New Thunder Arena Unveiled + Glossip Deal Dispute | July 17, 2025

Summary:

Mayor David Holt debuts bold new renderings for OKC’s $1 billion Thunder arena. Plus, Richard Glossip claims AG Drummond agreed to let him go free — but the state says no deal. We break it all down, plus your top 10 stories across Oklahoma.

Sources:

• Oklahoma Voice: Arena story by Ylleana Berryhill
• Oklahoma Voice: Glossip story by Barbara Hoberock

CTA:

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🎙 Show Notes — Oklahoma Memo Podcast (July 16, 2025)

🚨 Today on the pod:

• Oklahoma sends aid to flood-ravaged New Mexico and more teams to Texas.
• Paycom’s big arena bombshell: What will OKC’s new arena be called — and what happens to the old one?
• Plus, the best journalism from across Oklahoma in your daily rundown.

🏟 Arena talk:

Oklahoma City is buzzing over arena news. Paycom announced it’ll drop naming rights in 2028, just as the new arena opens. That leaves a big question: Who’ll snag the next sponsorship deal? Listeners weighed in with ideas like Devon Energy Arena, Sonic Thunderdome, and even Life Church.arena. Meanwhile, Paycom’s CEO may redevelop the current site — think entertainment district like you see in Arlington or Atlanta. What would you want there? Email us at news@oklahomamemo.com.

🌊 Flood response:

Oklahoma’s sending a 10-person team to help New Mexico recover from catastrophic flooding, plus more swift water rescue crews to Texas, where the death toll is staggering. Gov. Stitt says it’s all about standing by neighbors when they need it most.

📰 The Oklahoma Rundown:

• Bob Funk Sr., co-founder of Express Employment Professionals, dies.
• OKC Police release bodycam from Midtown mass shooting.
• Voters will weigh a $2.7 billion bond in October.
• Charter board greenlights Epic audit.
• Ryan Walters fights order to pay journalists’ fees.
• No charges for officer in SE OKC fatal shooting.
• 400+ dogs rescued in Stroud cruelty case.
• Why did Oklahomans get a ‘Blue Alert’ from Texas?
• More: Cleveland County jail contract ends, paid leave report, disability jobs rethink.
• Ardmoreite small-town scoop: former principal says district ignored discipline, child struck.

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🎧 Trump’s Medicaid cuts, EPA vs chemtrails, & MLB draft 1st round dominated by Oklahoma players

In this episode of Oklahoma Memo, host Ryan Welton breaks down what President Trump’s new healthcare bill could mean for nearly a quarter of Oklahomans on Medicaid, plus how the EPA is once again shutting down chemtrails conspiracies. We also celebrate a huge weekend for Oklahoma baseball with three players going in the first round of the MLB Draft.

Also in this episode:

• A quick ad on how Oklahoma Memo can help turn your event or keynote into a podcast.
• The Oklahoma Rundown: 10 top stories from Guymon to Idabel, including record state revenues, SNAP impacts, and a tragic house fire in Logan County.

Links & sources:

• StateImpact Oklahoma on Medicaid: KGOU.org
• Oklahoma Watch on the EPA & contrails: OklahomaWatch.org
• MLB Draft coverage via The Oklahoman: Oklahoman.com

👉 Subscribe to our newsletter at oklahomamemo.com and follow us on social for daily Oklahoma stories.