The O'Colly, Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Tulsa massacre survivors to appeal dismissal of reparations

Benningfield Randle, 108, Viola Fletcher, 109 and Hughes Van Ellis Sr., 102 — said they would be appealing to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Lawyers for the last three living survivors of the Tulsa race massacre of 1921 said they will appeal a decision to dismiss a lawsuit seeking reparations for the attack on what was known as Black Wall Street.

At a Monday press conference, an attorney for the plaintiffs — Lessie

“We will not go quietly,” the survivors said in a statement read by Damario Solomon-Simmons. “We will continue to fight until our last breaths. Like so many Black Americans, we carry the weight of intergenerational racial trauma day in and day out.”

Judge Caroline Wall, a Tulsa

Thapa awarded newest chair in Spears

A new chair has been established in the Spears School of Business thanks to two Oklahoma State alumni and long-time supporters of the university.

The Carl and Marilynn Thoma Distinguished Chair in Hospitality and Tourism Management will support the head of the Hospitality and Tourism Management department, who brings distinction to the school and the university through research, outreach activities and a commitment to student learning and leadership.

“We are proud to support the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management with this gift,” Thoma said. “We hope the chair will help this program continue its success in serving students and making a positive impact across the region.”

The inaugural Carl and Marilynn Thoma Distinguished Chair has been awarded to Brij Thapa, professor and head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM).

Established in 1937, HTM has expanded to a business-focused curriculum and engaged in research and outreach programming for hospitality, tourism and economic development.

Thapa also serves on the Oklahoma Restaurant Association’s Advisory Board.

In this role, he will take over student mentorship and placement of graduates in key industry sectors. Thapa will also prioritize advancing research targeted for industry and community practice as well as work with industry and government stakeholders to make an impact across Oklahoma as part of the land-grant mission of OSU.

See Spears on 6

county district court judge, on Friday dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, which means the same claim can’t be refiled in that court. In a brief entry on the court docket, Wall said she was dismissing the case based on arguments from the city, regional chamber of commerce and other state and city officials.

It’s the latest setback in a decadesold effort by survivors as well as their families and allies to seek reparations

for the May 1921 attack by a white mob on the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, which was home to a thriving Black community and multiple Black-owned businesses. A coalition to explore reparations for the survivors was established in 2001, and previous litigation to establish redress has been unsuccessful.

See Reparations on 6

A look at Big 12 football teams’ biggest losses and gains in the transfer portal

yards per carry.

Losses: WR Jordan Hudson, QB Sam Jackson

Hudson, a former fourstar, had potential for a big role at TCU before taking his talents across town to SMU. Hudson was ranked as the sixth-best wide receiver in the transfer portal by 247Sports.

Life in college football with the transfer portal is still new.

While some teams saw the portal take away starting-caliber players, others used the portal to replenish lost talent.

Almost every team in the Big 12 had major losses and big gains from the portal this offseason, but the teams that can replace starters could rise to the top of the new-look Big 12. Here’s a look at Big 12 portal movement.

TCU Gains: WR JoJo Earle, OT Tommy Brockermeyer, RB Trey Sanders Earle is an undersized, but effective wide receiver with blazing speed and twitchy athleticism. Earle recorded 12 catches each of the last two seasons at Alabama and also made a difference in the return game.

Brockermeyer, like Earle, brings three years of eligibility from Tuscaloosa to Fort Worth. Brockermeyer didn’t get much playing time with Alabama, but as a former top-10 recruit, he projects as an NFL Draftlevel tackle and has the ability to fortify the edge for the Horned Frogs.

Sanders was a five-star recruit but never consistently got on the field at Alabama. When he did get on the field, though, he averaged four

Jackson, a 5-foor-11 athlete was listed as a quarterback, but many thought he would turn out to be a receiver in college, but it never quite materialized for him. Jackson transferred to Cal and has three years of eligibility.

Kansas State

Gains: RB Treshaun Ward, WR Keagan Johnson

The reigning Big 12 Champions were relatively quiet in the portal, losing only two players and taking on only four.

Ward totaled 1,100 yards the last two season at Florida State at an average of 6.6 yards a carry. With the Wildcats in need of a replacement for program legend Deuce Vaughn, Ward, two years of eligibility left, could be that guy. Johnson has been in an offensive desert for the past few years in Iowa, while also missing much of last year with an injury. He has three years of eligibility remaining and with long-time star Malik Knowles moving on, Johnson could fill in.

Losses: LB Krew Jackson Only a freshman, Jackson has an elite frame, standing 6-foot-5, weighing 204 pounds, but with multiple years to fill out, Jackson has the physical potential to be a really good

player off the edge. He only had two tackles and one sack last season and is now at Arizona State.

