President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC for a reported $10 billion. The lawsuit stems from a documentary that allegedly spliced or deceptively edited parts of his January 6, 2021, speech before the US Capitol riot, which Trump claims put “words in his mouth.”

Police have arrested Nick Reiner, the son of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, on murder charges in connection with the deaths of his parents. The director and his wife were found dead in their home, and the news has sent shockwaves through Hollywood.

Law enforcement in Providence, Rhode Island, is continuing an intensive manhunt for the gunman responsible for a shooting at Brown University that killed two students and wounded nine others over the weekend. Authorities have released new videos of a person of interest and are offering a significant reward for information.

The U.S. military has announced it struck three more alleged drug-carrying boats in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of eight people. This is the latest in a series of vessel strikes ordered by the Trump administration as part of its campaign against drug trafficking in the region.

Senior Pentagon officials are reportedly preparing a plan that would downgrade several of the U.S. military’s major headquarters and redistribute the balance of power among its top generals. The goal of the exclusive plan is not immediately clear but suggests a significant restructuring of military command.

Four members of a far-left activist group, the Turtle Island Liberation Front, have been charged for allegedly plotting a “massive and horrific terror plot” targeting multiple sites near Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. The Attorney General confirmed the FBI and Justice Department thwarted the attack.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against UPS, alleging the company engaged in wage theft by shorting thousands of seasonal workers on their pay during the holiday rush. The Attorney General accused the delivery giant of “playing the Grinch.”

Top Republican elected officials in Florida are vowing to work to stop the Trump administration’s plan to open new areas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil drilling. The pushback highlights a rare point of public division between state-level Republicans and the administration over environmental policy.

The U.S. Labor Department has released the long-awaited jobs report, which was delayed by a government shutdown. The report for November showed a sluggish job market, with employers adding an estimated 40,000 jobs, reflecting reluctance to hire amid AI adjustments and unpredictable trade policies.

State lawmakers, including those in California and New York, are planning to move forward with their own artificial intelligence regulations, despite a recent executive order from the Trump administration. The order threatened legal and financial repercussions for states with “onerous and excessive” AI rules, leading to a constitutional debate over federal authority.

LeFlore County commissioner minutes from regular business meeting on Monday with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also, present were Member Mike Parker, Member Josh Blaylock and County Clerk Kelli Ford.

The following action was taken by the board:

(1.) Chairman Jamie Oliver called meeting to order.

(2.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve the minutes of regular meeting held December 8, 2025. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(3.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders and payroll as presented. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(4.) Monthly Fee Reports: None presented.

(5.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve a transfer of appropriations in the amount of $7,967.74 from DACS-3 Capital Outlay account to DACS-1A Personal Services account ($2,655.91); DACS-1C account ($2,655.91); and DACS-2 M&O account ($2,655.92). Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(6.) Blanket Purchase Orders: None presented.

(7.) New Business: None discussed.

(8.) Contract Labor/ Service Agreements, Annual Contracts: None presented.

(9.) Burn Ban: Not needed at this time. No discussion.

(10.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve resolution setting base as $5,234.38 for elected officials for the 2026 calendar year. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(11.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to table bid award regarding the purchase of LeFlore County 6 – month highway materials from January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(12.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to award bid to Midwest Printing regarding the LeFlore County Ballot Printing Contract for the 2026 calendar year. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve the 2025 fiscal year financials and footnotes to financials as presented by the LeFlore County Treasurer, April Caughern. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(14.) Motion was made by Josh Blaylock and seconded by Mike Parker to approve resolution to add Olan Hollan as Receiving Officer for all Summerfield Fire Department accounts. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(15.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve floodplain development permit application number 12152025593 as submitted by ACRS Telecommunications Engineers regarding installation of fiber optic lines within county right of way located in LeFlore County Commissioner District 3, Section 3, Township 4 North, Range 25 East. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(16.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve floodplain development permit application numbers 12152025592, 12152025590, 12152025594 as submitted by ACRS Telecommunications Engineers regarding installation of fiber optic lines within county right of way located in LeFlore County Commissioner District 3, Section 6, Township 4 North, Range 25 East. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(17.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Mike Parker to approve floodplain development permit application numbers 12152025591, 12152025595, 12152025596, 12152025597, 12152025598, 12152025599, 12152025600, 12152025601, 12152025602 as submitted by ACRS Telecommunications Engineers regarding installation of fiber optic lines within county right of way located in LeFlore County Commissioner District 3, Section 9, Township 4 North, Range 25 East. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(18.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve resolution requesting the Oklahoma legislature to add the Kiamichi and Glover Rivers to the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Act. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

