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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
Oklahoma legislators to tackle child well‑being in 2025 interim studies (Capitol Update): Last week Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, released the list of approved interim studies for this year’s interim session. With Oklahoma ranking 46th overall for child well-being in the 2025 Annie E. Casey Kids Count Databook, this could be an exciting interim for those interested in providing services to Oklahoma’s children. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma County Sheriff to investigate reports of nude women seen on state superintendent’s TV: Last week, Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, announced that an investigation was underway and that he had tasked the Office of Management and Enterprise Services with looking into the “bizarre and troubling situation” where two state Board of Education members reported seeing naked women on the television screen in Walters’ office during a July 24 executive session The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office has assigned an investigator to the case who will determine if anything illegal happened, Brilbeck said. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Nude women on Ryan Walters’ TV screen during executive session: What we know [The Oklahoman]
- Sheriff’s Office confirms investigation into nudes seen on Ryan Walters’ office TV [Tulsa World]
- OMES refers investigation into reports of nude images on Ryan Walters’ TV to Oklahoma County Sheriff [StateImpact via KGOU]
- Oklahoma lawmaker calls for more details on allegations of nudity shown at Board of Ed meeting [KOCO]
- Oklahoma authorities investigate reports of explicit images on state education chief’s TV [AP]
Opinion: Oklahoma has always been a test of America’s future: In a moment, I will tell you how I learned to love Oklahoma, a state I have had to point out on a map more times than I can count to Americans and foreigners alike. One with 77 crimson red counties and a license plate that once simply read: “OKLAHOMA IS OK.” But first, it is important to tell you about my first Oklahoma school history lesson ― one I learned when I was eight years old, after my parents moved our family cross-country. [Caleb Gayle / The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Child hunger, tribal relations: A look at Oklahoma House interim studies this year: Oklahoma House lawmakers will discuss childhood hunger, teacher recruitment and retention, energy needs and more this fall ahead of the 2026 legislative session. The interim studies “serve as a valuable tool for lawmakers to take a deeper look at topics that may require further review or data gathering before formal legislation is considered,” according to a statement issued by Hilbert’s office. [The Oklahoman]
State’s grocery sales tax cut draws criticism: Though it was praised by the governor and legislative leaders, the law that cut the state’s portion of the grocery sales tax is now being crit icized by at least one member of the Oklahoma Grocers Association, who said the change is doing more harm than good. Enacted during the 2024 legislative session, House Bill 1955 eliminated the state’s 4.5% tax on groceries. The measure also restricted any increases in local sales taxes from affecting food and food ingredients until June 30, 2025. [Southwest Ledger]
- OK Policy fact check: Will Oklahomans still pay sales tax on groceries? (2024)
Oklahoma Highway Patrol cautions public after investigating 13 fatalities in one ‘heartbreaking’ weekend: In a post on Sunday night, OHP described the past few days as devastating and heartbreaking as troopers investigated seven crashes that led to 10 fatalities, along with three fatal drownings. The post notes there were 12 fatalities but the Department of Public Safety provided The Oklahoman with an updated figure on Monday. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma’s governor promises to reignite the “American Dream” while leading national group: Oklahoma’s Republican governor was selected to become the chair of the National Governors Association for the next year. Gov. Kevin Stitt was tapped by his peers during their summer meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo., to lead the group, which represents the leaders of 55 states, territories and commonwealths. Stitt’s term will run from 2025 to 2026. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt elected to lead National Governors Association [KOSU]
Federal Government News
Appeals court affirms nationwide block on birthright citizenship order: A federal appeals court dealt a setback for President Donald Trump’s offensive to end birthright citizenship, even after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the lower courts to avoid overly broad immigration rulings. The decision likely sets the stage for the high court to again hear arguments related to the constitutional right for babies born on U.S. soil. [Oklahoma Voice]
Justice Department files misconduct complaint against federal judge handling deportation case: The Justice Department on Monday filed a misconduct complaint against the federal judge who has clashed with President Donald Trump ‘s administration over deportations to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Escalating the administration’s conflict with U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media that she directed the filing of the complaint against Boasberg “for making improper public comments about President Trump and his administration.” [AP]
