Good Day
Norman
Wednesday, December 24th, 2025
Good morning, Norman. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 24th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Butterfield Memorial Foundation celebrated 20 years on Dec. 23, 2025 when nonprofit leaders praised its funding of Crossings Clinic beginning in 2005 + it has since backed vital community health projects + leaders noted its work sowed hope and compassion for future ministry. The Oklahoman
- ➤ KGOU is rallying local support as Home Creations will donate $20 to KGOU and the Regional Food Bank for every donation made at KGOU.org through Dec. 31 (up to 500 donors) to help replace lost federal funding, with Dick Pryor expressing gratitude for community backing. KGOU
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Ray’s Smokehouse BBQ will relocate from its Lindsey Street spot to 950 Ed Noble Dr. on Ed Noble Parkway in January — the restaurant will offer more seating, new menu items and a private event room and will be closed on Christmas Day and Dec. 31—Jan. 6. OU Daily
- ➤ Norman banker Lee Symcox (a fourth-generation teller who started working at 14 in his grandfather’s bank) was honored in the Oklahoma Bankers Hall of Fame on Dec. 4 at the Oklahoma History Center. He has led First Fidelity Bank since 1995 and earned praise for decades of community service. The Norman Transcript
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ OU graduate student leaders have criticized the decision to remove teaching assistant Mel Curth after an investigation called her grading erratic on a paper defending a student's religious views, and they plan to deliver a petition for academic freedom to President Joseph Harroz Jr. on Jan. 2. The Oklahoman
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ OU Health signed a letter of intent on Dec. 23 to acquire the Dean McGee Eye Institute — a merger that will change the name and integrate its campus and local clinics, with finalization expected Jan. 1 — to boost research and training for eye care. The Oklahoman
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ OU men's basketball announced that Russian prospect Kirill Elatontsev joined the team on Tuesday. The 6-foot-11 center (formerly with Lukomotiv Kuban) will be eligible to play in the second semester. The Oklahoman
- ➤ Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes announced on Tuesday his plan to enter the transfer portal after four seasons with the Sooners + the portal will open Jan. 2 and remain open until Jan. 16. The Oklahoman
- ➤ After OU's loss in the College Football Playoffs, four Sooners players announced plans to enter the transfer portal, including linebacker Kobie McKinzie (one year eligibility), defensive back Kendel Dolby, a receiver with two years left, and an offensive lineman with three years, thinning the roster for 2026. News9
- ➤ OU football offensive lineman Jacob Sexton announced he is entering the transfer portal after battling a season-ending knee injury, making him the second lineman to do so; the portal opens Jan. 2. The Oklahoman
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2025 Oklahoma New Year's Meeting
7:30-11:59 p.m. — Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel & Conference Center — Discounted lodging available — Celebrate the New Year with worship services and community gatherings.
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Oklahoma Sooners Men's Basketball vs Mississippi Valley Delta Devils
7-9 p.m. — Lloyd Noble Center — Get ready for an exciting college basketball matchup as the Sooners take on the Delta Devils.
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Winter WONderland Championship Celebration
5:15-7:15 p.m. — Lloyd Noble Center — Ticketed event — Experience the excitement of women's gymnastics with a festive championship theme.
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