2 new giant pandas are returning to Washington's National Zoo from China by the end of the year - Oklahoma City news - NewsLocker (2024)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two giant pandas are coming to Washington’s National Zoo from China by the end of the year.
The zoo made the announcement Wednesday, about half a year after it sent its three pandas back to China. The number of pandas in American zoos has steadily dwindled as loan agreements lapsed during U.S.-Chinese diplomatic tensions that remain high over economic relations, technology, trade, Taiwan and even a spy balloon.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation B

'3 little fighters': Cancer survivors 10 years after viral remission photo

BETHANY, Okla. (KFOR) - In 2014, a photo of three young cancer survivors wentviral on social media. Now, we're seeing them 10 years later.Lora Scantling, Scantling Photography of Bethany, Okla. via OSU release
16-year-old Rheann Franklin, 15-year-old Ainsley Peters and 13-year-old Rylie Hughey first went viral in 2014 when a photo was taken of all three of them by Scantling Photography. A year after that, a recreation of the photo was taken to celebrate their remission.RELATED STORY: Youn

Arrest warrant issued for suspect in deadly shooting in SW OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - An arrest warrant has been issued for an Oklahoma man after OKCPD says a verbal altercation left one person dead and another injured.According to Oklahoma City Police, officers responded to the area of SW 15th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. around 2 a.m. Wednesday May 22 for shots fired. At the time, police said the suspect information was limited as what led to the deadly fight at the Will Rogers Courts a low-income housing complex.Doneto Patrick, Image courtesy Oklahoma Count

OKCPD seeks public help in locating missing man

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Police City Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing man.Jeffrey Lynn Jones, Image courtesy OKCPDJeffrey Lynn Jones, Image courtesy OKCPD
According to police officials, Jeffrey Lynn Jones hasn’t been seen for several weeks.
Headlines
'3 little fighters': Cancer survivors 10 years after viral remission photo
Arrest warrant issued for suspect in deadly shooting in SW OKC
OKCPD seeks public help in locating missing man
Vance as

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The Panda Party is back on as giant pandas will return to Washington's National Zoo by year's end

WASHINGTON (AP) — Half a year after the nation's capital bid an emotional farewell to its giant pandas, the National Zoo is expecting a renewed surge in panda-mania with the announcement that two more of the furry black-and-white icons will be coming to Washington.The zoo announced Wednesday that a fresh agreement had been struck with the Chinese government, and a pair of adult pandas would be arriving from China by the end of the year. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation

Edmond commits millions to fund art park project

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) - The city of Edmond has committed millions of dollars to help fund a proposed art park project.The park was originally scrapped by developers due to the delays, hurdles and obstacles they had faced. During the city council meeting on Tuesday, May 28, the city of Edmond and the French Family Foundation reached an agreement.RELATED STORY: Edmond sculpture park plans scrapped by developersAccording to the city, it has committed upwards of $15 million in partnership with the F

Video of Florida police officers punching teen sparks outrage

Editor's note: The video in this story may be disturbing for some viewers. The audio has been muted due to profanity.TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A video obtained by Nexstar's WFLA shows two Lakeland, Florida, police officers punching a teenage boy and using a Taser on him as they tried to get him to leave an apartment complex.
According to an arrest report, the officers were called to a pool at the Caroline Apartments on Memorial Day after someone reported that there were people there who didn't

Oklahoma A.G. warns of overdue toll charge scam

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond is warning Oklahomans about a new scam.According to A.G. Drummond, some people have received text messages saying they owe a past due toll charge with a link to click and pay. These texts are not authentic and are meant to steal personal information.LOCAL NEWS: 30 cats found locked in cages, abandoned on side of Logan County road“These scammers are not just after your money; they are after your identity,” Drummond said. &ldquo

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When will severe weather finally die down? Here's what experts say

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Meteorologists and Climatologists say this past month has been the busiest month of severe weather Oklahoma has experienced in more than a decade, and historical data suggests it should start calming down soon. Since 2024 began, Oklahoma has had 99 tornadoes, more than double the average for this point in the year.The state has also experienced 61 days of rainfall since the year began.“The storms have been fast and furious,” News 4 Chief Meteorologi

Oklahoma ranked highest home insurance cost in the country

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — With all the damage Oklahomans see every year it shouldn't be a surprise, but Oklahoma leads the nation in home insurance rates.The average homeowner spends nearly $5,500 a year. Unfortunately, the rates don't look like they will be lowering anytime soon.Tips to help those with storm anxietyHome insurance in Oklahoma has jumped almost 38% since 2019. Severe weather is the main cause for the steep increase, but it isn't the only factor."There are the tornadoes, there

