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In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. Subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
New from OK Policy
Policy Matters: Nobody wins when we treat politics as sport: Increasingly, Oklahomans are polarizing along party lines. As a result, what should be nuanced policy discussions are turning into one-dimensional arguments shaped by national talking points. We’re seeing that “winner-takes-all” mentality framing complex issues so that one’s side’s loss is the other side’s win. This reduces complex policy conversations to zero-sum battles, leaving little room for cooperation or compromise. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma AG criticizes state education department for delays in school inhaler purchases: Attorney General Genter Drummond issued a letter of counsel Wednesday addressing the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s delay in purchasing emergency inhalers for public schools. This comes following State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ request for the attorney general weigh in. [KGOU]
- Oklahoma AG issues scathing letter to Education Department over school inhaler fund [Oklahoma Voice]
- Ryan Walters called out by AG for ‘roadblocks’ to asthma inhalers in public schools [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma attorney general criticizes Ryan Walters, OSDE over delayed inhaler purchase [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma AG Drummond addresses OSDE’s delay in emergency inhaler procurement for schools [NEWS8]
State Government News
Lawmakers discuss AI legislation, industry uses: Oklahoma lawmakers on Wednesday discussed the increasing use of AI in education, the criminal justice system and healthcare. [The Journal Record]
Oklahoma County Social Services Department facing immediate closure: At the end of this month, the Oklahoma County Social Services Department will be disbanding, according to its director, Christi Jernigan-Marshall. [KOSU]
At Capitol, advocates speak up for victims of bullying: Parents who have suffered the loss of children to bullying met with lawmakers, school counselors and others on Wednesday to discuss strategies, including potential changes in state law, to try to better protect kids from becoming victims. [Tulsa World]
New bill could change school boards election dates & could add millions to OK schools: A push to align school board elections with on-cycle elections. That would mean all school board elections, except for bond elections, will be held in election years. [NEWS8]
Oklahoma Lawmaker Questions Legality Of License Plate Reading Cameras, Following Court Ruling: A Green Country state representative is raising concerns about the legality of license plate reading cameras after a recent court ruling that could put dozens of arrests made with the help of these cameras in jeopardy. [NEWS6]
Federal Government News
Justice Department will launch civil rights review into Tulsa Race Massacre: The Justice Department announced Monday it plans to launch a review of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, an attack by a white mob on a thriving Black district that is considered one of the worst single acts of violence against Black people in U.S. history. [The Journal Record]
Delayed farm bill punted until after election with Congress stuck on how to pay for it: In January, programs would revert to “permanent law,” sending crop supports back to policy from the 1938 and 1949 farm bills. The key dispute for Democrats this year is a funding calculation that would place limits on the “Thrifty Food Plan” formula that calculates benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP. [Oklahoma Voice]
Okla. U.S. Sen. James Lankford’s border security bill referenced in vice presidential debate: Oklahoma U.S. Senator James Lankford’s defeated border bill was a topic during Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate. During the debate, Democrat Tim Walz mentioned Sen. Lankford and his border bill while on the topic of border security. [FOX23]
- Sen. James Lankford’s immigration bill was brought up during the debate, but what’s it really say? [KOCO5]
Tribal Nations News
Historic Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act now permanent: Proposed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner with support from the Tribal Council, the Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act was initially enacted in 2019. The act earmarked $30 million for housing rehabilitation and repair/remodel of Cherokee community buildings. Amendments to the law were passed in 2022, boosting funds to $120 million, which included $60 million for new homes. The current law was set to expire in September 2025. [Cherokee Phoenix]
Wichita and Affiliated Tribes plans solar project to power hotel, casino: The project will install rooftop solar panels and panels on top of covered parking to provide power for the Sugar Creek Casino and Sugar Creek Inn and Suites in Anadarko, which the tribal government owns and operates. [KOSU]
Osage County’s White Hair Memorial under new management: Changes are coming for the White Hair Memorial, the former home of Lillie Morrell Burkhart. In a recent meeting at the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Burkhart Trust, which oversees the management of her estate, Trait Thompson, the Historical Society’s executive director outlined a new partnership between the Osage Nation to run Mrs. Morrell Burkhart’s former home. [KOSU]
Two Indigenous artists chosen for MacArthur genius awards: The 22 fellows will each receive a grant of $800,000 over five years to spend however they want. The 2024 fellows include Oklahoma Indigenous artist: Sterlin Harjo, 44, Seminole from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a filmmaker whose work, including the television series “Reservation Dogs” that he co-created, is grounded in the daily lives of Native American communities. [ICT]
The Wrap: Indigenous women recognized in TIME: Executive Vice President of the Seattle Indian Health Board Abigail Echo-Hawk, Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, and actress Kali Reis, Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, are named in the list as up-and-coming leaders and emerging influencers in health, climate, politics, business, sports, arts and more. Echo-Hawk has also worked in bringing MMIWG issues to the forefront. She co-authored a report that outlined data issues and the staggering number of MMIWG cases in 71 urban cities across the U.S. [ICT]
Voting and Election News
Monroe Nichols says he never voted to ‘defund the police,’ accuses Karen Keith of lying: Monroe Nichols says he never voted to ‘defund the police,’ accuses Karen Keith of lying. [Tulsa World]
Education News
Oklahoma higher education officials appeal to lawmakers to keep state institutions competitive: Several presidents of Oklahoma colleges and universities urged state lawmakers on Wednesday to adopt policies to make the state’s higher education institutions more competitive. [Oklahoma Voice]
