Tuesday, September 26, 2023
First wave of APRA funding influences Oklahomans to advocate for broadband service Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor The submission window is open for broadband service providers to apply for federal funding that will expand and improve Oklahoma broadband infrastructure. This month, the Oklahoma Broadband Office announced service providers can compete for $374 million in grant funding made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act to expand high-speed internet throughout the state. The application portal closes Oct. 9. “This is the first time we’ve had any statelevel money to help solve this problem,” said Brian Whitacre, Oklahoma State University Extension specialist in rural economic development and chair of the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council.
“Before, we were just relying on federal programs, but this is the first time we’re hopefully going to take a big step toward solving this problem.” Rural residents lacking access to quality, high-speed internet connection are encouraged to advocate for broadband service with their qualifying providers. “If your area or house is unserved, you can talk to local providers, such as electric cooperatives, and they can receive priority points for funding,” Whitacre said. “Be vocal, talk to the provider in your area and tell it you need a connection.” Whitacre said internet providers must specify the exact locations and buildings where they propose to expand or improve a broadband connection. See APRA on 7
Courtesy of Todd Johnson Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass Turfgrass, grown by Charles Biney at Riverview Sod Ranch, can be found on golf courses, football fields and soccer complexes nationwide, as well as in the stadiums and practice fields of the Philadelphia Eagles, the Washington Commanders, the Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears.
Southern-land grant universities create innovative, safe turfgrass Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor From college football players to preschooler soccer teams, one factor influences every sport: surface. Athletes risk injury as their bodies make contact with the surface they play on. The safety of running, kicking, throwing and tackling is determined by surface quality and type. Research projects across the southern U.S. are making
a difference in sport safety by developing different varieties of turfgrasses and studying the underlayment and construction of stadium and community soccer fields, golf courses, home lawns and more. Clemson University, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Tennessee and University of Georgia are part of a system of 15 agricultural research centers at land-grant universities in the southern U.S. where scientists collaborate to conserve the region’s natural resources and sustainably feed a growing global
population. Oklahoma State University Researchers at OSU developed and commecialized 10 new types of turfgrass. OSU’s recent bermudagrass variety, Tahoma 31, can be found on golf courses, football fields and soccer complexes nationwide, as well as in the stadiums and practice fields of the Philadelphia Eagles, the Washington Commanders, the Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears. Todd Tribble, athletic field superintendent at OSU, learned about turfgrass man-
agement as a Clemson University student. Tribble said the knowledge he gained as he studied at Clemson correlates to his turfgrass role at OSU. “Both universities are in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7,” Tribble said. “So, the grasses we grow here are the same type of grasses grown at Clemson. Most day-to-day management tasks are very similar. The only real difference is the amount of winterkill we see on bermudagrass here because our winters can sometimes be quite severe.” See Turfgrass on 6
‘Euphoria’ sparks tough conversations at OSU Raynee Howell Staff Reporter “Euphoria,” an HBO show, starring Zendaya, has taken the world by storm with the release of the first season, and again with the release of the second season in early 2022. The show follows a group of teenagers navigating relationships, platonic and romantic, in a world of trauma, sex and drugs. The audience is primarily collegeaged viewers, with the content covering issues young adults might experience. Rue, the main character, is a drug addict while other characters experience abuse, insecurity and various mental health issues. In the show, the content is often intense with graphic depictions of drug use, substance abuse, overdoses and violence. The department of wellness at OSU became aware of the show’s popularity after the release of season 2 in January 2022. The issues arising in the show were the exact issues the department was working toward decreasing on campus. “Euphoria: Unraveled,” a presentation put on by Ryane Draper, grant manager, and Macy Stokes, coordinator
of health education, reached the student body for the second time on Sep. 20, 2023. Both Draper and Stokes raised concerns about issues like addiction, mixing substances, overdose and substance abuse during the presentation. Using the show, “Euphoria,” they piqued the interests of students to discuss the importance of awareness on these issues. Short two-to-three minute clips from “Euphoria” were shown to expose the correct signs to look out for when spotting addictive behaviors. Between each clip, both presenters explained how to help if you somehow find yourself in a similar situation to one on the show. Addiction, one of the main themes on the show, is a complex issue to discuss. In the presentation, they identified factors that can lead to addiction. Mental health issues, trauma and access to prescription medication are all risk factors for developing an addiction. In “Euphoria,” Rue was diagnosed early in life with multiple different mental health issues, including OCD, ADD and depression. When she got older, her father became deathly ill, and she took care of him. This gave her access to his prescription medications. See ‘Euphoria’ on 8
Raynee Howell The department of wellness hosted “Euphoria:Unraveled” to help students identify signs to look out for when spotting addictive behaviors.