed a reporter this week during a press conference after his team lost their bowl game.
The press conference took place Tuesday night after the Cowboy&#8217;s 24-17 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
A reporter asked Gundy, “With the portal now, staff changes happen earlier and earlier in the year … do you anticipate making any changes to your staff between now and the end of the season?”
“Do you think I would tell you if I was making staff changes?” an agitated Gundy responded. “Then why would you ask?”
When the reporter said it was his job to ask, Gundy responded, “Well, I might have to cut you out.”
“Don’t be an ass,” Gundy said. “Really? Those are people’s lives, man. That’s people’s families. Don’t mess with people’s families. Let’s do this the right way … it’s not fair to people’s families, man. I’m not mad about the game, I just don’t like ignorance.”
WATCH:
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The ending of Mike Gundy’s press conference got extra frosty when he was asked about the potential of making any staff changes. | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/okstate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#okstate</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ocollysports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocollysports</a> | <a href="https://t.co/O6BRG6mO9L">pic.twitter.com/O6BRG6mO9L</a>
&mdash; Ben Hutchens (@Ben_Hutchens_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ben_Hutchens_/status/1608001272585793537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Back in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter riots, Gundy <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/oklahoma-state-player-protests-mike-gundy-t-shirt-gundy-backs-down-in-apology-now-hes-being-brutally-mocked" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced</a> an outrage mob on Twitter that was led by one of his top players who disapproved of a t-shirt that he wore while fishing that featured the name of a conservative publication.
Chuba Hubbard, a running back from Canada, saw a picture of Gundy wearing the shirt on Twitter and responded by writing: “I will not stand for this. This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it’s unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE.”
The tweet was retweeted tens of thousands of times and quickly generated headlines that Gundy attempted to quell by releasing a <a href="https://twitter.com/Hubbard_RMN/status/1272673812795084801" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> with Hubbard, which didn’t do much.
Gundy later released a video in which he apologized for wearing the t-shirt.
“I had a great meeting with our team today. Our players expressed their feelings as individuals and as team members,” Gundy said. “They helped me see through their eyes how the t-shirt effected their hearts. Once I learned how that network felt about Black Lives Matter, I was disgusted and knew it was completely unacceptable to me.”
“I want to apologize to all members of our team, former players, and their families for the pain and discomfort that has been caused over the last two days,” Gundy continued. “Black lives matter to me, our players matter to me. These meetings with our team have been eye-opening and will result in positive changes for Oklahoma State football. I sincerely hope the Oklahoma State family near and far will accept my humble apology as we move forward.”

Guaranteed Rate Bowl – Wisconsin v Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State Football Coach Blasts Reporter After Loss: ‘Don’t Be An A**’

Oklahoma State Football Coach Blasts Reporter After Loss: 'Don't Be An A**'