Concerns about connecting accreditation to academic achievements brought up to lawmakers: Lawmakers went over the new accreditation rules for public schools in Oklahoma in an interim study on Wednesday. [Tulsa World]
Grace period for student loan payments is over: The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on Sept. 30. The “on-ramp” period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score. [The Journal Record]
Firearm training for teachers, $3 million for Bibles proposed in Oklahoma education budget: The Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a budget request for the coming fiscal year that will include money for Bibles and concealed carry training for teachers. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma Freedom Caucus supports classroom Bible mandate: Caucus leadership says the Bible is essential to understanding the nation’s start. [KOSU]
Opinion: What $3 million can buy in Oklahoma public schools: By ordering placement of a specific Christian Bible version in all classrooms — whether for math, science, social studies, language arts, music or art — is about indoctrination to a narrow brand of Christianity, not incorporating into history. If for some reason the courts find this (obviously) unconstitutional or lawmakers have sense to reject the request, here’s some other things schools could buy with $3 million next year: 60 teachers (at about $50,000 each) to educate about 8,400 students; Three safety resource officers to rotate among 20 schools to protect about 1,000 students; 1.7 million school lunches. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Health News
First Watch: Stuff You Should Know [Oklahoma Watch]: A 2023 report by the Institute for Living Self-Reliantly praised a Tulsa ordinance that set a one-mile radius between existing dollar stores and new ones in North Tulsa. That was championed by District 1 Councilperson Vanessa Hall-Harper, who also worked to help a full-service grocery store, Oasis Fresh Market, open in the neighborhood in 2022. The World’s editorial board opposed the restrictions, arguing that incentivizing new business was better than deterrents. [Oklahoma Watch]
Opinion: First ketamine treatment clinic in Oklahoma finding success treating depression: For many who are unfamiliar with this treatment, the psychedelic experience ketamine produces may sound scary. But, in fact, it’s giving people the power to reclaim control of their lives. [
Criminal Justice News
Execution date set for admitted child murderer Kevin Ray Underwood: Death row inmate Kevin Ray Underwood is now facing execution on his birthday, more than 18 years after killing a 10-year-old girl in what the attorney general called one of the most “depraved” murders the state has ever seen. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Opinion: Homeless at age 13, living united transformed my life: I grew up in a home marked by dysfunction and severe adversity, including neglect, parental addiction, and domestic violence. By 13, I was kicked out of the house. At 16, I was working full-time just to pay for a room, and by 17, I found myself pregnant and feeling lost, having dropped out of high school. [Melanie Anderegg / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Dockworkers’ strike unlikely to affect shipping here, Tulsa port official says: A dockworkers’ strike on the East and Gulf coasts is unlikely to affect shipping at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa for several reasons, a port official said. [Tulsa World]
Tulsa gains $990K to push forward Greenwood revitalization plan: The goal is to create a more connected, vibrant neighborhood that honors Greenwood’s legacy while empowering residents to build wealth and take ownership of their community. PartnerTulsa has announced the city’s Development Authority locked down a $990K grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, advancing a plan to revitalize a Greenwood neighborhood. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: Castillo, Shinn: Celebrating U.S. Latinas giving life to the OKC economy: Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the impact Latinos have made in our culture every year. Whether we recognize it or not, we experience this impact year-round through our food, sports, business, politics, science, education and the arts. Yet, one of the most important and lasting impacts that often goes unrecognized and most certainly under celebrated is the role the Latinas play in accelerating economic growth. [Tony Shinn and David Castillo / The Journal Record]
Community News
‘Silkwood’: How to watch the 1983 Meryl Streep movie about Oklahoma nuclear whistleblower: Karen Silkwood was an employee at the Kerr-McGee nuclear plant near Crescent, Oklahoma. Silkwood was a laboratory-technician-turned activist who tried to expose safety issues ongoing at the plant, according to Brittanica. She died on Nov. 13, 1974, after crashing her car on her way to meet with a newspaper reporter to discuss her evidence of negligence at the plant. [The Oklahoman]
Black Broadway Tulsa debuts powerful performance of “A Raisin in the Sun”: In an interview with the Black Wall St. Times, the creator of Black Broadway Tulsa, fresh off a production of “A Raisin in the Sun,” shares why he’s chosen to make the city his permanent home. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Local Headlines
- OU, Norman leaders speak on benefit of Rock Creek Entertainment District for Norman businesses [OU Daily / KGOU]
- Edmond voters will decide fate of $231 million bond package [KOSU]
- New Exhibit Sheds Light on Drug Addiction’s Impact in Oklahoma [The Black Wall Street Times]
Quote of the Day
“Waiting more than a year to ask for guidance, changing procurement methods multiple times, and now requiring school districts to individually procure emergency inhalers is neither speedy nor responsible.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond wrote in a letter criticizing the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s delay in purchasing emergency inhalers for public schools. Legislation from July of 2023 appropriated $250,000 to the state department to purchase emergency asthma inhalers for public schools. [KGOU]
Number of the Day
62.2%
Percentage of Oklahomans age 65 and older who voted in the November 2022 general election. This age group had Oklahoma’s highest voting participation rate. National and state patterns show that voting participation rates increase as voters age. [U.S. Census Bureau]
Policy Note
Friends, family and neighbors are Americans’ most common source of local news: Americans’ relationship with local news is changing. More are getting news online, and fewer are turning to sources like daily newspapers. However, one thing that has remained consistent is the importance of friends, family and neighbors as sources of local news for most Americans. In fact, they are the most common source of local news we asked about, ranking above television stations, radio stations and online forums like Facebook groups. [Pew Research]
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