Welcome to this week’s Dumpster Fire!
Before I jump into the link dump, here are a couple of quick Ogle Mole dispatches.
• According to an Ogle Mole, there was an OKCPD presence at News 9 last week to investigate possible hidden cameras that were allegedly found in the station’s dressing room. We contacted OKCPD for a police report, and they said no such thing existed, but according to our Moles, they were definitely on-site, and some of the station’s on-air talent have been made aware they were possibly recorded. More info on this when and if it breaks.
• There’s been some chatter via the Ogle Mole Network that State Auditor Cindy Byrd – if she hasn’t already – is expected to drop out of the Lt. Governor’s race that has been handed to TW Shannon via a Trump endorsement, and instead challenge incumbent Todd Russ for State Treasurer. This could explain why she canceled a Lt. Governor’s debate just a few days before it was scheduled.
• Based on my email in-box, I pissed off plenty of Ogle Moles when I admitted that, terrifyingly enough, I'm kind of okay with the idea of a TSET reset. I may let some of them explain why it's bad idea over the next few weeks, but Yawn Doc has a lengthy look into the issue here:
With those notes out of the way, here are some articles and topics we thought about covering this week, but didn’t…
• Edmond Arts Festival Picks AI Creation for the 2026 Arts Festival Theme
Naturally, real-life human artists who display at the festival are pissed. I can’t blame them. AI doesn’t even have to pay for a booth!
• April Fool’s Day Budget Deal Is Apparently Real
Thanks to it being an election year, the House, Senate, and Governor Stitt announced an earlier-than-normal budget deal has been reached. Apparently, the state will get to play around with 1.5% more taxpayer money this year than last:
That’s interesting. Usually Oklahoma politicians wait until the end of the session on a Friday night to announce budget deals, but since this year is an election year and they have to fundraise and campaign, they did it early.
Still, Stitt and company couldn’t resist poking fun at themselves:
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OKCPD April Fool’s Day Joke Backfires…
Although the fake April Fool’s Day joke from Stitt and lawmakers was mildly amusing, this prank by OKCPD wasn’t:
That’s… dumb. April Fool’s Day jokes should be funny, not trigger multi-agency law enforcement responses. Cops should stick with selective law enforcement, racial profiling, and breaking the necks of old people, and leave the jokes to everyone else.
Oklahoman Unveils News Team
The Oklahoman provided a detailed look at its news reporting team this week, which – somewhat terrifying for a local newspaper of record – is comprised of only six people:
Remember the good old days when The Oklahoman had scores of reporters covering news, politics, business, sports, and the local community? Now it’s five guys in ill-fitting suits and one young picturesque women who looks like a hip journalism cliché.
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Teen Drivers Will Need To Know How to Read…
For the sake of all drivers, can we make it a 12th-grade reading level? The fewer teen drivers we have on the road, the better.
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Practical Norman Mayor Angers Anti-Turnpike Crowd…
I guess he voted to allow the city to work with OTA on building access roads and infrastructure to accompany what’s already been approved. The vote makes sense, but it pissed off the zero-tolerance Pike Off OTA crowd, who continue to cut off their nose to spite their face instead of accepting reality. In response, he left a 1,500-word Facebook post justifying his decision.
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Oklahoma Restaurants – and Bar – Get James Beard Love…
A handful of Oklahoma chefs and spots made the James Beard Awards finalist list, continuing the annual tradition of the rest of the country going, “Wait… Oklahoma has good food?”
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Arsonist Set Wildfires To Prove He’s a Capable Fireman…
And he would have gotten away with it, too… if he wasn’t at every single fire asking, “Hey guys, need a hand?”
Seriously, has this guy never watched Forensic Files? Everyone knows the first suspect in an arson is the out-of-work fireman who keeps showing up a little too eager to help. Also, the fact that he's a sex offender probably didn't help his credibilty.
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Lawton Prairie Dogs Take Over Martin Nature Park…
Let's end this thing on some good news. Despite efforts to get rid of Prairie Dogs on NW 39th, Martin Nature Park is welcoming them with open arms.
That’s cool. News of the village has been celebrated by local nature activists, the stale bread industry, and hawks everywhere.
