Author: Kandis West

Kandis West // kwest@okpolicy.org

Kandis West served as OK Policy's Communications Associate from October 2023 through February 2025. She previously 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. 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raising Oklahoma’s minimum wage | OK Supreme Court declines to stay ruling that St. Isidore contract with state be rescinded | Housing, police and Ryan Walters: Tulsa Mayoral candidates address key issues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...]