1. FBI shares warning signs after Pauls Valley shooting
- Federal agents say targeted violence often shows warning behaviors.
- Students return to campus following this week’s incident.
- Principal credited with stopping suspected shooter.
Federal investigators say preventing school violence starts with recognizing early warning signs. The FBI describes a “Pathway to Violence,” a pattern of behaviors and stressors that often develop before an attack.
Investigators urge reporting threats early, saying intervention and community awareness can help prevent future attacks in Oklahoma schools.
Officials say these incidents are rarely spontaneous. Oklahoma City FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas Goodwater says violence is typically not impulsive. This comes after a shooting at Pauls Valley High School was stopped when the principal tackled the suspect, suffering a gunshot wound to the leg.
Students return to school on Friday. Officials emphasize vigilance and reporting concerns.
2. Loved ones remember mother, daughter killed in I-35 crash
- Fatal crash happened Wednesday on Interstate 35 in northeast Oklahoma City.
- Three people, including a child and OHP trooper, were killed.
- Investigation into the cause remains ongoing.
Friends and family are remembering a woman killed in a crash along Interstate 35 as a devoted mother.
36-year-old Mercedes Bayne, who was killed in an I-35 crash along with her 4-year-old daughter, is remembered as a devoted and joyful mother.
Investigators say 36-year-old Mercedes Bayne swerved to avoid something in the roadway, crossed a cable barrier and collided with Trooper Vernon Brake. The crash killed Bayne, her 4-year-old daughter and the trooper.
At the center of a triple fatality crash on I-35 near Hefner Road on Wednesday is a truck driver who lost a portion of their load on the interstate.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is still working to determine what led up to the crash.
3. UFL announces Oklahoma City expansion team
- New team set to begin play in 2028 at planned MAPS 4 stadium
- First expansion since 2024 USFL-XFL merger.
- Professional football coming to Oklahoma City.
The United Football League announced plans Thursday to expand to Oklahoma City, with a new team expected to begin play in spring 2028.
League officials say the team will play at the planned MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium. The team name and branding will be announced later.
League announces 2028 expansion to Oklahoma City.
The league says Oklahoma’s strong support for football made the expansion an easy decision. It marks the first expansion since the USFL-XFL merger in 2024.
4. Interim Oklahoma County commissioner steps in after resignation
- Paul Foster named interim District 3 commissioner
- Follows resignation of Myles Davidson
- Focus on jail funding and infrastructure.
A new interim leader is stepping in for Oklahoma County.
Paul Foster has been appointed interim District 3 commissioner following the resignation of Myles Davidson. Foster says he plans to rebuild public trust while addressing major issues, including jail funding and infrastructure challenges facing the county.
Paul Foster steps in as interim Oklahoma County District 3 Commissioner, pledging to rebuild trust and tackle jail funding and infrastructure challenges after his predecessor’s resignation.
5. Baby eagle saved at wildcare in Noble
- Eaglet was found after a storm in Shawnee.
- Wildcare Oklahoma in Noble saved the eaglet.
- More injured and orphaned wildlife are cared for daily
A storm blew through the Shawnee area on Friday, knocking down a tree that contained a nest holding a baby eagle. A wildlife care center in Noble is now working to help the baby eagle recover from its injuries.
“Wildcare Oklahoma is one of the ten largest wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education centers in the United States,” said Wildcare Oklahoma executive director, Inger Giuffrida.
“We handle the animals as little as possible, because that increases their chance for success in the wild.”
The wildlife hospital in Noble takes injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife animals from all over the state. To release them back into their natural environments.