Texas

Gains: WR Adonai Mitchell, CB Gavin Holmes Mitchell, who spent the first two seasons of his career at Georgia, recorded 65 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions in this year’s College Football Playoff and was one of the top wide receivers in the portal.

Holmes, 5-11, 168 pounds, spent his first two seasons at Wake Forest and is very sound technically with many snaps over the past two seasons.

Losses: WR Brenan Thompson, QB Hudson Card Thompson now at rival OU, still has four years of eligibility left and is the definition of a burner. Thompson was the most likely to take over for Xavier Worthy, who will likely leave for the NFL after this season. Card heads to Purdue after throwing for more than 1,500 yards the last two seasons.

Texas Tech

Gains: EDGE Steve Linton, WR Deandre McCray

Linton, a former Syracuse edge rusher, had four sacks and a forced fumble last season in his first year of starting every game. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

McCray is a little bit more of an unknown. He spent the last few years at Austin Peay, where he was a star for the Governers, totaling nearly 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns the past two seasons.

Courtesy of Mackenzie Janish Stephon Johnson Jr. (6) showed promise as a freshman wide receiver at OSU last season before transferring to Houston.

Kelsey Butler

Bloomberg News

Jake Sellers Staff Reporter

Calif Poncy Staff Reporter

Oliver’s

Football season is creeping up, and the Big 12 welcomes four new teams.

The O’Colly will rank position groups in the conference each week. Previously, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive lines, special teams and defensive lines were ranked. This time, it’s the linebackers.

No. 1: Texas

The Longhorns have one of the best linebackers in the nation. Jaylan Ford received first-team All-Big 12 and third-team All-American honors following a 2022 season with 119 tackles and four interceptions. High school All-American Anthony Hill Jr. is expected to fill in as a starter alongside 2022 reserve David Gbenda. Jahdae Barron is expected to continue as starter at SPUR.

No. 2: TCU

The Horned Frogs return two of the best linebackers in the conference. Johnny Hodges is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and is a member of the preseason All-Big 12 team. Jamoi Hodge had 82 tackles on his way to an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection last season.

No. 3: OSU

The Cowboys lost Mason Cobb to the portal but reinforced the position with the move of one of their best players. Collin Oliver is transitioning from the defensive line to the linebacker. Oliver is a twoyear starter and a former freshman All-American. Xavier Benson is returning after 76 tackles as a starter in 2022, and the Cowboys add Justin Wright from Tulsa, where Wright had 101 tackles and 10.5 tackles

for loss.

No. 4: Kansas State Kansas State returns two All-Big 12 performers from a season ago. Austin Moore and Daniel Green earned All-Big 12 honorable mention last season. Moore led the team in tackles and Green has played in 50 career games.

No. 5: Oklahoma

The Sooners added one of the best freshman linebackers in the country. Dasan McCullough transferred in from Indiana after his freshman year where he earned Freshman All-American honors. Danny Stutsman returns after an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2022.

No. 6: Kansas

The Jayhawks return all three starters from 2022. Taiwan Berryhill Jr., Rich Miller and Craig Young will be back in the secondary this season. Miller was an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2021 and Young had 60 tackles at the hybrid linebacker/defensive back position.

No. 7: Baylor

The Bears return two of their starters and add a solid starting linebacker. Mike Smith Jr. joins Baylor after a year at Liberty where he had 85 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Garmon Randolph and All-Big 12 honorable mention Matt Jones are the two returners. The two combined for 108 tackles in 2022.

No. 8: UCF

The Knights return one of the best linebackers from the American Athletic Conference last season. Jason Johnson had 126 tackles on his way to an All-AAC first-team selection. Rian Davis is expected to be a starter following a backup role in 2022.

No. 9: BYU

BYU returns its leading tackler and adds another linebacker through the transfer portal. Ben Bywater has led the team in tackles the past two seasons, and AJ Vongphachanh trans-

ferred in from Utah State following 101 tackles last season.

No. 10: Iowa State

The Cyclones lost two starters and will look to a transfer and backup to replace them.

Will McLaughlin and Missouri transfer Zach Lovett are expected to fill in. The two combined for 14 tackles last season.

Gerry Vaughn returns as starter, last season he led the team with 71 tackles.

No. 11: West

Virginia

Lee Kpogba returns to the linebacker spot with new starters surrounding him.

Kpogba led the team in tackles with 92 and was named as All-Big 12 honorable mention.

Jario Faverus and Lance Dixon are expected to fill in. Both had a handful of starts last season.

No. 12: Texas

Tech

The Red Raiders are needing to fill two starting spots for 2023. 2022 backups Bryce Ramirez, Jacob Rodriguez and Syracuse transfer Steve Linton are expected to be the contenders to replace the starters. Jesiah Pierre is the lone returning starter and finished eighth on the team in tackles with 40.