College Football

Football

General

A Republican legislator in Oklahoma has moved to ban gender transition procedures from being provided to anyone under the age of 21.
The <a href="https://legiscan.com/OK/text/HB1011/id/2614865">bill</a> seeks to ban medical professionals from providing or referring controversial procedures like puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex-change surgeries for those under 21. The legislation would also block such procedures or services on the young from being tied to public funding, and any organization or hospital found in violation would lose such funding.
“It’s irresponsible for anybody in health care to provide or recommend life-altering surgeries that may later be regretted,” <a href="https://kfor.com/news/local/representative-files-bill-to-prevent-gender-affirming-care-for-oklahomans-under-21/">said</a> Republican Oklahoma State Rep. Jim Olsen, who introduced HB 1011 on Thursday.
“We know there are some people who undergo the gender transition process and later identify as their biological sex,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Performing irreversible procedures on young people can do irreparable harm to them mentally and physically later in life.”
Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/oklahoma-governor-signs-bill-stopping-gender-transition-services-at-childrens-hospital">signed</a> a bill in October banning <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/gender">gender</a> transition procedures for children at an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma</a> pediatric hospital after the public voiced outrage about the hospital&#8217;s practices.
“By signing this bill today we are taking the first step to protect children from permanent gender transition surgeries and therapies,” the governor <a href="https://oklahoma.gov/governor/newsroom/newsroom/2022/october2022/governor-stitt-signs-bill-to-prevent-gender-transition-services-.html">said</a> in a news release at the time. “It is wildly inappropriate for taxpayer dollars to be used for condoning, promoting, or performing these types of controversial procedures on healthy children.”
Stitt also said the legislation didn&#8217;t go far enough, seemingly an invitation for Olsen&#8217;s bill.
“I am calling for the Legislature to ban all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors when they convene next session in February 2023,” Stitt said. “We cannot turn a blind eye to what’s happening all across our nation, and as governor I will not allow life-altering transition surgeries on minor children in the state of Oklahoma.”
Similar legislation intended to protect young people from such procedures has popped up in other Republican states, like Arkansas, Tennessee, Arizona, and Alabama.
Tennessee Republicans last month <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-tennessee-introduces-legislation-to-ban-trans-treatments-for-minors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> Senate Bill 1, the Protecting Children from Gender Mutilation Act, which would prohibit doctors from prescribing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and performing gender-related surgeries on minors for the purpose of medical transition.
Tennessee’s Republican Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson also introduced a bill aimed at protecting children from sexualized drag queen events, <a href="https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/SB0003.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate Bill 3</a>. The bill is set to be debated during the next legislative session, which begins on January 10, and is likely to pass since Republicans hold super-majorities in both legislative chambers.
Mairead Elordi contributed to this report 
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-gop-moves-to-protect-children-from-sexualized-drag-queen-events">Tennessee GOP Moves To Protect Children From Sexualized Drag Queen Events</a>

A girl holds the Transgender Pride flag during the pride

State Legislator Moves To Ban Gender Transition Procedures For Anyone Under 21 Years Old

Oklahoma Moves To Ban Gender Transition Services For Children

Kevin Stitt

Social Issues

Oklahoma authorities arrested an assistant district attorney Monday for allegedly possessing child pornography.
Kevin Etherington, the 53-year-old first assistant district attorney of Logan and Payne Counties, was arrested in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on one count of aggravated possession of child pornography and one count of violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, according to <a href="https://okcfox.com/news/local/osbi-cybertips-kevin-etherington-child-porn-charges-payne-county-logan-violation-jail-possession-suspect">local media</a>.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tipped off the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) in September, which resulted in authorities executing a search warrant at the former district attorney&#8217;s home on Monday.
Authorities later transported Etherington to the Payne County Jail.
&#8220;I cannot express how dismayed and disappointed I am about this development,&#8221; District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas said about the case, according to <a href="https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/crime/2022/11/29/assistant-da-kevin-etherington-arrested-after-child-pornography-investigation/69684400007/">The Oklahoman</a>. &#8220;I personally find the manufacture, distribution, and possession of child pornography to be both disgusting and incredibly damaging to individual victims and society.&#8221;
Thomas said authorities terminated Etherington after working in Payne and Logan Counties for eight years.
&#8220;While the accused stands innocent of the alleged crime until proven guilty, my review of the investigation has resulted in this person&#8217;s dismissal from employment by my office,&#8221; Thomas said.
Thomas thanked the OSBI &#8220;for their diligence in finding these offenders throughout our state, regardless of who they may be.&#8221;
&#8220;Let me be clear that my loyalty is to you, the people I represent in my district, and in upholding the law and protecting our citizens, particularly the most vulnerable of us,&#8221; she said.
OSBI authorities said the Payne and Logan Counties district attorney fully cooperated with the police investigation.

