AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. This year’s domestic travel forecast is slightly (0.4%) higher than last year with 39.1 million travelers expected to drive and 3.66 million expected to fly to their destinations.

While gas prices are higher than last Memorial Day weekend, average ticket booking prices for flights through AAA are lower than last year. However, these prices are based on airfares booked before the Iran conflict began in late February. Since then, rising fuel costs have led to higher ticket prices and surcharges, meaning current fares are likely higher than last year.

More than 441,000 Oklahomans will travel for this Memorial Day holiday (up 0.1% from 2025). Of those, nearly 87%, or more than 383,000, will drive to their destination (down 0.2% year over year) and another 21,000 will fly, (a decrease of 0.1% from last year). The number of Oklahomans traveling by other modes of transportation (cruise, train, bus) is projected to be up slightly from last Memorial Day.

By Car: AAA projects 39.1 million people will hit the road over Memorial Day weekend, about the same as last year. This holiday weekend, drivers are paying much more at the pump compared to last year when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17. Currently, pump prices are the highest they’ve been since 2022. Driving is still the most popular way to travel and makes up 87% of the share of Memorial Day travelers.
 
With more vehicles on the road this holiday weekend, AAA reminds drivers to put safety first, Slow Down, Move Over, and drive sober. Before hitting the road, check your car’s battery, tire pressure, and fluids. Last Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls – including nearly 2,700 in Oklahoma – to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks.
 
For travelers who are renting cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pick-up days. The top 5 markets with the highest demand are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 1% cheaper this holiday weekend compared to last year.
 
By Air: AAA projects 3.66 million travelers will take domestic flights over Memorial Day weekend, a small increase over last year. Air travelers make up 8% of the share of travelers this holiday weekend.
 
By Other Modes: Travel by other modes is expected to go up by 5% with 2.2 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise over Memorial Day weekend. Alaska cruise season kicks off this time of year, and the popularity of Alaska cruises is a driving factor in this category’s growth.
 
AAA’s Top Memorial Day Weekend Destinations
Memorial Day weekend travelers are taking trips to theme parks and famous landmarks, boarding cruises in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and flying to Europe to visit iconic capital cities. Here are the top 10 domestic and international destinations, based on AAA booking data.
 
Memorial Day Holiday Travel Period
AAA's Memorial Day holiday travel period includes five days, beginning the Thursday before Memorial Day and ending on Monday.
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Stillwater Public Schools is proud to announce that Sangre Ridge Elementary has been officially recognized as a 2026 NAESP National Gold Star School® (NGSS). This prestigious honor, awarded by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), distinguishes Sangre Ridge as a premier elementary learning community dedicated to continuous improvement and student success.

The National Gold Star School® program identifies schools that go beyond standard academic benchmarks to cultivate a holistic environment of excellence. Sangre Ridge was selected based on demonstrated strength in the program’s three core pillars: Established Culture, Empowered People, and Optimal Systems.

"Being recognized as a National Gold Star School is a profound honor that validates our commitment to knowing all students by name and need,” said Principal Cami Patzkowski. “At Sangre Ridge, we know that academic excellence doesn't just happen. It's built on an established culture of trust and high expectations. Our systems ensure that all students' strengths are highlighted and needs are met. I am incredibly proud of our entire school community for building a culture where everyone belongs and everyone grows."

The NGSS framework highlights schools that prioritize high expectations for growth and implement systems that support sustained excellence. As a 2026 recipient, Sangre Ridge will serve as a model for educators across the country.

"We are thrilled to see Sangre Ridge receive this well-deserved national spotlight," said Superintendent Tyler Bridges. "Principal Patzkowski’s leadership, the dedication of our educators, and the support of our families, has created an environment where students thrive. We’re incredibly proud to see a Stillwater Public Schools elementary site recognized at this level."

In honor of this achievement, representatives from Sangre Ridge have been invited to attend the National School Leaders Conference in Orlando, Florida, from July 13-15, 2026. The school will be formally celebrated during a special NGSS recognition event among peers from across the nation.