No. 13: Houston

The Cougars lost their top three linebackers from 2022. Malik Robinson is expected to take back his starting spot after a seasonending injury in Week 2 last season. Trimarcus Cheeks made five starts last season, and incoming freshman Latreveon McCutchin is expected to start.

No. 14: Cincinnati

Two of the Bearcats’ best linebackers in 2022 will not be returning. Backup Jack Dingle and Louisville transfer Dorian Jones are expected to step in. The duo combined for 48 tackles last season. Deshawn Pace will be the lone returning starter and ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 62.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

With Big 12 Media Days starting Wednesday, here are five storylines to pay attention to this week and beyond.

Is Texas really back?

Texas received the No. 1 spot on the Big 12’s preseason media poll. Recently, the selected preseason champion hasn’t hoisted the trophy since OU in 2020. But the last time Texas was picked first, 2009, the Longhorns did win the conference.

The Longhorns are tasked with a big exit party from the Big 12 that is projected to end with the conference championship trophy in hand. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is one of the best in the conference, and the offensive line is expected to repeat top-of-theconference production. The biggest question is if the Longhorns can come close to replacing star running back Bijan Robinson.

If they can, the Longhorns just might be back.

Who will start at quarterback for OSU?

Spencer Sanders transferred to Ole Miss, and the Cowboys are the last Big 12 team to announce their starter. The decision is down to four quarterbacks – Michigan transfer Alan Bowman, Garret Rangel, Gunnar Gundy and freshman Zane Flores. Mike Gundy has started just one true freshman in his time at OSU and started

Rangel over Gunnar Gundy down the stretch of last season when Sanders was hurt. Bowman sat on the bench for two years at Michigan, but had a solid starting career at Texas Tech.

How will the four new teams adjust?

Houston, Cincinnati, UCF and BYU are entering Year 1 in the Big 12, but each has a different situation. According to the preseason media poll, UCF is projected to be the best of the four this year, picked eighth. The other three were picked No. 11-13. Cincinnati enters the conference with a new coach and was decimated by the transfer portal. Houston and BYU had down years last season and are trying to gather themselves while entering a new league.

Can the Big 12 continue parity in the conference championship game?

In the past three seasons, the conference has seen six different teams compete in Jerry’s World in the Big 12 Championship game. Oklahoma versus Iowa State in 2020, OSU versus Baylor in 2021 and Kansas State versus TCU last season. As picked by the media members, Texas is predicted to win the conference, but Kansas State is picked as runner-up.

Can OSU win with so many transfers?

OSU is playing with more transfers than it ever has. After last season, OSU suffered 18 portal entries, but was able to add 14 to reinforce the team. OSU coach Mike Gundy never liked using the portal, but he’s had to adjust to the always-changing game of football. If he can be successful this season, it might lead Gundy to utilize it more in the future.

201 S. Perkins Rd · 405-372-7170

transition, Wright’s addition could put OSU linebacker group near top

Courtesy of Chase Davis

Collin Oliver’s (30) move from defensive end to linebacker could help strengthen an OSU linebacker group that lost Mason Cobb in the transfer portal.

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Losses: QB Donovan

Smith, S Reggie Pearson Jr.

Smith played a lot of Red Raider football. Over the past two years, Smith threw for 2,600 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, along with a viable run threat. Smith was not slated to be the starter at TTU, so he moved on to new Big 12 rival Houston for his final year.

Pearson on the other hand, was likely to be a starter for the Red Raiders but instead headed to OU for his final year. Pearson record at least 54 tackles each of the past three years.

Oklahoma State Gains: QB Alan Bowman, WR De’Zhaun Stribling, EDGE Anthony Goodlow

Few teams in the Big 12 have faced as much turnover as the Cowboys.

Bowman has had an interesting college career. He had a solid few years at Texas Tech before he left for Michigan after his junior year. Two years later, he finds himself in Stillwater.

One of Bowman’s main targets will be former Washington State standout De’Zhaun Stribling, a Hawaii native who had 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns his first two seasons.

Goodlow made his way to OSU after spending four years at Tulsa. Goodlow, an Oklahoma native, adds a pass rusher to the Cowboy defense line after Collin Oliver’s move to linebacker. Goodlow accumulated 12 sacks over the past three years.

Losses: QB Spencer

Sanders, LB Mason Cobb

Simply put, Sanders is one of the best quarterbacks in OSU history, and losing him left the Cowboys scrambling, which led to Bowman heading to OSU. Replacing Sanders won’t be easy, and the quarterback position is a big question mark heading into the season.

Cobb put together a spectacular season for the Cowboys last season, recording 96 tackles, along with forcing a fumble and picking off one pass. Cobb joined USC in the portal.

