Edmond Life and Leisure - June 25, 2026

In This Issue

LibertyFest is back

Scenes from last weekend’s Heard on Hurd. See Page 15

The first of 10 major LibertyFest events kicks off tonight at the University of Central Oklahoma.

It’s the Band Concert in the Park at UCO.

The UCO Summer Band is all ready to provide patriotic music for the traditional concert — near Mitchell Hall. The best part is that the one-hour concert is free as is the ice cream served after the event.

The LibertyFest events continue over the next few weeks and conclude with the annual parade on July 4 and the spectacular fireworks show that night at UCO.

More information may be found in the official LibertyFest program inserted in last week’s Edmond Life & Leisure. Publisher Ray Hibbard also noted that this is also the 250th birthday for America. As he writes in the program, “As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, this year’s LibertyFest is a meaningful reminder of the values that bring us together — freedom, gratitude, service and community.”

From the Publisher

Edmond must reject Data Center boom

The glow of a server rack is a poor substitute for the soul of a community.

Earlier this month, the Edmond City Council took a deeply necessary initiative-taking step by unanimously passing a six-month moratorium on new data center applications, rezoning requests, and building permits. This pause, championed by Mayor Mark Nash and set to last through December 31, 2026, offers our community a fleeting moment to breathe, assess, and ask ourselves a fundamental question: What do we want Edmond’s future to look like?

If the answer is a town characterized by safe neighborhoods, high-performing schools, reliable public utilities, and an enviable quality of life, then the conclusion should be clear. When the moratorium expires at the end of this year, Edmond should not merely regulate data centers—it should decisively reject them.

As tech titans search the country for places to park their energy-hungry, water-guzzling infrastructure, Oklahoma has increasingly found itself in the crosshairs. But what works for rural industrial parks or distant counties does not work for Edmond. We are a premier residential city, a hub of education, and a community built on a shared investment in our local culture. Allowing massive, industrial data centers to anchor themselves within our borders would threaten the very fabric of what makes our city unique.

To understand why data centers are a poor fit for Edmond, you must first look at the sheer scale of the resources they consume. These facilities are essentially massive warehouses filled with thousands of computers running around the clock. The heat generated by this amount of computational power is staggering, and keeping these servers, cool requires millions of gallons of water every single day.

Edmond’s clean, safe drinking water is our most precious shared asset. We rely on a combination of surface water and the Garber-Wellington Aquifer— a vital underground resource that is interconnected with neighboring communities. At recent city council meetings, residents rightfully voiced their alarms about the long-term impact on our water tables.

Data centers frequently utilize evaporative cooling systems that literally evaporate millions of gallons of water into the atmosphere, removing it entirely from the local cycle. In an era where weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable and water conservation is a pressing public policy issue, handing over our water security to multi-billion-dollar tech corporations is a gamble we cannot afford to take. Once an aquifer is depleted or compromised by industrial demands, there is no turning back.

It is not just our water supply that is at risk; it is our power grid. Data centers are notorious energy hogs. A single large-scale, or "hyperscale," data center can consume as much electricity as a small city.

Oklahoma’s electric grid is already facing increased pressure. Introducing an industrial consumer of this magnitude into Edmond would force a choice between two bad options:

Massive infrastructure upgrades: Forcing local taxpayers or utility customers to subsidize the expansion of high-voltage transmission lines and substations.

Grid vulnerability: Risking the stability of our local electricity supply during peak summer months when residential air conditioning already strains the system.

While tech companies frequently promise to offset their consumption by investing in regional solar or wind projects, the physical reality remains local. The electricity required to keep these servers hummed into existence must flow through our regional infrastructure, crowding out the capacity needed for organic residential growth and small, local businesses.

Proponents of data centers invariably point to the economic benefits, touting massive capital investments and a bump in the local tax base. But a closer look reveals that these promises are often a mirage.

Data centers are capital-intensive, not labor-intensive. They require an enormous amount of money to build, purchase equipment, and secure land. However, once construction is complete, these massive facilities operate almost entirely on automation. A facility spanning hundreds of thousands of square feet might employ only a few dozen permanent workers, mostly security guards, a handful of technicians, and facility managers.

Unlike a manufacturing plant or a corporate headquarters that bring hundreds of high-paying jobs to a community, data centers create a sprawling physical footprint that contributes almost nothing to local employment.

Edmond does not have a shortage of land, but the land we do have is highly valuable for residential developments, parks, retail, and traditional commercial enterprises that bring foot traffic, sales tax, and vibrant economic life to our city. To zone large swaths of Edmond for what are essentially windowless, automated concrete fortresses is a waste of our city's geographical potential.

For the residents who live near these facilities,

the consequences are deeply personal. The massive industrial cooling fans and backup diesel generators required to keep data centers online emit a continuous, low-frequency hum.

As neighbors of data centers in other parts of the country—and indeed other parts of Oklahoma—have discovered, this is not a noise you simply block out with double-paned windows. It is a low-frequency vibration that penetrates walls, disrupts sleep, disturbs local wildlife, and drastically reduces property values.

Edmond has spent decades cultivating a reputation as a peaceful, beautiful place to raise a family. Introducing industrial noise pollution into our suburban landscape runs directly counter to that mission. Furthermore, the massive diesel generators kept on-site for emergency backups store hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel, presenting a localized environmental risk of spills and emissions during testing phases.

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the data center boom in Oklahoma is the lack of transparency that has accompanied it. Recent investigative reports by The Frontier have exposed a worrying trend across our state, where city managers and local officials in towns like Sand Springs, Coweta, and Claremore have signed strict nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with tech developers.

In some cases, these "secrecy pledges" prevented public officials from even acknowledging that discussions were taking place, leading to land annexations and utility agreements being voted on before the public had any idea what was being built. In Coweta, the backlash over these closed-door dealings even triggered formal inquiries into potential open records violations. I do not believe for a second any of our city leadership would participate in such things.

Thankfully, Edmond has avoided this trap so far. By implementing a transparent moratorium, our city leaders have chosen the path of open discourse over backroom deals. But the predatory nature of these development agreements should put us on high alert. A business model that relies on hiding its identity and intentions from the citizens who will live next door to it is not a business model we should welcome in Edmond.

Edmond is not against technology, nor are we against economic growth. We are a city that prides itself on smart, deliberate planning. We want businesses that integrate into our community, support our schools, patronize our local restaurants, and enhance our shared spaces.

Data centers do none of these things. They take our water, consume our electricity, hum loudly in our neighborhoods, and offer virtually no jobs in return. They are isolationist structures that strip local resources to power a global cloud.

The City Council's moratorium gives us until the end of December 2026 to draft our defense. Let us use this time wisely. Not to figure out how to compromise with an industry that offers us so little, but to write zoning and utility ordinances so stringent that no tech giant will ever look at Edmond as an easy target. Our water, our peace and quiet, and our community identity are simply not for sale.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)

When renting can make sense

Real estate prices skyrocketed in recent years and property values have remained high in many markets ever since. Conventional wisdom has long attested to the value of investing in real estate, but a significant percentage of hopeful homeowners may be struggling to find an affordable property in the current market. That's led some to question conventional wisdom and look to renting as more than just a temporary pitstop on the road to homeownership.

According to Hannah Jones, a senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, many early- and mid-career workers are finding the prospect of purchasing a home out of reach. While the percentage of 18- to 44-year-olds living with their parents has risen by nearly 3 percent since the four-year period between 2010 and 2014, scores of young professionals are looking to renting as well. Renting has long been characterized as a short-term solution, but there are situations when it's advantageous to sign a lease.

Buying would bust a budget

Buying a home is more expensive than ever, but the cost of homeownership extends beyond the mortgage. Mortgage calculators are useful tools when estimating a monthly mortgage payment, but that only paints part of the picture in relation to the costs of owning a home. Single-family homes tend to be larger than rented apartments, and that extra space means higher utility bills. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average price for electricity increased by 7.4 percent between 2024 and 2025. Property taxes are another notable variable to consider, as Rocket Mortgage notes they can increase the monthly cost of homeownership by hundreds of dollars, if not more. If the monthly mortgage payment itself is stretching your budget, then that budget is likely to be busted by utility bills, property taxes and the predictable and less predictable maintenance expenditures associated with homeownership.

Renting helps to steady your expenses

While many suspected the real estate market would become more affordable after prices skyrocketed in the early 2020s, that has not happened. According to the National Association of Home Builders, house prices across the United States increased by 55 percent between the first quarter of 2020 and the third quarter of 2025. Even if that increase levels off rather than rises in the coming years, early- to mid-career workers may not benefit by trying to wait out the market. While landlords have the right to increase rent at the end of each lease, historically rents do not increase by all that much year-to-year. According to IPropertyManagement, the average monthly rent increased by 70 percent between 2020 and 2026. However, the average change between 2025 and 2026 was less than 3 percent. While rents have increased over the last half decade, the relatively low year-toyear increase, coupled with the lower utility bills and lack of property taxes, can allow early- and mid-career professionals to steady their monthly housing expenses in a time marked by a rising cost of living.

