Good morning, Norman! I’m Audrey McClour, a news editor for OU Daily.
Tuesday night, Norman City Council approved two contracts with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, making way for construction on the South Extension Turnpike.
Two Homeland locations on Alameda and Robinson streets are shutting their doors amid store closures and consolidations.
On Monday, a Norman North High School student was taken into custody after a loaded firearm was found on school grounds.
OU softball pitching coach Jennifer Rocha is set to return for the team’s series against LSU this weekend, according to News 9’s Toby Rowland.
Thanks for reading OU Daily this week, we appreciate it.
In a nearly six hour-long meeting, Norman City Council approved two contracts with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, setting into motion progre…
In a nearly six hour-long meeting, Norman City Council approved two contracts with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, setting into motion progress on the South Extension — one of two controversial turnpikes that would cut through the city.
Related: Timeline: City of Norman, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority milestones
Two Homeland locations on Alameda and Robinson Streets are shutting their doors, the company announced on social media Thursday.
Two Homeland locations on Alameda and Robinson Streets are shutting their doors, the company announced on social media Thursday.
Homeland is Oklahoma’s largest, locally owned grocery chain with 35 locations statewide. Apart from the Alameda and Robinson stores, there is one other Homeland location in Norman on Lindsey Street.
In an announcement on Instagram posted after the publication of this article, Homeland announced four stores will close within the next 45 days, including Norman's Alameda and Robinson locations.
The announcement reads the company told employees Wednesday it is taking "important steps" to strengthen the company.
A Norman North High School student was taken into custody Monday after a loaded firearm was found on school grounds.
A Norman North High School student was taken into custody Monday after a loaded firearm was found on school grounds.
Sarah Schettler, Norman Police Department public information officer, confirmed to OU Daily Monday the 16-year-old male student was arrested “on a complaint of possession of a firearm on school property” and is being transported to a juvenile detention facility.
According to a statement from Jaron Spor, Norman Public Schools communications coordinator, Norman North administration received a report that a student made a verbal threat toward another student, initiating an investigation by school administrators and law enforcement.
The student was brought to the school office and searched, leading to the discovery of a loaded firearm, Spor wrote. The student was then taken into custody and will not return to school, according to the district.
OU softball pitching coach Jennifer Rocha is set to return for the team's series against LSU this weekend, as first reported by News 9's Toby …
OU softball pitching coach Jennifer Rocha is set to return for the team's series against LSU this weekend, as first reported by News 9's Toby Rowland.
Rocha has been out due to health concerns since the team's season-opening weekend, Feb. 5-8.
Head coach Patty Gasso called upon former Sooner pitcher Karlie Keeney to serve in an interim role. Keeney was on the 2024 national-championship team, going 6-1 with a 1.82 earned run average that year along with 22 scoreless outings across 30 appearances and five starts. She also served as the team’s student assistant pitching coach in 2025.
This weekend in Norman & OKC
From the annual Norman Chocolate Festival to the Harlem Globetrotters, check out what there is to do in Norman and Oklahoma City this weekend.
Photo of the week
Vital Vet Urgent Care on March 23, 2026.
Read about Norman's first pet urgent care clinic
Need new options for Norman staples to visit? Find more recs for local businesses in our annual Best of Norman.
Midway Deli | 601 W. Eufaula St.
This might be as local as it gets — Midway Grocery & Market. This neighborhood deli has all the flavors packed into their classic, made-to-order sandwiches. A Norman favorite is none other than The Vulcan sandwich: a hot, panini-pressed sandwich, layered with turkey, avocado and special sauce on provolone that’s sure to melt your tastebuds. Don’t forget to leave your mark — grab a Sharpie and sign your names on the wall after you’re done eating.
The Diner | 213 E. Main St.
The Diner’s location has housed different restaurants for over a century. The Diner itself has been open since 1989 with the owner and their family having a famous chili-making background since the Great Depression. Their famous chili intertwines with The Diner’s menu — Tex-Mex breakfast/lunch and of course chili on anything you like. Crowd favorites are the Eggarito — scrambled eggs with green chiles, cheese, ranchero sauce in a tortilla — the Mexiscram, Santa Fe chicken burger and blueberry pancakes.
Othello's Italian Restaurant | 434 Buchanan Ave.
Family-owned for over 35 years, Othello’s serves classic Italian dishes — pasta, pizza and seafood — with fair prices and a family-friendly atmosphere. Othello’s is home to the award-winning Coconut Cream Pie, a favorite among locals. Come on a Friday night and enjoy live piano and singing with jazz performances. Try their crowd-favorite baked ziti, lasagna, chicken Parmesan or shrimp scampi.