Baylor

Gains: RB Dominic Richardson, WR Ketron Jackson Richardson heads to Waco after a productive three years at OSU, where he rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns. He heads to BU where he and Richard Reese will form a formidable backfield duo.

A former four-star, Jackson comes to the Big 12 after a productive sophomore campaign at Arkansas, where he had nearly 300 receiving yards on only 16 receptions.

Losses: DB Alfahiym

Walcott, IOL Micah Mazzccua Walcott is a big loss for the Bears on the back end. The senior defensive back accumulated more than 80 tackles for BU last season, along with two

sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

Mazzccua also left BU for the SEC, heading to Gainsville to join the Florida Gators. Losing a quality interior lineman in Mazzccua, who has three remaining years of eligibility, could hurt Baylor’s attempt at a revamped run game.

Kansas

Gains: OT Logan Brown, CB Damarius McGhee Brown, a former five-star recruit, heads to Lawrence after spending two years at Wisconsin. Originally ranked as a top-10 prospect out of high school, Brown never truly caught on with the Badgers but could be a Day 1 starter for the Jayhawks.

McGhee, formerly of LSU, still has three years of eligibility, and with his long, lanky frame, he has the physical upside to be a very good player for the Jayhawks. The tandem of McGhee and Cobee Bryant has the potential to be one of the best corner duos in the nation.

Losses: None

Perhaps the most impressive thing accomplished by this program in recent memory, KU somehow managed to not have a major player enter the transfer portal.

Oklahoma

Gains: LB Dasan McCollough, OT Walter Rouse

Coming off its worst season in recent memory, Oklahoma hit the transfer portal hard. The Sooners are brought in 17 new players, including McCollough, who still has four years of eligibility left. He was a star as a freshman at Indiana, where he had four sacks and nearly 50 tackles.

Rouse spent multiple years at Stanford before moving to OU, and he only has one year of eligibility left. Rouse will likely be a starter on the offensive line right away.

Losses: WR Theo Wease, CB Jaden Davis

Wease was one of the few remaining holdovers from the Lincoln Riley era, but now he heads to Mizzou. Wease was a solid option the last two years, hauling in nearly 60 passes for almost 800 yards. Wease was on pace to be OU’s WR1 for the upcoming season. Davis is a talented player at a critical position, and one that the Sooners typically have struggled at, even before Davis decided to go to Miami for his final year. Davis played significant snaps for the past four years for OU, recording at least 20 tackles each season.

Iowa State

Gains: RB Arlen Harris Of the three transfers headed to Ames this season, former Stanford running back Arlen Harris is the biggest. With both Cartevious Norton and Jihrel Brock dealing with injuries last year, Harris could be called upon to fill a major role on the Cyclone offense.

Losses: DB Tayvonn Kyle ISU didn’t lose much in the portal either, but Kyle was a rotational defensive back, and with the Cyclones losing a few players from last year’s elite defense, an experienced veteran like Kyle on the back

end could have been helpful.

West Virginia Gains: WR Devin Carter, CB Montre Miller

In last year’s season finale against North Carolina, Carter, an NC State transfer, exploded for six catches and 160 yards, along with a touchdown. Carter is a big-bodied, explosive deep threat, who has a ton of natural ability.

Miller, a Kent State transfer, stand 5-10 and weighs 168 pounds, but despite his frame, he is at his best in man coverage. Miller performed well enough at Kent State to raise his portal status to a fourstar.

Houston Gains: WR Stephon Johnson Jr., LB Ish Harris

Johnson, a sophomore from OSU, had one catch for 84 yards and a touchdown in OSU’s bowl game and was expected to be a major contributor for the Cowboys before entering the transfer portal. The second-year wideout is a burner on the outside who has decent size at 6-foot, 175 pounds. Harris, 6-2, 205, heads to Houston after spending his first year at Texas A&M, and he has four years of eligibility left as he didn’t get on the field for the Aggies last season.

Losses: RB Alton McCaskill, OT Cam’Ron Johnson McCaskill, who transferred to Colorado, was spectacular as a freshman, toting the rock 189 times for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns. McCaskill was certain to be an offensive engine for UH before he took his talents to the Pac12. Johnson, who left for

Missouri, is a bruising tackle, standing 6-4, weighing 304 pounds. He would’ve helped alongside McCaskill in establishing a potent rushing attack during its first season in the Big 12.

BYU Gains: RB Aidan Robbins, CB Eddie Heckard Robbins heads to Provo after a breakout season at UNLV where he rushed for over 1,000 yards and broke into the end zone nine times. Robbins will likely slot into the starting role after last season’s leading rusher Christopher Brooks is with the Miami Dolphins. Heckard, is making a sizeable jump in competition after spending five seasons at Weber State. At just 5’10, Heckard has solid muscle mass at 190 pounds. Last season, Heckard had two interceptions, seven passes broken up and 50 tackles.