Professional opportunity knocks

Renting also makes sense when early- and midcareer professionals are presented with career opportunities in new locales. Even professionals who have been saving up in the hopes of buying a home in their current towns or cities may find it financially advantageous, and professionally fulfilling, to pursue new professional opportunities elsewhere.

A higher salary can certainly help to bridge the gap between wages and higher home costs, and a relocation to a more affordable rental and ownership market may help professionals save more and build a bigger nest egg to buy their own home down the road.

Rising home costs have garnered considerable attention in recent years. While that might leave some people feeling priced out of the real estate market, there are many instances when it's advantageous to rent.

Analysis of primary election

(Editor’s Note; The following is a look at the recent state election by T.R.U.S.T. TRUST is a legislative advocacy coalition dedicated to restoring Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure.)

The 2026 primary election was held June 16 with the hotly contested GOP race for governor drawing most of the attention along with SQ 832 which proposed to raise the state’s minimum wage.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Senator Mike Mazzei advanced to the August 25 GOP primary runoff election with the winner facing Democrat nominee Cyndi Munson, state House minority leader, who easily defeated her two primary opponents.

In the Republican race for lieutenant governor, former House Speaker T.W. Shannon won a multicandidate primary without a runoff and will now face Democrat Kelly Forbes in the November 3 general election.

State Rep. Jon Echols defeated Jeff Starling in the GOP primary for attorney general and now faces Democrat Nick Coffey in the general election.

In other statewide Republican races, incumbent Treasurer Todd Russ was defeated by State Auditor Cindy Byrd. State Reps. John Pfeiffer and Kevin West face off in the primary runoff for labor commissioner while Robert Franklin and James Taylor do the same for state superintendent of public instruction. Bob Sullivan and Marty Quinn are in a runoff for insurance commissioner and state Rep. Brad Boles advanced to the general election for corporation commissioner.

Democratic primary winners were Munson (governor), Jeanettie Marshall (state superintendent) and Rhonda Eastman (corporation commissioner).

In state legislative races, one incumbent, Republican Senator Dusty Deevers (SD 32), was defeated while two other GOP incumbent senators, Jack Stewart (SD 18) and Dana Prieto (SD 30) are in primary runoff elections. No Republican or Democrat incumbent state House members were defeated.

The hotly contested and much publicized SQ 832 was handily defeated 55%-45% after a strong push by pro-business and agriculture advocates.

In federal races, First District U. S. Rep. Kevin Hern easily won the Republican nomination for the U. S. Senate seat vacated by former Senator Markwayne Mullin. Hern will face the winner of the Democratic primary runoff between Jim Priest and N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas.

In the hotly contested race to succeed Hern, state Rep. Mark Tedford advanced to the general election after Jackson Lahmeyer suspended his campaign 12 hours after his second place finish in the primary. Incumbent Republican U.S. Reps. Josh Brecheen (CD 2), Frank Lucas (CD 3) and Tom Cole (CD 4) easily won their primaries.

Democratic congressional primary winners were N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest (U.S. Senate primary runoff), Brandon Wade (CD 2), Suzie Byrd (CD 3), Mitchell Jacob (CD 4) and Jena Nel-

son (CD 5).

The primary runoff election is Tuesday, August 25 with polls open from 7am-7pm. Early walk-in voting will be held August 19 and 20 from 8am6pm and August 21 from 8am-2pm at all 77 county election boards. Some more populated counties also offer alternative voting locations.

Low Primary Voter Turnout

An open race for governor, crowded statewide primaries and a statewide ballot question were not enough to bring most Oklahoma voters to the polls last Tuesday, continuing a longstanding pattern of modest participation in primary elections.

Unofficial returns show that at least 575,283 voters participated in the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial primaries, including 402,917 Republicans and 172,366 Democrats. Additional voters cast ballots only in legislative races or on SQ 832, meaning overall turnout will be somewhat higher.

June 16’s election featured one of the most

competitive statewide primary ballots in recent years. Republicans held contested races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, labor commissioner, insurance commissioner, corporation commissioner and state superintendent of public instruction, along with numerous legislative contests. Democrats also held an open gubernatorial primary and several other contested races.

The election also marked Oklahoma’s first open gubernatorial contest since 2018, a circumstance that often generates increased voter interest because there was no incumbent seeking another term. Even so, preliminary numbers indicate that a substantial majority of Oklahoma’s registered voters did not participate in the election. Because Republicans hold a dominant registration advantage in Oklahoma and routinely win statewide elections, many contests are effectively decided in the GOP primary rather than in November.

The approximately 403,000 Republicans who participated in Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary represent only about one-sixth of Oklahoma’s more than 2.4 million registered voters, illustrating how a relatively small segment of the electorate often plays a decisive role in choosing the state’s leaders.

Deceased Candidate Plays Role in Senate Primary

More than six weeks after Republican state Senate candidate Barry Christian was found dead in western Oklahoma under circumstances that remain under investigation, 530 voters still cast ballots for him in last Tuesday’s GOP primary.

The posthumous vote total amounted to 6.5% of all ballots cast in the Senate District 38 race and became one of the more unusual storylines of Oklahoma’s primary election.

Christian, a Sayre drilling consultant and one of three Republican candidates seeking the open Senate seat, disappeared in late April after failing to appear for a scheduled meeting. Authorities later found his body inside his pickup truck in the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area south of Erick. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate his death.

Because Christian died after the candidate filing period had closed, Oklahoma election law required his name to remain on the ballot.

With all 70 precincts reporting, Rick Vernon won the Republican nomination outright with 4,157 votes, or 50.6%. Joe Buchanan finished second with 3,533 votes, or 43.0%, while Christian received 530 votes.

The results underscore just how consequential Christian’s presence on the ballot became. Vernon exceeded the 50% threshold required to avoid an August runoff by just 47 votes. Meanwhile, the 530 votes cast for Christian represented enough support to have significantly affected the dynamics of the race had those voters been forced to choose between the remaining candidates as there is no way to know how those votes might have been distributed in a two-candidate contest.

New exhibit for America250 commemoration

The Oklahoma History Center Museum announced today the opening of “Moments That Made US,” a special exhibition during the America250 commemoration that explores how generations of Americans have given meaning to the ideals set out in the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition is now on view at the Oklahoma History Center Museum at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City.

The exhibition looks back across centuries and highlights both challenging and celebratory moments from the colonial era to more recent generations. It explores five themes drawn directly from the Declaration of Independence: Created Equal; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; Free and Independent States; Consent of the Governed; and We Mutually Pledge. The 15 featured moments from American history remind us that our nation’s story was never inevitable—we shaped it at every turn.

“Moments That Made US” was developed through a multi-state collaboration to ensure that Americans throughout the nation would have the opportunity to meaningfully engage in the nation’s 250th anniversary. It adapts the acclaimed exhibi-

tion created by History Colorado, currently on view at the History Colorado Center in Denver, into a format that allows host venues to connect local history to the nation’s story.

“‘Moments That Made US’ is a meaningful way for Oklahomans to engage with the America250 commemoration,” said Nicole Harvey, director of the Oklahoma History Center Museum. “We were proud to help bring the print-on-demand version of this exhibition to Oklahoma, and we hope other organizations across the state will consider hosting it in their own communities.”

“Moments That Made US” is on view at the Oklahoma History Center Museum through August 2026. It is included with paid museum admission.

About the Oklahoma History Center

The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.

Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press

Lankford part of effort to promote transparency

Recently, the US Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill authored by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Gary Peters (D-MI), requiring public disclosure of tens of billions of dollars in secret spending deals.

Current law requires government expenditures to be listed on the public website USAspending.gov, so Americans can see who is receiving their tax dollars, along with details about where, why, and how the money is being spent. Bureaucrats have been circumventing the law by withholding thousands of spending arrangements, known as Other Transactions Agreements (OTAs). Over the past two years, the Pentagon alone has awarded $25.5 billion worth of OTAs and committed to spending another $44 billion on the agreements.

“You can't cut waste you can't see,” said Lankford. “The Stop Secret Spending Act shines a light on billions of dollars in government spending that has been deliberately kept from taxpayers. Transparency is the first step toward accountability, and accountability is how we stop Washington from wasting the money Americans work hard to earn.”

“Bureaucrats have been playing hide and seek with tax dollars for far too long,” said Ernst. “It’s time to end the games and stop the secret spending. The American people will now have a full picture of how Wash-

ington spends their money, so we can identify and cut waste and stop fraud and abuse.”

“This commonsense legislation will increase transparency around how the federal government is using taxpayer resources and will cut down on waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Peters. “Americans deserve to know how their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are being spent, and I’m pleased to see this bipartisan bill is one step closer to becoming law.”

Background

The Stop Secret Spending Act requires OTAs to be disclosed in the same manner as grants, contracts, loans, and other government expenditures. The bill also requires a summary of the total amount of spending that is not publicly disclosed, along with a justification, so taxpayers are provided with a more complete accounting of Washington’s $7.4 trillion annual budget.

This effort builds on Lankford's long-running push for federal spending transparency through the Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act, which he has championed since 2011. That law directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to compile a public inventory of every federal program, including its cost and performance, so taxpayers and Congress can identify duplication, inefficiency, and waste government-wide.