(19.) Motion was made by Mike Parker and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve resolution and bid notice advertising to accept sealed bids for the purchase of a 2025 – 2026 Chevy 2500 truck to benefit LeFlore County Commissioner District 1. Motion was approved, all voting yes.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Proposed rule changes potentially affecting several programs for Oklahomans with disabilities will be the focus of a public hearing held by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in Oklahoma City from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Jan. 14 at DRS, 3535 NW 58th St, 2nd floor conference room, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. The public can also attend by Zoom video conference by utilizing the following link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1607941304?pwd=jAnmHEqUyCFZeIQ20Hbd4ADouGl01e.1

Programs affected by the proposed amended rules are administered by DRS and include vocational rehabilitation and employment services for Oklahomans with all types of disabilities.

DRS provides a variety of services that help individuals with disabilities achieve employment, personal independence and self-sufficiency. The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council advises DRS on development of administrative rules and plans for rehabilitation services.

Proposed administrative rule revisions effect the following chapters: Chapter 10 Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Chapter 25 Business Enterprise Program.

Public hearing date and location is:

Oklahoma City – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14, Department of Rehabilitation Services, 2nd floor conference room, 3535 NW 58th St., Okla. City. The public can also attend via Zoom video conference by utilizing the following link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1607941304?pwd=jAnmHEqUyCFZeIQ20Hbd4ADouGl01e.1

If you would like to comment but are unable to attend in-person, written comments may be sent to the attention of Tina Calloway, Policy Administration and Development, Department of Rehabilitation Services, 3535 N.W. 58th St., Suite 500, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112. Written comments must be received no later than end of business on Jan. 14.

Copies of the proposed amended rules may be obtained from the DRS web site at www.okdrs.gov, by e-mail [email protected], or by letter to the Policy Administration and Development, attention Tina Calloway, Department of Rehabilitation Services, 3535 N.W. 58th St., Suite 500, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or by calling (405) 951-3552 – Toll free 1-800-845-8476.

Read the proposed rule changes:

2026 DRS PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULE AMENDMENTS WORD DOCUMENT

SUMMARY OF 2026 DRS PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULE AMENDMENTS WORD DOCUMENT

2026 PUBLIC NOTICE

By Adora Brown

Oklahoma Watch

Hochatown is a 240-person community that shares a ZIP code with a larger city, Broken Bow, which sits 10 miles to the south. But the conflation has become a problem for Hochatown beyond mail delivery errors.

Dian Jordan, Hochatown’s former mayor and current board of trustees member, said that when towns are clumped in with others by ZIP code, the communities could experience everything from ambulances getting sent to the wrong address to tourism dollars getting misdirected.

“You want your own culture and identity,” Jordan said. “Because our culture is obviously very, very different than Broken Bow’s.”

Its leaders are now turning to Congress for a solution, but Hochatown is not the only municipality whose ZIP code could be determined by lawmakers. More than 70 municipalities across 22 states are lobbying for their own ZIP codes, and the bills that would grant them the designation appear to be stagnant in the Senate.

Hochatown is on Choctaw Nation land and has been an established community since the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. In 2022, it was incorporated as a municipality, and its leaders have been trying to get it a ZIP code, used for everything from insurance purposes, emergency response, taxation and data collection on economic growth, since.

Hochatown is a member of the National ZIP Code Advocacy Coalition, a working group of community leaders hoping to use congressional power to get ZIP codes of their own. They’re lobbying Congress to use its power and override the decision-making of the United States Postal Service, which has denied their requests for ZIP codes.

Two pieces of legislation that would adjust the status of those dozens of communities passed the House in July, one unanimously and the other with majority-Republican support. But the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has not taken them up.

“It’s a longer story than I can go into now, but we are interested in it,” Sen. Rand Paul, the chair of the committee, said about the ZIP code bills.

He referred NOTUS to committee staff, who did not respond to several requests for comment.