Losses: EDGE Logan Fano, LB Keenan Pili Fano, who didn’t suit up for BYU last season, takes all four years of eligibility to Utah. Fano has a great frame for an edge rusher, standing 6-4, weighing 240, and boasting enough power to bull over opposing blockers.

Pili recorded double-digit tackles each of the past four years, establishing himself as one of BYU’s best defensive players on the defensive side of the ball. Pili is headed to Tennessee.

UCF

Gains: DB Decorian Patterson, LB Rian Davis

Patterson, a Middle Tennessee State transfer, intercepted seven passes last

season, more than tripling his career total up to that point. Still, Patterson must show he can translate his ability to pick off passes on a bigger stage. Davis doesn’t have much production to his name, recording just 16 tackles in his two seasons at Georgia, but increased playing time could lead to a spike in production for a player with all the physical tools to be an elite college linebacker.

Losses: IOL Matt Lee, CB Davonte Brown Lee is a big interior guard, weighing nearly 300 pounds and standing 6-4. Lee’s absence will be felt as UCF tries to establish the run in a bigger, more physical conference than the AAC. He transferred to Miami.

Brown played a major role for the UCF defense each of the past three years tallying more than 20 tackles in each. Brown also batted down four passes last season and picked off two passes, but he joins Lee in Miami.

Cincinnati

Gains: WR Xzavier Henderson, QB Emory Jones Henderson heads to Cincy following a solid showing at Florida last season. The sophomore receiver tallied 400 yards and two touchdowns on 38 receptions for the Gators last season.

Emory Jones has had quite the career. Once a highly ranked recruit, Jones never really caught on at Florida and transferred to Arizona State, which didn’t work out. Jones can use his feet, but his accuracy has never been consistent. Still, he could be a good option for the Bearcats.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Chase Davis

Dominic Richardson was OSU’s starting running back a season ago, and he rushed for more than 1,100 yards in three years with the Cowboys before transferring to Baylor.

sports

2023 MLB Draft tracker

Where Cowboy baseball players are headed

190-pound righty led the Big 12 with 124 strikeouts, he also allowed a teamhigh 48 walks.

Nolan McLean, two-way player

Round: Third | Overall pick: 91 |

Team: New York Mets

Braden Bush Sports Editor

The 2023 MLB Draft is here, and through Tuesday afternoon, six Cowboy baseball players have been selected.

Here’s a look at who was drafted and where they’re headed.

This story will be updated throughout the draft.

Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP

Round: Third | Overall pick: 89 |

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

As the Friday starter for one season in Stillwater, Watts-Brown threw 82 1/3 innings with a 5.03 ERA, which was the second best of any Cowboy with more than 40 innings pitched. Watts-Brown started 15 games and amassed a 6-5 record. The 6-foot-3,

McLean has made a name for himself as a two-way prospect the past couple of seasons. At the plate, the 6-foot-4, 214-pound junior batted .250 this season and hit nine home runs with 57 strikeouts in 124 at-bats. On the mound, McLean served as the closer much of the year, picking up a teamhigh six saves, before entering the rotation. Across 14 appearances, McLean pitched 30 innings with 34 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA to show for. Last year, McLean was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, again in the third round, but did not sign.

Roc Riggio, 2B

Round: Fourth | Overall pick:

Team: New York Yankees

129 |

Riggio did it all for the Cowboys this season. He led OSU in home runs (18), runs (66), walks (46) and slugging percentage (.679). Riggio has been a staple in the starting lineup, where he

has manned second base for the past two seasons. The 5-9, 180-pound Riggio turned 33 double plays this season and was named first-team All-Big 12. Riggio was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB Draft but chose to come to Stillwater.

|

Marcus Brown, SS

Round: Fifth | Overall pick: 138

Team: Washington Nationals

Brown wasn’t one of the top OSU batters, but his defense at shortstop was excellent and helped the Cowboys maintain one of the best defensive infields in the country. On top of the defense, Brown was reliable, starting in 121 of 124 games the past two years, including all 60 games in 2023. He batted .273 on the season, with nine home runs and 36 RBI.

Brian Hendry, RHP

Round: 10th | Overall pick: 312 |

Team: New York Yankees

Hendry appeared in 16 games and started in five in one season with the Cowboys after transferring from St. John’s, where he missed the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John

surgery. Across 36 2/3 innings, Hendry picked up 51 strikeouts against just 14 walks, while carrying a 6.63 ERA. He pitched at least three innings in six of his first appearances but didn’t reach that mark after April 7 and never surpassed one inning in his final six outings. His 13 strikeouts against Utah Tech tied for the most by a Cowboy in any game this season.