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The Stillwater Board of Education approved the hiring of two new principals at its regular May 12 meeting. Longtime SPS administrator Jackie Jackson will serve as the new Stillwater Middle School principal, while newcomer to the district Keely Tolin will take on the role at Westwood Elementary.

Jackson began her career in the classroom, serving as a mathematics teacher for 13 years. Her tenure included nine years at Stillwater Junior High, where her dedication earned her the distinction of 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year. In 2017, she transitioned into administration as an assistant principal at SMS. Following the departure of Ryan Blake, she was appointed Interim Principal in February 2026.

A graduate of Guymon High School, Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Oklahoma State University and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

She and her husband are the proud parents of seven young adult children, three of whom are Stillwater graduates. When she isn't at the school, Jackson enjoys being active in the local community. An accomplished musician, she can often be found playing the keyboard for the Richmond Road Band, bringing the same energy and collaborative spirit to the stage that she brings to the halls of Stillwater Middle School.
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Keely Tolin brings 11 years of experience as a school administrator to the role at Westwood Elementary School.

She began her career as a Mathematics Teacher at Norman Public Schools, where she taught for four years, before moving to Shawnee Public Schools, where she spent four years in the classroom and was named site teacher of the year twice. In 2016, she stepped into the role of assistant principal at Shawnee Middle School and was named principal of that school in 2021.

Tolin is a National Institute of School Leadership-trained administrator. In 2026, she was named Distinguished School Administrator by the American Association of School Librarians.

A graduate of Bethel High School, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Education from East Central University.  

Both candidates will assume their new roles for the 2026-2027 school year.

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The City of Stillwater’s May 2026 Tax Apportionment Report reflects March 2026 transactions that were reported to the Oklahoma Tax Commission in April 2026 and apportioned to the City in May.

In comparison to May 2025, the City saw decreases in General Sales Tax, Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Sales Tax, and Transportation Sales Tax collections, while Use Tax collections increased vs. May 2025.
 
Go to https://stillwaterok.gov/financialcenter for more information about the City of Stillwater budget, taxes, and monthly reports for sales, use, and visitor taxes.

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Visit Stillwater accepted a RedBud Award at the Oklahoma
Tourism and Recreation Department and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association annual
 RedBud Awards ceremony held May 6 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage
 Museum in Oklahoma City.

Visit Stillwater compiled historic information and current activities to remit a proposal on
behalf of Block 34, and was presented the RedBud Award for Outstanding New
 Attraction. The RedBud Awards represent the highest honor given in Oklahoma’s
tourism industry and recognize outstanding attractions, events, organizations, and
marketing efforts across the state.
“Block 34 is an outstanding example of the success a public-private partnership can
provide to enhance the quality of life and visitor development amenities in our
community said Cristy Morrison, President and CEO of Visit Stillwater.

“A huge thank you to Steve and Becky Irby (Kicker), Simmons Bank, BancFirst, the City of Stillwater,
Jim Beckstrom, and others who successfully completed the project to provide a
gathering place within a city block located downtown – the heart of our community.”
The ceremony was emceed by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Amy Blackburn, Executive
Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Awards were presented
 across several categories recognizing Oklahoma’s top tourism attractions, events,
programs, and organizations for their outstanding efforts to serve and promote the
state’s tourism industry.

Visit Stillwater continues to promote the city’s attractions, events, dining, shopping, and
visitor experiences while supporting tourism growth throughout the community.
For more information on the RedBud Awards and the Oklahoma Travel Industry
 Association, visit https://www.otia.info.

Our purpose at Stillwater Radio is to not just bring you great music, but to bring your community. Here is where we highlight the best in local businesses, artists and sports that make your community our community.

Stillwater Radio is your source for Stillwater's First News, as well as the place to keep updated on community events from around the area.

Stillwater Radio is THE flagship stations for Oklahoma State Cowboy & Cowgirl athletics, as well as Stillwater & Perkins-Tryon High School sports.