Dale Denwalt

1 week ago | oklahoman.com | Dale Denwalt |Josh Kelly

• The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, uses advanced technology and human expertise to forecast severe weather. • Proposed budget cuts threaten the National Severe Storms Laboratory and its Warn-on-Forecast System, which provides crucial early tornado warnings. • Meteorology students express concern about future job prospects due to potential cuts and program eliminations.

1 week ago | oklahoman.com | Dale Denwalt

• Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is pushing for stricter enforcement of laws regarding hemp-derived THC products. • While some states have banned these products, Oklahoma currently lacks specific legislation, leading to a regulatory gray area. • The medical marijuana industry advocates for stricter regulations on these hemp-derived products, citing safety concerns and unfair competition.

2 weeks ago | oklahoman.com | Dale Denwalt

For the second year in a row, Oklahoma's government will not participate in a federal summer food program worth $120 per eligible child. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's SUN Bucks program, also known as Summer EBT, doles out funds to state and tribal programs, that in turn give residents preloaded cards to buy food while children are on summer break. Most states have accepted the federal funds and will be providing EBT cards that are worth $120 for the entire summer.

2 weeks ago | oklahoman.com | Dale Denwalt

With the long-term forecast showing an above-average chance of rain for the next few weeks, dangerous flooding is a risk Oklahomans should be prepared for. As of April 29, parts of central and southwestern Oklahoma have seen as much as 6 inches of rain over the past week. The deluge has kept the soil water-logged, which makes flooding more likely. By May 2, Lawton is expected to get another 4.2 inches of rain.

2 weeks ago | oklahoman.com | Dale Denwalt

Oklahoma City's two Sumatran orangutans will be leaving soon after the pair failed to mate. Elok and Negara, the male and female orangutans at the Oklahoma City Zoo's Great EscApe habitat, will be moved to other Association of Zoos and Aquariums-member organizations in the coming months, based on recommendations from the AZA’s Species Survival Plan for orangutans. In a blog post, the zoo said the intended couple were brought to the OKC Zoo as part of a breeding recommendation from the AZA.