New state health lab will help during future pandemics; Edmond schools superintendent to retire; Warren endorses OKC legislative candidate and more

AFTERNOON UPDATE [The Oklahoman]( 8 Oct, 2020 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SUBSCRIBE FOR ALL ACCESS]( What stories do you wish The Oklahoman were chasing? What do you wish we knew? [Tell us!]( Contact information is optional. Are you a subscriber? View the [print replica]( of today's newspaper for more stories! [Sign up here]( to get daily coronavirus updates in your email. [New state health lab will help during future pandemics]( State officials on Wednesday announced the creation of a new and innovative health center that will engage public and private entities in responding to the COVID-19 situation and prepare Oklahoma for future pandemics and public health crises. Latest News/Sports [COVID-19 in Oklahoma tracker: Updates on new cases, deaths]( The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 1,212 new COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases since the pandemic began in the state is now 95,564. [These fake pills are killing Oklahomans]( At least 10 Oklahomans have died in the last five months from fake oxycodone pills, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics is warning that more people could be at risk. [Towne to retire as Edmond schools superintendent]( After 39 years in education including more than two decades with Edmond Public Schools, Superintendent Bret Towne will retire. [U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorses OKC legislative candidate]( U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has endorsed an Oklahoma City Democratic running for a state House seat. [Subscribe to The Oklahoman]( [Tramel: Can either the Cowboys or Eagles reach seven wins?]( Will the NFC East champion have just six victories? It's possible. [OSU basketball: Cowboys set to open season in Golden Window multi-team event]( Oklahoma State's basketball season is opening in Lincoln, Nebraska. [Oklahoma high school softball: Seven players to watch at the state tournament]( The high school softball state Class 3A-B state tournaments start Thursday at the Ball Fields at Firelake and the USA Hall of Fame Stadium. Here are seven players to watch throughout the tournament. Business [Public safety takes center stage in national debate over technology usage by fire trucks, ambulances]( Every moment counts when someone's home is ablaze, and John Smith has some high-tech help to make sure his fire truck hits green lights just right. [Drive-thru dominates even as dine-in restrictions ease]( Even with cities like New York relaxing rules for dining in, sales figures from chains like McDonalds and Domino's Pizza on Thursday suggest that most people continue to favor keeping their distance. And finally ... [Norman Music Festival's live-stream series NMF Transmissions set to launch]( The series celebrates Oklahoma artists with spirited performances, laser light shows and dynamic action to capture the energy of the beloved festival, but enjoyed from the safety of a viewer's couch. You are receiving this communication as a member of the The Oklahoman. The Oklahoman values your online privacy. For more information, view our [privacy policy]( now. Please do not reply to this message. [Manage Preferences Or Unsubscribe]( The Oklahoman 100 W Main St, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 © 2020 The Oklahoman. All rights reserved.