Engagement, Wedding notices

Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.The cost is $35, which includes a photograph. Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.

Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.

About History Colorado History Colorado developed the original “Moments That Made US” exhibition, from which the community print-on-demand version was adapted. The state historical society and a Smithsonian Affiliate, History Colorado is a 146-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call 303-HISTORY for more information.

The print-on-demand version of “Moments That Made US” was developed in collaboration with Arizona America250, History Colorado, the Oklahoma Historical Society, and the Washington State Historical Society. To learn more about how to bring this exhibition to your community, visit okhistory.org/museum-resources.

(Editor’s Note: The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.

Also, AGG is aggravated, FTA is failure to appear, CDS is controlled dangerous substance; APC is Actual Physical Control; DUI is driving under the influence.)

June 8

Cindy Ray Goldberg, 50 of Edmond. Two counts of failure to appear.

Hubert Kentwan Dewan, 48 of Oklahoma City. Felony warrant.

Joshua Louis Hinds, 20 of Oklahoma City. Driving without proper-valid driver’s license.

Larry Wayne Kizarr Jr., 58 of Oklahoma City. Kidnapping, domestic abuse assault (strangulation) and domestic abuse assault (dangerous weapon)

Ivan Cervantes, 28 of Oklahoma City. Misuse of forged, counterfeit or suspended driver’s license, two misdemeanor warrants and possess drug paraphernalia.l

Jakob Christian Butler, 26 homeless. Pattern of criminal offense and (misdemeanor 1st & 2nd offense) larceny of merchandise from retailer.

Aaron Wayne Channing Flora, 39 of Choctaw. Expired tag — over three months, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Bryan Robert Dunn, 46 of Moore. Misdemeanor warrant.

June 9

Anthony Jordan Williams, 26 of Choctaw. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of anything other than alcohol.

Brett Evan Alford, 64 homeless. Failure to comply with sex offender registry act.

Michael Arthur Alarcon, 40 of Oklahoma City. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Eric Sean Dixon, 46 of Edmond. Obstruction of police officer, possess drug paraphernalia and pos-

sess CDS.

June 10

Zaria Takeya Spratt, 21 of Edmond. Burglary in the first degree and assault or assault & battery.

Susan Lundy-Akueteh, 78 of Oklahoma City. Failure to appear.

June 11

Taylor Kianna Elliott, 32 of Piedmont. Aggravated felony DUI — operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or more.

Terrell Demontre Frederick, 27 of Edmond. Domestic assault and battery against a pregnant woman.

Kari Dawn Hightower, 45 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag — over three months and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Ethan James Pipkin, 28 of Edmond. Indecent exposure and trespassing after being forbidden.

James Lawrence Nott, 40 of Edmond. Possession of marijuana and from building — petty larceny.

June 12

Kai Orion Moomjian, 33 of Ada. Public intoxication.

William Arthur Simpson, 42 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Joshua John Godwin, 48 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Darren Ray Dean, 41 of Norman. Shoplifting — petit larceny.

Letitia Denise Smith, 56 of Musket, Texas. Misdemeanor warrant.

June 13

Rocco Daniel McClure, 18 of Edmond. Possess CDS, minor — intoxicating beverage — possession by person under 21, use firearm while committing a felony, two counts of assault and battery/battery (felony) on police officer or correctional staff and

obstruction of police officer.

Marvi Ahmed, 28 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting officer.

Yasmine Ariana Backiel-Vance, 19 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Christian Josue Rojo, 25 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Shaun Luke Morris, 33 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication (Lake only).

Jasmine Monique Patlan, 35 of Edmond. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked,.

Faith Nicole Evans, 41 of Edmond. Social host violation.

June 14

Jerod Thomas Turbeville-Ridenour, 23 of Oklahoma City. Driving while impaired by consumption of alcohol (DWI).

Raul De Luna-Rangel, 33 of Edmond. Aggravated felony DUI — operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level of .15 or more.

Jonah Alexander Lillis, 28 of Edmond. Failure to appear, shoplifting — petit larceny and public intoxication.

Justin Dale Lawhorn, 32 homeless. (Misdemeanor 1st & 2nd offense) larceny of merchandise from retailer and two counts of failure to appear.

Vaj Braiden Hardwick, 28 of Spencer. Expired tag — over three months, no proof of insurance and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Joshua Isaac Weber, 49 of Edmond. Felony warrant.

Joshua Lee Samples, 23 of Noble. Transporting open container of intoxicating beverage or low point beer, failure to stop — accident involving personal injury, (felony) personal injury accident while under the influence and aggravated felony DUI — operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or more.

38 booking reports

Weekend calendar of events, June 25-28

Weekend Calendar of Events June 25-28

---- In the Gallery

---- Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market

---- Heard on Hurd

---- 2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo

---- Barn Dance

---- Concerts in the Park

---- LibertyFest 2026

---- Frenzy Live Music in June

---- Edmond Jr. Rodeo

---- Edmond Patriot Market

---- Weekly Game Night

---- Saturday Morning Music Sessions

---- Coffee & Guitars

---- Book Swap

---- Trivia Night

---- Vinyl Night

---- Music Bingo

---- 1889 Territorial School Open House

---- Choose Your Adventure!

---- Code of the West Discover Table: June

---- America’s Freedom Bell at The Cowboy

---- Riversport NightWater

---- Wheeler District Night Market

---- Sip & Stroll

---- The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder

Mystery Dinner Show

---- Pollard Theatre presents: Leader of the Pack

– The Ellie Greenwich Musical

---- Civic Center Music Hall presents: Late Nite

Catechism

---- Stars & Stripes Regatta

---- Little Britches Rodeo

Extra Information

In the Gallery

Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute

Extra Info: First Thu of every month Gallery opening: 5 – 7 p.m.; Free; Gallery is open Mon –Thu; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Free; Featuring Sharon Sudduth and Marie Kash Weltzheimer; edmondfinearts.com

Outdoor Edmond Farmer’s Market

Location: Festival Market Place

Extra Info: Sat, Apr 11 – Sat, Oct 31; each Saturday; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Free; edmondok.gov

Heard on Hurd

Location: Downtown Edmond

Extra Info: Sat, Mar 21 – Sat, Oct 17; recurring

monthly on the 3rd Saturday; free; 6 – 10 p.m.; mycitizens.bank

2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo

Location: Lazy E Arena

Extra Info: Sun, Jun 21 – Sat, Jun 27; $14+; nhsra.com

Barn Dance

Location: Parkhurst Ranch

Extra Info: Fri, Jun 26; $10; 7 – 10 p.m.; parkhurstranch.com

Concerts in the Park

Location: Stephenson Park

Extra Info: Thu, Jun 25; Free; 6 – 8:30 p.m.; Old Bulldog Band – Classic Rock; edmondok.gov

LibertyFest 2026

Location: various locations

Extra Info: Thu, Jun 25: Concert in the Park –UCO Campus adjacent to Mitchell Park; Fri, Jun 26 – Sat, Jun 27: Rodeo – Carl Benne Arena; Sat, Jun 27: Car Show & ParkFest – Hafer Park; Sat, Jun 27: Liberty JazzFest – Stephenson Park; Thu, Jun 27: LibertySprint – Mitch Park; Sun, Jun 28: Exploration Edmond – Earl’s Rib Palace Parking Lot (2121 S. Broadway); libertyfest.org

Frenzy Live Music in June

Location: Frenzy Brewing Company

Extra Info: Free; Fri, Jun 26: Robert Allen @ 7 p.m.; Sat, Jun 27: Tyler Boren @ 4 p.m.; frenzybrewing.com

Edmond Jr. Rodeo

Location: Edmond Round Up Club – Carl Benne

Arena

Extra Info: Aug 7 – Sat, Aug 8; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Adults: $5; 18 & under: $1; edmondroundupclub.com

Edmond Patriot Market

Location: 425 Fretz Ave, Edmond

Extra Info: Recurring last Saturdays of the month; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; free; facebook.com

Weekly Game Night Location: American Solera – Icehouse Project

Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thu; 6 – 8:30 p.m.; visitedmondok.com

Saturday Morning Music Sessions

Location: Arcadia Round Barn

Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Saturday; 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; visitedmondok.com

Coffee & Guitars

Location: Edmond Music

Extra Info: Every Saturday morning; 10 a.m. –12 p.m.

Book Swap

Location: American Solera – Icehouse Project

Extra Info: Recurring every 2 months on the first Sunday; 2 – 5 p.m.; visitedmondok.com

Trivia Night

Location: Flatire Burgers

Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thu; 8 – 10 p.m.; flatireburgers.com

Vinyl Night

Location: Round Midnight

Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thu; facebook.com

Music Bingo

Location: Flatire Burgers

Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Sat; 7:30 p.m.; flatireburgers.com

1889 Territorial School Open House

Location: 124 E 2nd

Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Sat; 1 – 4 p.m.; Free; edmondhistory.org

Choose Your Adventure!

