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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
Lawmakers need to act to help older adults struggling to afford housing: Retirement should be a time of financial stability and a time to enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of work, but for many seniors, retirement comes with housing insecurity and homelessness. Without prompt action, this worrisome trend will become more severe and more older Oklahomans will become homeless. [Sabine Brown / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Clinton: As country grows more polarized, America needs unity, the ‘Oklahoma Standard’: On the 30th anniversary of the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, former President Bill Clinton said Americans must unite despite their differences, and that Oklahomans can help lead the way by serving as that role model for the rest of the nation. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Clinton: 30 years ago, Oklahoma needed the nation, today the nation needs Oklahoma [The Oklahoman]
- Families of OKC bombing victims still hold close memories of loved ones, 30 years later [The Oklahoman]
- Ceremony recalls state’s display of unity, shared humanity in wake of OKC bombing [Tulsa World]
- Annual Remembrance Ceremony underscores strength of Oklahoma Standard [The Journal Record]
- Researcher suggests Oklahoma City bombing survivors carry physiological traces of trauma [KGOU]
- OKC bombing conspirator Terry Nichols has been allowed to make money from paintings [The Oklahoman]
- Church explores symbolism of Easter Vigil, Oklahoma City bombing anniversary convergence [The Oklahoman]
- Woman removed from OKC bombing ceremony after walking onto stage, talking at officials [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
‘We have a lot of questions’: Friesen grilled during House ODMHSAS investigation: The Oklahoma House special committee formed to investigate financial issues with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services heard more than three hours of testimony Thursday, pressing Commissioner Allie Friesen for details about financial decisions, non-disclosure agreements, now-cancelled contracts in Tulsa County and whether planned reimbursement cuts had been halted. [NonDoc]
- ‘We need their assistance’: Tulsa police underscore importance of mental health collaborations [KOSU]
- Oklahoma lawmakers grill mental health agency leader over budget gap [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma governor wants a federal-style judicial appointment system: Gov. Kevin Stitt says he prefers the federal government’s top court justice selection process over Oklahoma’s tiered appointment system. The comments come days after his latest state supreme court appointment and amidst active legislative efforts to reshape the Judicial Nominating Commission. [KOSU]
Monday Minute: Deadline Headlines: It’s tough to track all the topics and monitor the dozens of policy proposals pollenating the legislative lilacs each spring. The weeks between Easter and Memorial Day always bear beestings and bird poop, so prepare accordingly as the 2025 session trudges through the tulips. [NonDoc]
Political notebook: Russ, Drummond clash again: State Treasurer Todd Russ and Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s rocky relationship hit another bad patch last week as Russ sued Drummond in the Oklahoma Supreme Court and Drummond responded by calling Russ incompetent. [Tulsa World]
Opinion, Capitol Insider: It was a busy week at the legislature as the first bill of the session made it to the governor’s desk and a lot of bills moved forward. That includes a handful of bills affecting education. [KGOU]
Opinion: Who’s afraid of Oklahoma voters? The lawmakers who represent them: Oklahoma lawmakers are clearly scared to death of their constituents, and who could blame them? After all, voters in recent years have forced our lawmakers to come face-to-face with the terrifying reality that average Oklahomans can band together to circumvent the Legislature’s will and force the passage of new progressive laws and block boneheaded conservative policies. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
- Bill Overhauling Oklahoma’s Initiative Petition Process Continues to Advance [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions
- Advocacy Alert: Tell your Representative to oppose attacks on our right to put state questions on the ballot (SB 1027)
