AGP Executive Report

College Football Buzz: EA Sports College Football 27 simulations are already stirring up 2026 hype, with 26 computer-run seasons producing 42 different CFP teams and Miami leading the way with 24 playoff appearances. NBA Offseason Watch: A new roundup of what’s changed across all 30 teams highlights the biggest draft miss in years—Zaccharie Risacher’s quick trade from Atlanta to Dallas—and keeps the LeBron James question front and center. Oklahoma Sports & Entertainment: Choctaw Casino is rolling out a free-to-play “sports betting” app using mock currency, while Oklahoma’s Ken Pomeroy is set to bring her Oklahoma-shaped sound to The District in OKC. Local Community & Events: Hochatown is suing Airbnb over alleged misrouted lodging taxes, and the 2026 Deer Hunting Conference and Expo is scheduled Aug. 15 in Oklahoma City. Food Safety: A salmonella egg recall expands, including Brookshire Grocery locations in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma 4-H Roundup: Oklahoma 4-H’s 105th Roundup at OSU (July 22-24) is getting a major boost from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, which has put $1 million into an endowment for Roundup and statewide STEM, plus $100,000 for the Innovate Summit. Local Arts & Music: LTV Studios’ cabaret series continues with “Beyond Blue Moon — And Before the Broken Hart,” a Lorenz Hart-themed performance by Eric Yves Garcia and Maria Abous on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Community Events: Shawnee’s FireLake Fireflight Balloon Fest returns Aug. 7-8 with tethered balloon rides, live music, a 5K, kids’ carnival, and a drone show Friday night. Sports Spotlight (OKC): The ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships are underway in Oklahoma City at Riversport, with Olympians Evy Leibfarth, Ria Sribar, and Marcella Altman competing—plus a look at the Olympic course ahead of 2028. Rodeo Culture: The Great Plains Rodeo is gearing up for another season, with organizers emphasizing a welcoming, inclusive rodeo community.

Oklahoma Sports & Culture: Kirby Smart used SEC Media Days to praise the Oklahoma City Thunder, pointing to the 2025 title team’s “selflessness” as a model for Georgia’s big-moment growth. College Baseball: Kansas and Iowa will play an exhibition Oct. 10 near the “Field of Dreams” site in Dyersville, a first collegiate matchup between power-conference programs at the venue. Public Health: Oklahoma reported 172 confirmed and probable cyclosporiasis cases, up from 56 last week; the FDA is still investigating a possible link to shredded iceberg lettuce tied to a Taylor Farms recall. Politics & Consumer Issues: Oklahoma’s GOP Insurance Commissioner race is down to Bob Sullivan vs. Marty Quinn, with both emphasizing competition and accountability; AG Drummond’s lawsuits against State Farm and Allstate over hail/wind claims are part of the backdrop. Local Arts & Entertainment: Oklahoma City approved a massive public terrazzo artwork by artist Matt Goad for the Continental Coliseum concourse, set to open in 2028. Youth Sports Watch: A new report says youth sports is a $40B business drawing private investment, raising scrutiny over costs and competition.

Oklahoma City Ballet: The company just unveiled its 2026-27 season, mixing classics, contemporary works, and family favorites—plus its first-ever Don Quixote in February and the return of The Nutcracker in December. Local Arts & Culture: The Traditional Cowboy Arts Association is back for its 27th annual exhibition and sale at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, with 19 artisans and ticketed events Sept. 25-26. Sports & Community: Oklahoma’s SEC Media Days spotlighted OU’s John Mateer and Brent Venables as the Sooners push for a CFP bounce-back, while the U.S. Supreme Court decision vindicated Oklahoma’s girls’ sports law. Major Legal/Crime: Former NBA and OSU star Desmond Mason faces fraud charges in Oklahoma County over alleged undelivered art pieces. Health & Giving: The Red Cross is urging donations after a major blood supply drop, with local drives and incentives for donors.

