Newly released bodycam footage reveals the arrest of Jesse Mack Butler, an Oklahoma teen who avoided significant jail time due to the state’s youthful offender law. Despite pleading no contest to 11 charges, including rape and strangulation, Butler, who was 17 at the time of the attacks, received a sentence of rehabilitation and community service. The case involved violent assaults against two girls at Stillwater High School, leading to outrage from the victims’ families and local officials who were dismayed by the lenient outcome. Consequently, Butler’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 8.
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Anthony Lennon, an Oklahoma sex offender who had been on the run for 13 years, was arrested in New York after allegedly faking his own abduction in 2012 to avoid a second criminal case. Lennon, who was on Oklahoma’s “Ten Most Wanted” list, was initially convicted in 2008 on child pornography charges. Authorities discovered Lennon had been living under an alias, “Justin Phillips,” and was enrolled in a New York college. Following his arrest, it was revealed that Lennon had also failed to register as a sex offender.
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Following the resignation of Oklahoma’s anti-LGBTQ+ Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, the Rainbow Youth Project observed a 36% decrease in crisis calls from the state. Prior to Walters’ departure, the hotline received an average of 1,431 monthly calls, with 64% of callers identifying him as a source of distress. This drop in calls comes after a period where calls surged, particularly following the death of a transgender student, and when many calls concerned bullying incidents related to anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Notably, Walters’ tenure was marked by controversial actions, including attempts to implement Christian Nationalist policies and measures seen as harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.
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On Wednesday, Ryan Walters revealed his resignation as Oklahoma State Superintendent on Fox News. Walters is transitioning to the role of CEO at the Teacher Freedom Alliance, an organization focused on eliminating teachers’ unions and promoting “American exceptionalism” in school curricula. The announcement was also publicized on the organization’s Facebook page. Following the news, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a statement expressing his dissatisfaction with Walters’ tenure. Walters, who was elected State Superintendent in 2022, previously served as Secretary of Public Education under Governor Kevin Stitt, and his term was expected to conclude in 2027.
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A tiger handler at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Oklahoma was fatally attacked by a tiger he cared for. The preserve mourned the loss of Ryan Easley, describing him as a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation who was deeply connected to the animals. Following the incident, the preserve has canceled tours and animal encounters. PETA has released a statement, reiterating the dangers of direct interaction with apex predators and calling for the animals to be moved to accredited sanctuaries.
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Oklahoma legislators recently introduced a bill mandating that all public universities construct a “Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza” with a statue and signage honoring the deceased conservative activist, or face fines. This legislation follows tributes comparing Kirk to civil rights leaders, despite his past criticisms of figures like Martin Luther King Jr. The bill requires legislative approval of the memorial design and includes measures to protect the plaza from vandalism. However, this proposal comes amidst research revealing significant disagreement with Kirk’s views among college students, and criticism from religious leaders who disagree with these comparisons.
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The maternal grandmother of an 11-year-old girl who gave birth was charged with six counts of felony child neglect after prosecutors alleged she knew about the pregnancy and failed to report it, along with failing to provide adequate care for the girl and five other children in the home. Michelle Justus, the children’s “caretaker,” is accused of allowing the children to live in deplorable conditions and failing to provide medical care and supervision. The girl’s mother and stepfather were previously arrested and charged, with the stepfather revealed to be the baby’s father. The other children were removed from the home.
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Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers, a vocal Christian nationalist, views the separation of church and state as “blasphemous” and a belittlement of Jesus Christ’s authority. Deevers believes the government’s fundamental role is to convert people to Christianity and extend Christ’s dominion over all aspects of life. He has openly advocated for policies that reflect this belief, including abolishing abortion and outlawing same-sex marriage, as outlined in the “Statement on Christian Nationalism and the Gospel.” Deevers’ views and actions align him with other radical Christian nationalists, further solidifying his commitment to establishing a Christian theocracy.
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To ensure teachers from states like California and New York are not promoting “woke” ideologies, PragerU and the Oklahoma State Department of Education have developed a 34-question assessment. This test covers topics ranging from presidential history and Supreme Court decisions to gender identity. According to State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the assessment aims to protect Oklahoma classrooms from “radical leftist ideology.” Passing the test leads to a PragerU Teacher Certificate, signifying a commitment to traditional values.
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Oklahoma now requires teachers from California and New York to pass a 34-question “America First” certification test developed with PragerU. State Superintendent Ryan Walters asserts the exam protects Oklahoma classrooms from “radical leftist ideology” by ensuring teachers reflect “American values.” The test includes questions on civics, history, gender, and identity, and critics view it as a political loyalty test, potentially worsening the teacher shortage. The initiative, which has already garnered interest from other states, has been met with warnings from opponents who fear the impact on recruitment.
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John Q. Hosedrinker