Opinion: Figuring out why Oklahoma women lag in state representation: In my lifetime, the percentage of women elected as state legislators has gone from about 4% to a little over 30% this year. Oklahoma has always been on the trailing end, currently ranking 44th nationally at 22.8% of legislators being women. It’s certainly progress but still not reflective of the 51% population that women make up. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Rabbi: ‘I am deeply offended’ by the Legislature’s resolution proclaiming ‘Christ is King’: Examine business, science, medicine, education, the arts and philanthropy in Oklahoma and you will find Jewish people have been significant in the building of this state — all without Jesus as our King or moral guide. Having non-Christian eyes read something like this proclamation could assist with making a positive statement about Christianity or faith in our state without offending and dismissing those who do not follow it. [Rabbi Vered L. Harris / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Jesus has been betrayed again. This time by Oklahoma legislators: The House passed Concurrent Resolution 1013, a proclamation declaring “Christ is King.” As a United Methodist pastor, I believe that phrase deeply — but only within the context of faith, worship and the countercultural way of life Jesus calls us to. When the state takes those sacred words upon its lips, they are transformed into something else entirely. What was once a confession of worship becomes a political power play. What was once a theological truth becomes a civil decree. And in doing so, the government steps into the dangerous territory of Christian nationalism. [Rev. Adam Young / The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma’s ‘Christ is King’ resolution stirs debate at Easter: What legislators are saying [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Trump is shifting cybersecurity to the states, but many aren’t prepared: President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order shifting some of the responsibility from the federal government to states and localities to improve their infrastructure to address risks, including cybercrimes. And federal cuts have reduced resources for state and local officials, including a cybersecurity grant program and a key cybersecurity agency. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma elected leaders no-show at anti-MAGA town hall: Indivisible Tulsa hand-delivered invitations to a community town hall event to U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, Sen. James Lankford and Sen. Markwayne Mullin. None showed. In front of three empty seats, numerous constituents stood to ask questions of the absent congressmen or simply air their frustrations at President Donald Trump’s policies, including deportations and the dismantling of federal departments. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Man who survived Nazi occupation tells anti-MAGA activists in Tulsa: ‘Resist!’ [Tulsa World]
- Affected by Trump, Oklahomans protest in Tulsa [Public Radio Tulsa]
D.C. Digest: Oklahoma lawmakers stay busy on social media during recess: Congress is out for two weeks, but some members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation have been busy on social media. [Tulsa World]
Trump administration plans to end the IRS Direct File program for free tax filing, sources say: The Trump administration plans to eliminate the IRS’ Direct File program, an electronic system for filing tax returns directly to the agency for free, according to two people familiar with the decision. [NBC News]
Opinion: Tariffs are not the only issue the U.S. needs to discuss with Thailand: As the U.S. meets with a Thai delegation for tariff negotiations on April 21, one important issue cannot be overlooked. It’s an issue that has nothing to do with tariffs but has everything to do with U.S.-Thai relations. It is the unlawful detainment in Thailand of an American citizen and Oklahoman, my brother, Paul Chambers. [Kit Chambers / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Trump and company’s war on religion testing our compassionate heritage: The attacks by Trump and his associates on American religious leaders who are trying to carry out biblical mandates have continued during his presidency. [Daniel J. Morrissey / Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Opinion: Proposed foreign aid cuts will be harmful to Oklahoma and its Native communities: Our governmental programs are not always efficient, we must also bear in mind that the quest for efficiency can sometimes lead to negative outcomes, as well. Oklahoma’s farmers, businesses and manufacturers are heavily engaged in the global economy, as are our Native American nations. Therefore, we must think deeply before cutting back on our international assistance programs. [James Collard / The Oklahoman]
Education News
OK School Standards with 2020 election theories “going to take effect”: Oklahoma lawmakers made it clear on Thursday that the current Social Studies Standards submitted will take effect. One board member said Friday that lawmakers should send them back. There is still a deadline for action to be taken, but many Republican lawmakers said Thursday that it seems like it will be put in place. [KFOR]
Rose State College picks its provost, Travis Hurst, to be its next president: Rose State College chose from within when selecting a new president, picking Travis Hurst, the school’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. [The Oklahoman]
Salary, contract details for new Edmond superintendent revealed: A new superintendent at Edmond Public Schools will start his tenure with a higher base salary than the retiring district leader he will replace. [Oklahoma Voice]
