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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: Let’s not be last: We are days away from the Nov. 5 general election, which will decide the presidential race and a host of state and local issues. While many Oklahomans have the best intentions to vote, far too few follow through on their civic responsibility. Being an informed voter is as simple as 1-2-3. Research the issues. Make a plan. Cast your ballot. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
WATCH: Long Sentences and Oklahoma’s Parole Process | Interim Study, October 2024: OK Policy’s Criminal Justice Policy Analyst Cole Allen spoke with lawmakers about how long prison sentences impact the state’s parole process. [OK Policy]
WATCH: Mental Health in Oklahoma Prisons and Jails | Interim Study, October 2024: OK Policy’s Criminal Justice Policy Analyst Cole Allen spoke with lawmakers about how to improve mental health treatment in Oklahoma jails. [OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
First day of in-person early voting in Oklahoma draws a large crowd: The State Election Board said as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, over 17,000 Oklahomans had cast an early ballot in-person. Around 1,700 of those votes were cast in Oklahoma County and about 1,500 in Tulsa County. [Oklahoma Voice]
- ‘You can’t gripe if you don’t vote’: Early voting kicks off in Oklahoma [KGOU]
- Long lines, traffic snarls await voters seeking to cast their ballots early [The Oklahoman]
- Early voting begins with long lines in Oklahoma [Tulsa World]
- Voters Brave Long Lines As Early Voting Begins In Tulsa County [News On 6]
- Early voting in Oklahoma begins amid national election unrest concerns [News 8]
- 162,000 ballots cast before second day of early voting in Oklahoma [News 9]
- Long lines expected again Thursday as early voting continues in Oklahoma [KOCO]
- Oklahomans face long waits on first day of early voting [Fox 25]
- Major turnout for first early voting day in Oklahoma [KFOR]
- Free rides to the polls as early voting begins in Tulsa [The Black Wall Street Times]
- NOTE: The Oklahoma State Election Board has reported that more than 80,000 voters cast ballots during the first day of early voting, while more than 88,000 mail-in ballots had been received by Thursday morning.
State Government News
Gov. Stitt appoints next head of Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs: An attorney with a background in public policy and criminal justice reform will become the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs’ third executive director in four years. Timothy Tardibono will step into the role Nov. 8. [Oklahoma Voice]
Federal judge says Ryan Walters, spokesman aren’t entitled to jury trial in KFOR lawsuit: KFOR and three of its journalists sued Walters and Isett on Sept. 23 after the journalists were barred from the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting room during meetings and from subsequent news conferences held by Walters. [The Oklahoman]
Pornhub to block access in Oklahoma following bill passage: The world’s largest online pornography provider will block access to its platforms in Oklahoma in the wake of a state law that goes into effect Friday. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Oklahoma Corporation puts OG&E rate-hike vote on hold: The decision to delay the vote on an increase that would cost OG&E customers an additional $9.58 each month was due to state statute interpretations and misappropriation concerns, as one commissioner could soon be barred from voting on cases involving the company. [The Journal Record]
Panel agrees to land swap, slightly altering Texas-Oklahoma state line: A state panel on Wednesday agreed to slightly alter the state boundary with Texas to ensure one of their water pumping station is within that state’s boundaries. [Oklahoma Voice]
Smith studies rural firefighter retention: Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, last week held an interim study to examine issues surrounding recruiting and retaining volunteer rural firefighters. The packed study was held before the House Public Safety Committee on Oct. 21 at the State Capitol. [The Journal Record]
Voting and Election News
Election Roundup:
- HD 85: Despite bizarre 2022 resignation, David Hooten challenges Cyndi Munson [NonDoc]
- Monroe Nichols, Karen Keith tussle as Tulsa mayoral race turns negative [NonDoc]
- Tulsa City Council District 7: Former radio host Eddie Huff challenges incumbent Lori Decter Wright [NonDoc]
Anonymous groups are spending big in Oklahoma Supreme Court justice retention races: Outside groups have spent at least $3.4 million leading up to the vote on whether to keep three state Supreme Court justices. That amount is expected to grow in the days leading up to Election Day. [The Frontier]
- Political Spending Accelerates Ahead of Election Day [Oklahoma Watch]
- Oklahoma political campaigns have spent nearly $20 million so far this election cycle [KGOU]
- Groups report spending $3.6 million on Oklahoma Supreme Court retention [Tulsa World]
Education News
Former Wellston substitute teacher convicted for sexting student: After three days of testimony from two dozen witnesses in the trial against former Wellston Public Schools substitute teacher Emma Delaney Hancock, a Lincoln County jury found her guilty Wednesday on two felony counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology. [NonDoc]
