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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
A look at the incoming class of state legislators (Capitol Update): This year’s elections have produced an interesting mix of new legislators. The incoming Senate class is unusually large, while the new House members form a somewhat average-sized class. These new legislators will begin their service with new leadership in both chambers and a governor in the last two years of his second term. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma Superintendent forms advisory committee in anticipation of U.S. Department of Education phaseout: State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Monday the formation of an advisory committee to oversee anticipated federal education policy changes from the incoming Trump administration. [KOSU]
- Superintendent Ryan Walters announces advisory committee on policy changes [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma State Superintendent forms advisory committee for Trump’s education reforms [FOX25]
- From OK Policy: Statement: Eliminating U.S. Department of Education, moving to block grants would be bad for Oklahoma
State Government News
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority approves $1 billion in bonds, 2025 budget request: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority approved the agency’s 2025 budget request and several resolutions last week to issue $1 billion in revenue bonds for a long-term project. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma Supreme Court reverses order, potentially increasing Winter Storm Uri cost for consumers: The Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down an order prohibiting municipalities from collecting franchise fees and other fees or taxes on costs from Winter Storm Uri. [Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
Domino scenarios: Sen. Markwayne Mullin Cabinet rumor spurs speculation: As America’s eyes turn from the presidential election to the presidential transition, questions about whom Donald Trump will choose for positions in his administration abound, with several scenarios carrying possible implications for Oklahoma’s 2026 election cycle. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin reportedly in running for Trump cabinet post [KOSU]
- Sen. Markwayne Mullin reportedly considered for Trump Cabinet posts [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Why is Oklahoma’s voter turnout always so low?: Oklahoma has become notorious for its consistently low voter turnout, but increases in voter registration, along with a record number of people voting early in the state, hinted that things could be different in 2024. But polling expert Pat McFerron said a more influential force was at play that ultimately drove down voter turnout overall: the relative inconsequence of the general election from the view of voters in the state. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: The 2022 Midterms reveal our democracy is still inaccessible to many Oklahoma voters
Education News
Oklahoma bucking national trend as more freshmen enroll in public colleges, universities: Bucking a national trend, freshman enrollment at Oklahoma public colleges and universities has increased for the fall 2024 academic semester, part of an overall rise in the number of students seeking degrees in the state. [The Oklahoman]
Ryan Walters downplays urgency of Bible mandate lawsuit filed with state Supreme Court: In a new court filing, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters calls a lawsuit filed in the Oklahoma Supreme Court concerning his Bible-teaching mandate and his attempt to spend taxpayer money on Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms “a hypothetical, indefinite, nonjusticiable controversy absent an actual urgency.” [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Residents say VA Center has been without water for days: A resident of the Lawton-Fort Sill Veterans Center said the facility has been without water for eight days, with tenants relying on outside water sources and bottled water. [The Lawton Constitution]
Report: Oklahoma sees largest decline in abortions among states with near-total bans: A national analysis of abortions during 2020 and 2023 found an uptick in nearly every state with a near-total abortion ban, excluding Texas, Idaho and Oklahoma, which had the steepest decline. [KOSU]
Is there a link between climate change and Oklahoma’s fall tornadoes?: Earlier this month, residents of southeast Oklahoma City sustained an outbreak of an EF-3 tornado, leading to concerns that climate change is impacting the strength of tornadoes in the state. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Criminal Justice News
Soil samples taken at park in search for graves of Tulsa Race Massacre victims: The City of Tulsa continues its search for the remains of people murdered in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The massacre was a white supremacist terrorist act that left as many as 300 dead in Tulsa’s wealthy Black Wall Street community. Some remains are still missing. [KOSU]
- 1921 Massacre survivor celebrates 110th birthday [Public Radio Tulsa]
New Department of Corrections program addresses violence, extortion, other prison issues: A relatively new program at the Department of Corrections may help address issues ranging from bad food to extreme violence to extortion exposed recently during a public forum at the Capitol. [Tulsa World]
Judge approves petition for grand jury to investigate Tulsa County child protection: A judge has approved a citizen petition seeking to impanel a grand jury to investigate a whole host of issues related to protecting children in Tulsa County. [Tulsa World]
Who is killed in Oklahoma police car chases? 1 in 4 deaths are innocent motorists: In a state ranked 8th highest for pursuit-related deaths, traffic infractions or property crimes prompted the vast majority of chases — reasons not worth deaths or even pursuits, experts say. [Tulsa World]
Slap fighting is subject to state regulation, Oklahoma Attorney General rules: In Oklahoma, slap fighting is a combat sport subject to state regulation, according to a formal opinion from the state Attorney General’s Office. Slap fighting is a relatively new phenomenon where opponents trade undefended open-hand slaps to the face. [KGOU]
Economy & Business News
With improved storefronts, Oklahoma City businesses put ARPA funds to work: Fresh paint, signs and doors are a few changes in the Farmers Market District off Reno Ave., in Oklahoma City. Businesses in the city have put American Rescue Plan Act grant funds to work in the form of new storefronts. Areas like the district have new infrastructure to support their local businesses. [KOSU]
Devon, ONEOK announce strong third-quarter profits: Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy and Tulsa-based ONEOK reported higher than expected profits during the third quarter of the year, raising expectations for production and revenue in 2024. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
The Tulsa World Youth Advisory Board: Columns by high school students: For 10 years, the Tulsa World has convened a Community Advisory Board of city leaders to inform our coverage and contribute op-eds appearing in the Opinion section. Annually, the group works through a series of questions about community challenges and solutions. The Youth Advisory Board meets monthly with Tulsa World Editorials Editor Ginnie Graham. We post the op-eds written by students on the board. [Tulsa World]
Map: How many veterans live in your state?: Veterans comprise roughly 6% of the U.S. population, U.S. Census Bureau data shows. In some states, however, veterans represent an even larger part of the public. [KFOR]
Local Headlines
- Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Claremore [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“The number of deaths that occur in Oklahoma pursuits is troubling.”
-Retired Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel said about the number of innocent deaths related to police car chases. According to the investigation, Oklahoma is ranked 8th highest in the nation for pursuit-related deaths. Traffic infractions or property crimes prompted the vast majority of chases — reasons not worth deaths or even pursuits, experts say. [Tulsa World]
Number of the Day
52.1%
The percent increase in the number of American Indian/Alaska Natives alone (not in combination with any other races) who earned a graduate or professional degree in 2019 (102,882) compared with 2010 (67,644). When looking at undergraduate degrees during that same period, individuals earning associate degrees rose 39.3% to 160,070 while those earning bachelor’s degrees rose 39.7% to 186.657. [U.S. Census]
Policy Note
Polling in the Dark: A Call for Accurate Native Voter Representation: Since Election Day, the members of the National Election Pool and countless other outlets, journalists, influencers, and more have reported on the results of the 2024 exit poll, which includes the claim that 65% of Native voters cast their ballots for the Republican Party. Without a deep understanding of how to address the unique challenges of accurately polling Native American communities, future research will only continue to misrepresent Indigenous voices in this country. From our own work, including data from the Indigenous Futures Surveys (2020-2022), we know that Native voters are highly engaged, with a strong turnout in elections and high levels of political activism. [Research for Indigenous Social Action & Equity Center via Native News Online]
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