Many lawmakers are unsure why they’re stuck, even as there’s support for the proposals.

Hochatown specifically has the support of its two senators — Sens. James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin. Both have sponsored or co-sponsored bills that would grant Hochatown and North Enid, another Oklahoma town without a ZIP code, a ZIP code of their own.

“Those smaller communities that are connected to larger communities want to know that revenue is coming back to them, because that really does matter,” said Lankford.

Typically, the process of getting a new ZIP code goes through the U.S. Postal Service. But according to Alexander Fung, whose city of Eastvale, California, leads the National ZIP Code Advocacy Coalition, many of the communities included in the bills have already submitted letters and appeals to USPS, only to receive a letter stating that their request has been denied.

USPS referred NOTUS to a letter from David Steiner, the postmaster general and CEO at USPS, to Paul, in which Steiner said that passing the legislation through the Senate would cost the postal service at least $800 million upfront. According to the letter, they would need $500 million to create a new 12-digit ZIP code system, though towns like Hochatown already had a ZIP code prior to being incorporated as a municipality.

“The Postal Service cannot afford a significant upfront and ongoing financial burden of this magnitude for collateral uses of the ZIP code,” Steiner wrote.

Steiner acknowledged in his letter that ZIP codes serve more functions than simply delivering the mail, but the USPS has been unwilling to accommodate a swath of towns and cities included in the legislation, arguing that many of the reasons for needing them are not related to mail delivery.

But according to Fung and Jordan, both communities still experience problems with mail being delivered or rerouted, among other issues.

“Eastvale is virtually missing because of the fact that we don’t have a ZIP code that would designate our city,” Fung said.

Nonetheless, Fung said he remains optimistic about being able to get the bills through Congress.

“I know there are cities from Florida, from Wisconsin or from Iowa that have been working at this for 50 years,” Fung said. “And I’m not kidding. This is the furthest that any of us have gone, being able to get the House’s support.”

This story was produced as part of a partnership between NOTUS and Oklahoma Watch.

Basketball

Boys

Rattan 48, Howe 46

Roland 64, Pocola 52

Broken Bow 56, Poteau 42

Okay 97, Arkoma 65

Girls

Broken Bow 52, Howe 41

Mena 67, Pocola 42

Okay 62, Arkoma 26

Roland 46, Talihina 28

Tuesday’s schedule

Heavener at Spiro

Pocola at Howe

Gore at Arkoma

Smithville at Cameron

Panama at Wister

Poteau at Roland

Talihina at Hartshorne

Whitesboro at McCurtain

To make an addition or correction, CONTACT me.

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State football coach Eric Morris announced two additions to his coaching staff Monday, naming Reggie Johnson as linebackers coach and Julian Wilson as cornerbacks coach.

They were both on staff under Morris at North Texas in 2025. They have also worked with OSU defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity at multiple stops, including 2025 at UNT and 2024 at Sam Houston. Johnson had a two-year stint at Missouri State with Cassity from 2020-21, and Wilson worked with him at Abilene Christian from 2022-23.

A 1996 Louisville graduate, Johnson has 28 years of coaching experience that includes 11 bowl seasons, highlighted by the 2005 Gator Bowl, 2006 Orange Bowl, 2010 Sugar Bowl and 2011 Cotton Bowl. He has coached linebackers for 21 of those seasons and has also worked with the defensive line and special teams.

His resume includes stints as a defensive coordinator at Alabama A&M and UAB. He was also co-defensive coordinator at Missouri State in 2023.

An Oklahoma City native who graduated from Oklahoma in 2014, Wilson comes to Oklahoma State with six years of college coaching experience. He has worked with defensive backs throughout his career.

Prior to his coaching start, Wilson spent several years in the NFL with stints in Baltimore, Kansas City, and Minnesota. He also spent time in the CFL with Calgary. His father, Darrell McCowan, lettered in football at Oklahoma State from 1991-92.

All university hires are pending completion of a background check.

Brief: The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, securing a crucial win in the AFC North title race and officially ending the Dolphins’ hopes of making the postseason. The victory highlights the Steelers’ late-season resurgence.

Brief: Star edge rusher Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers has reportedly suffered a torn ACL, prematurely ending his season and delivering a devastating blow to the Packers as they head into the final weeks of the NFL season and the impending playoffs.