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage

Museum

Extra Info: Thu, Jun 25 – Sun, Jun 28; nationalcowboymuseum.org

Code of the West Discover Table: June

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage

Museum

Extra Info: Mon, Jun 1 – Tue, Jun 30; nationalcowboymuseum.org

America’s Freedom Bell at The Cowboy

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Extra Info: Fri, Jun 26; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; nation-

From Page 6

alcowboymuseum.org

Riversport NightWater

Location: Riversport at the Boathouse District

Extra Info: Thu, Jun 25; 5 p.m.; riversportokc.org

Wheeler District Night Market

Location: 1737 Spoke St

Extra Info: Fri, Jun 26; 6 – 9 p.m.; wheelerdistrict.com

Sip & Stroll

Location: Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden

Extra Info: Fri, Jun 26; 5 – 10 p.m.; okczoo.org

The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Location: Skirvin Hilton

Extra Info: Fri, Jun 26; 7 – 10 p.m.; thedinnerdetective.com

Pollard Theatre presents:

Leader of the Pack – The Ellie

Greenwich Musical

Location: Pollard Theatre, 120 W Harrison Ave, Guthrie

Extra Info: Fri, Jun 12 – Sun, Jul 5; Thu – Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.; thepollard.org

Civic Center Music Hall presents: Late Nite Catechism

Location: Civic Center Music Hall

Extra Info: Sat, Jun 27; 3 p.m.; okcciviccenter.com

Stars & Stripes Regatta

Location: Boathouse District

Extra Info: Sat, Jun 27; 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; riversportokc.org

Little Britches Rodeo

Location: OG&E Coliseum

Extra Info: Sun, Jun 28 – Sat, Jul 4; okcfairpark.com

Business group welcomes results of Oklahoma State Question 832

Oklahoma voters have rejected State Question 832, delivering a significant victory for Main Street businesses, family farms, and job creators across the state. NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) State Director Jerrod Shouse issued a statement:

“This is a major victory for Main Street Oklahomans and family farms,” Shouse said. “Throughout this campaign, small business owners made their concerns about State Question 832 clear: higher labor costs would ultimately lead to higher prices and reduced opportunities for entry-level workers. The voters heard those concerns and stood up for Main Street.

“Oklahoma’s small businesses understand their employees are their greatest asset, which is why many al-

ready pay wages well-above the current minimum. Today’s vote preserves the flexibility small businesses need to grow, hire, and invest in the future.

“We appreciate the voters who took the time to learn about the unintended consequences of this initiative and are grateful to the countless small business owners who shared their stories through this campaign. NFIB remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen the Oklahoma economy and allow small businesses to thrive.”

For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven.

You have a chance to win this $665,000 home in Edmond.

St. Jude Dream Home tickets available

Tickets for the 2026 St, Jude Dream Home giveaway are available now. Built by Beacon Homes in Danforth Crossing, the home is valued at $665,000.00 and is a 3 bedroom, 3.5 baths, 2700 sq. ft home.

The house features: luxurious primary suite with spa-inspired bath and walk-in closet space, an open-concept living, dining and kitchen ideal for entertaining and family gatherings, large upstairs game room with full bath and closet, and covered patio with outdoor kitchen for year-round outdoor living.

Tickets on Sale Prize deadline: May 21 is a $2,500.00 gas gift card. Early Bird prize deadline: June 11 is $10,000.00 VISA gift card, courtesy of Dream Day Foundation. Bonus Prize deadline: July 30 is 2026 INFINITI QX60, courtesy of Bob Moore INFINITI, and Last Chance prize deadline: August 13 is hybrid infrared sauna by the Sweaty Goat, courtesy of Aqua Haven.

Free Tours are available July 18 —August 16. Saturdays: 9am—5pm. Sundays: noon - 5pm.

Register for FREE at the Open House for a chance to win a $5,000.00 Mathis Home gift certificate. Tickets cost $100.00 each.

Purchase your tickets now to help build a brighter future for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 800-592-1596 or go online to St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway website.

Three-day genealogy event this August

Genealogy Symposium, Inc. is partnering with the Oklahoma Historical Society to host a threeday hands-on symposium that will teach participants how to use Ancestry and FamilySearch, along with the resources of the OHS’ John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center. The event will take place on August 13, 14 and 15 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

Professional genealogists and educators Billie Stone Fogarty and Dave McDonald will serve as the workshop instructors.

Each day of the three-day event will have a specific focus. On Thursday, August 13, the group will receive an overview and a teaching tour of Ancestry, the world’s largest genealogy site. On Friday, August 14, instructors will explore FamilySearch, one of the world’s largest genealogy organizations and networks. On Saturday, August 15, participants will learn about the Oklahoma Historical Society’s digital portal, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, and resources available at the OHS Research Center.

Registration is now open, and the workshop will be limited to 48 registrants. The OHS will assist with the program and provide behind-the-scenes tours of the OHS Research Division and museum collections. Lunch will not be provided, but participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own lunch on Saturday, August 15.

Registration is now open, and preference will be given to full three-day registrations. Early bird registration is open through July 13. It is $60 per day or $150 for all three days. Registration from July 14 to August 7 will be $80 per day or $225 for all three days. To register or learn more, email dave@thegenealogysymposium.com.

The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.

Pre-Nursing boot camp builds confidence

Many programs at Francis Tuttle Technology Center include industry certifications, allowing students to earn credentials that showcase real-world skills and knowledge. For the high school juniors and seniors in the Pre-Nursing program, completing the Nurse Aide (NA) certification prepares them to enter the healthcare field or pursue an adult health program.

As new instructors on the Rockwell Campus, Chelsea Cutright, Rachel Watkins and Melissa Weingartner saw an opportunity to try a new approach to test preparation. They wanted certification testing to feel less intimidating and more familiar for students.

“We brainstormed trying to figure out what we could do that would get the students a little bit more engaged and paying attention to how important preparing for the skills and written part of the test was,” Weingartner shared.

That planning led to the creation of a “Pre-Nursing Boot Camp,” an intensive review process designed to help students prepare for their exams.

“We wanted to push them out of their comfort zone just a little bit in order to really prepare them,” Cutright said. “The three of us are new instructors, and so we said what can we do to really help them focus and realize how important this entire year is, especially right before state certification. We said let’s try it, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll readjust.”

The approach proved successful, as 81 of 83 students passed both portions of their exams.

After spring break, students were given a new skills book with seven practice scenarios to work through. The first six scenarios were peer-led, with students playing the roles of nurse aide, resident, or judge. The last scenario was completed one-toone between an instructor and student to mimic the skills state testing environment.

“We created the groups so they could work with people they hadn’t worked with previously, people out of their friend group,” Watkins explained. “Kind of like in a real-world situation, they were

going to be working with people they hadn’t worked with before.”

Each scenario combined the skills students had learned throughout the year, including handwashing, vital signs, patient transfers, ambulations, denture care and bed baths.

“Since we don’t know what’s going to be on the state test, we had to do almost a review of each skill they’ve learned and checked off with,” Watkins said. “This was a refresher for them.”

According to the instructors, some students initially questioned the amount of practice and repetition involved in the boot camp. Once testing began, many students recognized the value of the preparation, and Watkins said one student even commented she felt over-prepared.

“I’ve had several students who have told me that what was most helpful was the scenarios and putting all those skills together,” Cutright said. “Throughout the year, you learn them individually, and the scenarios kind of make it the big picture.”

For recent Putnam City North graduate Trinity Nealy, the boot camp helped ease testing nerves while encouraging teamwork among classmates.

Sugar Snap Peas? Snap to it for color and crunch

By Carol Smaglinski

Sugar Snap Peas are always on my grocery list. For those who are the Kings and Queens of Crunch, look no further.

With no strings attached, Sugar Snap Peas are magnificent: Low in calories and loaded with vitamins. When cooked they are crisp yet tender and seem to resemble the taste of watercress.

They are called Chinese sugar peas, but in France, they are called mange tout, which translates to “eat it all.”

They are easy to grow when started in the early spring, and incidentally, they received their name because they flourish in brisk weather, thus snow pea.

The vegetable is easily harvested by bean pickers, quick to cook and are perfect in salads, cooked ahead and added to soups just before serving, used as a garnish and imperative in classic Chinese cooking. They are an attractive compliment to a stir fry.

Green beans were originally discovered in South America, but soon were eaten all over the world. Sugar Snap peas are a member of the legume family, too, with hundreds of varieties. The green Sugar Snow Pea is usually available in the produce section of grocery stores in little cellophane packages all year around. They are entirely edible, even the pod.

When buying fresh, realize that they have a short growing season, just pick one up and try to snap it in half and you will soon discover if the bean is too limp. Those guys just hung on the vines too long.

But despite all of the flim-flam, here’s another thing to watch out for while shopping.

If the beans have little white spots, leave them in the store. That is a harmless powdery mildew, which will not hurt, but just don’t eat the leaves. Hunt through the packages until you find one without the white dots. Keep snap peas under refrigeration and try to use them within three days.

Avoid frozen snow peas as they usually are not crisp.

In this recipe, where snow peas are the star, you will want to lick your chopsticks, but don’t! So just get clever with your cleaver.