Colorado police officer finds live rattlesnake in car during drug bust

DENVER (KDVR) -- A Colorado police officer found a lot more than common paraphernalia while searching a car for drugs Sunday night.
The officer was checking trailheads at Prospect Park in Wheat Ridge when he spotted a car with drug paraphernalia in plain sight, according to the Wheat Ridge Police Department.
"Around the same time, the car’s owner was dropped off [at] the location by an Uber," the department said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.
The owner told police a

'She was shaking': OKC man facing criminal charges after alleged road rage

OKLAHOMA CITY(KFOR)– The Oklahoma County District Attorney's office has filed charges against an Oklahoma City man accused of deliberately scratching the paint off a woman's car in the aftermath of a road rage incident.Court documents said the incident happened May 11. They say the victim and suspect, Carter Cox became angry with each other's driving behavior and Cox followed the victim into a Costco parking lot off of Memorial Road and Western Avenue.UPDATE: Suspect identifie

Multiple injuries after explosion rocks downtown Youngstown, Ohio building

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Multiple people were hurt Tuesday when a massive explosion tore open the front of a building in downtown Youngstown, Ohio Tuesday, sending concrete and other debris out onto the sidewalk.The explosion happened just before 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Realty building on East Federal Street. Crews evacuated people from the top floors, where there are apartments.
Chase Bank is located at the bottom of the building. A representative of Chase Bank said they are in contact wit

World's rarest album, Wu-Tang Clan's single-copy 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin', headed to Australian museum

NEW YORK (AP) — The sole physical copy of Wu-Tang Clan's unreleased “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" is headed to Australia’s Museum of Old and New Art.Only a handful of ears have listened to Wu-Tang Clan’s seventh studio album to date. But next month, lucky MONA visitors may be able to hear part of it, too.RZA attends "A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre" screening at Walter Reade Theater on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in New York. The sole physical copy of t

These are the best cities in the US to raise a family, according to WalletHub

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN/NEXSTAR) – When it comes to the best place to raise a family, what is the most important quality in a city?A study by WalletHub on the best and worst places to raise a family ranked 182 cities based on different qualifiers including the cost of housing; quality of education; health and safety; socioeconomics; and opportunities for fun and recreation.Do you live in one of America’s 15 fastest-growing cities?California had five cities in the top 10 – Fremont

Dollar Tree Distribution Center in Marietta to close down following tornado damage

MARIETTA, Okla. (KFOR) — The Marietta Dollar Tree distribution center will be closing after being damaged by a tornado.The closing was first reported by KXII.
The City of Marietta was impacted by a devastating EF-4 tornado that swept through the area in April, including the distribution center. There were no injuries when the tornado hit the distribution center.Dollar Tree distribution center employees question future after Oklahoma tornadoA company spokesperson gave the following statemen

Logan Co. Sheriff assists with placement after cats found discarded

LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — Thirty cats were found locked in cages and abandoned on the side of the street near Backhaus and West Industrial Roads in Logan County on Monday."They're ranging anywhere from adult to newborn,” said Undersheriff Troy Dykes with the Logan County Sheriff's Office. “Were exposed to the elements, the weather and the sun, the heat without proper shelter along with no food or water."Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma kicks off summer feeding program
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Logan Co. Sheriff assist with placement after cats found discarded

LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — Thirty cats were found locked in cages and abandoned on the side of the street near Backhaus and West Industrial Roads in Logan County on Monday."They're ranging anywhere from adult to newborn,” said Undersheriff Troy Dykes with the Logan County Sheriff's Office. “Were exposed to the elements, the weather and the sun, the heat without proper shelter along with no food or water."Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma kicks off summer feeding program
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30 cats found locked in cages, abandoned on side of Logan County road

LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — Thirty cats were found locked in cages and abandoned on the side of the street near Backhaus and West Industrial Roads in Logan County on Monday."They're ranging anywhere from adult to newborn,” said Undersheriff Troy Dykes with the Logan County Sheriff's Office. “Were exposed to the elements, the weather and the sun, the heat without proper shelter along with no food or water."Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma kicks off summer feeding program
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Little girls who nearly drowned meet their heroes

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — It was a terrifying day about a month ago when two young girls just four and six years old were found at the bottom of a pool. Miraculously the little girls survived.Their father jumped in to save them, pulled them out, and started CPR.‘Outlandish, bombastic’: OK lawmakers pass ban on OSDE public relations spendingFinally, after weeks inside the hospital, the family is reunited and made a special visit to the first responders who helped in the rescue.
The

"I couldn't do nothing," family recovering from head-on crash, while bills pile up

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - A mother and her children are miraculously alive after a head-on crash. Months later, they're still undergoing surgery and trauma as they try to get back on their feet. Despite having insurance, the bills are piling up."We're over here in trying to find our life again," said Lareisha Crankson.OSDE Supt. Walters blames Biden after missing out on nearly $1 million grantCrankson is a chef and takes care of the elderly. She's usually on her feet to help keep the family afloat.

