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: What to know about raising Oklahoma’s minimum wage | OK Supreme Court declines to stay ruling that St. Isidore contract with state be rescinded | Housing, police and Ryan Walters: Tulsa Mayoral candidates address key issues

By: Kandis West
August 6, 2024 // Updated: August 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: State Ed. Dept. to examine costs of undocumented immigrants | All children have the fundamental right to an education | Oklahoma won’t have to enact new Title IX LGBTQ+ protections for now

By: Kandis West
August 1, 2024 // Updated: August 1, 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: Judge gives Oklahoma pensions green light to work with green banks | With Biden out, how will Oklahoma Democratic delegates cast their votes? | Report shows Oklahoma public education ranks low | How long are Oklahomans expected to live?

By: Kandis West
July 23, 2024 // Updated: July 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: Oklahoma AG fights injunction blocking enforcement of anti-immigrant law | Ardmore teacher investigated for controversial comment on Trump assassination attempt | Policy Matters: Disagreement is natural, but incivility is a choice

By: Kandis West
July 18, 2024 // Updated: July 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: Nearly double the necessary signatures submitted to get an Oklahoma minimum wage increase on the ballot | ahoma Senate’s GOP caucus chooses Lonnie Paxton, of Tuttle, to be its new leader | Oklahoma not entitled to federal family planning grants, US court rules

By: Kandis West
July 16, 2024 // Updated: July 16, 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: What Oklahoma law says about teaching the Bible in schools | Oklahoma minimum wage campaign reports surpassing signature goal | Oklahoma needs bold leadership to shape our future

By: Kandis West
July 11, 2024 // Updated: July 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: New Oklahoma school board takes over charter oversight, Catholic school Court order | How Indigenous Oklahomans are leading movement to improve 2SLGBTQ youth well-being | What are community schools?

By: Kandis West
July 9, 2024 // Updated: July 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: Tribes step up when Gov. rejected summer food aid for children | Judge rules state ag dept. ignored poultry farm impacts | Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail financed, awaiting action from Gov.

By: Kandis West
July 8, 2024 // Updated: July 8, 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: 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...]