Sugar Snap Peas with Peanut Sauce

3 or 4 servings

1- 8 oz. pkg. Sugar Snap Peas

Boil a small amount of water in a pot and add Sugar Snap Peas. Let cook for about 3 minutes, remove and place in ice water to retain the color and drain.

Prepare your tray:

Oil for the pan.

2 boned and skinned chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks

2 garlic cloves, minced

6 scallions, sliced

1 red pepper, cut into bite-sized chunks

1 yellow or green pepper, but into bite-sized chunks

1 8 oz. can of water chestnuts, drained

—-

1 tsp. Chili or sriracha sauce

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 Tbsp. rice wine or mirin

4 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter mixed with 4 Tbsp. coconut milk (shake well if canned)

Heat wok for about 3 to 4 minutes until blazing hot.

Add oil, let heat and add chicken and stir fry for about 5 to 6 minutes, tossing frequently. Remove to a dish.

Add more oil to the wok, mix garlic, and onions and swirl them around for one minute. Add the chili sauce, soy sauce and rice wine and cook for one minute.

Add peppers and water chestnuts. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes. Incorporate snow peas and chicken to the wok.

Add the blended peanut butter with the coconut milk and stir gently into the wok vegetables. Heat for a minute. Serve immediately over quick cooking jasmine rice, available in boxes at the grocery store in the Chinese section.

“It helped us focus on the things that we need to focus on with the skills and learning and making sure we’re on top of it,” Nealy said. “I was a little nervous, but I felt more prepared. I wasn’t as nervous because we studied and I was with my classmates. We built off each other and helped each other.”

Madison Payne, who recently finished her junior year at Edmond Memorial High School, echoed that thought, adding she enjoyed working with new peers.

“They always tell us you have to be uncomfortable to get comfortable,” Payne shared. “I definitely saw a lot of things that we did within the boot camp when testing. I feel like we were way more focused than we would usually be, and I think it was a good idea for us to go through boot camp. It was actually kind of fun.”

The instructors said their ultimate goal, not just with the boot camp but in the program overall, is helping students feel confident as they begin careers in healthcare.

“Our goal is our students' success,” Cutright said. “We want to see them go far with their career in healthcare.”

Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side

Issue passes by 8-0 count

By Steve Gust

Just a few more notes from last week’s primary election.

I was right about one thing – the vote count was done a lot quicker than what California does. As you know, polls here close at 7 p.m. By 9:30 most of the votes were counted and people had a pretty good idea who had won and who had made a runoff. Who knows? California may still be counting the Bush-Gore votes from 2000..

Steve Gust

It was also noted that voter turnout in Oklahoma was down a bit compared to other years.

My theory on that – has got to be negative ads. If you watched 20 minutes of television in May or this month – you got to see lots of ads bashing an opponent or opponents.

I read somewhere once that people get fed up with negative ads. After a while, they throw up their hands and wish a pox on both houses.

Negative ads are somewhat interesting. Do we know for sure what’s being alleged actually happened? Or if it did happen – are some facts being left out of the narrative?

Whatever the case, it’s a given that

photographs of Barack Obama, Hillary, Biden and Kamala are destined to show up. Given AI technology, there are even videos to make a conservative candidate look like best friends of Hillary.

One other note, the town of Douglas had a vote pertaining to OG&E and the utility company being allowed to do business there. If you’re like me, you’ve never heard of Douglas. It’s in Garfield County, in the Enid vicinity. The issue last week brought out eight voters. All of them voted for the measure. Odd to see no votes cast against an issue. The turnout actually wasn’t that bad. The Douglas population is reported to be 52. Most likely, eight voters represent about a quarter to half of eligible voters.

—-Before the rains, this week – our average rainfall was down. Usually we have about 16 or so inches of rain. We had about nine inches. Last year at this time we had 27 inches of rain – or 18 more inches that we had last week.

And for the year we average just over 36 inches.

(Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com

Strengthening election security

By Congresswoman Stephanie Bice

Elections are underway in states across the country. As voters head to the polls, it serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that only American citizens vote in American elections. Put simply, Americans need confidence that our elections are fair, safe, and secure.

Unfortunately, Democrats have voted against common-sense legislation like the SAVE America Act. This legislation strengthens election safeguards by requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a valid photo ID when casting a ballot in federal elections. These are straightforward measures designed to ensure that only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections and that every vote cast is valid.

If you are already registered to vote, the status of your existing registration remains unchanged. This bill also accounts for real-life situations, such as individuals getting married or divorced

and changing their last names. It allows states to accommodate those changes and accept multiple forms of identification so eligible voters are not unfairly burdened.

For many Oklahomans, this may not sound like a major change. Oklahoma has long required voter identification at the polls, and most voters here are already accustomed to showing ID before casting a ballot. However, not every state has the same requirements in place for federal elections. This bill creates a consistent nationwide rule so that those expectations apply across the country, not just in states like ours.

Polls show strong support for these measures: 83% of Americans favor requiring photo ID to vote, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats. Those numbers demonstrate support across party lines and reflect a widely shared expectation that our elections should be secure.

Efforts to secure our elections are not new. In the last Congress, the House passed the SAVE Act, which I also supported. It required proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. The House passed it again this year because we believe this principle is essential. However, the SAVE America Act builds on that foundation by adding a clear requirement for valid photo identification when voting. Together, these provisions reinforce what should be a basic standard in any constitutional republic.

There are countless things in everyday life that require a photo ID. You need identification to check a book out from a library, purchase alcohol, check into a hotel, or open a bank account. Voting in a federal election is one of the most important civic responsibilities we have. It should meet at least the same standard.

The bill is now before the Senate, and I encourage my Senate colleagues to pass this legislation. At its core, the SAVE America Act helps ensure that only citizens participate in federal elections and that election security remains a priority. Every American deserves to trust our election system and have confidence that their vote matters.

Lawmakers up criticism of Corp. Commission

Just a day after winning reelection to his House seat, Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, filed an appeal of another ruling of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He was joined by Rep. Kevin West, RMoore.

A June 11 OCC ruling denied the intervention of customers trying to participate in the latest rate case for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company (ONG). The utility is seeking a $29 million rate increase. If approved, it would mark the fourth rate hike the OCC has approved for ONG in the last four years, increasing customer bills by more than $128 million.

Often joined by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, Gann, West and West now have eleven OCC utility appeals pending before the state’s highest court. This latest appeal, filed June 17, brings the total amount of ONG, OG&E and PSO customer payments the representatives have challenged to $500 million in rate increases, $3.2 billion in 2021 Winter Storm bonds, $11 billion in fuel charges, and $1.3 billion in new capacity preapprovals. Six of those appeals are now fully briefed and under consideration by the Supreme Court.

“The feedback we’ve received from constituents has been great,” said Kevin West. “Oklahomans appreciate that we aren’t just talking about standing up for them and fighting against inflated utility bills, we’re actually doing it.”

“The OCC has gone completely off the beam,” ONG customers Gann and Kevin West told the Supreme Court in their June 17 petition. They go on to describe how the OCC set a March 27 deadline to intervene in ONG’s rate case, but only set it after that deadline had already passed. ONG’s customers were not even notified about the case until late April.

“This case was rigged from the start to keep ONG ratepayers out,” said Gann. “The federal courts have said utility customers have constitutional due process rights – including a right to timely and adequate notice about these cases. We are asking the Supreme Court to uphold customers’ rights and require the OCC to change its rules to respect them. ONG ratepayers should be allowed to exercise their right to participate without being muzzled.”

At a June 11, 2026, OCC hearing, an attorney for ONG challenged Gann’s Entry of Appearance

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filed in the case, arguing he had missed the March 27 deadline to intervene. Gann responded by arguing that as an ONG customer entitled to personal notice in the case, his was an “intervention of right” under the law, not subject to that deadline anyway.

“Oklahoma Administrative Code 165:5-94(d)(2) expressly permits ‘a person entitled to personal notice in a case’ to ‘become a party of record by filing an entry of appearance or orally stating an entry of appearance at any proceeding regarding the case without needing to file a motion for intervention,’” Gann later wrote in exceptions he filed objecting to the ruling. The OCC administrative law judge who ruled against him made no mention of that law in her ruling or addressed the fact that the OCC set an intervention deadline that had already passed. Instead, she went on to dismiss Gann’s filed motions and objections as well.

Immediately after formally preventing Gann from participating, the OCC conducted an eightminute Hearing on the Merits with no witness testimony or cross-examination at which the utility, OCC Public Utility Division and the state's attorney general all agreed ONG’s latest $29 million rate increase should be approved exactly as requested by the utility. The commissioners are expected to make a final decision later this year.

Gann and more than 300 Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) customers have filed similar entries in PSO’s latest rate case at the OCC in which that utility is seeking an additional $600 million rate increase. With the OCC’s blessing, PSO also did not notify customers about its rate case until after the deadline to intervene had already passed.

hose entries, many from residential customers opposed to subsidizing electricity for the proposed Emirates Global Aluminum smelter, are being challenged by PSO with a hearing in that case set today.

AAA predicts more than 27 million Americans traveling over holiday

AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, July 5. This year’s domestic travel forecast surpasses last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers, but the increase (0.5%) is smaller than recent year-over-year gains. The number of travelers driving and flying to their destinations is relatively flat compared to last year, while travel by other modes, including cruises, is the category seeing the biggest increase.