Francis Tuttle’s new program tackles skilled trades shortage: Francis Tuttle Technology Center has launched a flexible training program to help put people to work quickly in skilled trades where the current workforce shortage is growing. [The Journal Record]
State Superintendent Ryan Walters demands $475M from VP Kamala Harris in reimbursement: Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has demanded that Vice President Kamala Harris have the federal government reimburse the state $474.9 million based on the cost of illegal immigration on education. [KOCO]
- From OK Policy: All children have the fundamental right to an education
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma grand jury clears officers in trio of deadly force incidents: Officers in three use-of-force cases have been cleared of wrongdoing by the Oklahoma County Grand Jury. The first case, which occurred on August 2nd, involved Oklahoma City police officers. The next case. on August 23rd, involved Edmond Police. The last incident, on September 3rd, also involved Edmond Police. [Fox 25]
Diversion Hub, LiveFreeOKC awarded $2 million federal grant: Diversion Hub and LiveFreeOKC, two organizations dedicated to providing resources and alternatives to violence and incarceration, received a $2 million grant from the federal government to expand their work. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Are Oklahoma prisons safer? Officials, lawmaker disagree after legislative study: Oklahoma legislators heard a too-often-told story Wednesday about a man killed in a state prison, as experts raised concerns about staff shortages and horrible conditions in the state prison system. [The Oklahoman]
Family Safety Center celebrates start of construction on $24 million building: The new 65,000-square-foot facility will offer expanded services to victims of domestic violence in Tulsa County, bringing in additional investigators, attorneys, medical personnel, tribal services and case managers and featuring a courtroom for protective order hearings. [Tulsa World]
Program helps people finish their community service and secure their futures: An Oklahoma City man looking for a way to perform 320 hours of court-mandated community service was able to do so in a manner that was both efficient and beneficial after being connected to an organization that helped him complete his 40 days of service. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
‘Lost our food stamps’: SNAP skimming victim shares story, OKDHS responds: We’re hearing from a man who says his SNAP EBT card was hacked. This comes as the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) is warning SNAP recipients about skimming devices they found across the state. [Fox 25]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma opens emergency drought assistance for farmers, ranchers: Before a bout of rain Wednesday, the Emergency Drought Committee approved a new program opening emergency drought assistance. Drought has mired Oklahoma’s autumn, which is typically a drier season for the Sooner State. [KOSU]
Community News
‘UFO Cowboys’ from Oklahoma on Roku original TV series making comic con debut: “UFO Cowboys” is a Roku original series with an Oklahoma-flavored cast. The show (two seasons so far) follows a group of ranchers, known as the Cowboy Sky Watchers, as they investigate paranormal happenings along the 37th Parallel. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Community leadership programs have lessons for bridging a divided nation: While national conversations focus on polarization, a quieter movement is taking place at the local level. Community Leadership Programs have been cultivating leaders capable of bridging differences and fostering inclusive dialogue, skills that are increasingly crucial in today’s fractured landscape. [Wendy Thomas, Marianne Crosley and Sue Bennett / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Owasso Public Schools seeks feedback on $197 million bond proposal [Tulsa World]
- Adventure District OKC is getting another new attraction [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“This is an important time for our country and we have a responsibility to vote. If you’re able to vote, I don’t know why you wouldn’t.”
– Kayla Denson, one of thousands of Oklahoma voters who waited in long lines at county election boards Wednesday in order to cast their votes early for the 2024 General Election. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
92%
In a 2024 survey, 92% of registered voters say that elections in their community will be run and administered at least somewhat well, including 50% who say they will be run very well. These shares are comparable to each of the last three general elections. [Pew Research Center]
Policy Note
Addressing ‘Civic Deserts’ May Increase Young Rural Voter Turnout: A Tufts University survey that found rural residents ages 18-34 feel disengaged with their communities and are less civically engaged. That Tufts University survey found that while 64% of white youth and 51% of non-white urban youth indicated they were “extremely likely” to vote in the 2024 election, that was true of just 55% and 48% of their white and non-white rural counterparts, respectively. And as we prepare for a general election in which rural turnout will play a key role in several swing states, that matters. [Daily Yonder]
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