OKPOLICY.ORG
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.
Oklahoma News
SNAP cuts could starve Oklahoma’s safety net, food advocates warn: Weeks after Republicans cast aside warnings to pass a sweeping budget package, Oklahoma hunger advocates are scrambling to understand how deep cuts to federal food programs might impact families across the state. [Gaylord News via The Black Wall Street Times]
State Government News
2025 student test scores available from Oklahoma education agency after lengthy delay: Nearly two months after they were originally scheduled to be made available to schools and parents, the Oklahoma State Department of Education has posted the preliminary scores for standardized tests taken by Oklahoma students in third through eighth grades. [The Oklahoman]
Stitt bars Oklahoma groups with ties to abortion providers from receiving Medicaid funding: Gov. Kevin Stitt said he ordered the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to terminate and refuse to renew any Medicaid contracts to doctors or entities that “performs, refers for, or is affiliated with the performance of abortions not permitted under state law.” He said the agency must also implement enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and require Medicaid providers to sign a document attesting to whether they’re connected to anyone providing “abortion-related activities.” [Oklahoma Voice]
- Gov. Stitt’s Medicaid order raises questions about impact on life-saving abortion services [The Oklahoman]
- Stitt issues executive order to block Medicaid funds for ‘abortion-affiliated providers’ [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
New law that may raise utility bills taking effect over regulators’ opposition: The Oklahoma Corporation Commission opposed a new state law, set to take effect Aug. 28, that will result in Oklahomans being charged in advance to fund multimillion-dollar projects that will add to the power-generating capacity of utility companies. [Tulsa World]
Lawmakers push to regulate Oklahoma medical debt, hospital price transparency: Oklahoma lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are working to lessen the impact of medical debt on their constituents. They are advocating for increased state regulations to protect people that have incurred medical debt and to ensure greater pricing transparency from hospitals in the state ahead of medical procedures. [Oklahoma Voice]
New law gives Oklahomans denied access to public records an alternative to court: Anew law passed by more than three-fourths of the Legislature over Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto earlier this year gives individuals and public officials an alternative for resolving Open Records Act disputes. [Tulsa World]
- Opinion: Some help to get open records they don’t want us to have: [Jason Collington / Tulsa World]
State-Tribal relations among Capitol study topics: The state of relations between Oklahoma and the 38 sovereign tribal nations within its borders will be among the topics of interim studies to be held in the coming months at the Capitol. [Tulsa World]
Memorial service set for former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh, while flags fly at half-staff: A memorial service for former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh has been scheduled. The service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 14 at Crossings Community Church, Nigh family spokesman Bob Burke said. The church building is at 14600 N. Portland Ave. in Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma lawmakers honor George Nigh, urge return to civility in politics [News 9]
Capitol Insider: Allegations against Ryan Walters lead to investigation, accusations: Two State Board of Education members claim they saw images of nude women on State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ TV screen while meeting in his office. Walters denies it. But there’s more. This matter has escalated. [KGOU]
Opinion: After years of lap-dog performances, Oklahoma’s Ethics Commission has finally found its bite: Hats off to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, which over the course of the past few months has seemingly transformed itself from a toothless shih tzu into an aggressive, but well-trained pitbull that’s going for the jugular. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: Ryan Walters cannot lie his way out of this latest scandal: State Superintendent Ryan Walters insulted Oklahomans when he recently lied at a press conference and then attempted to plant a conspiracy theory about it. This is just the latest in nearly five years of controversies. We deserve better than Ryan Walters. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Editorial: Ryan Walters is a huge distraction, but let’s stay on track to improve schools: Every year brings new hope that something can be done to put our state on an improvement track. But the often-astonishing actions of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters distract us from the fact that real improvement in school performance can’t be fixed by a leadership change or achieved in isolation. It has to be part of a larger goal of addressing the issue of poverty. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
- The poverty factor is a real obstacle in Oklahoma schools (cartoon) [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
DOJ plans to ask all states for detailed voting info: U.S. Department of Justice officials say the department will seek voting and election information from all 50 states, according to a national group that includes many top state election officials. Several letters also request state voter registration lists, prompting concern about how the department, under the control of President Donald Trump, plans to use the data. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump’s executive order on homelessness has experts concerned. How might OKC be affected?: Some resource providers and nonprofits tackling homelessness in Oklahoma City are voicing concern about President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, fearing that an approach rejecting “housing first” strategies will only worsen the issue. [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