SEC Football Buzz (Oklahoma): At SEC Media Days in Tampa, OU coach Brent Venables and QB John Mateer leaned hard into improvement mode—especially the run game and offensive execution—after a thumb-injury derailment and a tough CFP exit. Thunder Shake-Up: OKC traded Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a cost-cutting move, sending the franchise’s long-time defensive identity into a new chapter. UFC OKC Aftermath: Kamaru Usman fell to Dricus du Plessis by unanimous decision in Oklahoma City, reigniting title talk for Du Plessis while raising fresh questions for Usman’s next step. Local Sports Spotlight: The ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships are underway at Riversport OKC, with ticket info and a packed schedule, plus Jessica Fox celebrating with cowboy boots. Community & Culture: Cherokee Nation is using opioid settlement money to support reentry housing and services, helping people rebuild after addiction and incarceration. Health & Safety: General Mills recalled 730,000+ Pillsbury bread rolls sold at Walmart due to possible glass fragments, with Oklahoma among affected states. Arts & Entertainment: Tulsa breakout Indigenous filmmaker Loren Waters is celebrating major recognition for her documentary short “Tiger,” and the Henry Awards in Colorado highlighted a Lone Tree Arts Center musical win.

Local Transit Vote Watch: ONE Transit is floating a new penny sales tax next year to fund expanded commuter rail linking OKC with Edmond and Norman, plus upgrades to light rail and bus service. SEC Football Buzz: At SEC Media Days, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables leaned into “hard to kill” and said the Sooners want a better turnover margin and a more productive rushing attack, while QB John Mateer says he’s fully back after a thumb setback. Sooners Personnel Notes: Venables highlighted portal OL E’Marion Harris as a key piece up front and said WR Trell Harris is “really close” to full health for fall camp. UFC OKC Spotlight: UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City featured Tommy McMillen’s big home-crowd win, while Du Plessis’ camp dismissed Usman’s complaints about an eye poke. Community & Culture: The 39th Annual Oldies ’n Goodies Car Show returns Sept. 19 in downtown Dewey, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits. Osage Nation Leadership: Joe Tillman was inaugurated as the new principal chief of the Osage Nation in Tulsa. Sports Facility News: Signal Peak Energy Arena opened in Billings, expanding ice-sports opportunities across Montana.

UFC Oklahoma City: Dricus du Plessis rebounded with a unanimous decision over Kamaru Usman, reigniting title talk after his earlier middleweight loss. Thunder Moves: Oklahoma City traded Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal that also sent Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas, with Sam Presti calling it a luxury-tax, financial necessity. NBA Summer League: The Nets beat OKC 108-90 in the closer, while Will Richard helped the Warriors win the Summer League final. College Football Buzz: SEC Media Days kicked off in Tampa, with LSU’s Lane Kiffin and other big names setting the tone for 2026 storylines. World Cup Wrap: Spain topped Argentina 1-0 in the final on Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal, and the soccer calendar shifts back to club play. Oklahoma Politics: A report highlights how wealthy candidates loan themselves huge sums, raising concerns about who’s really driving Oklahoma elections. Local Business/Tribe: Tutor Perini won a $140M Choctaw Casino & Resort renovation and expansion in Pocola.

UFC Oklahoma City: Dricus du Plessis dominated Kamaru Usman in the Paycom Center main event, and UFC boss Hunter Campbell heaped praise on strawweight standout Fatima Kline, comparing her to Demetrious Johnson after her win over Tabatha Ricci. NBA: Oklahoma City traded longtime defensive wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, sending Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas and netting OKC three second-round picks. College Football: SEC Media Days kick off Monday in Tampa, with Oklahoma’s John Mateer among the notable names, as the conference leans into big questions after a title drought and coaching churn. World Soccer: Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal, capping a record-setting tournament. Oklahoma Sports Community: A local wheelchair softball team keeps its annual Crossroads tournament focused on community and movement, not just wins. Local Music/Radio Legacy: Tulsa country radio mainstay Billy Parker is remembered on what would’ve been his 89th birthday.