Personal-224316-eK1-20221128-182949

Oklahoma Assistant District Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Possessing Child Pornography

Oklahoma Assistant District Attorney Arrested, Fired For Possessing Child Pornography

Child pornography

District Attorneys

Pornography

At least two people are dead and others were injured after tornadoes struck Oklahoma, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/texas">Texas</a>, and Arkansas late Friday, leaving widespread destruction and power outages.
The two people who died were from <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma">Oklahoma</a> and Texas, according to reports.
&#8220;A heartbreaking site touring Idabel this morning. 100+ homes and businesses destroyed from last night&#8217;s storm,&#8221; Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) tweeted on Saturday after visiting the impacted areas.
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A heartbreaking site touring Idabel this morning. 100+ homes and businesses destroyed from last night&#39;s storm.
I will declare a state of emergency in affected counties to ensure these communities have support and resources from the state.
Pray for all those affected. <a href="https://t.co/ZEXKChUQ2j">pic.twitter.com/ZEXKChUQ2j</a>
&mdash; Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovStitt/status/1588913808000823296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Stitt issued an <a href="https://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/2052.pdf">emergency declaration</a> on Saturday for four counties in Oklahoma.
“The state stands ready to send all the help, support, and resources southeastern Oklahoma needs to recover and rebuild from this devastating storm. Oklahomans are strong and resilient. We will build back these homes and businesses,” Stitt said in a <a href="https://oklahoma.gov/governor/newsroom/newsroom/2022/november2022/governor-stitt-declares-state-of-emergency-for-bryan--mccurtain-.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> regarding Bryan, Choctaw, LeFlore, and McCurtain Counties.
The governor also noted one confirmed fatality in his state.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Just finished touring the damage in Idabel. What I saw was Oklahomans coming together to help each other. One fatality has been confirmed. We are praying for his family. <a href="https://t.co/w0LGWAY3ND">pic.twitter.com/w0LGWAY3ND</a>
&mdash; Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovStitt/status/1588923150028640259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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At least three separate tornadoes also touched down along the Texas-Arkansas border area that included Morris County, Texas. County Judge Doug Reeder stated that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063792636471" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one person</a> was killed during the storm in his county, though the identity of the individual was unnamed.
Lamar County, Texas, also declared a disaster after at least two dozen people were injured, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=442784851378654&amp;set=pcb.442142358109570" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> county officials.
The National Weather Service <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LamarCoSoTX/posts/pfbid02Bo9PX5ttPkMx6WTV7gW9YkqPGBhN3BmvDAmGyjzBJ1M3evG6ABLVe9cNenTxybN3l?__cft__[0]=AZV1hmG-p6RsNvdXuNe0b88guzLl0IeR6n9E6n_dk90Zn8Bin7h98GHWnrjKvpBqG5fnYyEqcwXu_fkbFj9QO8bbq47-QN8gSLjrA07LTCN4fifq7gt5NDWX8sLRqRGIIT6h_z_xR0rN41XYhVueB-Izhncmkr3h5lwfxdSA2o-WU6byoGrIaalNyKRQBiKGkSO1pjKxL0qIZAsHiV278TNZ&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" target="_blank" rel="noopener">estimated</a> that the tornado in Lamar County was an EF3, though it is still evaluating the data, according to the Lamar County Sheriff&#8217;s Office.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also released a statement extending the state&#8217;s storm response on Saturday.
&#8220;The State of Texas stands with Texans and communities impacted by yesterday&#8217;s and last night&#8217;s severe weather across northeast Texas, and I have deployed all available resources to help respond and recover,&#8221; Abbott <a href="https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-extends-state-response-recovery-efforts-following-severe-storms-in-northeast-texas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) also tweeted his support following the Friday night storms that caused damages in his state.
&#8220;Pretty rough night of storms across Arkansas last night with property damage and power outages,&#8221; he tweeted. &#8220;Grateful for our local first responders and power crews for excellent work.&#8221;
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Pretty rough night of storms across Arkansas last night with property damage and power outages. Grateful for our local first responders and power crews for excellent work.
&mdash; Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) <a href="https://twitter.com/AsaHutchinson/status/1588892224821264384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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More than 20,000 homes in the affected areas were without power as of Saturday evening, according to <a href="https://poweroutage.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Poweroutage.us</a>.