“For many Americans, July 4th travel is a longstanding tradition, and that tradition remains strong this year even as prices rise for most modes of transportation,” said Shawn Steward, Public Affairs manager for AAA Oklahoma. “Whether people are hitting the road, boarding a flight, or taking a cruise, travelers continue to make summer holiday getaways a priority.”2026 AAA National July 4th Travel Costs Graphic.png

Year-over-year increases based on bookings through AAA. Airline flights purchased before the start of the Iran Conflict were cheaper than at this time a year ago. Tickets purchased more recently are likely higher due to increased demand and jet fuel costs, with travelers seeing ticket price increases of 16-17% this summer according to industry estimates.

Independence Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation

By Car: AAA projects 61.4 million people will travel by car over July 4th week, nearly the same number as last year when 61.3 million travelers took road trips. 85% of Americans traveling for Independence Day are expected to drive to their destinations, despite gas prices reaching four-year highs. Last year, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.15. This year, prices are more than a dollar higher but remain lower than 2022, when the national average was $4.80 on Independence Day. Despite higher gas prices, filling up the tank during a road trip is still cheaper than purchasing flights for many travelers, especially for families with kids.

For travelers renting cars over July 4th, AAA car rental partner Hertz expects Thursday, July 2 to be the busiest pickup day. Hertz says Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City are the cities with the highest demand based on advanced bookings. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 10% more expensive this holiday week compared to last year.

By Air: AAA projects 5.85 million travelers will take domestic flights over July 4th week, a 0.2% increase over last year. Air travelers make up 8% of the share of holiday travelers. According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their Independence Day trips, roundtrip domestic flights to top destinations like

Chicago and Denver are 5% more expensive. Domestic flights overall are averaging about $830 a ticket.

By Other Modes: Travel by other modes is seeing the biggest year-over-year growth compared to car and air travel. AAA projects 4.93 million Americans will take buses, trains, and cruises over Independence Day week, a 5.3% increase from last year. This year is also expected to surpass 2019’s figure of 4.79 million travelers, due in large part to the post-COVID cruising boom. Travelers are drawn to cruise vacations because they know how much the trip will cost upfront, and the ship offers all-inclusive dining, various entertainment options, and multiple destinations.

AAA’s Top Independence Day Destinations

AAA members are heading to major U.S. cities over July 4th week and flying internationally to Canada and Europe. Alaska cruises are in peak season, that’s why Seattle, Anchorage, and Fairbanks are all top domestic destinations. Independence Day fireworks and festivities in New York, Chicago, and Boston also draw big crowds. Florida ranks high thanks to theme parks, beaches, and cruise ports. On the international side, Vancouver tops the list, followed by major European cities like Rome, Dublin, Paris, and London.

Summer Safety on the Road

July 4th week can be especially dangerous on the road with more teen drivers behind the wheel and a rise in impaired driving due to holiday festivities. That’s why AAA is urging drivers to commit to 100 Days of Safe Driving this summer. According to AAA crash data analysis, nearly one in three summertime traffic deaths involves an impaired driver. AAA, in partnership with MADD, reminds anyone who plans to drink or use impairing substances to arrange a sober ride before going out. Drivers preparing to take road trips should also prioritize car maintenance and stay on top of routine oil changes, plus check battery condition and tire pressure. Last year during Independence Day week, AAA responded to more than 687,000 roadside assistance calls. Half of those required towing services, and nearly 30% of those calls were for battery replacement and flat tires.

Once on the road, AAA reminds drivers to Slow Down, Move Over whenever there are emergency responders and stranded motorists on the side of the road. By reducing speed and changing lanes, drivers allow roadside workers to do their jobs safely and help prevent tragedies.

Best/Worst Times to Drive

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says the second weekend of the holiday period will be the busiest on the roads, starting

Thursday, July 2. But in certain metros, like Boston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia,26-1059-TRV_July4th-Forecast_Carousel-BestWorst.png peak congestion is expected Saturday, June 27. Drivers looking to avoid the heaviest traffic should leave early in the day or consider traveling on Monday or Tuesday.

Independence Day Holiday Travel Period

AAA’s Independence Day holiday travel period spans nine days and includes two weekends. This year, the dates range from Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, July 5. Historically, this holiday period included only one weekend. The expanded travel window was instituted starting in 2024 with historical results calculated back to 2019 using the new nine-day period.

Holiday Travel Forecast Methodology

In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.

Historical travel volume estimates come from MMGY’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM. The PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. MMGY contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, and forecast U.S. travel behavior, all after the trips have been taken.

The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was finalized the week of May 18, 2026.

Because AAA holiday forecasts focus on domestic leisure travel only, comparisons to TSA passenger screening numbers should not be made. TSA data includes all passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes, whether traveling for work or leisure. Additionally, TSA screens passengers each time they enter secured areas of the airport, therefore each one-way trip is counted as a passenger tally. AAA focuses on person-trips, which include the full round-trip travel itinerary. As a result, direct comparisons of AAA forecast volumes and daily TSA screenings represent different factors.

Integris Health ‘Home Run for Life’ series

Teen looks back on crash & rehab efforts

Adler Caudle spent nearly his entire life behind the bars of a motocross bike, until a crash during a race in Kansas left him paralyzed from the waist down. The coordinated and multidisciplinary care Caudle received at INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation in the weeks and months that followed helped him get his life back on track.

Caudle was due to be recognized this month, as the impactful INTEGRIS Health “Home Run For Life” series continues this summer at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The series celebrates Oklahomans who have overcome significant health challenges and provides a symbolic end to their adversity with a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

The Accident:

Learning the ropes of racing from his father at three years old, Caudle had just turned pro in the sport when he went to a race with hopes of making some money. “The night was going great, super smooth,” remembers Caudle. “I got a little overly confident, tried to hit a jump that was not meant to be a jump and didn’t make it. My feet came off the bike and I landed on my head.”

The 18-year-old, from Moore, broke the fifth thoracic vertebrae in his back. “I remember hitting the ground and feeling like I had been crushed. I remember talking to my mechanic, who's one of my good friends, and telling him that I couldn't feel my legs and that I was scared.”

He was initially told by doctors in Kansas, where the race occurred, that his spinal cord had been severed. Thankfully, he would later learn that was not the case.

The Recovery:

Caudle’s stepmom used to work at INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation on the INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center campus in Oklahoma City. She insisted that he be transferred there for his recovery.

Emily Boyd, an INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe occupational therapist, recalls the early struggles Caudle went through having to relearn everyday tasks.

“When he came in, he was paralyzed from the chest down,” says Boyd. “He had a lot of upper body strength which is very helpful when the lower half of your body can't help you. He wasn't able to get dressed, go to the bathroom on his

own, get out of bed on his own. So, we pretty much had to relearn all of that.”

Caudle admits needing some encouragement in the beginning. “The simple stuff is what frustrated me — not being able to put my socks on or do things like that,” he says. “But giving up was never really an option in my head. It had never been an option my entire life.”

Caudle has a strong support system that helped him in those early days and weeks.

“I can't thank all my friends enough. My parents played a big role too. They didn't treat me any different. That brought a sense of calmness to the situation.” It also gave him the strength to keep pushing forward. “I don't like relying on people. I'm an independent person. I want to be able to do everything myself. That was one of my biggest goals right off the bat. I want to be able to live without any assistance from anyone.”

Boyd says hard work and determination helped,

but it was Caudle’s positive attitude that mostly impressed her. “He has a great head on his shoulders, and he is very mature to be able to handle emotions better than any other 18-year-old I've ever met personally.”

The Future:

Caudle drives a specially equipped pickup truck, has learned to snow ski and has even found a way to get back on his dirt bike. He continues to find the good in every situation. “I used to measure success by results, but I've realized now that my success is in the effort,” he declares. “Just trying my hardest every single day to reach my goals.” He adds, “I truly feel life has a funny way of putting us where we're supposed to be. I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason and that you just have to keep going and see where you end up. What you are capable of might just surprise you.”

Compassion doesn't end at cat adoption

By Reagan Hamlin

Free To Live Animal Sanctuary

After a long and stressful day, I’m always comforted knowing my three rescue cats, Subee, Jaime and Mikey, will greet me when I walk through the door. Hearing their soft purrs or feeling them curl up beside me brings joy and light to my day, but it also serves as a reminder of something we may take for granted: every animal deserves the opportunity to live a full life surrounded by safety, care and compassion.

June is National Adopt a Cat Month, a wonderful reminder of the happiness cats can bring to our lives. Adoption not only has the power to change a person’s life, but it can save an animal’s life as well. Whenever one of our sanctuary animals leaves with a new family, it delights my soul knowing a lifelong bond has been formed and a new chapter is beginning.

But adoption is only part of the story.

The good news is that many cats do find loving homes, but that is unfortunately not the reality for every animal. Some cats face challenges that make adoption more difficult: they may be older, have chronic medical conditions, be recovering from trauma or require specialized care. Some simply

need more time than most people are able to give.