Brief: Nikola Jokic recorded a dominant 39-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, leading the Denver Nuggets to a tight overtime victory against the Houston Rockets in a battle featuring two of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Brief: The unseeded Washington Huskies men’s soccer team clinched their program’s first-ever national championship, defeating N.C. State 3-2 in a dramatic overtime final after blowing a two-goal lead in the second half.

Brief: Following the weekend’s conference championships, the final College Football Playoff rankings have been released, with the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers securing the coveted No. 1 seed. The full four-team field for the upcoming playoff has now been finalized.

Brief: The Associated Press released its 2025 All-America team for college football, with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to a perfect regular season, being honored as the AP Player of the Year.

Brief: No. 1 Arizona and No. 2 Michigan held steady in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the second consecutive week. The major movement saw Nebraska jump eight spots to No. 15, its highest ranking in over 30 years.

Brief: The Buffalo Sabres have relieved General Manager Kevyn Adams of his duties following a disappointing start to the season, leading to immediate speculation about the team’s direction and who will take over the hockey operations department.

Brief: The Ottawa Senators fought back from a late deficit, with Jake Sanderson tying the game in regulation before Brady Tkachuk scored in overtime to defeat the Winnipeg Jets, highlighting a night of significant upsets and rallies across the NHL.

Brief: In the latest MLB offseason news, the Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly informed other interested clubs and pitcher Tyler Glasnow that they do not intend to trade him, signaling a commitment to their current starting rotation for the upcoming season.

Weather forecast for LeFlore County 12-16-2025

Weather forecast for Tuesday is for mostly cloudy skies and moderate temperatures for Heavener, LeFlore County and the area.

The high is forecast to be 59 degrees with a low of 45 degrees.

Sunrise was 7:19 a.m. Sunset is 5:09 p.m.

See our live weather radar

Monday’s high was 52 with a low of 32. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 0.17 inches. December’s average rainfall is 3.10 inches.

Average temperatures for Dec. 16 are a high of 53 and low of 26. Records for the date were a high of 73 in 1977 and a low of 8 in 1972.

Calendar of events for the next week for Heavener, LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you know of an event coming up,, please CONTACT me.

Tuesday

High school basketball: Heavener at Spiro; Pocola at Howe; Gore at Arkoma; Smithville at Cameron; Panama at Wister; Poteau at Roland; Talihina at Hartshorne; Whitesboro at McCurtain

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC

Funeral services for Ricky Lee Watts

High school basketball: Heavener at Broken Bow; Howe at Wilburton; Arkoma at Cameron; McCurtain at LeFlore; Buffalo Valley at Panama; Pocola boys at Tulsa Memorial; Warner at Spiro; Poteau vs. Hackett, Arkansas.

HUA, City Council meet 6 p.m.

Heavener VFW bingo 6:30

Friday

Graveside services for Daniel Lee Nason Jr.

High school basketball: Panama at Howe; Wister at Braggs

Saturday

Heavener Christmas parade

Howe-liday 5K/vendor market and Christmas parade

High school basketball: Pocola boys at Tulsa Memorial Festival

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

By RENEE JOHNSON

Grief is an unwanted journey. Holidays often magnify the feelings of grief. It is important and natural to experience the emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of it. It is unhealthy to block those avenues of expression.

Holiday time are high on the stress scale under normal circumstances. Add in grief and you have a whole new standard of stress. If the grief is new, the holidays can be excruciating. The following are important for maintaining some kind of sanity while dealing with everyone else’s joyful holiday spirit.

Take time for yourself. Don’t over burden yourself with too many chores. Take time to plan and time to prepare for the day. Don’t cut yourself off from the support of family and friends.

Rest. You need rest to help you make it through tough times. Emotionally, physically and psychologically, the holidays are draining. You will need your strength.

Shield yourself. Protect yourself from events and gatherings that are too much to handle. When asked to a gathering, ask who will be there and what they will be doing. Be aware that this may be a difficult time with difficult people. The additional stress may affect you emotionally, mentally, and physically. It is important to be prepared for these feelings.

Goals. Thinking about goals shows you are healing. Set small goals just for a day and then move on to setting a goal for next week and then next month. Goals are avenues of hope for tomorrow.

