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

What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?

By: Dave Hamby
September 9, 2026 // Updated: October 21, 2026
Oklahoma voters will head to the polls for a statewide general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Here’s an overview of what’s on the ballot, and you can find your sample ballots and polling place through the Oklahoma Election Board’s… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Oklahoma just finished one of its hottest, driest months ever recorded | Inola smelter company cuts proposed emissions limits amid legal pressure | Osage legislature authorizes independent investigation of chief

By: Dave Hamby
September 4, 2026 // Updated: September 4, 2026
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: Tribal nations say prediction markets threaten sovereignty | State’s teacher certification pass rates range from 100% to 15% | Lawmakers consider new approaches to Oklahoma’s domestic violence crisis

By: Dave Hamby
September 1, 2026 // Updated: September 1, 2026
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: Election results; voters split on two state questions | SNAP changes create ‘traffic jam’ as Oklahoma works to cut error rate | Families struggle with rising utility costs

By: Dave Hamby
August 26, 2026 // Updated: August 27, 2026
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: Voters set to determine primary runoffs, state questions | Are Oklahomans switching parties to vote in the GOP runoff election? | Call centers in Oklahoma prisons

By: Dave Hamby
August 24, 2026 // Updated: August 24, 2026
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: Oklahoma schools struggle after third-meal program funding cut | Thousands of emergency certificates approved by Board of Education | Early voting for August runoffs and state questions starts

By: Dave Hamby
August 21, 2026 // Updated: August 21, 2026
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: Will data centers pay off for Oklahoma communities? | State troopers cleared a homeless encampment in Norman | Watch OK Policy’s SQ 844 & SQ 846 Town Hall

By: Dave Hamby
August 17, 2026 // Updated: August 17, 2026
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: SQ 846 proponents concerned with posterity, critics concerned with posturing | Gov.’s office threatens to invoice Tulsa, OKC for his homelessness initiative | Teachers, other state employees brace for possible health insurance increase

By: Dave Hamby
August 14, 2026 // Updated: August 14, 2026
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: New report reveals Oklahoma’s average teacher pay among nation’s worst | Felony murder rule can send children to jail for murders they didn’t personally commit | Homeless encampment crackdown keeps clearing people out. They keep coming back.

By: Dave Hamby
August 10, 2026 // Updated: August 10, 2026
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...]

OK Policy hosting Aug. 15 nonpartisan town hall about the state questions on the August ballot

By: Dave Hamby
// Updated: August 11, 2026
The Oklahoma Policy Institute will hold a free, nonpartisan town hall on Saturday, Aug. 15, to help voters learn about the two state questions on Oklahoma’s Aug. 25 ballot. Presenters from OK Policy and the ACLU of Oklahoma will discuss… Read more [More...]