TPS board delays vote on Foundation for Tulsa Schools financial transactions policy: A proposed new policy to prevent a local nonprofit from ever again compensating Tulsa Public Schools employees or funding school initiatives without school board knowledge is temporarily on hold. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Where is education going in Oklahoma? Nowhere, just like hall of fame portraits: Yes, it’s true some public schools in Oklahoma are among the best. But, sadly, many others are not, and getting a poor education is a bad way to get a start in life. And the realization seems to be growing that Oklahoma’s reputation for having poor schools is harmful in many other ways. Families thinking about relocation options are crossing Oklahoma off the list, a blow to the state’s real estate and rental markets. Companies attracted by the state’s lower cost of living, its mild regulatory climate and central location are worried they won’t find the skilled, well-educated workforce they need to succeed. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Why it’s important for Oklahoma Regents to visit the Panhandle: It matters to our community that the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents meets here at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell. Some might ask, why go to all the effort? Why not keep things simple and centralized? Here’s why: because showing up matters. Context matters. And our story, the OPSU story, deserves to be seen and understood in person, not just on paper or over a computer screen. [Julie Dinger / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: The critical need to invest in CareerTech education to fuel workforce success: It’s easy to get lost in the uproar about what’s wrong with education in Oklahoma. Are there issues in education? You bet. But there’s another story — one that’s far too often overlooked. It’s the story of students finding purpose, educators sparking transformation, businesses and communities rallying together to build a brighter future. Something is going right in Oklahoma education — and CareerTech is a big part of it. [Brent Haken / Tulsa World]
Opinion, Tulsa School Board Vice President: Beware of nonprofits bearing gifts: For too long, education reform has been driven by outsider models, often championed by leadership programs like the Broad Academy and implemented through national nonprofits like Teach for America and Reading Partners. These programs, though well-intentioned, have come at a steep cost — financially and educationally. [Calvin Moniz / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Proposed Oklahoma law would force disabled children out of public schools: According to Sen. Julie Daniels, a year in Oklahoma public schools for a student with a disability is a waste. That single sentence lays bare the dangerous foundation of SB 105, and the deeply flawed logic behind her attempt to dismantle a system that exists to protect our most vulnerable learners. [Jared S. Gleaton / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Oklahoma ranks 47th in children’s health care: Access to health care is one of the biggest challenges facing Oklahoma’s children and their future. The state ranks 47th in the U.S. for the number of pediatricians per 100,000 kids, and the ratio is worse for subspecialists like pediatric cardiologists, said Dr. Stephanie DeLeon, associate chief medical officer at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health. [The Journal Record]
- OSDH: measles exposure at Sooner Mall and Slaughterville Town Hall [Fox 25]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma County jail reports fourth inmate death of 2025: The Oklahoma County jail has reported its fourth inmate death of 2025. Kasey Ball, 38, died Friday after being found unresponsive in her cell. She was booked into the jail on March 7. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council appoints a new director to guide reform: Melissa Walton, former strategic director of the Oklahoma County Treatment Courts, has been appointed as executive director of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council. [The Oklahoman]
Democrats, GOP are working together to better compensate wrongfully convicted Oklahomans: A bill that could significantly increase compensation for the wrongfully convicted in Oklahoma has passed the House and is headed to the Senate. [The Oklahoman]
Man who served 24-year sentence on wrongful conviction sues City of Tulsa, Tulsa County DA’s Office: A Black man who spent 24 years behind bars for a crime he’s since been cleared of is suing the city of Tulsa and the Tulsa County District Attorney’s office over his wrongful conviction. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Militia founder wrongly identified as ICE agent in viral window-smashing video: Social media posts have been falsely claiming that a man with connections to Arizona and far-right militias was the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who smashed a car’s window with an axe to apprehend a Guatemalan immigrant. But that man has not been hired by ICE and is currently in Oklahoma spreading conspiracy theories. [Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: Tulsa’s 911 Center answered 86,758 calls in March. It’s getting some more help: The federal government has designated all 77 Oklahoma counties as having shortages of mental health professionals, according to a report by the Tulsa-based Healthy Minds Policy Initiative. Tulsa has partnered with Family & Children’s Services to staff the 911 Center with mental health clinicians since 2020. This expansion of services to go 24/7 is being paid for by the nonprofit, which has served our city since 1921. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