Issac Stebens, RHP

Round: 16th | Overall pick: 478 |

Team: Boston Red Sox

Stebens didn’t start a game in his one year in Stillwater, but his 28 appearances were the most of any Cowboy in 2023. He pitched 64 1/3 innings -- third most on the team -- and maintained a team-low 2.24 ERA with 85 strikeouts against 24 walks. Stebens was a JUCO All-American at Cowley College, where he primarily used the fastball. The Stillwater native transferred to OSU last season and developed his changeup and slider, becoming a staple in the Cowboy rotation and earning six saves.

Courtesy of Andy Crown

Nolan McLean (left) and Roc Riggio (right) were drafted in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, in the 2023 MLB Draft.

OSU FAPC launches Meat Mastery Program

OSU’s Robert M. Kerr

Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) is meeting the workforce demand.

The FAPC recently held the first Meat Mastery Program. This hands-on program was organized in collaboration with Osage Nation and was designed to teach participants on several aspects of multi-species meat harvesting and value-added meat product processing.

Ravi Jadeja is an associate professor and principal project investigator. He said there is an increasing demand for trained meat industry professionals to solidify a quality and safe meat supply in the country.

“Several factors contribute to the increased workforce demand in food and agricultural products processing,” Jadeja said. “Food production challenges include decentralization, demand for local meats, food safety and food security. To combat the critical shortage of meat industry workforce, FAPC developed a hands-on training to train the meat industry workforce.”

Before the training was developed, FAPC looked into various teaching paths, including classroom-style workshops and videos. However, direct industry engagement is vital for the meat industry and its workforce.

“The project’s goal is to leverage OSU’s existing relations with two-year colleges and meat industry partners to prepare the next generation of the meat industry workforce,” Jadeja said. “For the next three years, a cohort of 60 students will receive hands-on meat processing training in feder-

ally inspected meat processing facilities located in OSU and the Osage Nation.”

A USDA-NIFA workforce training grant helped fund the project.

“FAPC focused on a solution-oriented approach to successfully develop and execute a summer training program,” Jadeja said. “Developing a hands-on training program comes with challenges, such as the purchasing of livestock and supplies. It’s also critical to not interfere with the day-to-day operations of commercial meat processing facilities involved in training participants.”

The FAPC meat processing plant is fully equipped to train attendants and is studentoperated through the entire process. Current student workers work closely with the Meat

Mastery Program participants and help with daily operations such as fabrication, harvesting, packaging and labeling.

Roy Escoubas is the FAPC director and said the cooperative efforts led to a successful program.

“FAPC is pleased to be a part of such an important training that delivers technical information to the promising next generation of meat processors,” Escoubas said. “The future of the industry is dependent on elevated and value-added educational opportunities.”

Joel Jackson, meat pilot plant manager, said the diverse group of attendees from across Oklahoma were introduced to several experienced professionals who shared their personal background and relation to the industry.

The program had multiple professional guests including Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne Arthur, of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; Scott Yates, director of food safety, ODAFF; Erica Hering, president, Ralph’s Packing Co.; and Stephen Spurgeon, regional manager, Walton’s Inc.

Faculty and staff members from OSU’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences helped as co-project investigators including Gretchen Mafi, Morgan Pfeiffer, Ranjith Ramanathan and Patricia Rayas-Duarte. Furthermore, collaborators included Pawnee Nation College, Murray State College, Connors State College and the Oklahoma Texas Meat Processors Association.

“We had an excellent

group that was eager to participate, and we are looking forward to next year’s Meat Mastery Program,” Jackson said. “I look forward to seeing these young people go out and begin their career in the meat industry.”

Grant-funded housing was provided to the participants at OSU-Stillwater campus and a grant-sourced $2,000 stipend at the end of the program was also provided. The summer training program provided preparation for participants to have a successful career in the meat industry as they received formal certificates and training in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of OSU

The FAPC recently held the first Meat Mastery Program. This hands-on program was organized in collaboration with Osage Nation and was designed to teach participants on several aspects of multi-species meat harvesting and value-added meat product processing.

Mallory Pool

Staff Reporter

Reparations...

Continued from 1

Solomon-Simmons called the Friday decision a “hurtful blow to our quest for justice not just for Greenwood but also for Black people throughout this country.”

Plaintiffs, who include descendants of other survivors, first filed the latest lawsuit in 2020 on the grounds that the city of Tulsa and other defendants violated local public nuisance laws. Under Oklahoma law, a public nuisance is an act or omission that affects an entire community or neighborhood. Citing a public nuisance in a lawsuit is a tactic used by other

cities and states to seek damages from opioid pharmaceutical companies. An amended version of the suit was filed in 2021, and again last September.

In the September filing, lawyers for Randle, Fletcher and Van Ellis called the attack “one of the worst acts of domestic terrorism in United States history since slavery” and said it completely destroyed Tulsa’s all-Black community of Greenwood.