From food deserts to telehealth, tribal students tackle public health inequities: Through the Tribal Health Experimental Student Internship Seminar (THESIS), students were able to teach others and advocate for access to fresh produce and ending food insecurity. [The Oklahoman]
Voting and Election News
Recreational Marijuana Signature Collection Begins Wednesday: Petitioners looking to get a recreational marijuana question on the ballot in Oklahoma could soon be coming to a shopping center, park or festival near you. [Oklahoma Watch]
SCOTUS to decide if Black representation matters in Congress: Nearly 60 years after Dr. King stood behind President Johnson as he signed the Voting Rights Act, the U.S. Supreme Court is now asking a chilling question: Does Black representation in Congress still matter? With Section 2 of the Act under review, the Court could strip away one of the last legal protections ensuring Black voters can elect candidates who reflect their communities. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Education News
Title funds have been released to promote ‘America First Agenda’: More than $19 million will head to Oklahoma for education reform. The Oklahoma State Department of Education said the Trump administration completed its fiscal review and has released the title funds. The funds could be revoked if schools do not comply with “America First” education priorities. [KOCO]
Oklahoma welcomes teachers from Mexico to address shortage: A new program in Oklahoma is bringing teachers from Mexico to help fill the state’s educator shortage, with three teachers starting at Santa Fe South Schools. [KOCO]
Financial aid overhaul: Impact of Big Beautiful Bill on Oklahoma higher ed: For those navigating federal financial aid for higher education, the turmoil of the past few years continues. With a new academic year only weeks away, Congress’ and the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill roiled the waters again with a flood of new rules that, in the long term, could have important implications for Oklahoma students and their families. [Tulsa World]
New Oklahoma State University scholarship program funded with $12 million in alumni gifts: Oklahoma State University has started a scholarship program it says will provide renewable, four-year support to incoming freshmen and provide stipends for internships and study abroad, along with mentorship opportunities with those who donate to the program. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: An open letter to every public school hero in Oklahoma: Dear Oklahoma teachers and staff: You’ve likely seen the headline, “Oklahoma ranks 50th in the nation in public education.” It’s disheartening, but it does not reflect your worth, your work or your impact. This failure is not yours to carry. In fact, you are the reason our students are thriving despite the odds stacked against them. [Jessica Jernegan-Villarreal / Tulsa World]
Health News
How the new work requirements for Medicaid could impact some states: Republicans say that work requirements in the states that expanded Medicaid will get able-bodied Americans of working age off the couch. That means 18 million people who get their health insurance through the state and federal program will have to prove they are working, volunteering or going to school 80 hours a month in order to keep their coverage. [NPR via KGOU]
- Researchers forecast what Trump’s bill will mean for patients: Debt and delayed care [AP via KFOR]
- From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Up to 174,000 Oklahomans could risk losing health care coverage under the new requirements.
Concern about late paychecks reveals problem facing many Oklahoma hospitals: Employees at Wagoner Community Hospital received their paychecks late after the hospital had to secure a loan to cover payroll due to delayed Medicaid supplemental payments. [KJRH]
-
There are an estimated 24 Oklahoma hospitals at immediate risk of closing due to financial pressures caused by a combination of losses on patient services, insufficient revenues from other sources to offset losses, and low financial reserves. This represents more than 3 in 10 Oklahoma hospitals. Oklahoma had the nation’s second highest number of hospitals at immediate risk. [Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform]
Criminal Justice News
As Oklahoma Prison Transfers Slow, Jail Backlogs Grow: Oklahoma’s county jail backlog has increased 74% since 2021, contributing to an uptick in some jail populations and a heightened workload for county officials. [Oklahoma Watch]’
Short on funds for new jail, county officials eye constructing intake center at new jail site: It wouldn’t exactly be like running two county jails, but Oklahoma County is considering something like it. The tentative plan is to start limited construction on a new detention center at 1901 E. Grand Blvd., where Flintco LLC has the jail Behavioral Care Center underway, even without enough money to pay for the jail itself. The care center is paid for mostly with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. [The Oklahoman]
Man taken into custody after reportedly ramming ICE vehicle in Oklahoma City: A man was taken into custody Sunday morning after reportedly ramming a vehicle into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle and then later breaking into a home. [KOCO]
- Driver allegedly rams into ICE agents car, then forces his way into a nearby home [KFOR]
ICE is recruiting agents with incentives, massive ad campaigns. Sheriffs aren’t happy: Get ready for ICE to flood your social media feeds. Dangling bonuses of up to $50,000, federal officials are launching a massive recruitment campaign to hire more than 14,000 immigration agents, attorneys and other workers to help execute President Donald Trump’s border crackdown. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Application launches for new program to expand subsidized child care access: Licensed child care facilities can now apply to participate in the Oklahoma Strong Start Program – a new initiative designed to support the recruitment and retention of child care employees with no-cost child care for their children through the state’s subsidy program. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Shannon Entz ready to tackle affordable housing in OKC: In her new role, newly hired Housing Strategy Implementation Manager Shannon Entz will lead an advisory group tasked with implementing the city’s Housing Affordability Implementation Plan. The city council approved the plan in January. [The Oklahoman]