Leading the efforts at a true no-kill sanctuary means committing to the animals who come through our doors for life, regardless of whether adoption is part of their future. It means recognizing an animal’s worth is not determined by how quickly they find a home. Sometimes a cat or dog spends one day in an adoptive home; others may spend ten years after being placed before they are returned to us, but our commitment remains the same. We provide the safety, medical care and enrichment they need to thrive throughout that animal’s lifespan.

A true no-kill philosophy is a promise without an expiration date. My own cats experienced hardship before becoming part of my family. Their lives did not become less valuable because they needed additional care, patience or understanding. The same is true for every animal that enters our sanctuary.

Sanctuary care fills a critical gap in Oklahoma’s animal welfare system. While adoption remains the goal whenever possible, not every animal who enters a shelter or rescue organization will find a permanent home. Organizations like Free To Live ensure animals with significant medical needs, behavioral challenges or age-related concerns are not left behind. They deserve the same dignity, comfort and quality of life as any other pet.

Enrichment, companionship and individualized

care matter. Whether a cat spends its days lounging in the sunshine, interacting with caregivers or simply enjoying the security of a stable environment, those moments have value. A meaningful life is not defined by adoption alone.

Yes, please adopt if you can. But know that adoption is not the only way to make a difference. You can foster. You can volunteer. You can donate. You can advocate for organizations that provide lifelong care for animals with nowhere else to go. Every act of support helps create a more compassionate future for Oklahoma’s homeless animals.

National Adopt a Cat Month is a time to celebrate every adoption, and we should. But it is also an opportunity to remember the cats who may wait longer, need more support or never find a traditional home. Compassion extends beyond adoption day. A truly humane community values all cats, not just the easily adoptable ones.

When I look at Subee, Jaime and Mikey, I’m reminded that every animal deserves that chance. Whether through adoption, sanctuary care or community support, we all have a role to play to ensure no cat is forgotten.

Reagan Hamlin is the Executive Director of Free To Live Animal Sanctuary, where she has served for more than eight years. She is the proud owner of five adopted pets and helps lead efforts to care for a neighborhood community cat colony.

Medicine, research run in the family

With Father’s Day over the weekend, Lijun Xia, M.D., Ph.D., recalls the night in 2018 his son called him, clearly discouraged.

“Jon told me some of his high school and college friends with bachelor degrees were now well into their careers, some of them making a lot of money,” said Xia, a longtime scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. “Many were getting married, but Jon had trouble affording to travel to the weddings. He was wondering whether he’d chosen the right career.”

“Jon told me some of his high school and college friends were now making a lot of money with just a bachelor’s degree in finance,” said Xia, a longtime scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. “His old friends were getting married, but sometimes Jon couldn’t afford to travel to the weddings. He was wondering whether he’d chosen the right career.”

Xia understood like few fathers could. His son was following in his footsteps to become a physician-scientist – a path about only 3% of physicians take.

Today, Jon Xia, M.D., Ph.D., is a gastroenterologist and clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. An expert in bileduct cancer, he says his father’s calm, steady encouragement helped him persist through those lengthy training years.

Jon Xia graduated from the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in 2006, then spent that summer at OMRF as a Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar. The experience, he said, ignited his passion for research –but so did growing up around his dad.

After a decade as a practicing hematologist, Lijun gave up his medical practice to focus on research. Three decades later, he leads OMRF’s Cardiovascular Biology Research Program.

The senior Xia’s advice is more collegial than fatherly these days, as his current research bears similarities to his son’s. He studies the role of intestinal sugars in cancer, fatty liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

When asked about his son’s accomplishments in the lab and clinic, the elder Xia ticked off a list like a proud father. He highlighted Jon’s recent work at Digestive Disease Week, the world’s leading conference of gastroenterologists, where Jon chaired two sessions.

“I’m very happy for him,” Lijun Xia said.

Jon Xia credits his father as a guide and source of inspiration, especially during challenging periods of his education and training.

“The message I took from my father was that worthwhile things often take time, and that if I believed in the work and kept going, the path would eventually make sense,” Jon Xia said. “What I’ve been able to do since then reflects years of support and perspective from my family that helped me get here.”

Review of movie ‘Toy Story 5’

That zany toy gang is back on the screen

By George Gust

“Toy Story 5” is the kind of sequel that could have easily felt unnecessary. When a franchise is this beloved, and when so many people grew up with these characters, another entry always runs the risk of feeling like it’s just extending the brand instead of telling a story worth telling. But this film more than justifies its existence. It’s funny, emotional, visually stunning, and smart enough to understand that a new generation of kids is growing up in a very different world than the one Andy did.

What works best is the decision to put Jessie at the center of the narrative. Woody and Buzz have carried so much of this franchise, so shifting the focus to Jessie gives the movie a fresh energy without making it feel disconnected from what came before. The advertised conflict of toys versus tech could have been handled in a heavyhanded way, but the film is more thoughtful than that. It understands the anxiety parents have around screen time, social media, online connection, and kids growing up too fast, but it doesn’t reduce technology to a simple villain. Instead, it

Answers on Page 19

makes a broader point about balance, creativity, and the difference between collecting virtual friends and finding the right people who actually know you. That’s the kind of message that parents know is true, but may not always know how to explain to their kids.

The film also feels more focused than “Toy Story 4,” which had plenty of strong ideas but sometimes struggled to bring them all together. Here, the script feels tighter, with setups and payoffs that recall the golden age of Pixar. The animation is, unsurprisingly, gorgeous, especially in the way the movie moves between the real

world and the imaginative games the kids are playing. Those moments are playful and clear for younger viewers, but they also work as a reminder of how important imagination is in a world built around screens.

There isn’t much that doesn’t work, but if there’s a missed opportunity, it’s that the movie only lightly touches on the more manipulative side of technology, AI, and social media. It’s present, but the film could have pushed that idea a little further. Still, that’s a small criticism for a movie that largely knows exactly what it wants to say.

“Toy Story 5” is a worthy continuation of one of Pixar’s most important franchises. It feels like a passing of the torch without making that the whole story, and it gives Jessie the emotional spotlight she deserves. For kids, it’s funny and exciting. For parents, it may hit a little harder than expected.

“Toy Story 5” is rated PG for some thematic elements and rude humor. 4.5

Freedom Bell making appearance

America’s Freedom Bell will make a special appearance at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on Friday, June 26, as part of its nationwide journey leading up to America’s 250th anniversary.

During the visit, guests are invited to ring the bell in honor or memory of a family member, friend or loved one who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Visitors may also sign a commemorative guest book recognizing their service.

In honor of the bell’s visit, the Museum will offer free admission June 26 to all guests with a valid military ID, including active-duty service members, retired military personnel and veterans. The Museum will also continue to offer standard Blue Star Museums admission for active-duty military personnel and their spouses and dependents.

Special activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and America’s Freedom Bell will stay at the Museum until 5 p.m.

A special ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. and will include remarks from Museum President & CEO Pat Fitzgerald and representatives from America’s Freedom Bell.

June’s Heard on Hurd a blast

GLP weight loss drugs & considerations

By Brian Attebery

Weight loss drugs and techniques have always been here. We have always been looking for the “magic pill”. With the surge of drug peptides generally called GLP-1 Medications, it seems many people have found that “pill”. Names such as Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Dulaglutide, and Exenatide are a few general categories you will here with various manufactures brand names such as Victoza, Trulicity, and Saxenda to name a few.

The market is loaded with these. These types of drugs surged beginning in 2024 and roughly 12% of Americans reported having ever taken them by 2025. While prescribed primarily for those with Type II diabetes, it has been shown to reduce weight for average obese Americans.

Like any medication, there is no “free pass”, and these medications can have side effects ranging from severe gastrointestinal issues, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, kidney damage from severe fluid loss with those vomiting and diarrhea, and even some scary reports of vision problems. As a

Road closure announced by the City

Beginning this week, Public Works Field Services will replace a failing storm drainage pipe located on Air Depot Boulevard between 15th Street and 33rd Street. This repair will require a full road closure south of Newport Drive and north of White Tail Run and through traffic will not be possible. Residents will still be able to access their property from the appropriate direction from the construction. This work is scheduled to be completed by the end of day on Thursday, July 2nd, with cooperative weather.

Fitness and Nutrition expert, I have issues with malnutrition and loss of muscle mass and bone density that I knew would happen. You can’t simply starve your body and not exercise to lose extreme weight and not have issues with those things.

I am not here to tell people whether to utilize these drugs. That is between you and your healthcare provider. I am going to tell you that simply taking these drugs and not being educated about proper nutrition and fitness is a bad way to approach it. For those that gave up their fitness because they lost weight on these and feel that they don’t need to work out anymore, then you need to rethink your priorities. You should be working out for many more reasons than just weight loss. I have been teaming up with a few physicians in town that are advising their patients to get on a solid exercise and nutrition plan, so they utilize these drugs in a comprehensive way. Some of those patients get comprehensive plans and knowledge from me to learn how to properly combine everything together. If you simply lose weight and 10-30% or more of the weight is muscle, you are losing part of your life-living function and protection of your joints. Losing muscle will also slow

your metabolism down.