60,000 Americans to lose their rental assistance and risk eviction unless Congress acts: A federal program that pays rent for some 60,000 families and individuals fleeing homelessness or domestic violence is running out of money — and quickly. Funding for Emergency Housing Vouchers is expected to be used up by the end of next year. That would leave tens of thousands across the country scrambling to pay their rent. [Associated Press]
‘A hand up:’ Ross Heights, Stockyards City up next in Strong Neighborhoods Initiative: Ross Heights and Stockyards City are next up as part of the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative, a city program that aims to improve the quality of life, increase property values, reduce vacant lots, increase homeownership and connect people with services. It’s funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and since its inception, the city has invested $18 million into several different neighborhoods, and more than $56 million in private donations have helped, too. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Opinion: Local venture investor pioneers new partner investment model: Thanks to a few very forward-thinking individuals and organizations, Tulsa has largely shaken off the “flyover country” moniker and is enjoying more of a “fly into” realm. The flow of investment capital into the local and regional tech sector from several public and private sources has likely exceeded a billion dollars and shows no sign of slowing. [Peter Mullen / Tulsa World]
Community News
Oklahoma students had a message: Someone was destroying the Earth. Who was it?: It was the younger generation that carried the message to Oklahoma’s Capitol and within schools: The environment was in trouble and we were to blame. The first national Earth Day observance was officially 55 years ago on April 22, 1970. That week, Oklahoma students listened to speakers, watched environmental films, protested and created posters that warned of the dangers of pollutants on the Earth’s ecosystem. [The Oklahoman]
Holocaust historian to speak in Tulsa on response of non-Jews, its relevance today: Why non-Jews made the choices they did during the era of the Holocaust and how it’s relevant for the present day is a subject a Catholic nun and college professor will address during a talk in Tulsa on Thursday. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Understanding the aftermath of the deaths of Jesus and Hitler: Sunday was the day that Christians around the globe celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It was also the birthday of Adolf Hitler. The aftermath of each death is a fascinating study in contrasts that leads me to propose the following questions: Why did the Jesus movement persevere and expand following his death? And what was the message that animated and motivated its proponents? [Pastor Jon Odom / Tulsa World]
Opinion: I’m a teen, and this is what we need from adults in today’s world: If you’re a parent, family member, fellow teen or just someone with teenagers in your life, and you can’t help but wonder something along the lines of “why are they all so gloomy and depressing,” this column may help explain some things. [Kai Maciag-Whiteley / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Community conversations led by Tulsa mayor kick off Tuesday [Tulsa World]
- City budget planning: Edmond Electric eyes tariffs, natural gas costs, for possible impact [The Oklahoman]
- Scrapyard expansion scrapped: Attorney withdraws application ahead of final hearing [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“America needs you, and America needs the Oklahoma Standard. And if we all live by it, we would get a fairer economy, a more stable society. We would understand one another, and we wouldn’t feel weak if we admitted we were wrong about something.”
-Former President Bill Clinton, speaking at the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. The Oklahoma Standard was a cultural initiative following the bombing that promoted service, honor, and kindness. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
19%
In 2024, 19 percent of people experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma were over the age of 55. [U.S. Housing and Urban Development]
Policy Note
The Biggest Challenges Facing Older Americans: Insights from the Aging Advisory Group: Adults aged 50 and older are the fastest-growing age group of those experiencing homelessness, making up nearly half of the single-adult homeless population, which is estimated to triple over the next decade. Older adults are especially vulnerable to becoming homeless, as many live on fixed incomes that are insufficient to cover the cost of housing and other expenses. [National Alliance to End Homelessness]
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