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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 Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. Subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
New from OK Policy
H.R. 1 could push Oklahoma’s health care system past its breaking point: Medicaid (aka SoonerCare) doesn’t just insure people — it sustains the hospitals, clinics, and health care providers that care for entire communities. In Oklahoma, billions of Medicaid dollars keep emergency rooms open, behavioral health beds available, and rural providers afloat. House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1), the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, threatens this foundation. By layering constant eligibility checks and new reporting rules onto an already strained system, the bill means providers see fewer insured patients, have less stable revenue, and provide more uncompensated care. The result is predictable: more hospital closures, longer drives for care, and deeper strain on the providers who remain. [Kati Malicoate / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
A fragile aquifer, a proposed mine and a fight over Oklahoma’s water: State regulators are reviewing a proposal to expand sand mining over the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer, despite Oklahoma’s moratorium on new mines in the area. [The Frontier]
Hail damage estimate at Oklahoma property, $38K. State Farm’s offer, $549, suit claims: A report with a $38,000 damage estimate was sent to the State Farm agency that held the policy for an Oklahoma City building. A State Farm inspector said the roof was totaled and he would be writing it up for a complete replacement, but management for the company pushed back. The owner received a letter from State Farm in May stating it would only pay $549.22 on the claim. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: State Question 842 risks robbing Peter to pay Paul: To be clear, I don’t know anyone who enjoys paying taxes. I certainly don’t. But paying for the public services, infrastructure and governing institutions that secure our freedom and prosperity requires some measure of shared responsibility. There is no way to maintain a free society, safe communities or a growing economy without paying for the institutions that make them possible. [Ryan Kiggins / The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma attorney general’s probe of mosque questioned: The head of a statewide Islamic advocacy group Wednesday questioned whether Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s decision to investigate a proposed mosque was a proper use of his office and taxpayer dollars. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Drummond says he’ll investigate mosque. Critics call it a witch hunt [The Oklahoman]
- Attorney general says he’ll look into Broken Arrow mosque financing [Tulsa World]
- What you need to know about the brewing fight over a proposed mosque in Broken Arrow [Tulsa Flyer]
Providers warn child care access could worsen amid end of Oklahoma subsidy program: A popular pandemic-era subsidy program that has helped offset the cost of child care for families and providers will end in April, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services announced. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma DHS to reduce child care subsidy payments, income eligibility [StateImpact Oklahoma via KOSU]
Oklahoma libraries plan for possible federal funding cuts: Since the Trump Administration is threatening future library grant funding to states, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries included a contingency plan in its fiscal year 2027 budget request to the Oklahoma Legislature. [The Journal Record].
Federal Government News
US House backs extension of health insurance subsidies after Dems force vote: The U.S. House approved a bipartisan bill Thursday to resurrect the enhanced tax credits that expired at the end of last year for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace. [Oklahoma Voice]
Iowa becomes the first state to gain more control over federal education dollars: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced Wednesday in Denison that Iowa was the first state approved for a Returning Education to the States waiver, giving the state more control over nearly $9.5 million in federal education funding over the next four years. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Tribal roundup: Choctaw clinic expands, Pratt’s legacy lives, Muscogee Council’s raise vetoed, roles decided: From ribbon cuttings to coin tosses, tribal affairs closed out 2025 and rang in 2026 with a mix of celebration, debate and a little bit of luck. [NonDoc]
Voting and Election News
Editorial: Let’s put SQ 836 on the general election ballot: Oklahomans may have an opportunity this year to make a dramatic political statement. It all depends on a petition drive now going on all over the state. According to the official gist, SQ 836 would establish an open primary system where all candidates appear on one primary ballot, instead of one for Republicans and one for Democrats, allowing any qualified voter to participate regardless of party affiliation. The top two candidates from this primary would proceed to the general election. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Health News
Tulsa hopes sending mental health pros to 911 calls will save lives. We rode along: Tulsa’s Community Response Team is part of Tulsa’s alternative crisis response system that sends field teams and therapists to respond to 911 calls. They use a slow, collaborative assessment on the scene. It’s a different approach that could save a life. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma’s mental health system is at a crossroad. Will we choose deepened neglect or compassion?
Fewer flu cases after spike in Oklahoma amid holiday season: While the number of Oklahoma flu cases is down, health officials said it’s too early to know if the state has already hit its peak. The data, released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health on Thursday, shows a drop of over 7% in positive influenza cases and 40 fewer hospitalizations during the week of Dec. 28, which is the most recently available data. [Oklahoma Voice]
Bird flu detected in Eastern Oklahoma backyard flock: The state’s first case of bird flu for 2026 has been detected in an eastern Oklahoma backyard flock. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was found in a small backyard flock of 43 chickens in Wagoner County. Because the illness is contagious among and fatal to domestic birds, the chickens culled to prevent the spread. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
Man sentenced to life in prison in child rape case as DA references law on death penalty: A 28 year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting children and the prosecuting district attorney said he hopes similar offenders will be “begging for a life sentence” in the future. [The Oklahoman]
Is it legal to record ICE agents or other law enforcement? What Oklahoma law says: ICE agents have conducted several raids in Oklahoma, arresting thousands, including families claiming to be American citizens and legal immigrants. One operation in September had over 100 migrants arrested. Here’s what rights Americans have to observe ICE agents and other law enforcement. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- National Weather Service confirms at least 4 tornadoes in central Oklahoma [KOSU]
- Neighbors sift debris, help each other after suspected Purcell tornado [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma City offers warrant amnesty for old municipal tickets [KOSU]
Quote of the Day
“Voters are understandably concerned about affordability and rising costs. But responsible tax policy requires clarity about tradeoffs. When a proposal promises relief in one place while remaining silent about where the tax bill will surface next, caution is warranted.”
-Ryan Kiggins, who teaches political science at the University of Central Oklahoma, writing in an op-ed about the dangers of eliminating property tax revenue, as proposed by SQ 842. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
3.2x
How much longer Oklahoma’s median Medicaid call center wait time is compared to the national average. Oklahomans wait about 16 minutes, versus 5 minutes nationally, placing the state among the 10 worst in the country for call center delays. Notably, these wait times are already this high before new Medicaid work reporting requirements take effect — changes that are expected to further strain the system and increase delays. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
Policy Note
A Guide to Reducing Coverage Losses Through Effective Implementation of Medicaid’s New Work Requirement: States play a key role in preventing unnecessary Medicaid disenrollments by choosing policies that ensure continuous coverage, simplify renewals, and align administrative procedures with federal guidance. Strategies such as early outreach, pre-populated renewal forms, multi-channel communication, and coordinated data systems help eligible individuals stay enrolled even when incomes or circumstances change. Tailored supports for people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, or housing instability further reduce coverage gaps. Effective implementation of these practices strengthens beneficiary stability and improves access to care while maximizing federal funding and minimizing administrative churn. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
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