Immigrants sue over Trump’s mandatory detention, no-bail policy (transcript): The Trump administration has stopped a longstanding practice of allowing immigrants who are challenging deportation to do so while free on bond. Officials now say they should all remain in detention. [NPR]
US Education Department to unfreeze contested K-12 funds: The Trump administration said Friday it’ll soon release billions in Education Department funding that has been frozen for weeks, delaying disbursements to K-12 schools throughout the country. The funding — which goes toward migrant education, English-language learning and other programs — was supposed to go out before July 1, but the administration informed schools just one day before that it was instead holding onto $6.8 billion while staff conducted a review. [Oklahoma Voice]
Former EPA officials say Trump proposal will gut agency’s power to curb emissions: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has submitted a proposal to scrap a years-old finding that greenhouse gas emissions threaten the environment and public health, a move that former agency officials say would gut the EPA’s authority to reduce emissions and is sure to end up in the courts. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Lucas bill would grant tribes full control of food distribution program: Legislation aiming to turn over a federal food distribution program to tribal communities has been introduced by Oklahoma’s two most senior House members, one of who is the chair of the Appropriations Committee. The legislation aims to improve access to healthy food in tribal communities nationwide by granting tribal governments permanent control over the administration of FDPIR. [Gaylord News]
Tribal nations left with few options to resist Oklahoma’s Westwin Elements due to complex history: A history of oppressive policies and legal rulings stacked the deck against tribal sovereignty, helping greenlight Westwin Elements’ pathway to operations amid opposition from local tribes. [KOSU]
Education News
OSDE board member urges focus on improving Oklahoma’s education system amid Ryan Walters controversy: A Department of Education board member prefers to address other issues rather than the recent incident involving State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who other board members allege had pictures of nude women on his TV during a closed meeting. Chris Van Denhende says he’s more concerned with Walters’ plan to test teachers who transfer from other states, and Walters’ violation of state statute. [News on 6]
New rule places requirements on Oklahoma school counselors’ work time: A new Oklahoma rule places strict limitations on how much time public school counselors can spend on non-counseling tasks, but some have raised concerns of whether the regulation is too vague to have its desired effect. The rule requires school counselors to spend at least 80% of their work time on direct and indirect counseling services that have “an impact on student growth in the areas of academic advisement, college and career, and life skills and wellness,” according to its text. The remainder of their time could be spent on “program planning and school support.” [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Don’t let Ryan Walters’ pornogate scandal deflect from his other failings: State Superintendent Ryan Walters never fails to bring Oklahoma all the national attention it doesn’t need. The latest allegation of possible pornography — or at least female nudity — on display via his office TV screen hits all the high notes of hypocrisy. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Health News
Oklahoma health leaders address challenges, low rankings in health care system: Oklahoma healthcare leaders convened at Rose State College on Monday to discuss solutions for the state’s healthcare system. Oklahoma ranks 49th overall and is 48th in access and affordability. It ranks 46th in racial equity, prevention and treatment, and last in breast cancer deaths. Trauma care isn’t much better. [KOCO]
Failed Seizure of a Vulnerable Vet at Oklahoma’s Largest Hospital Hints at Crisis to Come for Aging Population: Donna Donley reached out to Oklahoma Watch after it told the story of Leroy Theodore, who became the subject of a still-ongoing guardianship battle when he was admitted to St. Francis in April. Theodore’s predicament in the eldercare system hints at the potential in Oklahoma for the sorts of guardianship abuses — hospitals and nursing homes seizing legal control of vulnerable adults, for financial gain — that have become a plague across the country and may worsen as the population ages. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma mother pushes for fentanyl education after daughter’s death (audio): An Oklahoma mom recently made a trip to Washington, D.C., to stand alongside other parents who have lost their kids to fentanyl poisoning as President Trump signed legislation that will strengthen prison sentences for people who traffic the drug. [KSWO]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahomans see increase in deportation orders due to missed immigration court dates: Fears of deportation could be leading to fewer undocumented individuals attending immigration court in Oklahoma, according to a KOCO 5 investigation. Data obtained by KOCO through the Freedom of Information Act from the Department of Justice shows that 1,805 undocumented individuals from Oklahoma have had removal orders issued “in absentia” for failing to appear at the Dallas immigration court, Oklahoma City’s closest court, from January through July 1, 2025. [KOCO]
