🌱 Professor Fired Over Gay Guest Speaker + Daddy Daughter Dance

Hello again, Oklahoma City! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Oklahoma City Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Oklahoma City Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Oklahoma City long-term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

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First, today's weather:

Windy; a strong p.m. t-storm. High: 71 Low: 42.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Oklahoma City today:

1. A former professor at Oklahoma Christian University was allegedly fired for inviting an openly gay guest speaker to one of his classes. The professor, Michael O'Keefe, was dismissed last Monday after teaching at the university for 41 years. According to Stephen Eck, chief legal counsel for the college, the decision to dismiss O'Keefe was made after a "thorough review process" and guided by the school's desire to "put first the wellbeing" of its students. (News On 6)
2. A family is safe after a fire broke out at a home near Northwest 23rd Street and Council Road on Wednesday morning. Fire crews say the flames, which began in the home's garage, may have originated from an electrical panel. One person on the scene was treated for smoke inhalation. (news9.com KWTV)
3. The Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department has announced the theme of its annual Daddy Daughter Dance. This year's event will include three fairy garden-themed dance sessions that will feature refreshments, a live DJ, a photo booth, cotton candy, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. All three sessions will be held on Apr. 9 at Sky Rink in Scissortail Park. (Press Release Desk)

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Today in Oklahoma City:

• Open Interviews At North Side YMCA (10:00 AM)
• Spring Break Activities At Will Rogers Memorial Museum And Birthplace Ranch (1:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Burglary investigators with the Oklahoma City Police Department are seeking to identify a suspect in connection with a string of thefts from multiple local gym businesses. If you know the identity of this person, contact CrimeStoppers at (405) 235-7300. (Facebook)
• Oklahoma City University Student Government Association candidate filing applications for the 2022-2023 academic year elections are open! If you're interested in being a campus leader, file as a candidate for an executive cabinet or senate position before Mar. 22 at 5:00 p.m. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master's degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.