Allow the tears. Certain memories will pop into your head that may bring tears of sadness or joy but memories. A particular ornament may trigger a memory. A particular gathering, food or song may bring teardrops. Think about if you can handle the responsibility of the family dinner, etc. or should you ask someone else to do it. Do you want to talk about your loved one or not. Let your family and friends know just what you feel you can handle at this time. Allow yourself to accept help from family and friends and let them know you appreciate their love and support at this time.

Keep in mind that if the loss has been over a year many people will expect you to be “over it”. They don’t understand how shadow grief creeps up at special times such as holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. Be prepared to let them know you will never be “over it” but assure them you hope to eventually enjoy the holidays again. Let them know that you have been trying hard to weave the life that was, to the life that now exists.

Grief Counseling Services and Grief Support Groups are also there to help you as you work your way through the grief process.

While grief is a greatly individual process, an awareness of the difficulties that this time can bring may help people understand and accept their reactions. The holidays always offer a way to escape yourself by doing something for someone else, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or visiting the lonely and shut-ins at your local nursing home. Many nursing home residents have no family and have no visitors and would love to have your company.

If you would like more information on visiting residents at your local nursing home, or about Volunteering for the Ombudsman Volunteer Program, please contact Renee Johnson or Shawnna Nixon, Ombudsman.

Supervisors, KEDDO Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-722-8180, or call 918-465-2367. We would like to extend our Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026 to all Residents and Staff at nursing homes, assisted living and residential care facilities.

1773

The Boston Tea Party

In Boston Harbor, a group of Massachusetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians board three tea ships and dump 342 chests of tea into the harbor. The midnight raid, popularly known as the “Boston Tea Party,” was in protest of the British Parliament’s Tea Act of 1773, a bill designed to save the... read more

1960s

1960

Two airplanes collide over New York City

Arts & Entertainment

1775

Jane Austen is born

1893

Antonin Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” receives its world premiere in New York City

2009

Blockbuster sci-fi film “Avatar” has its U.S. premiere

Crime

1989

A terrorist bomber begins his deadly rampage

Sports

1973

OJ Simpson rushes record 2,000 yards in a season

U.S. Presidents

1950

President Truman declares state of emergency over Korean War

1998

U.S. House of Representatives recommends impeaching Clinton

1998

President Clinton orders air attack on Iraq

World War I

1914

Germans bombard English ports of Hartlepool and Scarborough

World War II

1938

Hitler establishes Mother’s Cross to encourage German women to procreate

1944

Battle of the Bulge begins

Funeral services for Ricky Lee Watts, 35, are 1 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Church in Poteau with Pastor Tim Painter officiating. Burial will follow at Shady Point Cemetery, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.Ricky was born Oc. 12, 1990, in Poteau to Priscilla Ann (Hankins) Watts and Richard Lee Watts, and passed away Dec. 14, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri.Ricky loved working on the Brazil Creek Ranch, especially working cows, riding the side-by-side, and doing anything outdoors. He loved being on the tractor in every aspect—baling hay, brush hogging, or just making another lap while taking in the sunrise and sunset. He was a hard worker who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Ricky enjoyed fishing, hunting, and shooting, and he absolutely cherished his role as “Uncle Bub” to his nieces and nephews. He also deeply loved his dog, Fred, who was like a child to him and rarely left his side.Survivors include his father, Rick Watts; sisters Amanda Fowler, Kayla Saulsberry and husband Travis, and Krista Watts; nieces and nephews Kason, Wyatt, Kyler, Kallen, Layna, Jett and Wrynlee; grandmothers Dalaine Sloan and Shirley Watts; aunt Becky Terry and husband Scotty; uncles Jason Watts and wife Amanda, and Brad Oliver and wife Katie; and his cousins who were more like brothers, Monty Watts and Josh Watts, along with numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and loved ones.He was preceded in death by his mother, Priscilla Watts; grandparents, Arnol Watts, Millie Sisco, and Delbert Hankins; and his uncle, Monty Watts.Pallbearers are Monty Watts, Kason Watts, Josh Watts, Wyatt West, BJ Lewis, and Frank Stewart. Honorary pallbearers are Jimbo Hammontree, Big Bobby Hammontree, Little Bobby Hammontree, Travis Clem and Michael Qualls.

The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Viewing is Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 9: a.m. to 8 p.m.