Wagoner County sheriff, DA seize list of petitioners seeking investigation of their offices: The offices of Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott and District Attorney Jack Thorp launched an investigation into the organizers of a failed grand jury petition that sought to bring criminal charges against the two, according to documents obtained by KJRH. Elliott’s and Thorp’s offices allege that some signature gatherers lied to citizens, and the pair requested that the district court compel the court clerk to provide their offices with “copies of all paperwork, including voter signature pages” for the proposed grand jury “with no redactions.” [NonDoc]
City of Owasso investigating ‘inappropriate’ police Facebook post: A post Saturday to promote a community blood drive referenced a street initiation into the Bloods gang, and it included an image from the show “South Park” of a group of Black men wearing red. Later Saturday afternoon, Owasso police removed and replaced the post, saying “that got out of hand quickly!” [Tulsa World]
Law is clear that troopers must patrol state highways, OKC lawmaker says: Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, asked Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to weigh in on whether it would be legal for Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton to follow through with a plan announced recently to pull state troopers from routine patrol duties on interstate highways in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas beginning in November. [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma Highway Patrol to address concerns for shift in agency resources from metro areas [News 9]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma Highway Patrol withdrawal sparks legal and legislative pushback (Capitol Update)
Oklahoma City leaders launch curfew initiative to curb youth violence: A new grassroots initiative to curb youth violence is taking shape in Oklahoma City. On Friday, local clergy members, city leaders and law enforcement officials gathered at Ebenezer Baptist Church to announce the launch of #InBy10, which urges parents and guardians to have their children home by 10 p.m. for the next three months. [KOSU]
Lawsuit claims $2.5B theme park backer was coerced, defrauded: The financial backer of a proposed $2.5 billion travel destination in Vinita is suing the project’s promoters, claiming they bilked him out of $60 million and destroyed his health. The lawsuit filed Friday in federal court alleges Gene Bicknell, 91, was defrauded and coerced into sinking his money into the design and construction of the project. [The Journal Record]
- Man who funded Vinita theme park concept sues developers, claiming fraud [KOSU]
After Owasso murder-suicide, experts talk about puzzling, concerning trend of familicide: A recent murder-suicide in Owasso is part of a troubling trend across the area and state that experts say must be studied more deeply to be understood. For more than four years now, murder-suicides and other types of domestic violence homicide have been on the rise in Oklahoma. [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Overemployed workers use AI to manage multiple jobs: When times get tough, some workers take on a part-time job to make financial ends meet. However, with the rise of remote working and artificial intelligence, more Americans are achieving “overemployed” status, holding two full-time jobs. According to a new report from AI Resume Builder, about one in 20 workers holds more than one full-time job, with most relying heavily on AI tools to maintain productivity and to avoid detection from their bosses. [The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- City of Broken Arrow shares conceptual drawings for new library project [Fox 23]
Quote of the Day
“What the administration is now saying – no, it doesn’t matter if they don’t have a criminal history. It doesn’t matter if they have family or are U.S. citizens. They’re saying, look, we’re going to take the most draconian measures we can to detain as many individuals as we can throughout these lengthy proceedings.”
– Matt Adams, legal director at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, speaking about the Trump administration’s new policy that eliminates bail for many immigrants — including those with deep community ties, no criminal history, or even U.S. citizen family members — and mandates prolonged detention while they await court proceedings. [NPR]
Number of the Day
8.1%
The share of Oklahoma’s labor force made up of immigrants. The growth in the immigrant population has helped to strengthen our labor force high-tech positions to agriculture, hospitality, and service jobs. [American Immigration Council]
Policy Note
Trump’s deportation agenda will destroy millions of jobs: If fully implemented, Trump’s enforcement plan targeting 4 million deportations over four years is projected to eliminate nearly 6 million jobs — 3.3 million held by immigrants and 2.6 million by U.S.-born workers — with the construction and child-care sectors hit hardest. These massive labor losses ripple across the economy, undermining business operations, shrinking consumer demand, and weakening job markets nationwide. [Economic Policy Institute]
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