Center For Severe Weather Research Scientists Search For Tornadoes To Study

2 Killed, Others Injured After Weekend Tornadoes In Oklahoma, Texas, And Arkansas

Arkansas

Severe Weather

Texas

Tornado

The family that died last week in a house fire in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma">Oklahoma</a>, which is being investigated as a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">murder</a>&#8211;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/suicide">suicide</a>, was facing mounting financial problems.
The couple who died in the fire, identified by the Broken Arrow Police Department as Brian and Brittney Nelson, filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Brian was also suffering from severe headaches following a concussion he sustained at his previous job, his parents <a href="https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/tulsa-couple-mourning-suspected-murder-suicide-of-son-daughter-in-law-and-six-grandchildren-in/article_adc6283a-571a-11ed-9ab5-ff7b79596c6b.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">told</a> Tulsa World.
“I want people to know that at one time he had all his brain together,” his mother, Marilyn Nelson, told the outlet. “I just don’t understand why they did what they did. I just don’t understand why he ended up in that situation. I talk to God all the time — and I just don’t understand.”
Marilyn and Brian’s father, Danny, told Tulsa World they were supposed to babysit their grandchildren on the day of the fire, but at the designated time, they hadn’t heard from their son.
“Five came and went. Then it was 6. I texted them — no responses,” Danny told Tulsa World. “I turned on the 6 o’clock news, and they said there had been a fire near Hickory and Galveston in Broken Arrow. That’s where my son lives.”
Danny said he drove to his son’s home, finding crime scene tape outside. Inside, Brian and Brittney’s six children were found dead in a bedroom while their parents were in the front of the house, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/oklahoma-house-fire-that-killed-8-being-investigated-as-murder-suicide">reported</a>. Though a fire had been set, it doesn’t appear to be the cause of any of the eight deaths.
“All night last night, I kept saying: &#8216;It’s not real! It’s not real! It’s not real!’ And I couldn’t stop. But today, I know it’s real — too real,” Marilyn told Tulsa World. “I never dreamed this would happen.”
According to bankruptcy filings reviewed by Tulsa World, Brian and Brittney listed $8,803 in assets and $138,000 in liabilities, mostly unpaid student loans. Both adults were unemployed at the time they filed for bankruptcy and were receiving welfare. The couple also listed nine firearms as assets.
Years ago, Brian stocked dairy refrigerators for a large retail chain, his parents said.
“One night when he got there, the guy who had just gotten off work before him had spilled something and did not mop the floor and Brian fell, and he hit his head really hard. The doctor said that it was a very rare concussion and told Brian that either it would go away or it would stay — and it stayed,” Marilyn told the outlet. “The headaches were horrible, and he never knew when he was going to get them.”
Brian and Brittney are the “primary suspects” in what is being investigated as a murder-suicide, though police still aren’t sure whether both parents were involved in the deaths.

Close-Up Of A Firefighter Spraying Burning House With Hose

Family That Died In Suspected Oklahoma Murder-Suicide Faced Financial Problems

Suicide

A house fire in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma</a> that claimed the lives of eight people, including six children, is being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill said during a news conference on Friday that police are looking into whether both adults found at the scene were involved in the deaths, noting that the six children ranged in age from one to 13, the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fires-homicide-tulsa-oklahoma-a873c9e0cd6e52968a1ff912d23f6af2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Berryhill didn’t give the names of the victims or their relationship to one another, though he did note that they were all family members living together.
The two adults who were found dead in the home are currently the “primary suspects,” since they were found in the front of the house. All the children were found in a bedroom, where the fire was set.
Ethan Hutchins, a police spokesman, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/oklahoma-house-fire-8-people-found-dead-after-blaze-police-investigating-possible-homicide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Fox News that police were still investigating exactly what happened.
&#8220;Preliminary reports are that this is going to be a homicide investigation,&#8221; Hutchins said. &#8220;We&#8217;re still focused on trying to put out the fire and also investigate what happened to these victims.&#8221;
The spokesman told the AP that the medical examiner’s office would have to complete its work before the identities of the victims are released.
Further, Broken Arrow Fire Department Chief Jeremy Moore said Friday that so far, it doesn’t appear that any of the deaths were related to the fire. The police chief added that guns were found in the home.
“To arrive on scene yesterday and to see the looks on our first responders’ and firefighters’ faces just absolutely broke my heart,” Moore said during the news conference, according to the AP.
Police and firefighters were called to the house fire in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, at around 4 p.m. on Thursday. They found the two adults in the front of the house with fatal injuries that “appeared criminal in nature,” Moore said Friday. The children were found elsewhere in the home, where the fire appeared to be focused, ABC News <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/dead-oklahoma-house-fire-police/story?id=92240575" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
Catelin Powers, who witnessed the fire, told the AP that she saw two men and a woman on her phone outside the home, with another man coming out of the house dragging what appeared to be an unconscious, unresponsive woman from the home.
“Her arms were flopped to her sides,” Powers told the outlet.

