Good morning, this is Tulsa Local Pulse for March 7, 2025. We're starting off with some significant news from the Tulsa Police Department. A frantic 911 call about a kidnapping took an unexpected turn yesterday when officers arrested the alleged victim, who turned out to be a fugitive wanted for cocaine smuggling. This bizarre incident unfolded near 61st and Peoria, reminding us that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.

In weather news, we're finally seeing a break from the icy conditions that disrupted schools earlier this week. Today's forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a high of 62 degrees, perfect for enjoying some outdoor activities. Looking ahead to the weekend, expect temperatures to climb into the mid-60s.

On the business front, local companies are grappling with uncertainty as the recent one-month suspension of 25% tariffs on Mexican imports leaves many questioning future costs. This development is particularly impactful for Tulsa businesses relying heavily on cross-border trade.

In education, Tulsa Public Schools is mourning the loss of former athletic director Gil Cloud, who passed away last month at 78. Cloud's decades-long career left an indelible mark on local athletics, earning him a place in the TPS Athletics Hall of Fame.

Speaking of achievements, the University of Tulsa is celebrating a record number of student-athletes receiving academic honors. An impressive 203 Tulsa student-athletes across 17 sports earned spots on the American Athletic Conference all-academic team for the 2023-24 academic year.

Looking ahead to community events, the American Heart Association-Tulsa will host its 2025 Heart Ball tomorrow night at the Cox Business Convention Center. The event will spotlight Morgan Decker, a heart transplant recipient whose story highlights the importance of genetic testing in detecting heart conditions.

In real estate news, the average monthly mortgage payment in Tulsa has seen a slight increase, now hovering around $1,200 for a median-priced home. Despite this uptick, Tulsa remains an attractive market for first-time homebuyers.

On a lighter note, Tulsa's culinary scene is buzzing with the announcement of a new farm-to-table restaurant opening next week in the Brookside district. The eatery promises to showcase locally sourced ingredients and innovative Oklahoma-inspired dishes.

Lastly, a quick reminder for sports fans: Tulsa's men's basketball team will host Temple tonight for their Senior Night game at the Reynolds Center. Tip-off is set for 7 PM, so come out and support our Golden Hurricane as they wrap up their regular season.

This has been Tulsa Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.