UFC Oklahoma City Recap: Dricus du Plessis bounced back with a dominant unanimous decision over Kamaru Usman, winning all five rounds (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) and reigniting his title hopes after a layoff. Dana White Updates: White also confirmed Conor McGregor suffered a torn ACL and will need surgery and rehab before any talk of a return. Controversy Watch: The card sparked fresh referee chatter, including complaints about stoppages and illegal-strike calls. Big Fight Night Money: UFC Oklahoma City bonuses were announced, with Fight of the Night going to du Plessis vs. Usman and Performance of the Night honors to Tommy McMillen and Felipe Franco. Local Sports Spotlight: Oklahoma City is also gearing up for the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships at Riversport, with an international opening ceremony and competition starting Monday. Community & Culture: Oklahoma’s Horror Con drew fright fans with vendors, cosplay, and a haunted-house vibe—Halloween energy, but in July.

UFC in OKC Tonight: Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman headline UFC Fight Night 281 at Paycom Center, with the main card set for an 8 p.m. start on Paramount+ and prelims beginning at 5 p.m. Local Sports Spotlight: Oklahoma City is also hosting the International Canoe Federation Slalom World Championships at Riversport OKC, kicking off with an opening ceremony Saturday and running July 20-25 with athletes from 50+ countries. Motorsports Heartbreak & Hope: Kyle Busch’s widow Samantha Busch shared that their son Brexton won his first race since Kyle’s death at Port City Raceway, calling it “beyond shattered” but “beyond proud.” Pop Sports Buzz: LeBron James showed love for Caitlin Clark after her historic 45-point performance, resharing the moment on Instagram. Arts & Community: Oklahoma Youth Sing! is building community for young singers, giving kids a stage and a path into music. Entertainment Watch: The France vs. England World Cup bronze match airs on FOX today, with streaming options available.

Country Music Spotlight: Luke Combs is set to make history at Ireland’s Slane Castle with back-to-back headlining nights (July 18-19), bringing his My Kinda Saturday Night Tour to the iconic venue with The Script, Ty Myers and The Castellows on the bill. MMA in OKC: UFC Fight Night returns to Oklahoma City at Paycom Center with Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman as the main event, plus octagon-girl spotlight Chrissy Blair and Brooklyn Wren and live results coverage as the card unfolds. Olympic Paddling in OKC: Noemie Fox is shifting focus at the canoe slalom world championships at the McClendon Whitewater Centre, aiming for 2028 LA qualification and more than one Olympic start. Local Sports & Schools: OSSAA released tentative ADM numbers for 2026-27 classifications, while Oklahoma City-area teams begin organized fall practices and OSU’s hybrid Tahoma 31 bermudagrass is tied to the World Cup final field. Community & Culture: Route 66 centennial celebrations keep drawing visitors, and Oklahoma’s film scene gets a boost as “Gangland” director Vincent Grashaw brings a Native American story to the Jerusalem Film Festival.

UFC Oklahoma City Preview: Former champions Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman headline a UFC Fight Night in OKC that’s being billed as “no-man’s land,” with both fighters chasing bigger goals than just a win. Local Sports Spotlight: Oklahoma’s Maya Brady is being praised as a “natural-born leader” for Spark, with her Athletes Unlimited run heating up as the league heads toward playoffs. Cherokee Health: Cherokee Nation Health Services unveiled the new $470M W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, expanding beds, emergency care, diagnostics, and a neonatal ICU. Red Dirt Music: The Red Dirt Relief Fund benefit returns Sunday at The Bowman with live sets, raffles, and prizes supporting Oklahoma music professionals. Live Entertainment: WWE’s road to SummerSlam rolls through Oklahoma City with “Saturday Night’s Main Event” at Madison Square Garden on July 18. Health Warning: Experts are urging parents and teens to avoid the deadly “Benadryl Challenge,” after reports tied it to a fatal Oklahoma case. City Pride: OKC Mayor David Holt says it’s time for a new city flag, with residents leading the redesign effort. Concert Tickets: Win tickets to Josh Meloy’s Aug. 15 show at The Lumberyard in Canyon.