House burns fire with flames and smoke in the small town of Rumford, Maine USA

Oklahoma House Fire That Killed 8 Being Investigated As Murder-Suicide

Fire

Homicide

A convicted felon named as a “person of interest” in the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">killing</a> and dismemberment of four <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma">Oklahoma</a> cyclists has been arrested in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida">Florida</a>.
Joe Kennedy, 67, was arrested while driving a stolen vehicle in Daytona Beach Shores, the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/10/18/person-of-interest-in-murder-of-4-oklahoma-men-arrested-in-florida/">reported</a>. Kennedy had been previously named a “person of interest” in connection to the deaths of four men in Oklahoma who set out on their bikes nearly a week before their bodies were discovered.
“The murder investigation is ongoing and investigators continue to follow leads every day,” Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said in a statement on Tuesday, according to the Post. Prentice, however, declined to call Kennedy a suspect and said he is merely being brought back to Oklahoma for questioning.
Kennedy became a person of interest after blood evidence showing a “violent event” was found at a scrap yard he owns near where the cyclists’ bodies were found. The bodies of Mark Chastain, 32; Billy Chastain, 30; Mike Sparks, 32; and Alex Stevens, 29, were discovered in the Deep Fork River outside Okmulgee, Oklahoma, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/remains-found-oklahoma-identified-4-missing-men-police-say-shot-dismem-rcna52625">reported</a>.
The four men had been shot and then dismembered before their bodies were disposed of in the river.
&#8220;We believe the men planned to commit some type of criminal act,&#8221; Prentice told reporters after the bodies were found. “We do not know what they planned or where they planned to do it.”
The idea that the four men had set off to commit a crime came from a single witness who said he had been invited along with the four friends to &#8220;hit a lick big enough for all of them,” according to Prentice, who used the same slang as the witness.
The police investigation led to a scrap yard, where &#8220;Nothing remarkable was observed inside the salvage yard, but evidence of a violent event was discovered on an adjoining property,&#8221; Prentice told reporters.
Kennedy owns the salvage yard and was named a “person of interest.” He was initially questioned last Friday after a search of his salvage yard but denied knowing the murdered men. He was reported missing on Saturday “and may be suicidal,” Prentice said, according to NBC.
Cell phone records showed the victims’ phones last pinging in Kennedy’s scrap yard.
Kennedy is currently serving a 10-year suspended sentence for an assault and battery charge stemming from a 2012 encounter between him and six men who broke into his scrap yard, the Post reported. Kennedy at the time pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon after he shot and injured one of the intruders.
He is currently being held in Florida for grand theft auto, the Post reported.

A small group of mountain bikers cycling along a mountain bike trail

Convicted Felon Arrested For Questioning In Killing, Dismemberment Of Four Oklahoma Cyclists