New law helps students with disabilities receive college scholarships

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A new law signed by Governor Kevin Stitt will allow college scholarships for eligible high school graduates with intellectual and developmental disabilities.It’s called the Access and Achievement Act. The bill was co-authored by Rep. Ellyn Hefner (D-Oklahoma City) who is an advocate for Oklahomans with disabilities. Her youngest son, William, was born with a disability.‘Our intent isn’t to play gotcha’: Only a dozen OK school districts applie

Oklahoma Co. Detention Center reports inmate died after being found unresponsive

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)– Oklahoma County Detention Center officials say a detainee inside its facility was found unresponsive in his cell on Tuesday and was later pronounced dead.
Oklahoma County Detention officials say, they found him around around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
James Lynn Jetton, Image courtesy Oklahoma County Detention CenterAccording to officials Jetton was booked into the Detention Center on May 20, 2024, by Oklahoma City Police and was being held on a $4,000 bond for failing

Detention Center inmate dies after being found unresponsive

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)– Oklahoma County Detention Center officials say a detainee inside its facility was found unresponsive in his cell on Tuesday and was later pronounced dead.
Oklahoma County Detention officials say, they found him around around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
James Lynn Jetton, Image courtesy Oklahoma County Detention CenterAccording to officials Jetton was booked into the Detention Center on May 20, 2024, by Oklahoma City Police and was being held on a $4,000 bond for failing

'Outlandish, bombastic': OK lawmakers pass ban on OSDE public relations spending

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)- The Oklahoma House and Senate Joint Committees on Appropriations and Budget passed a ban on the State Department of Education's public relations spending Monday."It's sad that we have to actually do something like this," House of Representatives Education Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee Chair, Representative Mark McBride (R-Moore) told KFOR.OSDE Supt. Walters blames Biden after missing out on nearly $1 million grantLast year, News 4 reported OSDE paid Texas-based vi

Watch your pets: Baby mountain lion stalks California neighborhood

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) - A young mountain lion roaming a California neighborhood has residents on alert, especially after it was captured on home surveillance cameras chasing a family’s house cat. While the baby cougar may look cute, area residents quickly realized the small mountain lion is hungry and looking for food. “I saw it and I looked again because we do have house cats go across the front door,” Thousand Oaks resident Kelly McGee told Nexstar's KTLA. “I l

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma kicks off summer feeding program

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma's Regional Food Bank is kicking off a summer for free meals and snack to children starting Tuesday.According to the Regional Food Bank, free summer meals and snacks will be provided to children up to the age of 18 beginning May 28 through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Summer Feeding Program.‘Our intent isn’t to play gotcha’: Only a dozen OK school districts applied for Teacher Empowerment Fund, using 1% of available money"

Jimmy Kimmel says 7-year-old son is 'happy, healthy' after third open heart surgery

LOS ANGELES (WJW) - Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel says his 7-year-old son, Billy, is a "happy, healthy kid" after undergoing open heart surgery over Memorial Day weekend.
In an Instagram post Monday, Kimmel shared a photo of Billy smiling from the hospital bed, saying his son "had his third (of three, we hope) open heart surgery."Billy, who was born in 2017 with a congenital heart disease, came out of the surgery with a new valve, the talk show host said in the post.
Jimmy Kimmel holds his son Bil

'Hero of the day': Florida parent drove in front of school bus, stopped DUI suspect

SEBRING, Fla. (WFLA) - Parents in Florida sprang into action when they suspected the bus driver transporting their teenagers on a graduation trip over the weekend was impaired and wouldn't stop the vehicle.
Keith Shifflett, 55, was charged with DUI, child abuse without great bodily harm and culpable negligence in connection with the incident, according to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.
Keith Shifflett. (Highlands County Sheriff’s Office)
The group on Saturday started their drive to

Highly poisonous plant spreading throughout US: How to recognize and get rid of it

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The plant that is said to have been used to execute Socrates could also be in your backyard, as the highly poisonous plant continues to spread throughout the United States.Poison Hemlock is a flowering plant that is part of the carrot family, but it can be fatal if ingested by humans or animals. The non-native plant was relatively rare until about 30 years ago, said Ohio Department of Natural Resources' chief botanist Richard Gardner, but now it's becoming mor