UFC Oklahoma City: Dricus du Plessis and Kamaru Usman headline UFC Fight Night 281 at Paycom Center on July 18, with Du Plessis arguing the winner should get the next shot at Sean Strickland and the card set to stream on Paramount+ (8 p.m. ET). Local Sports Spotlight: Skylar Wallace keeps the momentum rolling for the Oklahoma City Spark in the AUSL, powering a series win with three homers in a standout night. Route 66 Art Buzz: Yukon artist Carlos Barboza refreshed the Creative Crosswalk mural ahead of Route 66 Mural Fest and the Route 66 centennial celebrations. Music & Theater: Lesley Manville and Anna Maxwell Martin team up for a London run of “August: Osage County,” bringing the Tracy Letts drama back to the stage. College Football Watch: Big 12 preseason honors put BYU’s LJ Martin atop the league, with Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker named Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Community & Culture: Oklahoma City’s OKC United logo/name reveal and the new pro soccer direction continue to draw attention.

UFC Oklahoma City: Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman is set for July 18, and the build-up includes talk about why the UFC hasn’t landed in Africa—plus du Plessis insisting he’s fixed issues after a “gameplan problem.” Route 66 Art Weekend: MuralFest kicks off this weekend with murals and events stretching from Sayre to Miami, including Oklahoma City metro stops like Edmond and the 39th Street District. Local Music Spotlight: Wellston’s PiG Fest returns as a laid-back, family-first pork-and-music festival experience on Aug. 1. Sports & Community: Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is responding after severe storms over the Fourth of July, with hundreds of work requests and teams from multiple states. Oklahoma Sports Notes: Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker earns Preseason Newcomer of the Year in Big 12 awards, and the league’s preseason order has BYU at No. 1. Arts & Legacy: Maria Tallchief is honored with a commemorative quarter design tied to her Oklahoma roots and historic ballet career.

Oklahoma Sports & Entertainment: Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt used his State of the City address to spotlight growth, transportation, and sports—plus the big reveal that OKC United is coming to the new MAPS 4 stadium for pro soccer in 2028. UFC in OKC: Kamaru Usman returns to middleweight to face Dricus du Plessis at UFC Fight Night 281 at Paycom Center, with the headliner set for Sunday. College Football Buzz: Big 12 preseason polls put BYU at No. 1, with Texas Tech and Utah close behind, and Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker named Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Local Community Tech: The Oklahoma Broadband Office is rolling out about 175 broadband access portals in libraries statewide to boost telehealth, jobs, and digital skills. Music & Live Shows: Thundercat confirms fall dates for the Distracted AF Tour, and VENU announced Dwight Yoakam plus The Commodores & The Spinners at Ford Amphitheater. Sports Charity: Isaiah Joe hosted a children’s golf event in Oklahoma to raise money for pediatric heart care. Rodeo Calendar: The 45th Annual Green Country Rodeo hits Bartlesville July 23-25.

OKC Soccer Reveal: Oklahoma City’s new pro team is officially OKC United, unveiled during Mayor David Holt’s State of the City address. The crest nods to Native heritage with 39 sun rays for Oklahoma’s tribes, and the club plans to start play in 2028 at a new multipurpose stadium. Fitness Watch: Oklahoma City landed last (100th of 100) in the American Fitness Index for the seventh straight year, with limited park access and funding cited as key hurdles. Sports Spotlight: Three Oklahoma-area athletes are up for ESPY Awards—Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OU gymnast Faith Torrez, and golfer Anthony Kim. Big 12 Football Buzz: Preseason Big 12 honors put BYU’s LJ Martin as Offensive Player of the Year, Texas Tech’s A.J. Holmes Jr. as Defensive Player of the Year, and OSU QB Drew Mestemaker as Newcomer of the Year. Local Arts & Events: The ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships hit OKC’s Whitewater Center July 18–25, with ticket prices starting at $6.