People tend to get motivated when they feel there is hope. I have noticed that many people start eating healthy and trying when they get on these drugs. While I understand that many people have exercised and tried different diets and failed, many people truly have not done anything correctly long enough to really get momentum started.

Also, people tend to think they are doing things right and I find things they are innocently doing very wrong. If you are considering using these drugs, starve FIRST with getting educated on exercise and diet from a professional and follow those plans for several months to make it a lifestyle. If you still feel like you need these drugs, then discuss with your healthcare provider but at least you will have started a lifestyle that you can continue with once on the medications. You will never regret taking the comprehensive approach to your fitness.

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)

A special restoration by tech students

A U-Haul truck that is special to the history of Route 66 has been restored to its original working condition.

Students and instructors at Francis Tuttle Technology Center have been working on the truck for three-and-ahalf months. Auto Collision Repair Technology students brought the exterior of the truck back to life with dent and hole repairs and a new paint job, while Auto Service Technology students installed new parts and got the engine running again.

The truck bears a mural painted by Bob Waldmire, an American artist who was inspired by the sights and stories of Route 66. The mural includes a general map of Route 66 from Chicago, through Oklahoma, and finally out west to Los Angeles.

“I’m so excited that it has turned out so well,” Clint Drabek, Instructor for Auto Collision Repair Technology at Francis Tuttle, said. “I can’t wait for the people at the Route 66 Association to see the final product.”

Waldmire completed the mural in 2008. The truck was acquired by Oklahomans Ken and Marian Clark in 2009 and then by the Afton Station Packard Museum in 2019. It was then bought by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and sat along the road for several years.

For the centennial, the association sought to have the truck restored so it could be driven and appear at several events. Drabek, who is a member of the Route 66 Association, offered to have his students and Au-

tomotive Service students at Francis Tuttle to take the lead role in the restoration.

“They were so enthusiastic about this project and really bought into it,” Drabek said. “They’ve had so much fun. And they got to be part of something bigger.”

The process of fixing the truck included several crucial steps, including removing almost every part of its exterior and making sure the motor could operate again. It received a brand-new gas tank, dashboard, floorboard, wheels and tires and door handles.

“It was a great opportunity for the students to do work that we don’t normally get to do,” Drabek said. “It was unique. At the same time, this one project covered just about every area of the curriculum.”

The truck will now take part in a caravan traveling Route 66 in honor of its centennial. It will be driven across Oklahoma – and potentially farther – but is final home will be back in the state along Route 66.

Drabek’s class also restored a 1940s firetruck for the City of Wellston by updating special parts and lights on the outside and giving it a new paint job. Both vehicles will now serve as pieces of history along a stretch of road that served a special role in U.S. history.

“I’m just thankful to have been part of it,” Drabek said. “And now, new generations are going to get to see these vehicles and know they were part of Route 66 and special to the meaning behind it.”

CareerTech’s state director chosen for Leadership Oklahoma

Oklahoma CareerTech

State Director Brent Haken will participate in Leadership Oklahoma Class 39.

Haken will join 51 other leaders from across the state who underwent a competitive selection process. They represent business, education, health care, agriculture, government and nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma.

“Leadership Oklahoma is honored to welcome the exceptional individuals selected for Class 39,” said Jodi Lewis, president and CEO of Leadership Oklahoma. “These leaders bring a remarkable breadth of experience, expertise and passion for Oklahoma. Over the next 10 months, they will engage in meaningful dialogue, explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state and build lasting relationships that will help shape Oklahoma’s future for generations to come.”

to recruiting, educating and connecting caring and committed Oklahomans. There have been more than 1,900 leaders have graduated from the program.

Oklahoma CareerTech:

Haken said he hopes to gain valuable insight into the different industries in Oklahoma and learn more about what helps Oklahomans thrive so he can better serve the state in his role at CareerTech.

“Leadership Oklahoma is one of the most recognized leadership development programs with a distinguished set of alumni, and I am honored to be selected as part of this class,” he said.

Participants in the class will visit communities throughout Oklahoma, including Seminole, Lawton/Fort Sill, McAlester, Tahlequah, Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Tulsa, Guymon and Duncan, to gain an understanding of Oklahoma’s diverse strengths, challenges and opportunities.

Leadership Oklahoma was founded in 1986 and is dedicated

Oklahoma’s Workforce Leader

The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 63 campuses, 394 PK-12 school districts, 20 skills centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 49 adult education and family literacy providers.

The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.

When negotiating a car deal beware of AI

As artificial intelligence rapidly becomes part of the car-buying and selling experience, a recent incident involving a BMW dealership is raising important questions about how much consumers should trust dealership chatbots when discussing vehicle values, trade-ins, pricing, financing, and purchase offers.

According to published reports, a customer attempting to sell his BMW X3 received a vehicle purchase offer of more than $27,000 through a dealership AI chatbot. After scheduling an appointment to complete the transaction, the dealership later informed him that the offer had been generated in error and attempted to reduce the amount by approximately $7,000. The dealership ultimately honored the original figure after media attention highlighted the dispute.

While the situation occurred outside the United States, automotive analysts say it illustrates a growing consumer protection issue that could become increasingly common as dealerships expand their use of artificial intelligence for customer communications.

Consumers are becoming accustomed to interacting with dealership websites through chat windows, text messaging systems, automated lead-response tools, virtual assistants, and AI-powered customer service platforms. In many cases, shoppers may not immediately realize whether

they are communicating with a human employee or an automated system.

Auto retail analysts and car consumer advocates Zach and Ray Shefska say the technology can create convenience and faster responses, but it can also introduce new risks when consumers assume chatbot-generated information is final, verified, or contractually binding.

Among the questions consumers should now consider:

Is the person or system providing pricing information actually authorized to make an offer?

Has the dealership clearly disclosed when a customer is communicating with AI instead of a human representative?

Are trade-in values, purchase offers, financing terms, incentives, and vehicle availability being independently verified by dealership staff?

What happens if an AI system provides inaccurate pricing, payment calculations, incentives, or vehicle information?

Should consumers obtain written confirmation from a dealership manager before relying on any quote or offer generated through an automated platform?

Industry experts note that AI systems are increasingly being used throughout the retail automotive experience, including lead qualification,

appointment scheduling, trade-in evaluations, customer communications, inventory recommendations, finance pre-screening, and service scheduling. While these tools can improve efficiency, they also create new opportunities for misunderstandings when consumers mistake automated responses for finalized business commitments.

The incident also highlights a broader issue facing retailers across industries: as AI becomes more sophisticated and conversational, consumers may struggle to distinguish between customer service interactions and actual negotiations. In some cases, shoppers may believe they have reached an agreement when they have only interacted with a system designed to assist, not authorize transactions.

Auto retail analysts and car consumer advocates Zach and Ray Shefska say the technology can create convenience and faster responses, but it can also introduce new risks when consumers assume chatbot-generated information is final, verified, or contractually binding.

Munson condemns Parental Choice Tax Credit

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after new data showed the tax-funded private school voucher, or Parental Choice Tax Credit, is mainly going toward the wealthiest families.

“This new data, while upsetting and an indictment of what happens when we use public tax dollars to fund private education, is not surprising,” said Leader Munson. “Before the tax credit was expanded to $275M this session, there were reports showing that 90% of the tax credit recipients were already sending their children to private schools. Now, we are seeing even fewer lower- and middle-income families receive this credit—as Republicans supporting it claimed would help. Public school teachers and support staff are still not getting the pay they deserve while class sizes continue to grow and resources become limited. $275M would be transformative for our public schools, but instead, those millions in public tax dollars are going to families who do not need it. It is unacceptable.

“We knew this would happen, but seeing this data is no less discouraging. Our public education system has no chance of advancing from dead last in the national ranking when the legislature priori-

If we want to use our public dollars for private schools, we should require the same transparency and oversight as our public schools.

tizes allocating public dollars to private schools. Every additional dollar for public education this session was attached to a new mandate by the legislature. If we want to use our public dollars for private schools, we should require the same transparency and oversight as our public schools. Until then, we will continue to see reports that show Oklahoma taxpayers subsidizing private school tuition for the wealthiest among us.”

——

Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, has been selected as a member of Leadership Oklahoma's Class 39, joining 52 leaders from across the state chosen through a competitive application process.

“I am honored to be selected for Leadership Oklahoma Class 39," Gise said. "This program provides a unique opportunity to learn from leaders across our state and gain a deeper understanding of the com-

munities we serve outside of my district. I look forward to working alongside fellow Oklahomans who are committed to making our state stronger."

Leadership Oklahoma brings together professionals from a wide range of industries and backgrounds to explore issues facing the state and strengthen leadership through education and civic engagement.

Participants will travel to communities throughout Oklahoma to gain firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges affecting different regions of the state as part of the program.

Leadership Oklahoma is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting, educating and connecting leaders who are committed to shaping Oklahoma's future. More than 1,900 individuals have completed the organization's flagship leadership program.

“WHEN YOU ARE KIND TO OTHERS, IT NOT ONLY CHANGES YOU, IT CHANGES THE WORLD” - HAROLD KUSHNER