OCU Law tenant rights clinic rebrands amidst Oklahoma’s housing crisis: Oklahoma City University School of Law says Oklahoma has one of the fastest timelines in the country, renters can find themselves in court just three days after a case is filed. In Oklahoma County, nearly 70 percent of eviction cases last year ended in default judgments simply because tenants weren’t present. [KFOR]
Opinion: ‘They’re takin’ my feet’: Man living on Tulsa streets last winter now an amputee: For decades, a Tulsa man known as Car Wash had been the caregiver of his encampment community, preferring east Tulsa and camping in hard-to-reach city easements. He spent his days clearing windshields and making the rounds to his street friends. That desire to help others hasn’t diminished since the trauma of foot amputations put him into a temporary, supportive re-housing program through the Tulsa Day Center. [Ginnie Graham and Mike Simons / Tulsa World]
- Tulsans concerned about boulders as anti-homeless design [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa mayor calls public meeting days after boulders installed on sidewalks [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Opinion: Winter is coming. Those serving Tulsa’s homeless community have worries. A conversation with Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
- Opinion, Tulsa World Editor: We will continue to report on homelessness as long as it’s an emergency [Jason Collington / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Economists: Outlook bullish for natural gas in Oklahoma with AI and data center demand: The state’s natural gas outlook appears increasingly bullish if infrastructure keeps pace with demand, two economists said. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Doubled donations will support Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids campaign: As childhood hunger continues to impact thousands of Oklahoma children, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is launching its annual Food for Kids Match campaign to ensure no child has to face the school day on an empty stomach. [The Journal Record]
Stitt to nation’s governors: George Kaiser Family Foundation a model of philanthropy: Gov. Kevin Stitt referenced the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s commitment to creating opportunities for Tulsans when he officially launched the Reigniting the American Dream initiative recently as the new chair of the National Governors Association. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Speak up for the vulnerable in our community. We want to remain a safe haven: The Zomi are a largely Christian people group who fled Myanmar due to religious persecution. Tulsa has become a safe haven for this people group. We are even known as “Zomi-Town.” On average, Zomi refugees live in refugee camps for 10-15 years before resettling through the U.S. State Department and, specifically, in Tulsa. [Kara Moseby / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Why I love Oklahoma despite all its faults: I love Oklahoma in the way someone loves something — or more commonly, someone else — and gets nothing in return. It’s an unrequited love, the kind that comes with that gut-wrenching feeling of wondering if all you’re giving will ever come back to you. [Anderson Bell / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- OKC to allocate $175 million for economic development if bond passes. Here’s what’s planned [The Oklahoman]
- American Heartland theme park deal ‘falls apart’: Will Legends Tower still happen? [The Oklahoman]
- With help from volunteers, Oklahoma City Beautiful has worked to clean, educate the city [The Oklahoman]
- Dozens attend OKC Rage Against the Regime rally to protest Trump administration [The Oklahoman]
- Development of ‘Campus Corner’ promoted in Edmond, but would come later rather than sooner [The Oklahoman]
- Budget reform: Edmond’s new mayor tackling his top priority [The Journal Record]
- West Nile virus found in mosquito trap, Tulsa Health Department says [Tulsa World]
- New $98 million retail development planned for south Broken Arrow [Tulsa World]
- Former state Sen. Jeffrey Rabon arrested in Hugo [KXII]
- Konawa City Manager threatens officer’s job after a traffic stop [KFOR]
- ‘I’m embarrassed’: Konawa City Manager speaks about his behavior captured on body camera footage [KFOR]
- Konawa city manager apologizes after viral video threatening officer who pulled him over [KOCO]
- Cleo Fields, beloved Oklahoma County fixture, to lie in state Monday [KOCO]
Quote of the Day
“If even half of the threatened cuts in federal support to programs helping the poor in Oklahoma are put into place, our Legislature will need to change its priorities significantly. Helping alleviate poverty in Oklahoma will improve public school performance, make our workforce more employable, and give a boost to our economy.”
– The Oklahoman Editorial Board, writing about the need to address Oklahoma’s high poverty rate. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: 2023 Census data show Oklahoma ranks as sixth poorest state
Number of the Day
5%
The percentage of adults who said court or government staff asked if they could afford to pay their fines or fees. That means the vast majority of fines are being charged without any consideration of people’s income or ability to pay — trapping low-income families in cycles of debt. [Urban Institute]
Policy Note
Ability to Pay and the Affordability of Fines and Fees: State and local criminal justice fines and fees — ranging from traffic tickets to court and incarceration costs — are frequently imposed without assessing individuals’ ability to pay. This one-size-fits-all approach burdens millions, especially low-income and Black and Latine families, pushing them to deplete savings, incur debt, and face harsh penalties like license suspensions and jail time. To promote fairness and financial stability, jurisdictions should adopt routine means‑testing, income‑based fines, waivers, and alternative compliance options such as payment plans and community service. [Tax Policy Center]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