Florida

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill on Tuesday that prohibits <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/gender">gender</a> transition services for children at an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma</a> pediatric hospital.
The <a href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2021-22%20ENR/SB/SB3XX%20ENR.PDF">bill</a> requires Oklahoma Children’s Hospital to stop offering gender services to minors in order to keep millions of dollars in federal COVID relief money.
&#8220;By signing this bill today we are taking the first step to protect children from permanent gender transition surgeries and therapies,&#8221; the governor <a href="https://oklahoma.gov/governor/newsroom/newsroom/2022/october2022/governor-stitt-signs-bill-to-prevent-gender-transition-services-.html">said</a> in a news release. &#8220;It is wildly inappropriate for taxpayer dollars to be used for condoning, promoting, or performing these types of controversial procedures on healthy children.&#8221;
The governor also said the bill does not go far enough and called on the legislature to ban medical gender transition for children across the state.
&#8220;I am calling for the Legislature to ban all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors when they convene next session in February 2023,&#8221; Stitt said. &#8220;We cannot turn a blind eye to what’s happening all across our nation, and as governor I will not allow life-altering transition surgeries on minor children in the state of Oklahoma.&#8221;
Senate Bill 3XX goes into effect immediately.
According to the new law, the money cannot go toward “gender reassignment medical treatment” for minors, including interventions to suppress the development of secondary sex characteristics or to “align the patient’s appearance or physical body with the patient’s gender identity.”
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital announced last week that it is planning to halt “certain gender medicine services” in order to keep funding for its new pediatric mental health facility.
The hospital was poised to lose $39.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds.
“The Legislature restricted the use of the funds from benefitting facilities performing certain gender medicine services. The new mental and behavioral health facility was never intended to provide such care. The OU Health Senior Leadership team is proactively planning the ceasing of certain gender medicine services across our facilities and that plan is already under development,” OU Health <a href="https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-ou-health-gender-health-services/41413025#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement.
Oklahoma Children’s is part of OU Health, the University of Oklahoma’s health system.
As recently as earlier this week, Oklahoma Children’s offered a variety of different gender services, including “pausing puberty,” “managing gender-affirming hormone therapy,” and “helping find surgeons who perform gender-affirming surgeries,” <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20221002220636/https://www.ouhealth.com/oklahoma-childrens-hospital/childrens-services/adolescent-medicine/sexuality-gender-identity-issues/">according</a> to an archived version of its website.
The website has now been <a href="https://www.ouhealth.com/oklahoma-childrens-hospital/childrens-services/adolescent-medicine/sexuality-gender-identity-issues/">updated</a> to remove references to pausing puberty, hormone treatments, and surgery referrals, along with a statement from the health system about the new legislation.
&#8220;In light of the legislation signed by Governor Stitt, we have ceased hormone-related prescription therapies and surgical procedures for gender-affirming services on patients under the age of 18,&#8221; reads the statement from OU Health.
&#8220;OU Health provides care in accordance with all state and federal laws and in compliance with regulatory governing bodies,&#8221; OU Health added.
Oklahoma Republicans <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/oklahoma-childrens-hospital-ends-gender-medicine-services-after-state-threatens-funding">said</a> they wanted to give the money to OU Health for its new pediatric mental health hospital, and behavioral health is the priority right now.
“I’m thankful for language in this bill that protects children from the practice of mutilation through gender reassignment medical treatment,” <a href="https://www.city-sentinel.com/health/state-representative-kevin-west-supports-special-session-bill-to-restrict-gender-reassignments-at-ou-childrens/article_ef5100c4-3e95-11ed-8dfd-772290284730.html">said</a> State Rep. Kevin West (R), who represents Oklahoma City. “This unbelievably harmful practice cannot be reversed, and has lasting physical and psychological consequences that can damage these children for the rest of their lives.”

US-POLITICS-TRUMP-VIRUS-HEALTH

Oklahoma Governor Signs Bill Stopping Gender Transition Services At Children’s Hospital