In today’s dollars, the estimated economic loss of the homes and additional assets in the assault is over $200 million, according to a 2018 article in the American Journal of Economics and Sociology.

The case is Randle v. City of Tulsa, CV-2020-1179, Tulsa County District Court.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Continued from 1

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as the inaugural Carl and Marilynn Thoma Distinguished Chair in Hospitality and Tourism Management,” Thapa said. “This is an amazing opportunity to foster momentum and progress for our students, programs, research and outreach activities. HTM is grateful to Carl and Marilynn for their continued engagement and dedicated support.

“The new endowed chair is a further testament to their commitment to further advance the mission of the school, with an academic program that is ranked top 20 in the world. Additionally, as tourism is Oklahoma’s third largest industry, it is important to sustain and support workforce and economic development.”

The Thomas have been long-time philanthropists, establishing the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation in 1986. The foundation recognizes that education and arts enhance the lives of individuals and their communities, and it is inspired to make contributions with a wide-ranging yet personal impact.

At OSU, the Thomas have given to a wide variety of areas ranging from the arts to student programs and more. Their contributions include a $5 million gift to The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts — which endowed the executive director position — establishing the Thoma Fund for Entrepreneurship and heavily investing in the OSU Student Success Center.

The Thomas are also founders of the Wine Forum of Oklahoma, a biennial event hosted by HTM. Since 2009, the event has provided attendees with world-class wine education, played a

key role in the development of students and benefited the community and food and wine industry partners.

“This chair is a continuation of the Thomas’ long history of support for HTM,” Spears School of Business dean Ken Eastman said. “Carl and Marilynn were instrumental in the founding of the Wine Forum of Oklahoma and served as the event’s first honorary chairs. We have benefited greatly from their wisdom and support and are honored that their chair will help to ensure the vibrant future of this program.”

Carl and Marilynn both studied at OSU, earning bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural Economics and Home Economics Education, respectively. In 2010, they were inducted to the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame. The Thomas are also members of OSU’s Proud and Immortal Society.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Brandon Bell

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, center left, views a poster board alongside community residents during a memorial gathering at the AME Church during commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre on May 31, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Courtesy of OSU Carl and Marilynn Thoma have been long-time philanthropists, establishing the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation in 1986.

‘No Hard Feelings’, a return to fun film

The movie has the same beats as a romantic comedy. An extroverted girl who lives in a small town tries to save her childhood home, and the Princeton-bound guy with helicopter parents are brought together by his parents wanting him to break out of his shell. By breaking out, they mean hiring Maddie, who desperately needs a car, to date their son; however, this movie flips the script.

adult having to face growing up. The struggle of transitioning from youth to adulthood can be very tough to navigate, and it felt very relatable, though the movie exaggerated it a little.

Watching the dichotomy between a teen and a woman in her early thirties was fun. Especially when Maddie ends up at a party full of young adults, chaos ensues. The underlying metacommentary about Gen Z hit the nail on the head.

frontal nudity. I did enjoy seeing her terrorize them.

The movie was very predictable, except for an unresolved plotline. Maddie tells Percy that she can’t bring herself to try contacting her father, and by the end, she never does.

Jennifer Lawrence’s new R-rated comedy “No Hard Feelings” was a solid 6/10. It meshed together the heartfeltness of a ’90s rom-com, the raunchiness of the early 2000s romcom and the coming-of-age trend in recent media.

Instead of ending up in a romantic relationship, Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) and Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) form a solid friendship through misadventures. The ending speaks more to the trend that not every relationship is built on romantic love. The movie is a comedy, but the romcom vibes still fit.

One of my favorite parts of the movie was Andrew Barth Feldman’s performance as the awkward young

While the movie was full of quirkiness and humor, it fell flat. Some parts of it were hilarious, thanks to Jennifer Lawrence’s acting chops, but it wasn’t non-stop humor. For a comedy, it didn’t feel like it.

Some scenes feel out of place for the heartfelt movie masquerading as a comedy. Jennifer Lawrence beats up three teens that stole her clothes while skinny dipping. She does this in full-

However, heartfelt is the key word for this movie. At its core, the film is a coming-of-age story for both characters. Percy learns how to take on the world of adulting on his own, and Maddie comes into her own and breaks free of her childhood to forge her path.

The movie is marketed as a return to fun film. The type that you can just sit back and enjoy without the pressure of looking for every easter egg and theorizing for hours on the plot. It’s not the greatest movie of all time, but it is a good time.

Courtesy of Macall Polay

Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Andrew Barth Feldman in “No Hard Feelings.”

Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

‘Insidious: The Red Door’ An ‘Insidious’ return to the theater

Jaycee Hampton News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor Review

The Lambert family finds themselves reliving past horrors in the newest installment of the “Insidious” franchise, “Insidious: The Red Door.”

