Author: Dave Hamby

Dave Hamby // [email protected]

A fourth generation Oklahoman from Pawhuska, Dave Hamby has more than three decades of award-winning communications experience, including for Oklahoma higher education institutions and business organizations. Before joining OK Policy, he oversaw external communications for Rogers State University and The University of Tulsa. He also has worked for Oklahoma State University and the Chamber of Commerce in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A graduate of OSU's journalism program, he was a newspaper reporter at the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith. Dave joined OK Policy in October 2019.

Recent Articles

In The Know: New report shows how 2016 justice reform efforts are working | Can state superintendent end statewide standardized tests? | White nationalism growing in U.S. | Cherokee Chief says next governor must rebuild tribal relations

By: Dave Hamby
August 11, 2025 // Updated: August 21, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Federal court upholds state ban on gender-affirming care for minors | State broadband office prepares for next stage of development | Superintendent announces end of some end-of-year school testing

By: Dave Hamby
August 8, 2025 // Updated: August 21, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: SNAP cuts could starve food safety net | 2025 student test scores available for Oklahoma | Gov.’s executive order blocks SoonerCare funds for ‘abortion-affiliated providers’

By: Dave Hamby
August 4, 2025 // Updated: August 4, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Sheriff ‘surprised’ by DA’s request for OSBI to assist in Ryan Walters investigation | U.S. Reps. Cole and Lucas spoke to in-person groups | New online school can’t participate in private school tax credit

By: Dave Hamby
August 1, 2025 // Updated: August 1, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Ryan Walters says he’s not responsible for images of naked women on office television | Is Oklahoma a Top 10 state? | State takes over private prison in Lawton

By: Dave Hamby
July 28, 2025 // Updated: July 28, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Immigration arrests doubled in state since Trump took office | A growing lack of attorneys in rural counties | Is Oklahoma good for business?

By: Dave Hamby
July 21, 2025 // Updated: July 21, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Homeless youth have few options in Oklahoma | OHP doubles down on pulling resources from metros | Native communities in Oklahoma stand to lose $3 billion from proposed funding freeze

By: Dave Hamby
July 18, 2025 // Updated: July 18, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Hospitals across nation brace for Medicaid cuts under federal megabill | School districts say Walters’ claims of massive budget surpluses are verifiably false, damaging to public education | More

By: Dave Hamby
July 14, 2025 // Updated: July 14, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: State Senate releases interim study list | Trump signs megabill that slashes taxes, Medicaid while boosting national debt | Passage of federal megabill is shameful moment

By: Dave Hamby
July 7, 2025 // Updated: July 7, 2025
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… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Youth justice recap during this #okleg session | Protests get likes; voting gets results | Cash bail doesn’t make us safer, but pretrial reform can

By: Dave Hamby
June 28, 2025 // Updated: June 28, 2025
What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]