Author: Kandis West

Kandis West // kwest@okpolicy.org

Kandis West is a communications professional with more than 15 years of experience. Most recently, she served as the Communications Director for the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus. She spent nine years in the Olympia/Tacoma area of Washington organizing compensation campaigns for teachers for the Washington Education Association. Kandis has a proven track record of increasing community engagement, public awareness and media exposure around the most pressing issues that impact citizens. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism.

Recent Articles

In The Know: New laws go into effect | Implementing community schools would better serve child well-being in Oklahoma | Oklahoma’s 2 largest school districts now both led by Black women, a first in state history

By: Kandis West
July 2, 2024 // Updated: July 2, 2024
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 Supreme Court rules against Catholic charter school | Oklahoma advocates rally at capitol for abortion rights | Gov. approves school rules tying tests to accreditation | Governor’s chief of staff picked to lead the Regional University System of Oklahoma | Dispute over settlement proposal for mental health lawsuit points out incongruities

By: Kandis West
June 25, 2024 // Updated: June 25, 2024
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: Gov. pushes back on AG’s settlement for mental health lawsuit | Oklahoma Corporation Commission to consider historic OG&E rate hike | Lawmakers boost police pension system benefits

By: Kandis West
June 18, 2024 // Updated: June 18, 2024
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 maintains low national ranking in annual child well-being study | Stitt calls Senate special session | Oklahoma State Department of Education announces new teacher signing bonus

By: Kandis West
June 11, 2024 // Updated: June 11, 2024
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 ranks 46th overall for child well-being | Oklahoma’s primary election for federal, local seats are June 18 | Cherokee Nation modernizing rural communities | OG&E consumers may be facing a historic rate hike

By: Kandis West
June 10, 2024 // Updated: June 10, 2024
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: Request for investigation into alleged ghost employee at OSDE | Oklahoma doctors raise the alarm about Medicaid managed care rollout ‘disaster’ | Oklahoma County lawsuit fighting Catholic charter school advances | Oklahoma needs leaders who prioritize people, not politics

By: Kandis West
June 6, 2024 // Updated: June 6, 2024
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: Lawmakers request bipartisan investigation of state superintendent | Women’s Bill of Rights’ goes to Stitt after heated debate | Oklahoma task force on Tribal reservation safety lacked Tribal input | Bill to allow students to get off-site religious instruction goes to Gov. Stitt | Steps to improve budget transparency next session

By: Kandis West
May 30, 2024 // Updated: May 30, 2024
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: Senate confirmations get political | Lawmakers give energy industry $50 Million gift | Budget agreement adds funds to public education | New law could help domestic violence victims | Governor, Tribes negotiate tolls, compacts

By: Kandis West
May 28, 2024 // Updated: May 28, 2024
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: Republican leaders agree on budget with no income tax cut | U.S. Department of Justice sues Oklahoma over immigration law | Supt. Ryan Walters further restricts public comment at board meetings | Poverty is a policy choice

By: Kandis West
May 23, 2024 // Updated: May 23, 2024
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: Feds warn Oklahoma officials not to enforce immigration law | Lawmakers look to expand religion in schools | School textbooks require ‘traditional’ gender roles, respect for religion | License plate dust up causes heartburn with Tribes

By: Kandis West
May 21, 2024 // Updated: May 21, 2024
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...]