An <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oklahoma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma</a> pediatric hospital will stop offering some <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/gender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gender-related</a> medical services after the state threatened to pull millions of dollars in funding.
Oklahoma Children&#8217;s Hospital announced Tuesday it is planning to halt &#8220;certain gender medicine services&#8221; in order to keep funding for its new pediatric mental health facility.
&#8220;The Legislature restricted the use of the funds from benefitting facilities performing certain gender medicine services. The new mental and behavioral health facility was never intended to provide such care. The OU Health Senior Leadership team is proactively planning the ceasing of certain gender medicine services across our facilities and that plan is already under development,&#8221; OU Health <a href="https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-ou-health-gender-health-services/41413025#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement.
Oklahoma Children&#8217;s is part of OU Health, the University of Oklahoma&#8217;s health system.
The hospital was poised to lose $39.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds thanks to a <a href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2021-22%20COMMITTEE%20SUBS/HCCS/HB1007XX%20CCS.PDF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bill</a>, House Bill 1007, requiring the hospital to stop offering gender surgeries in order to keep the funding.
Oklahoma Republicans <a href="https://www.oudaily.com/news/ou-health-to-cease-some-services-in-light-of-state-bill-blocking-funding-for-gender/article_cb6efa56-3ea1-11ed-be88-9b5ff427913d.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> they wanted to give the money to OU Health for its new pediatric mental health hospital, but the money cannot go toward “gender reassignment medical treatment” for minors, including interventions to suppress the development of secondary sex characteristics or to &#8220;align the patient&#8217;s appearance or physical body with the patient&#8217;s gender identity.&#8221;
Oklahoma Children&#8217;s Hospital currently offers a variety of different gender services, including &#8220;pausing puberty,&#8221; &#8220;managing gender-affirming hormone therapy,&#8221; and &#8220;helping find surgeons who perform gender-affirming surgeries,&#8221; <a href="https://www.ouhealth.com/oklahoma-childrens-hospital/childrens-services/adolescent-medicine/sexuality-gender-identity-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to its website.
State Republican Rep. Randy Randleman emphasized that behavioral health is the priority right now.
&#8220;It&#8217;s not cutting anybody out for services. It’s saying we have such a need for behavior problems and families being dysfunctional that we want this individual money to be focused on that to get us back to where we should be,&#8221; Randleman <a href="https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-ou-health-gender-health-services/41413025#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> KOCO 5 on Tuesday.
Another state Republican lawmaker, Rep. Kevin West, who represents Oklahoma City, vehemently defended the bill.
&#8220;I&#8217;m thankful for language in this bill that protects children from the practice of mutilation through gender reassignment medical treatment,&#8221; West <a href="https://www.city-sentinel.com/health/state-representative-kevin-west-supports-special-session-bill-to-restrict-gender-reassignments-at-ou-childrens/article_ef5100c4-3e95-11ed-8dfd-772290284730.html">said</a>. &#8220;This unbelievably harmful practice cannot be reversed, and has lasting physical and psychological consequences that can damage these children for the rest of their lives.&#8221;
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oklahoma slammed the state&#8217;s move.
&#8220;Legislatures seem to believe that the health care and mental health of trans and 2SLGBTQ-plus youth is essentially a bargaining chip they can use,&#8221; <a href="https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-ou-health-gender-health-services/41413025#">said</a> Cindy Nguyen, policy director at ACLU of Oklahoma.
Several children&#8217;s hospitals across the country are under fire for providing gender surgery for minors.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) performs “gender-affirming” double mastectomies on minor girls and offers puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tn-house-gop-formally-requests-vanderbilt-medical-halt-gender-surgeries-on-minors">according</a> to an exposé from Daily Wire host Matt Walsh.
The practice came under fire after shocking videos showed a Vanderbilt doctor calling certain transgender surgeries “huge money makers.” In another video, a Vanderbilt health law expert called conscientious objections to transgender surgeries “problematic.”
Boston Children&#8217;s Hospital&#8217;s Center for Gender Surgery <a href="https://www.childrenshospital.org/treatments/chest-reconstruction">offers</a> chest gender surgery with parental consent for girls 15 and up who identify as male.

U.S. Rep Chrissy Houlahan Visits Community Organizations In Reading Pennsylvania To Talk About American Rescue Plan

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Ends ‘Gender Medicine Services’ After State Threatens Funding

Oklahoma Children's Hospital Ends 'Gender Medicine Services' After State Threatens Funding

Gender

Gender Identity

Health Care

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