On July 7, Patrick Wilson made his directorial debut and pulled audiences back into the horrifying world of “Insidious.” Sony Pictures distributed this new Blumhouse production, and James Wan (director for the first two installments) hopped on as a producer for the fifth movie. Wilson, reprising his role as Josh Lambert, has been absent from the franchise since “Insidious: Chapter 2” after the production team decided to focus on prequels for the first two films and shifted focus to the psychic medium Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye).

Following the events of “Insidious: Chapter 2,” “The Red Door” mainly follows a now grown-up Dalton (Ty Simpkins) nine years later as he ventures into his first year of college at his dream school. As a family years ago, Josh and Dalton decided to have all memories of “The Further” blocked by hypnosis, which ultimately led to a new set of problems.

At the present time, Josh and his wife, Renai (Rose Byrne), have separated due to untimely events and struggles within the pair. This caused strain between family members, and it is an awkward and unsettling introduction to the film based on the previous productions. Quickly, we learn Josh wants to seek treatment for brain fog and overwhelming fatigue.

When Dalton’s art professor inspires her students to dig deep into repressed memories during a meditation exercise, hoping to help them create better art, Dalton begins remembering events from his past, opening a way for “The

Further” to reach him again. With Josh also seeking answers, things quickly become a nightmare for the family again.

Joseph Bishara also reprises his role as the man with the red face, which has filled fans’ minds with fear for over a decade. Fan favorites, Tucker and Specs, also made a small appearance, adding a remarkable detail from the franchise and embodying a true “Insidious” styled film.

“The Red Door” relies heavily on jump scares, but they fell short. Personally, there wasn’t a jumpscare you couldn’t see coming. The shock factor was missing.

Blumhouse has always

found a way to make their films touching, creating scenes that show love and faith can get you through anything dark and sinister. While this can be refreshing from other kinds of horror, which heavily rely on gore to carry throughout the film, it personally ruined the pacing of this film for me. It came off as cheesy and predictable.

Despite not feeling afraid or on edge, it was still an enjoyable film and anyone that is a fan of the previous films will be satisfied with its outcome.

If you are wanting to refresh your memory before viewing “The Red Door,” these are the films in chronological order:

“Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015).

“Insidious: The Last Key” (2018).

“Insidious” (2011.

“Insidious: Chapter 2” (2013).

And now, “Insidious: The Red Door” (2023).

“Insidious” and “Insidious: Chapter 2” are available for streaming on Max and Amazon Prime Video. “Insidious: Chapter 3” is available on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video and “Insidious: The Last Key” is available on Amazon Prime Video.

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

Courtesy of Screen Gems

Patrick Wilson in “Insidious: The Red Door.”

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (07/12/23). Fortune follows collaboration this year. Research and travel reveal treasure with discipline. Family fills your home with love this autumn, before community transitions unveil new winter teams. Brighten your home with spring cleaning and repairs for professional thriving. Together, you can make dreams come true.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Abundance is available. Focus on making money. Old assumptions get challenged. If you want different results, try something different. Conserve and preserve valuable resources.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Personal opportunities abound. Drastic changes bring about drastic results. Offer a solution. Your luck is expanding. Invent your own fun. Use your power responsibly.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 6 — Savor a private retreat to plan and organize, dream and envision. Nurture sensitivities. Consider options and choose. Invent and realize a delightful possibility.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Collaborate and strategize. Someone who seems dumb is actually brilliant. What seems sudden was actually planned. Appearances deceive. Pull together for a common cause.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Professional projects may change. Emotions could shift concerning career plans. Opportunities show up in a crisis. The good work you’re doing reflects you well.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Adventurous ideas abound. Investigate curiosities, interests and fascinations. Let someone draw you into another world. Find creative solutions. Learn valuable tricks. Share discoveries.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Collaboration can get lucrative. Changes can reveal financial opportunities. Discuss shared goals, dreams and visions. Abandon preconceptions or expectations for a bonus.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Discover something new about someone you love. Learn from another’s experience. Share the load and the fruit of your labors. Romantic connections develop naturally.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Get physical. Fun energizes you. Get your heart pumping. Don’t push, if it hurts. Steady practice builds strength. Slow for sharp corners. Beat your own record.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Listen to your heart. Find and follow a passionate connection. Relax and get playful. Whisper sweet nothings with someone sweet. Beauty inspires your spirit.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Discuss and implement solutions to beautify and improve your spaces. Clean, organize, bake or sew. Get creative with color, flavors and spice. Enjoy the garden.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — You’re especially creative. Follow your muses where they lead. Share your wildest ideas and dreams. Solving an intellectual puzzle delights. Surprise others, and yourself.

6

ACROSS

Alan Massengill & Doug Peterson

Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk