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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.
State Government News
Proposed legislation could invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants: Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, introduced House Bill 1043 which bars undocumented immigrants from driving vehicles using licenses issued in other states. [Oklahoma Voice]
Marriage and child incentive bills look to curb divorce rate: A lawmaker is proposing two laws involving marriage. One proposal requires couples to attend marriage counseling before they can file for a divorce. The other gives a tax credit to married couples with kids, as long as it is their biological child. [KFOR]
Stitt order creates an advisory council to develop guidelines to prevent terrorism: In the wake of the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on the famed Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order creating an advisory council of first responders and intelligence personnel in hopes of better protecting Oklahomans and state infrastructure from such an attack. [The Oklahoman]
AG looks to Legislature for sizeable budget bump: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has asked the Legislature to nearly double appropriations for his office in the coming fiscal year. [Tulsa World]
‘It’s a new day.’ Oklahoma’s new House speaker talks about opportunities ahead in 2025: When the 2025 Oklahoma Legislature convenes next month, the House of Representatives will have the youngest leader in its history, 30-year-old Kyle Hilbert, from Bristow. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma raised its flags after Jimmy Carter’s funeral, breaking with ’30-day’ tradition: Federal guidelines typically require flags to be lowered to half-staff for 30 days upon the death of a former president, but some states like Oklahoma have already moved past the mourning period for President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma schools chief sues federal government over immigration policies: State Superintendent Ryan Walters has sued three federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement, accusing President Joe Biden’s administration of imposing a financial burden on Oklahoma schools through a “repeated failure” to secure the nation’s southern border. [Oklahoma Voice]
- State Superintendent Walters files $474 million lawsuit against ICE, Homeland Security [KFOR]
- Walters, OSDE sue feds over cost of educating undocumented students [Tulsa World]
Watch: Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin defends Hegseth’s adultery, alcoholism allegations: President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the military faced questions about his personal character and capability to run the Pentagon during a nomination hearing at the U.S. Senate, but Pete Hegseth found a wingman in Oklahoma’s Sen. Markwayne Mullin. [The Oklahoman]
- Mullin rises to defense of Pete Hegseth during hearing [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Markwayne Mullin defends former Fox News host for secretary of defense post [AP via Public Radio Tulsa]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Nation Indian Child Welfare representative investigating program: Sally Wilson, a supervisor for Indian Child Welfare with the Cherokee Nation, cites disagreeable examples of Cherokee or Native overrepresentation and underrepresentation in federal and state programs. [ICT]
Cherokee Nation receives federal grant to boost EV charging network: The Cherokee Nation has received a $10.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to install electric vehicle chargers across its reservation. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Who will run against Drummond for GOP nomination?: The next Oklahoma gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, and while it’s still early in the cycle, speculation is rising regarding who will challenge state Attorney General Gentner Drummond after he officially announced his candidacy for the office Monday morning. [The Journal Record]
- Drummond has joined the race for governor. Who else might announce their candidacy? [The Oklahoman]
Clinton hospital will change owners, Inola voters reject school bond package and more election results: Voters in two dozen Oklahoma counties went to the polls Tuesday to consider a wide array of issues. [KGOU]
Cheat sheet: 4 candidates in the mix for OKC City Council Ward 7 seat: With longtime Councilwoman Nikki Nice moving to the Oklahoma Senate, four candidates are vying to take her former Ward 7 OKC City Council that is temporarily occupied by appointee and previous Councilman Lee Cooper. [NonDoc]
Norman League of Women Voters hosts mayoral candidate forum: Norman voters will go to the polls next month for a mayoral election. The three candidates met for a forum sponsored by the Norman League of Women Voters. [KGOU]
Education News
‘End the chaos’: Oklahoma lawmaker seeks state board of education appointment reform: An Oklahoma lawmaker wants to reduce the governor’s power through a new piece of legislation. The state’s governor has the sole authority to appoint individuals to the Oklahoma State Board of Education. [Fox 25]
Oklahoma City Public Schools raises 33 teacher salaries through state’s teacher bonus program: More than 30 Oklahoma City Public Schools teachers will receive a pay raise after the district’s board of education chose to participate in the state’s plan to retain teachers through a bonus program. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Public Schools insurance company pursuing claims against Devin Fletcher after wire fraud conspiracy: The Tulsa Public Schools’ Board of Education voted 6-0 without discussion or debate to authorize Traveler’s Insurance to pursue claims against former Chief Talent and Equity Officer Devin Fletcher. [Tulsa World]
State Representative: Religious freedom is under attack in our schools. Lawmakers must step up: Public schools must remain neutral on religious matters, allowing students to explore a variety of ideas, beliefs and worldviews without being bombarded by government-endorsed religious instruction. [Rep. Mickey Dollens / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Here’s how to test your home for radon in Oklahoma for free: A buildup of radioactive gas could be going undetected in Oklahoma buildings. Grants through the state and the federal Environmental Protection Agency pay for test kits. [KGOU]
Criminal Justice News
Board recommends parole for Wayne Thompson, who was locked up as a teen for murder: Family and friends wept and cheered after decades of rejection from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. The final decision to grant Thompson freedom now rests with Gov. Kevin Stitt. [The Frontier]
Oklahoma cop killer Byron James Shepard died Tuesday awaiting execution: Death row inmate Byron James Shepard died Tuesday, almost eight years after he fatally shot a Tecumseh police officer during a traffic stop. [The Oklahoman]
Settlement reached over Oklahoma County jail inmate suicide: Amid ongoing problems plaguing the Oklahoma County jail, the estate of a woman who killed herself in a cell six years ago will be paid $250,000 following the settlement of a lawsuit in federal court. [The Oklahoman]
‘Something needs to be done.’ County commissioner candidates assail jail inspection report: Candidates for Oklahoma County commissioner District 1 ripped into operations of the Oklahoma County Detention Center and Criminal Justice Authority this week after three strikes of trouble. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Okla. Sen. Lisa Standridge wants to ban most homeless outreach: Newly elected Republican State Senator Lisa Standridge introduced a bill this week that would ban city-sponsored homeless outreach efforts for most of Oklahoma. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Proposed Oklahoma bill would stop cities from providing homeless support services [Fox 25]
Economy & Business News
Trump family wants to buy back Washington, D.C., hotel under contract with OKC investors: Oklahoma City investors Andy Burnett and Mark Beffort may face a new twist to their effort to buy the former Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. The incoming president, it turns out, wants the historic landmark back. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Krystal Reyes becomes first Latina Tulsa deputy mayor: New Mayor Monroe Nichols on Tuesday announced that Reyes will serve as deputy mayor in charge of creating and managing the new Office of Children, Youth and Families. [Tulsa World]
Tulsa city councilor proposes replacing invocation prayers with moments of silence: The invocation prayers before Tulsa City Council meetings have been getting a lot of attention during the last few months. Now comes City Councilor Laura Bellis, who on Wednesday will ask her colleagues to support her proposal to end prayers before City Council meetings and have a moment of silence, instead. [Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- OKC Council approves $875K settlement in teen’s death [The Journal Record]
- OKC Council approves $66M park upgrades plan [The Journal Record]
- Tulsa’s 911 center not meeting standards when responding to structure fires, official says [Tulsa World]
- Fire destroys city of Nowata’s Public Works building, vehicles, equipment [Tulsa World]
- Sapulpa launches construction on new high school [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“We’ve been experiencing extreme legislation every year. Things that distract us from really doing the work of the people and that are not real solutions. So, what we hear in that Standridge bill is not a solution. When you talk about public safety and you talk about well being, if we do not help get people on their feet and get people housed, we will see public safety crisis.”
– Sen. Julia Kirt (Oklahoma City) said in a press conference Monday following the filing of SB 484 by Sen. Lisa Standridge (Norman), a bill that would ban all homeless aid services in Oklahoma cities with fewer than 300,000 residents. [Fox 25]
Number of the Day
13
Number of states, including Oklahoma, that have minimum wages at the federal minimum wage rate, $7.25 per hour. Oklahoma’s minimum wage, which is tied to the federal rate, has not been raised in more than 15 years. In June 2026, Oklahoma voters will decide the fate of SQ 832 that would raise the state’s minimum wage. [U.S. Department of Labor]
- From OK Policy: SQ 832: Minimum Wage Increase, Information and Resources
Policy Note
Over 9.2 million workers got a raise on January 1 from 21 states raising their minimum wages — but not in Oklahoma: Twenty-one states increased their minimum wages on January 1, raising pay for more than 9.2 million workers by a total of $5.7 billion. In addition, 48 cities and counties raised their minimum wages above their state wage floors, mostly in California, Colorado, and Washington. [Economic Policy Institute]
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